Your Summer Camp Domination Station

 

 Now that summer is in full blast (just like your air conditioners, if your weather is anything like ours!) you may be looking for some tips and ideas to refresh your summer camp program.

You've probably hosted a few sessions by now, and are just now getting a feel for what works and what doesn't. Let's face it: hosting a group of kids every day of the week while keeping them interested and inspired isn't the easiest job. After five years of running the summer camp program with one of my close coworkers, I certainly understand how camp can be: even when you know what you're doing! Few studio tasks are as challenging and rewarding at the same time. We don't want your camp experience to just be “okay”, we want to see your programs flourish! 

So we thought we'd give you a few pointers, and would love to hear your feedback. What works for you? What doesn't?

We'll start with some ideas on how to gain interest for your camps. Tips won't be of any help if you don't have campers, now will they?

1. Print flyers explaining the program with prices and times.
2. Staple camp information to each customer receipt and make sure your employees are knowledgeable about your programs.
3. Offer two-for-one or sibling discounts when parents sign up two campers. Promote any specials you have in your email list!
4. Switch up your curriculum each week to encourage parents to sign up their children for multiple sessions.
5. Dedicate a shelf in your store to displaying the latest and greatest camp artwork. This will get the conversation going and raise interest in your programs!

Phew. Now that you've gotten them signed up, what are you going to do with them? Without further ado, we present:

OUR TESTED, TRIED, TRUE AND TOP TEN TRICKS TO ROCKING SUMMER CAMP.

1. Schedule your camp with your other customers  in mind. It helps to have camp in either a time or place that will minimize it's impact on your other customers. Try starting camps an hour before you open in the morning, or host them in a private room or out of the way table. Whatever you can do to keep the group contained will benefit your other business tremendously.
2. Start the week by playing a few introductory games with the kids. If they feel more comfortable with you and the other campers, I guarantee it will make your job easier! When the kids can interact, they'll be more excited and involved with the projects. Go around the table and ask names, grades, and a funky fact. Don't forget to include yourself! (Campers love to hear that you're in "30^th grade" ;))
3. After getting to know the kids a little bit, you'll be able to give more personal and helpful instruction. But sometimes, two or four hands just isn't enough. Ask the campers who wants to be your “helper” for the day. Sounds crazy, but I promise you'll get some volunteers! The kids will feel special getting to go behind the counter to wash palettes and spray the table to clean up. This works really well when you're stretched to your limit!
4. Have a few small prizes for the kids. Sometimes, we'd offer a lollipop or a silly band to the best behaved camper that day. But my favorite game of all is “I Spy a Magic Scrap”. After messy cutting, painting, or mosaic projects, fix your eye on a single piece of paper or blob of paint. Then, tell the children that they have 2-3 minutes to clean up. Whoever cleans the spot you picked out gets a prize. Kids get really excited about this game and it will do wonders for the strenuous transitions between projects!
5. Try to avoid down time however possible. The last thing you need is a hyper group of kids running around the studio! Plan a few “filler” projects to do with the kids should one of your projects finish early, or if all the kids are working at different paces. Some of my go tos are: Origami Fortune Tellers  7-up (or 3-up, if you don't have many campers!) or Perler Bead projects  that you can make into magnets for an easy Make and Take on the last day of camp. We even painted a hang man and tic-tac-toe game on one of our 8'' tiles for campers to use with dry erase markers.
6. Engage with your parents, too. If you notice a child is having trouble, ask if the parents have any ideas. Open lines of communication will make the parents feel more at ease (and much more likely to spread the word about your fabulous program to friends)
7. Have your kids decorate their own camp bags on the first day. (Make sure their name is prominent and easy to read!) That way, as projects finish throughout the week, you can stuff them into their bags. On the last day, they'll have their projects all in one place and ready to go! Easy-peasy.
8. A fun project for the last day of camp: have your kids make thank you cards for their parents. I like to teach them how to make pop-up cards with messages inside. The parents will really appreciate the extra thought.
9. Make sure you have parents fill out basic information on their children, including doctor's numbers, emergency contacts and any allergies that they may have. You never want to be in a situation where you don't have this info!
10. And finally, the number one most important thing you can possibly know about managing summer camps: PLAN! Plan, plan, plan. NOTHING will replace forethought and insight into your campers' and studio's needs. Have a well thought out (but incredibly flexible!) schedule made up before the first day of camp. It's always a good idea to stay one step ahead of the camp. While the children work on one project, get started setting up for the other so you can quickly transition once they're finished. If possible, set the projects up at different tables so once the kids are done they can just switch over and leave clean up for later. Nothing creates chaos faster than rushing to catch up with the schedule. You can recycle the flow from week to week, and by the end of the summer, you'll be a time management pro and a camp counselor champion all in one!
    
    
    Woohoo! Now you've got ten more butt-kicking tools in your toolbox. The next time that first camper walks in your studio door--you'll be ready!