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Summer Simplified: Tips to a Rockin' Summer Camp
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Camps can be a wonderful opportunity to attract new business to your studio. They can be the beginning of a positive relationship with a repeat customer. |
Summer Simplified: Tips to Totally Rock Your Camp Program Camps can be a wonderful opportunity to attract new business to your studio. Done well, they can be the beginning of a positive relationship with a repeat customer. But without the proper planning in place, they can quickly become a less than positive experience for everyone involved. Don't let this be you! We've compiled our fifteen tried and true tips for a Rockin' Camp. Let's get started! 1. It's never too early to start planning. Many find the slower months of winter to be an optimum time for knocking out the bulk of summer planning. 2. Keep a notebook nearby during camps. Write down notes to yourself about what works and what doesn't. If you're not teaching the camp yourself, spend a little time getting the necessary feedback from your counselors. Once the dust settles on a busy summer, you'll be able to revisit these notes and improve your program. 3. Samples sell! Parents will want to have a great idea of what to expect for their child. Have the samples available for them to see and touch upon signup. This will help to eliminate any confusion, and set the proper expectations. 4. Don't be afraid to ask for suggestions! During our own event planning, we like to ask former attendees and trusted advisors on their opinion. Don't overlook your staff, either. Often times, they'll be closer in age to your campers than you are. They'll likely have valuable insight on popular trends and interests. 5. Set your budget and stick to it. Include everything you'll need to keep summer camps running smoothly--from staffing to snacks--and factor it into your pricing. If you just focus on the cost of the projects, you may be excluding some of your larger costs. 6. Nothing can replace a well crafted schedule. Plan your week around a few larger, multi day projects. Then fill in with projects that support the theme of the week (and stick to your budget!) 7. Never underestimate the power of a few time fillers. While we suggest switching up the schedule every week to keep things fresh for returning campers, these time fillers are so simple that you can reuse them week to week. Have 4-6 in your back pocket for times when you're running ahead of schedule. Also have a few activities available for the super quick camper. This will allow the other campers to stay on task without being distracted by those that finished early. 8. Create open lines of communication with your parents. Whether this is through an email list or a phone call, make sure you have ways to gather information on their child and vice versa. You'll need to be able to communicate important details in the days leading up to the camp, and inform them of any changes. 9. Consider letting a staff member teach. Many children respond better to counselors that are closer to their age. Not only that, but you'll find that most parents prefer this, too. We suggest picking several of your top staff members for the job. It's best to have a lead as well as an assistant. Make sure that your staff is aware and comfortable with all of the responsibilities. In a given hour, they may be expected to teach a group, clean a spill, arrange snacks, correspond with parents, or assist in another area of the store. Make sure they're up for the job! It may be helpful to work the first day with them to properly demonstrate your expectations. 10. Make sure your staff is trained in every step of your summer camp process--whether you're teaching it or not. You never know when you'll need to rely on them! This includes the registration process--a nervous employee will not promote your program for you. Consider adding an incentive for the employee with the most sign ups. 11. Encourage repeat customers by varying your schedule. This is key--very few customers will sign up for multiple weeks if the program is the same. Some overlap is acceptable, but avoid repetition if you hope to book repeat campers. 12. Try to have all the projects completed by the end of the week. You won't believe how much simpler this will make your life--as soon as the campers walk out your door, all you have to do is clean up the table and get ready for the next group! Not only does it simplify the guessing game that can happen once you're left with 25 identical clay coil pots, but your parents will really appreciate this during a hectic summer. Try grouping fired projects in the early days of camp, and focus on acrylics, mosaics, and craft projects at the end of the week. This tip will take a little extra thought, but it will make all the difference in the world. 13. Schedule your camps around your business, not the other way around. Your camps are to act as a bolster for your business, not a speed bump! Ask yourself the question, "Is this going to be a problem on a busy summer day?" If the answer is yes, go back to your process and see how to improve. This may mean shifting the scheduled times, or creating an area where campers can be out of the flow of normal traffic. 14. Promote as much as possible. Starting in February, staple a flyer to every receipt that leaves your building. (Yes, this requires you to have your ducks in a row by February!) If you're spending the months planning instead of promoting, you'll have a wonderful camp with no campers. Use social media, emails, and local outlets to promote your programs however possible. Another tip is to offer a sibling or friend discount for signing up two or more campers at once. You may even try offering referral cards to parents. If their referral signs up, both parties receive a discount. 15. Have fun! A fun and lively camp program will ensure your success. There's no better advertisement for your business than happy campers. The wonderful thing is that the parents of those happy campers will tell others. With time, your rockin' program will grow through word of mouth! Few things in your studio will prove to be as challenging and rewarding as camp programs. Take the necessary steps to start planning your best summer EVER! When the first campers arrive, you'll be glad you did. Good luck! We know you'll be great. | |
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