Build a Culture that Will Fill Your Resident Camp Dan Weir, Frost Valley YMCA Joanna Warren Smith, Camp Consulting Services
Build a Culture that Will Fill Your Resident Camp
Dan Weir, Frost Valley YMCAJoanna Warren Smith, Camp Consulting
Services
http://www.danlovescamp.com
Dan Weir [email protected]
http://danlovescamp.com twitter: @danlovescamp
Joanna Warren Smith [email protected] http://camp-consulting.com
Objective
Learn key components of a successful resident camp
Objective
Identify elements that will positively influence your
camp culture
Objective
Develop a timeline by which to create a new camp
culture
Objective
Prioritize an action plan that will net results in
Summer 2017
CULTURE
is the traditions, customs and philosophy of your
community
INTENTIONALITY
is the process you use to achieve desired outcomes
POWER PELLETS
to fill your resident camp
1. Know your mission
1. Know your mission - Camper outcomes
Missions not reserved for not-for-profits
The experience must be consistent
It is valued by parents
The campers treasure your mission
2. Stick to your knitting
Your mission/focus should dictate your decision making
Acknowledge and celebrate your campers and staff when they are practicing your mission/focus
Staff are camper focused
3. Be confident in a “benevolent dictatorship”
Write the script, block the scenes, select the actors, rehearse & watch the performance
Do not assume that others will deliver product
according to your expectations
You can say “no” &
still be a supportive leader.
Let them know that you value their point
of view &
that your role is to guide them
4. Let your passion show
Learn the stories about your camp’s impact
Share the stories
Treat your camp like a movement
5. Be receptive to all ideas
Welcome new ideas in a productive format
While brainstorming do not allow people to shoot down ideas of other
Do a SWOT analysis of your camp with different audiences
Share rationale for decisions
Most importantly people want to know that you are moving camp forward
6. Walk the walk & talk the talk
You are a public figure.You are on a pedestal.
Lead by example
7. Maintain the culture
Hiring & Training
Language
Monitoring & Mentoring
8. Culture is 24/7/365
Non-summer and summer style must be aligned
9. Feature “WOW” programs
Those that cost money and those that don’t
Reinvest in the product
10. Program progression
10. Program progression - Visual of program progression
8 11 12 14 15 16
Junior Intermediate Senior
Internal marketing
External marketing
11. Messaging
Friendship and values
Confidence and character
Grit and compassion
Where Kids Unplug and Connect
Growing Character, Skills & Relationships
12. Nurture relationships
With campers
With camper families
With alumni
With seasonal & year round staff
13. Seek new acquisitions
Corporate connections
Word of mouth
Maintain & follow up with inquiries
Expand target areas
14. Keep it clean
Your facility
Your equipment
15. Be timely & responsive
With pre-camp and during-camp communications
Have people answer the phone when they call
16. Best Business Practices –
Program Logistics
Maximize the use of your venue
Confirm program time
Equipment
16. Best Business Practices –
Inclusive vs ad-on fees
People do not want to be nickeled and dimed
16. Best Business Practices -Intentionality of
meals, events, & traditions
Is your food good?
Treat each meal like a program
Special events add to program
16. Best Business Practices - Celebrate legacy &
participation
16. Celebrate legacy & participation
16. Celebrate legacy & participation
http://www.danlovescamp.com
Dan Weir [email protected]
http://danlovescamp.com
Joanna Warren Smith [email protected] http://camp-consulting.com