10 Ways You Can Use Camp Stories to Grow Year-Round đ±
A storytelling strategy for values-driven camps
In an age when screens and apps are ever-present in childrenâs lives, the opportunity to unplug and connect with one another through fostering authentic friendships and outdoor experiences off screen - is an ever-growing gift. For many kids in 2023, this gift almost exclusively presents itself in the form of summer camp. A place where the forest, the lake, and your bunkmates are prioritized and distractions from technology are put on pause.
Camp is a sacred space, a sacred place for campers to grow and thrive. And for many, a foundational element of their young adults lives.
But while one could argue that sending kids to camp is more important than ever, families are more weary than in the past. In our modern, crazy world, before deciding on a camp, parents look for trusted sources, stories, and proof that their child will be safe and feel welcomed during their time away from home.
Itâs up to campâs to share proof as to why families should trust them and to show through stories how their campers have the time of their lives (which is almost always a promise campâs preach).
Check out 10 ways to collect more stories and use them to attract more campers, parents, and staff year-round:
JANUARY - Collect Stories from Past Counselors
Launch a campaign requesting stories from past counselors about their awesome experience working at camp. Ask about the skills they gained, friends they made, and how they grew as a person. Use these stories to attract your staff for the upcoming summer.
FEBRUARY - Use Stories to Attract Future Staff
Include the impactful stories youâve collected in your email newsletters, link inside job descriptions, add to your careers page, include links to a storyboard on camp review sites, and of course feed into your social accounts.
MARCH - Share Stories to Foster Your Alumni Network & Request Donations
Most camps have a network of alumni but it can be difficult to figure out how to keep them engaged. Especially when those alumni could be invaluable referral sources, volunteers, recurring donors, and advocates for your mission and values. Share the stories youâve collected in your newsletter with alumni and include a call-to-action encouraging donations.
ARPIL - Launch a Story Campaign Surrounding Your Camp Values
Launch a story campaign asking past campers to share a story that illustrates one of your camp values and the lasting impact of camp life (i.e. sportsmanship, tradition, fun, etc.). Use these stories for marketing and recruiting purposes!
MAY - Launch a Story Campaign To Get Campers Energized About This Upcoming Summer
Launch a story campaign around what campers are most looking forward to this summer at camp. Weave in a few alumni stories about lessons-learned on how to get the most out of your camp experience. Encourage them to submit photos and videos as well.
JUNE - Collect Camp Stories from Campers 1st Session
Story prompt suggestions: 1) Whatâs been your favorite activity at camp this summer and why? 2) Share a story about a friend youâve made at camp and the impact theyâve made on you. 3) Whatâs your favorite part of cabin and bunkmates at camp this summer?
JULY - Collect Camp Stories from Campers 2nd Session
Story prompt suggestions: 1) What accomplishment are you most proud this year at camp? 2) What new skills have you gained at camp and how will they help you in the future? 3) Whatâs been your favorite nightly activity at camp and why?
AUGUST - Capture Camp Stories from the Summer While Theyâre Still Fresh!
Prompt suggestions: 1) What was your favorite part of camp this summer? 2) Share a memory at camp you made this summer that youâll never forget. 3) Give a shout-out to a counselor and talk about how they made you feel welcomed and included at camp.
SEPTEMBER - Request Camp Stories at a Camp Reunion
A reunion is a perfect place to ask for stories! Here are a few ideas on how you can include stories at your event.
- Ahead of the event, ask alumni to share camp stories. Read these stories out loud at the event and use them for future recruiting and marketing purposes.
- At the event, when alumni check-in, include a QR code they can scan that takes them to the story generator and encourages them to share a camp story.
- After the event, follow-up with a thank you message and a link to request a story from the reunion itself.
OCTOBER - Ensure website is up-to-date with stories to attract families
Now that youâve collected (hopefully) a bucket full of stories related to you values, mission, and meaningful camp experiences, select a few to add to your website, marketing materials, etc. Celebrate the themes that you know set you apart and will attract the best parents, campers and counselors the following year. Even consider creating a yearbook of camp stories from this past summer!
NOVEMBER - Launch A Story Campaign: Ask Campers What They Miss the Most About Camp
During a campâs off season, normally thereâs some downtime. Use this downtime to collect stories from campers, counselors, and even your own staff about what they miss most about their camp experience! Amazing content to boost your recruiting.
DECEMBER - Use Stories to Attract Campers
Use the story bank of stories in your emails to prospective families and more. If parents want to see how certain values are instilled at camp (i.e. teamwork, collaboration, etc.) - send parents a spotlight page linked to those stories with those tags in particular.
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RINSE & REPEAT FOR A WATERFALL OF CAMP STORIES EACH YEAR!
Even if you decide to run just 1 story campaign, youâll be well on your way to collecting more content than you wouldâve had otherwise.
Weâre excited to help you capture camp memories thatâll last a lifetime. Keep the camp content fresh each summer and use it year-round. Itâll be a memory box you wish youâd had yesterday.
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MEET GOODSEEKER:
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