10 Ways You Can Use Camp Stories to Grow Year-Round 🌱

In an age when screens and apps are ever-present in children’s 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.

It’s up to camp’s 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 camp’s 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 you’ve 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 you’ve 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) What’s been your favorite activity at camp this summer and why? 2) Share a story about a friend you’ve made at camp and the impact they’ve made on you. 3) What’s your favorite part of cabin and bunkmates at camp this summer?