How To Leverage Community Support for Your Camp: 4 Tips
Running a camp is rewarding. From roasting marshmallows at an outdoor summer camp to growing as musicians at a music camp, kids form unforgettable memories and often create friendships that last a lifetime. However, running a camp is also challenging. Funding is tight, staff members are stretched thin, and increasing visibility in a crowded market can feel overwhelming.
The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone! Your local community is full of potential supporters who can provide eager volunteers, funding, and promotional help. By creating strong community ties, you can strengthen your camp, expand its reach, and create more memorable experiences for campers. Let’s explore four ways to enhance community relations.
1. Launch community-driven fundraising campaigns.
Camps often run fundraisers to cover operational costs, scholarships, and facility improvements. Plus, community fundraising campaigns foster a collective investment in your camp’s mission. Some community-driven fundraising ideas include:
Pledge drives. Supporters commit to donating a specific amount based on an individual’s performance in an activity. For example, in a Walk-a-thon fundraiser, participants collect pledges from friends and family for each lap or mile they complete. If someone pledges $5 per mile and the participant completes 3 miles, the donor would give $15. This model adapts to various activities, such as reading challenges, obstacle courses, or community service projects, making it a versatile fundraising option for camps.
Benefit dinners. Bring the community together for a meal to support your camp. Sell tickets, secure sponsorships, and incorporate raffles to raise money. Make it a can’t-miss event by featuring guest speakers and other entertainment.
Themed Fun Runs. A themed Fun Run, such as a color run or costume race, is a great way to encourage participation while raising money through entry fees, sponsorships, and peer-to-peer fundraising. Enhance the experience with team fundraising challenges, a post-race celebration, and prizes.
Silent auctions. Put goods, services, and unique experiences up for bidding. Winspire recommends fun auction items such as travel packages, themed gift baskets, and family-friendly activities like zoo tickets. You could procure these items from travel providers, community members, and local businesses to limit event costs.
The right ideas will engage parents and other community members in fundraising. By choosing interactive and impactful opportunities, your camp can secure financial support and make your community excited to see your success.
2. Promote volunteer opportunities.
Camps rely on volunteers to help with essential tasks such as mentoring campers, assisting with activities, and maintaining facilities. Help from volunteers allows staff to focus on delivering a high-quality experience. Volunteers also bring diverse skills, fresh energy, and a strong sense of community, making camp programs more enriching and accessible.
To find extra helping hands for your camp, create structured volunteer roles. Well-defined roles ensure individuals know exactly how to contribute, making their experience more rewarding and effective. Camps typically offer a variety of structured roles, such as camp counselors, maintenance helpers, kitchen assistants, event assistance, and administrative support. For each role, lay out responsibilities and time commitments.
From here, you’ll need to promote your camp’s volunteer opportunities. You might:
Partner with high schools and colleges to offer community service hours or internship credits, attracting students eager to gain experience while supporting your camp.
Reconnect with past camp attendees who have fond memories and may be eager to give back as volunteers or mentors.
Establish a volunteer referral program where existing volunteers invite friends and family to volunteer in exchange for perks like special recognition or discounted camp fees for family.
Recruiting camp volunteers requires a bit of creativity, but the effort is worth it. A strong volunteer network helps camps run smoothly and fosters long-term support from your community. By making volunteer opportunities available, you’ll inspire more people to get involved.
3. Form partnerships.
Community partnerships are essential for providing your camp with valuable resources, financial support, and opportunities to expand programming while keeping costs manageable. By collaborating with local businesses, schools, libraries, nonprofits, and other camps, you can gain access to shared facilities, sponsorships, and expertise that strengthen your camp’s offerings. These partnerships can enhance the camper experience and boost your camp’s credibility within the community.
Here are a few partnership opportunities to explore:
Partner with schools to offer after-school activities, outdoor education programs, or summer learning initiatives that integrate with their curriculum.
Work with local businesses for sponsorships, employee volunteer days, or in-kind donations, such as supplies, food, or equipment.
Team up with libraries or other camps to co-host educational workshops, literacy programs, or joint events. For example, consider organizing a Read-a-thon with a local library. 99Pledges’ Read-a-thon guide explains that this event challenges participants to track their reading progress and collect donations based on total minutes read. Beyond fundraising, a co-hosted Read-a-thon is excellent for getting parents and the community involved, improving reading skills, and building kids’ love of reading.
Building strong relationships with community partners can earn ongoing support for your camp. In return, recognize your partners by featuring their logo on marketing materials, camp t-shirts, or event banners. Aim for mutually beneficial relationships, so your camp can build a network of reliable partners who help sustain your programs.
4. Boost your visibility.
Effective marketing builds your camp’s reputation, making it easier to attract new campers while keeping returning families engaged.
To stand out, position your camp as a can’t-miss opportunity by highlighting its unique programs and experiences. Show families why your camp is special—whether it’s exciting activities, a strong sense of community among campers, or a focus on personal growth.
Marketing also helps you connect with new community partners to secure funding and demonstrate the impact of past partnerships. Essentially, a well-marketed camp not only fills its registration spots but also strengthens its support network for long-term success. Here are a few strategies to spread the word:
Use social media. Share engaging stories, photos, and videos that showcase your camp experience.
Engage local news outlets. Submit press releases or invite local journalists to cover special events at your camp.
Use email to re-engage past campers. Send personalized updates, special offers, and camp news to past attendees and their families to encourage re-enrollment.
Participate in community events. Set up booths or interactive activities at local fairs, festivals, or school events. This allows for personal interactions with potential campers and their families.
Sponsor local schools’ teams. Many school teams seek sponsorships as part of their fundraising efforts. Consider supporting a local sports team, robotics club, or another group that aligns with your camp’s mission.
Create a referral program. Encourage current campers to refer their friends in exchange for discounts or exclusive merchandise.
Engaging with families across multiple marketing platforms ensures your messages reach your audience. By using a combination of channels, you’ll build a stronger reputation within your community, whether you’re attempting to recruit campers, volunteers, or partners.
Behind every successful camp is a supportive community. Engaging your community through fundraising, volunteering, local partnerships, and effective marketing can help your camp grow and succeed.
As a camp leader, it’s up to you to choose the right strategies that align with your camp’s mission. Start with one idea, take action, and watch as your community comes together to support your camp.
Author Brad Dowhaniuk
Brad Dowhaniuk is the co-founder of 99Pledges, which provides schools and teams with an easy-to-use, web-based fundraising solution to manage and drive success in Fun Runs, jog-a-thons, baseball hit-a-thons, and much more.