A 'When Camp Opens' HINT from Joanna Warren Smith
We're In Limbo But Optimistic About Summer Camp!
Visualizing that camps do open this summer, you must be sensitive to the fact that kids and their parents will be 'Re-Entering the Normal World' through your gates.
Parents who have been circumstantially attached to their children by Velcro for months will be hyper-watchful and critical of systems, protocols and attentiveness that keeps their kids safe.
Children and teens who have been in a cocoon for what seems to them an eternity are likely to be hesitant to engage, nervous about large groups and less willing to take risks.
If you don't take these circumstances into account, 'Camp the Way it Always Is' could initially overwhelm either Client #1 (the camper) or Client #2 (the parent).
You are not going to change the culture of your camp, but ...
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Let Parents Know Your Game Plan. What screenings will happen to ensure a healthy community? What protocols will you follow if children become ill? How will you connect with parents if there are issues? How will you keep parents informed about the camp experience beyond picture posting? And most important how will you ensure access and responsiveness?
Keep Campers in the Loop. In addition to building anticipation for the summer, let kids know how systems will be different so that there are no surprises.
Identify 'Hot' Spots. Where in your sessions are the elements that could be overwhelming? Would small groups be more manageable, engaging and comforting rather than the entire community at full on the first day? Might families arrive in assigned group time slots to ensure more personal attention rather than the mob scenes that often mark first arrivals. Could
Do not 'dummy down' your camp experience or treat kids like they aren't up to the challenges, simply be aware that the transition from isolation to camp will likely be more successful if your approach is more gradual rather the startling.
Want help designing communications that will get kids psyched?
Call 310-451-1876 or email campconsulting@roadrunner.com
Hello Camp Mavericks! If you're interested in this post you'll LOVE the "10 Commandments of Camp Marketing" that Joanna and Travis have written. Download it here, now, for free and get a free subscription to the Go Camp Pro newsletter AND Joanna's HINTS email.
(Note from Travis: We are so thrilled to be posting the always brilliant HINTS from camp consultant Joanna Warren Smith! If you don't already you should sign up to receive these HINTS in your email - in the left-hand column of Joanna's website: http://camp-consulting.com/)
