What Survey Questions Should You Ask Camp Parents?

To feel more confident in marketing your summer camp, and to help camp participants feel more trust in the camp, directors should collect surveys from parents, campers, and staff. 

This feedback can lend a new perspective into how well camp activities and processes are run, opening the door to improvements that increase retention and new applicants.

The What 

Nowadays surveys are everywhere. You've probably been asked to take one or two just this week! So this isn't about what they are, it's about what makes people take them. 

• Length

Make sure you indicate how long it will take the person to fill this survey out so they don't stop halfway through because they don't have the time or attention to finish it.

• Relevancy

A parent probably doesn't have an opinion on what colours are used on the camp sign, but they do have an opinion on how confusing or simple it was to drop their camper off.

• Incentive

If you want to be sure people are completing the survey, consider offering a reward. This could be a drawing for a gift card or a small camp souvenir.

The Who and Why 

Four main groups need to be given a survey:

• First-Year Families 

The insight from this group can tell you where to focus your marketing efforts and what can be done to make first-time camp parents feel more comfortable about trusting the camp with their children. Parents who are confident in a camp are more likely to return and refer the camp to others. 

• Families in General

This survey should tell you who is talking about your camp and why. Knowing who your camp's loyal families are presents unique marketing opportunities where you can make it easier for these families to refer your camp to others. Knowing why they are talking about the camp can help you focus on those aspects in your marketing. Collecting overall feedback helps you find what can be improved on in your camp processes, like pick-up or drop-off, allowing you to increase the chances of a family returning next year and referring you to others. 

• Campers

Make sure your camp is engaging and inclusive by collecting camper feedback. Maybe there is an activity that needs to be re-evaluated or a counsellor who needs to be re-trained.

• Staff

If the staff is unhappy, it can lower the quality of the camp experience for everyone. Get their feedback to ensure the work environment is consistently one that encourages growth, independence, and safety.

The When and Where

Surveys for all families should be conducted on the first day or week of camp and after their camper's session has ended. Sending these surveys through email will make the process easier for parents, increasing the chances they will be completed. Campers and staff should take their surveys on their last day. Campers should take theirs in person, but staff surveys could be done either way.

Surveys are a valuable tool camp directors can use to build their confidence in making marketing decisions and process changes for their camp. 

For more insights into the kind of questions these surveys should ask, download our free guide to effective camp satisfaction surveys.