Maximize Your Camp: From Summer Days to Year Round Impact - with Peggy Aylmer - The Day Camp Pod #125

Day Camp PodPodcast
Written By Guest User

Expanding reach, building partnerships and creating sustainable revenue

Ever wondered what your camp could become after the last camper goes home for the summer? In this episode, the team dives into how camps can transform their spaces and strengthen their communities year-round. From hosting school groups and family reunions to corporate retreats and even Renaissance fairs, discover creative ways to extend your camp’s impact beyond the traditional summer season.

Hosts Andy Pritikin, Sam Thompson, and Jordanna Grossinger are joined by special guest Peggy Aylmer, who shares how her camp built thriving off-season programs that generate revenue and deepen connections with the community. Together, they unpack what it takes to run successful year-round operations, covering staffing, safety, maintenance, and the art of saying yes (and sometimes no) to the right partnerships.

If you’ve ever wished your camp could do more, serve more people, and make a bigger impact without burning out your team, this episode is packed with real stories and practical insights to help you get there. Tune in to learn how to maximize your camp’s potential—one season at a time.

Highlights:

  • 04:03 Diverse Camp Programs

  • 06:31 Robinhood Leadership Center

  • 10:01 Staffing Challenges and Solutions

  • 16:36 Weekend and Seasonal Programs

  • 23:06 Event Business at Liberty Lake

  • 26:19 The Importance of Full-Time Event Staff

  • 27:08 Managing Camp Events and Staff Well-Being

  • 27:44 Challenges of Hosting Events at Camps

  • 28:22 Feeding Campers and Event Guests

  • 29:18 Selecting and Hosting Specialty Camps

  • 30:41 Day Camps vs. Sleepaway Camps

  • 32:15 Unique Partnerships and Community Engagement

  • 34:00 Setting Boundaries and Agreements for Rentals

  • 35:52 Handling Medical and Security Needs

  • 39:50 Navigating School and Board Requirements

  • 43:37 Networking and Learning from Other Camps

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Episode Links:

Camp Robin Hood’s School Programs

Camp Robin Hood’s Rentals and Events

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Your Hosts:

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Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

  • Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) 

    • Looking to elevate your camp experience? For over 25 years, Commercial Recreation Specialists has been transforming camps with water inflatables, Splashpads, playgrounds, and more! Boost your programming, drive registrations, and attract more campers. Our team of Recreation Specialists is here to help you design the ultimate space. Let’s take your camp to the next level – because we’re serious about FUN! Find out more at https://crs4rec.com/

  • Campminder

    • Campminder has the most robust offerings of features out there. But more importantly, every feature works together to create a full, seamless system that helps camps run more efficiently. Visit them today at campminder.com

  • Camptivities

    • Building the perfect camp schedule takes experience — and when a key staff member leaves, that knowledge can disappear. Camptivities protects your institutional camp knowledge and makes sure every camper gets the schedule you promised. Built by camp people, for camp people. Learn more at camptivities.com.

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Thanks, Camp Pro!

Guest User
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Post-Summer Debrief: Biggest Wins, Challenges, and What's Next - The Day Camp Pod #124