Why Teachers and Parents Should Consider Having a Summer Camp and How to Get Started!
Posted on February 27, 2023 by Makenzie Oliver
As the warmer months begin approaching, June and July are calling out…Sunshine, Sand, Slip and Slides, Sitting by the Pool, Sippin’ Lemonade and well, you know, Summer Camps!!
Yes, teacher friend, the bright, innovative days of money-making opportunities are right around the corner, and this is a fantastic time to begin thinking of ways to market and advertise for your existing or upcoming business!
Summer camps not only bring in the extra money for all your favorite summer activities, roadtrips, classroom supplies and new school attire, but they are also a strong marketing move for those who are serious about starting or growing a microschool, preschool, tutoring business, learning pod or any other type of homeschooling business.
But you don’t have to fear letting loose of the relaxing days by the pool, beach or mountainside. Summer camps can be as long or as short as you would like, but no matter the amount of time you invest in this summer side hustle, the return on your investment can be outstanding!
I know you may be thinking: What if I am building my microschool - will I have time? What if I am just in the planning stages of a microschool, learning pod or tutoring business - should I launch a summer camp?
Oftentimes, when parents and teachers are trying to start a student centered business, the biggest fear and obstacle they face is getting student enrollment to the expected capacity. Summer camps offer a very strategic approach to your marketing game! Hosting a summer camp really does bring all the kiddos to the yard! And even if these students never become your own students, they lead others to you!
Summer camps can be the bridge you have needed to connect to your future success! They help build the “Know-Like-Trust” factor - the NUMBER ONE KEY to creating a foundation and growing for years on end.
So, before we get to the HOW in starting a successful summer camp, let’s first tackle the reasons WHY you may want to make room for these fun-filled pockets of time!
Why should I have a summer camp? What are the advantages?
1. Summer camps can bring your business students for years (and years) to come!
If you are building a business that lasts throughout the year (such as a preschool, micro school or tutoring business), then starting with a summer camp can bring students to your niche service over and over again. And not only are you giving these students (and families) an opportunity to see you offer a GREAT service, but you are basically being PAID to Advertise!
Wait…What did you say? Say it louder for the people in the back!
Okay…let me say it again, a little louder: SUMMER CAMPS pay YOU to have FREE advertisement!
For an example, a neighbor down the street comes to your AWESOME summer camp, and the parents are just elated with their child’s experience. One of two things are bound to happen:
1. This child becomes a student over and over again (maybe for the summer or hopefully as a forever student in your preschool, homeschool business, microschool or learning pod)
Or
2. This child’s family begins Word of Mouth Advertising to their friends, family and acquaintances. This, in turn, leads to more students joining your summer camp or PROGRAM. Which means, the students and families you serve do the advertising FOR YOU essentially for FREE (or while you are getting paid to already provide a service!)
Another reason summer camps are extraordinarily wonderful for you as an entrepreneur is because:
2. Summer Camps allow you a head start to putting extra cash towards your future purpose!
Parents are looking for as many opportunities as possible for their children to be engaged, entertained and taken care of. And let’s be honest., parents pay for their children to be well-taken care of. They go the extra mile to create an opportunity for their children to be in an environment where they feel safe, seen, heard and happy! Parents are looking for time. They are looking for help. They are looking for YOU!
3. Having a summer camp allows for you to teach they way you have always wanted to teach - without the mandates, laws, testing, and nonsense.
You have the freedom, flexibility and permission to design the days and experiences that light you (and your students) up! Let’s face it- in our current educational system- our students need more learning experiences that create everlasting memories. Summer camps allow you to offer your “SPECIAL SAUCE” and you can try out any idea you have been hesitant to try in your regular day to day job!
Summer camps can truly reinvigorate your state of teaching!
Would you like some fresh inspiration and hear directly from our students? Listen to this 7 minute Episode 157: SPECIAL EPISODE! Student Highlights! A Day in the Life! How Do the Students and Teachers Feel About Lighthouse Learning Microschool?
4. Summer Camps provide a Radical Opportunity for Recruitment!
Hosting a summer camp allows for a chain reaction. Families tell other families, and now your word of mouth advertising has absolutely blown up! Again, you are building the KNOW-LIKE-TRUST factor, and parents are the first trusted sources to spread the good news about YOU!
5. Summer Camps provide Feedback for Your Future!
Once you host a summer camp, you immediately see what works, what doesn’t and ways you can make it better. So many teachers have started off hosting summer camps before launching their microschool, preschool or tutoring business and quickly found what needs to change and what needs to stay. This alleviates headaches and hangups when you actually begin your business!
You quickly find what age groups you enjoy, what units you want to continue exploring, all the day-to-day operations that work seamlessly, the time of day you enjoy teaching, and the work you want to keep building upon.
So how do I get started hosting a summer camp?
If you are really unsure of where to start, what to offer and who would be interested, first start with an interest survey!
1. Create your survey in Survey Monkey! It’s fast, free and professional!
I highly recommend you create the survey and
A) Post it on Facebook,
B) Post it in Facebook groups
C) Send to family and friends
D) Send to anyone on your current email list
There are so many more great ideas to this in the podcast Episode 155: Impact, Income and Advertising: Benefits of Teachers and Parents Running a Summer Camp and How to Get Started
2. After you get your results, nail down your offer!
Be sure to showcase your offer in a professional handout-and not just a flyer or brochure. Paint a picture for your families. Showcase your activities, your set up, your schedule, your themes and what to expect.
Our Introductory Packet is an incredible source that highlights ALL of the things you would need in an effort to communicate with parents! link introductory packet.
3. Start Advertising with your Business Bundle pieces! Grab yours today!
You will need a Flyer, Brochure, and possibly a yard sign! These are great physical advertisements.
The Parent Partnership Letter is great for tutors who are trying to establish a great working relationship with students and parents!
Don’t forget to advertise on your social media accounts or website at least 3 months in advance or ASAP!
4. You need to have a process in place!
So you are advertising with your Brochure, website, Flyer, yard signs and social media posts, but what will happen when parents start to inquire?
What will you send parents who want more information on your camp? We recommend the first step is to send the introductory packet full of all the juicy details. We already have one ready for you to plug and play! Check it out!
How will parents enroll their child? We recommend our enrollment form with critical questions and information you will need to keep on hand!
Once a student enrolls, send him/her a Welcome Letter! This allows for so much excitement and anticipation!
Next, be sure to secure payment and safety details with your Handbook and Contract! Our handbook and contract offer 17 pages of critical information that has already been crafted for you! We’ve done the heavy lifting. You just need to plug and play, and have the parents sign and pay!
Advertise. Organize. Monetize.
your micro-school, homeschooling business, or learning pod!
These step-by-step instructions will help you write powerful marketing brochures, enrollment forms, introductory packets, and so much more!
You’ll also find easy-to-use templates made to simplify your creation process, as well as beautiful real-life examples used by Makenzie’s real-life micro-school, Lighthouse Learning, to give you creative inspiration when designing your very own forms.
Members of our Facebook group have been meeting together to plan out some ideas!
Not on Facebook? Send me an email at teacherletyourlightshine@gmail.com.