A presentation by Dan Weir & Joanna Warren Smith

1. Build a Culture
that Will Fill Your
Resident Camp
Dan Weir, Frost Valley YMCA
Joanna Warren Smith, Camp Consulting Services

2. http://www.tinyurl.com/CampCulture
Dan Weir
dweir@frostvalley.org
http://danlovescamp.com
twitter: @danlovescamp
Joanna Warren Smith
campconsulting@verizon.net
http://camp-consulting.com

3. Objective
Learn key components of a
successful resident camp

4. Objective
Identify elements that will positively
influence your camp culture

5. Objective
Develop a timeline by which to
create a new camp culture

6. Objective
Prioritize an action plan
that will net results in 2013

7. CULTURE
is the traditions, customs
and philosophy of your community

8. INTENTIONALITY
is the process you use to
achieve desired outcomes

9. POWER PELLETS
to fill your resident camp

10. 1. Know your mission

11. Missions not reserved for not-for-profits

12. 1. Know your mission - Camper outcomes

13. The experience must be consistent

14. It is
valued
by
parents

15. The campers treasure your mission

16. 2. Stick to your knitting

17. Your mission/focus should dictate
your decision making

18. Acknowledge and celebrate your campers
and staff when they are practicing your
mission/focus

19. Staff are
camper
focused

20. 3. Be confident in
a “benevolent dictatorship”

21. Write the script,
block the scenes,
select the actors,
rehearse &
watch the performance

22. Do not assume that others will deliver product
according to your expectations

23. You can say “no”
&
still be a
supportive leader.

24. Let them know that you
value their point of view
&
that your role
is to guide them

25. 4. Let your passion show

26. Learn the stories about your camp’s impact

27. Share the stories

28. Treat your
camp like
a movement

29. 5. Be receptive to all ideas

30. Welcome new ideas in a productive format

31. While brainstorming do not allow people to
shoot down ideas of other

32. Do a SWOT analysis of your camp
with different audiences

33. Share rationale for decisions

34. Most importantly people want to know that
you are moving camp forward

35. 6. Walk the walk & talk the talk

36. You are a public figure.
You are on a pedestal.

37. Lead by
example

38. 7. Maintain the culture

39. Hiring & Training

40. Language

41. Monitoring & Mentoring

42. 8. Culture is 24/7/365

43. Non-summer and summer style
must be aligned

44. 9. Feature “WOW” programs

45. Those that cost money and those that don’t

46. Reinvest in the
product

48. 10. Program progression

49. 10. Program progression - Visual of
8
program 12
11
progression 16
14 15
Junior Intermediate Senior

50. Internal marketing

51. External
marketing

52. 11. Messaging

53. Friendship and values
Confidence and character
Grit and compassion

54. Where Kids Unplug and Connect

55. Growing Character, Skills & Relationships

56. 12. Nurture relationships

57. With campers

58. With camper families

59. With alumni

60. With seasonal & year round staff

61. 13. Seek new acquisitions

62. Corporate connections

63. Word of mouth

64. Maintain & follow up with inquiries

65. Expand target areas

66. 14. Keep it clean

67. Your facility

68. Your equipment

69. 15. Be timely & responsive

70. With pre-camp and during-camp
communications

71. Have people
answer the
phone when
they call

72. 16. Best Business Practices –
Program Logistics

73. Maximize the use of your venue

74. Confirm program time

75. Equipment

76. 16. Best Business Practices –
Inclusive vs ad-on fees

77. People do not want to be nickeled and dimed

78. 16. Best Business Practices -
Intentionality of
meals, events, & traditions

79. Is your food good?

80. Treat each meal like a program

81. Special events add to program

82. 16. Best Business Practices -
Celebrate legacy & participation

84. 16. Celebrate legacy & participation

85. 16. Celebrate legacy & participation

87. http://www.tinyurl.com/CampCulture
Dan Weir
dweir@frostvalley.org
http://danlovescamp.com
twitter: @danlovescamp
Joanna Warren Smith
campconsulting@verizon.net
http://camp-consulting.com