I am always honored when I get asked to speak anywhere, especially on a podcast, because they’re just so hip. This was especially fun because it’s great to hang with Kelly Schuna and Howie Grossinger, the hosts of Go Camp Pro’s Camp Owners Podcast, and talk about camp registration trends, waitlists, and what to do with them.
Eric Wittenberg speaks about camp registration trendsThis was a very exciting episode topic as well. Demand for camps is still high, and reverence for what camps accomplish is equally high. Parents understand how hard it is to be with kids during COVID closures and quarantines.
In this episode, we cover:
- What registration trends are camps are experiencing in 2022?
- How do you even think about 2023 at this time of year?
- Inflation and the COVID bump
- Create the demand news cycle now when it’s a reality
- Being sold out and upskilling
- Marketing staff like camp families
You can read about how ChatGPT and SEO can affect camp registration trends.
There are lessons from this podcast that are still relevant today and will still be relevant for many more years to come. So, you can consider this blog post a short recap of the podcast from 2022.
In 2022 a lot of camp owners had mentioned that camp registrations were going well and a lot of us had waitlists for many months. What should be done with those waitlists. If we can’t get them in this summer, should they just sit there?
Camp Registration Trends: Insights and Strategies for 2022 and Beyond.
As camp owners, the rollercoaster of emotions and challenges that come with managing camp registrations are not new to us. The year 2022 was interesting with many camps reporting that they were already full with some having waitlists for months. How did camps navigate through this unique situation and manage these waitlists? What does the future hold and how do camps adapt to the ever-changing landscape of camp registration trends?
A Positive Outlook for Camp Registration Trends
Lots of camp owners recorded a surge in registration in 2022 because parents saw the light and recognized the importance of camps, thereby leading to an increase in demand. This was fantastic news for the camp industry as it shows that camps are more valued than ever. This however, brought a new set of challenges, especially for camp owners that have been managing waitlists for several months.
Being sold out: A blessing or a challenge.
While being sold out could be a great problem to have, it could also pose a challenge. It is very important to manage expectations while communicating clearly with families on the waitlist. If waitlists are not properly managed, it could have a negative impact on camp registration for the following year. Maintaining a transparent and proactive waitlist helps camps build stronger relationships within the camp community.
Strategies and Tips to Manage Waitlists.
What do we do with waitlists if we can’t get every one in for the summer. A crucial strategy is to keep families engaged and informed . This can be done by sending out periodic updates, sharing highlights from camp, and providing valuable content to keep these families interested and excited about future opportunities.
Another approach is to consider early camp registrations for the next year even though it might seem too early. Holding spots for the next year is a great way to ensure these families stay with your camp. Offering them a chance to secure their place early shows that you value their intent and are committed to accommodating them in the future.
Creating a news cycle
A news cycle helps camps to actively engage with camp families and prospects. This involves sharing success stories, camper experiences and exciting updates regularly with prospects on the waitlist. Using social media, newsletters and blogs, camps are able to influence the narrative and build trust while keeping the community informed and excited about what is happening at camp.
Upskilling and marketing to staff
Camps should not restrict marketing to camper recruitment alone. In order to retain and maintain quality staff, camps should market to staff like they do to camp families. You should communicate the unique benefits of working at your camp, share testimonials from former staff members and showcase the positive impact working with your camp can have on staffs.
This way, camps get to attract dedicated individuals who will contribute to a successful camp season as dedicated staffs tend to have a direct impact on camp registration.
What impact did inflation and COVID have on camp registration?
The cost of running camps has increased and inflation is a factor that can not be ignored as camp owners plan for the future and should be considered when setting prices. At the same time, we have experienced a “COVID bump” as a lot of families eager to get their kids back to normal activities have flocked to camps. There is an opportunity in the increased demand but careful planning is also required to sustain it.
Planning ahead and beyond.
As camps prepare for and engage in the current camp season, it is ideal to also prepare for upcoming years. Early registration, strategic pricing and continuous engagement with camp families is a way to boost camp registration. By planning ahead, camps get to create a more predictable and stress-free enrollment period for the coming year.
In conclusion, it is safe to say that camp registration trends from 2022 have shown how important camps are than ever before. Effective management of waitlists, creating a news cycle, upskilling and marketing to staff, and planning for the future can help camps positively influence camp registration trends.
