The tips, tricks, program changes and marketing updates we did at YMCA Camp Kitaki to move us from hovering at 92% capacity to selling out with waitlists.

1. FROM 92% TO SOLD OUT
YMCA CAMP KITAKI

2. AS BORROWED
FROM MANY
OTHER CAMPS.
ONE CAMP’S
JOURNEY

3. YOU CAN OPERATE FROM
A PLACE OF FEAR OF
SCARCITY OR A PLACE OF
FAITH IN ABUNDANCE
Jen Schumann Hense (Jen Feltz)
INSPIRATION

4. IF SOME CAMP IS GOOD,
THEN MORE CAMP IS
BETTER.
GET COMFORTABLE WITH SELLING CAMP

5. HOLDING
UP THE
MIRROR

6. PROGRAM OVERHAUL
THE REALIZATIONS
Easy to do
Business With
Some weeks were
full; some weeks
weren’t
“Summer Camp”
conundrum
Stuff had
stagnated

7. FILLING
BEDS

8. FILLING BEDS
“CAPACITY LIMITS”
Partner Camps
Access Partners
Scholarships/Give
Camp
Capacity of a Cabin

9. FILLING BEDS
SPECIAL EVENTS - TARGET WEEKS
Uhari Day
4th of July
Kitaki’s Birthday
Ikatik Yad

10. FILLING BEDS
UHARI DAY
Color war
4 Societies tied
to creed/values
Opening
Ceremonies
Feats of
Strength and
Courage

11. PROGRAM
OVERHAUL

12. PROGRAM OVERHAUL
WORKING THROUGH IT
Progression existed, but
was not evident and
was not intentional
Program slippage

13. PROGRAM OVERHAUL
Trailblazers campers will…
1) Learn to identify their strengths and communicate those
strengths to others.
2) Set goals and challenge themselves in a safe, supportive
environment.
3) Experience an increase in self-confidence as a result of the
achievements and connections made during the week at camp.
4) Learn to be more self-reliant.

14. PROGRAM OVERHAUL
Leadership campers will…
1) Learn to work successfully with a wide
range of people and personalities.
2) Understand their role in the group’s
success.
3) Practice being a positive role model.
4) Take ownership of their camp experience.

15. PROGRAM OVERHAUL
DECISION MAKING
Leadership Versus
Trailblazers
Juniors Camp to
Discoverers Camp

16. PROGRAM OVERHAUL
PINNACLE PROGRAMS
Leadership
Niobrara
Challenge Ranch
SK Program (CIT
Program)

17. PROGRAM OVERHAUL
INCREASING PROGRAM IDENTITY
Renaming
Restructuring
staff supervision
Program Badges
Program Bandana

19. PROGRAM OVERHAUL
PROGRESSION OUTCOME
Program plan for every
area
Archery
Lake
Clubs versus Clinics
Older campers giving the
spiel

20. TELLING A BETTER
STORY
MARKETING

21. MATCH A
MESSAGE
WITH THE
AUDIENCE

22. MATCH A MESSAGE WITH THE AUDIENCE
Parents Campers
NewReturn

23. PARENTS
MATCHED MESSAGES

24. ENGAGEMENT
MARKETING

25. ENGAGEMENT MARKETING
MEET FAMILIES

26. ENGAGEMENT MARKETING
DISPLAY AND MEDIA
Flexible and Good Looking Display
Short Teaser Video (kid focused)
Feather flags/Canopy
PARTNERS
Resident Camp Access Grant
Essay Contest
Auctions

27. STOP SELLING
CAMP. START
SELLING A
CULTURE.

28. PROGRAM OVERHAUL
SHOOTING FOR SOMETHING BIGGER
High Fives and Hugs
Consent
Rule of Three
Gaga
Songs

29. ENGAGEMENT MARKETING
CONNECT WITH FAMILIES
Kitaki Dinner Party
Downloadable Party Pack
Christmas Cards
Kitaki Valentines
Yard Signs
Car Window Art Contests

31. PULL BACK
THE CURTAIN

35. ENGAGEMENT MARKETING
PARTNERING WITH PARENTS
Before Camp
More Tours
More Conversations
During Camp
More Phone Calls Home
“The Positive Call”

36. CAMPERS
MATCHED MESSAGES

38. HOW WE TALK ABOUT NEXT YEAR
THREE THINGS WE
WANT KIDS TO FEEL
Camp was an
overwhelmingly
positive experience.
There is something
more for me here.
“Camp” will miss me
if I don’t come
back.

39. CAMP WAS
OVERWHELMINGLY
POSITIVE

40. WORKING WITH KIDS
STAFF TRAINING
Smaller Groups
Better Hiring: start earlier
Better Culture: Recognitions,
Non Violent Communication
Higher expectations for
returning staff/better return
interviews
Push Things Down

41. WORKING WITH KIDS
KID STUFF
Cabin Meetings
Choice
Superday/Freeplay
Gold/Silver Magic
The Path

43. THERE IS
SOMETHING
MORE FOR
ME HERE

44. THERE IS SOMETHING MORE FOR ME HERE
SHARING THE PROGRESSION
Pinacle program
Highlight it during the week
Moved them closer during
Campfire
They lead a chapel and a part
of our all camp game
Ranger Camp Flag

45. THERE IS SOMETHING MORE FOR ME HERE
NIOBRARA/CHALLENGE RANCH
Niobrara:
Send off and welcome back
Paddle Presentation
Challenge Ranch Camp
Trail Master Medal
Mounted Color Guard

47. THERE IS SOMETHING MORE FOR ME HERE
LANTERN LEADERS
Created a new
Campfire Closing
tradition
Involve fire
Special Vespers,
Location, Story
Star Jars

48. CAMP WILL
MISS ME
IF I DON’T
COME BACK

49. CAMP KITAKI IS
YOUR CAMP NOW.
CAMP WILL MISS ME

50. “CAMP WON’T BE
THE SAME WITHOUT
YOU.”
CAMP WILL MISS ME

51. WE NEED YOU TO TAKE
SOME CAMP MAGIC WITH
YOU, AND LEAVE SOME OF
YOUR OWN MAGIC WITH US.
CAMP WILL MISS ME

52. HOPE TO SEE YOU
BACK NEXT YEAR,
JOSH.
CAMP WILL MISS ME

53. CAMP IS IMPORTANT.
CAMP WILL MISS ME

54. IF YOU LIKED SOMETHING
ABOUT WHO YOU WERE
THIS WEEK AT CAMP. TAKE
THAT WITH YOU.
CAMP WILL MISS ME

55. CONNECTING TO
PARENTS
THE PARENT STILL PAYS THE BILL

56. CONNECTING TO PARENTS
END OF WEEK PROCESSING
Autograph Party
Breakfast Conversations
Unit Closing
Questions Sandwich Boards
Counselor Report - Back Page,
Program Recommendation
End of Summer Videos

57. TELL YOUR PARENTS
WHY CAMP MEANS
SO MUCH TO YOU.
CONNECTING TO PARENTS

58. CONNECTING TO PARENTS
NEXT SUMMER REGISTRATION
Stickers
Next Summer
Registration

59. TRY THINGS
DIFFERENTLY.

60. JSMITH@YMCALINCOLN.ORG
402-434-9229
JASON SMITH