It is not too early to make summer plans.
I always operate on the premise that a business person, especially one in retail, needs to plan a year ahead. Well it’s not a year ahead, but if you have not already done so, it is definitely time to make plans and preparations for Summer and children’s day camps.
When you have children’s groups, you cannot ignore the needs and preferences of your regular clients. You need to keep in mind that not everyone wants to work around children and that many of your shop dwellers come to escape children and family distractions. With that in mind, you may want to schedule as many children’s activities as you can during the summer months, but leave plenty of time for your ‘regular’ customers. You must keep it clear that summer camps are NOT a baby sitting service; but rather a scheduled activity. Your resources for recruitment of potential students are virtually unlimited.
Suggestions for types of camps
The open workshop camp – Parents register their kids for particular time slots and pre-select various projects within a budgeted amount. Kids are dropped off and work on these projects in an informal, yet supervised setting. Usually for older children who can primarily function without constant attention.
The Structured Camp – Parents register their kids for a specific course that would be developmental and all kids enrolled would work on the same or similar projects under the supervision of the counselor/instructor. Usually 1 – 2 hour blocks of time, often multi-sessions for several weeks.
Closed groups sessions – A group of parents or counselors from other programs would bring in their group of kids to work on specific projects or an assortment of projects from a pre-determined list on a scheduled basis. Usually 1 – 2 hour blocks of time and usually only one or two sessions.
To read more about Kids Day Camps, click here