Camping and Conservation HOW DO WE GET THEM TO CAMP Session Length: 50 Minutes Learning objectives: Develop plan for getting more scouts to summer camp. Discover new marketing ideas to get more customers (scouts). Required Materials: Whiteboard with markers (or, chalkboard with chalk) Projector and laptop Handouts of sample forms TRAINER PREPARATION This session was designed to provide LLD participants with background and information about increasing attendance at summer camp and troop camping throughout the year. The trainers for this session should be familiar with all aspects of marketing their council camp(s) and reasons for troops to go camping. The trainers should obtain current marketing material for their council camp(s) and have copies for all participants. Any video presentations or website material regarding their camp should be saved on a laptop that can be used with a projector or display. SESSION NARRATIVE Introduction: Trainer Tip: The session trainer should introduce himself and the topic. He should provide information about his summer camp experience, other camping experience, his hometown and any other relevant items of interest. It seems to be more and more challenging to get scouts to summer camp or even to go troop camping in general. As many studies have shown, part of the reason is that personal electronics have replaced playing outdoors as a prime pastime for many Scout age youth. Many youth are growing up without much experience in the outdoors. As members of the, it may be hard to understand why everyone is not gung-ho about camping. We are going to spend some time exploring a few reasons that scouts may be reluctant to camp, and develop a plan for getting them outside. 1 of 5 Boy Scouts of America
Camping and Conservation How Do We Get Them to Camp 2 Why go camping in the first place? 1 If we are going to get serious about promoting our camps, and get more scouts to come, we need to understand why they want to camp. Let s come up with a list of reasons that a scout should want to go to camp. Trainer Tip: Use a white board or flip chart to list all the ideas that the group brings up. These could include things like: advancement, fun activities, outdoors, wildlife, etc. If the class is very large, it might be best to break into groups to discuss ideas. What are some special things about your camp? Maybe you have some unique facilities or programs? Does your staff do things differently from other camps? Is your location special? It s important to realize, that when Scouts reflect on their time at a council camp, they don t focus on camp features (for example, the size of the dining hall, the number of canoes, or the number of merit badges offered). Instead, they remember the outdoor experiences and opportunities to spend time with the friends. What makes camp special is not its features, though they may be nice, instead camp is special because provides them with a quality outdoor experience. Let s watch this promotional video about my camp, and while you watch it look for new or different things that might be appealing to get a scout to decide to go to camp. Trainer Tip: Show the video and point out some ideas that are original or special to the camp. When the video is over, resume listing ideas on the flip chart. As an alternative, download the videos from http://adventure.oa-bsa.org/ about the OA programs at national high adventure bases. Note that the videos from staff members focus on experiences gained from the program instead of the features of the camp. Experiences can be building friendships, experiencing sunrises on a mountain peak and encountering wildlife, Why doesn t every scout (or troop) go to camp? What are some reasons that scouts can t go to camp? Or maybe don t want to go? Not enough experience: Troops that aren t experienced campers are less likely to go to summer camp. Encouraging troops to camp regularly on a year-round schedule. Distractions: Many youth are more comfortable staying at home because they have limited outdoor experiences. Help youth get comfortable in the outdoors and give them leadership opportunities. Trainer Tip: Again use a white board or flip chart to list all the ideas that the group brings up. These could include things like: costs too much, fear of the unknown, doesn t know anyone else, lack of adult leadership, etc.
Camping and Conservation How Do We Get Them to Camp 3 How can we combat the things that are blocking scouts from going to camp? 10 Minutes Costs too much: Discounts early sign up, etc. Camperships financial need application. Troop fund raising. Lack of troop leadership: Provide camp staff to be scoutmasters Combine units Troop fund raising Lack of adult outdoor experience: Sponsor sessions as a lodge to teach basic camping skills to new Scoutmasters. Focus on basic skills and encourage new Scoutmasters to camp regularly with their troop. Continue working through list of items, brainstorming with the group for ideas to overcome objections and blocks to going to camp. How can we market our summer camp and year-round camping activities? 10 Minutes To whom should we be marketing our camp? Scouts Troop leadership, youth and adults Parents What are some methods for marketing? Brochures, flyers Videos Website E-mail Telemarketing Visit troop meetings, parents meetings Who is doing the marketing? OA Camp Promotions teams Council Camping Director/Ranger Camping Committee Camp Staff Is everyone working together and conveying the same message? Where else can they camp during the year? Conclusion: Introduce troops to the lodge s Where to Go Camping Guide (in booklet form, or website) Encourage troops to have a year-round camping program. Summarize all ideas that have been discussed. Trainer Tip: This demonstration needs to be practiced several times to make sure the trainer is comfortable completing it.
Camping and Conservation How Do We Get Them to Camp 4 APPENDIX: FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS Question: Answer: Where do I go about finding out what our camp offers? Your council office or Director of Camping. APPENDIX: SUGGESTED VISUAL AIDS The following is a recommended list of flip chart pages that can be used for visual presentation. How Do We Get Them to Camp? Why go to camp in the first place? Why doesn t every scout (or troop) go to camp? 1 2 3 How can we combat the things that are blocking scouts from going to camp? How can we market our camp? 4 5
Camping and Conservation How Do We Get Them to Camp 5 APPENDIX: RESOURCES & SOURCE MATERIALS 2009 Provisional Scout Mailer from the Orange County Council (an example of a summer camp promotional mailer) http://www.ocbsa.org/atf/cf/{0d1acb78-8ed4-491a-9694-2e46cf0c3759}/2009%20provisional%20mailer.pdf 2009 Request for Campership from the Orange County Council (an example of a camp scholarship application) http://www.ocbsa.org/atf/cf/{0d1acb78-8ed4-491a-9694-2e46cf0c3759}/campership%20form%20english-schoepe.pdf