Planning a Summer Camp by Kimberly A. Sims

1. Begin planning a year in advance. It takes at least six months to initiate a Kid’s camp:

For Instance:
- Seek out funding and/or donations,
- Seek out volunteers, staff, and activity leaders
- Seek out resources, and materials for planned camp theme, daily activities, special trips/events etc.
- Determine if meals and transportation will be provided.

2. Decide upon the location of the camp:

For Instance:
- At a community park (with permission of the community Park District)
- At the church (inside building, outside)
- Church leaders backyards (according to age groups)
- Rented space.

3. Determine space needed for the:

- Number of enrollment
- Number of daily activities (Always have an alternative activity back-up plan)
- Number of enrollment per activity

4. Decide upon the number of weeks the Kid’s Summer Camp will be held:

For instance:
- Full Summer
- Two weeks
- Four weeks

5. Decide upon the number of hours the camp will be held:

For instance:
- Half Day
- Full Day
- 2 - 5 Hrs.

6. Solicit by application and select the number of volunteers, staff, and activity leaders based upon the number of enrollment and activities:

For instance:
- Bus Driver
- Kitchen Help
- Activity Leaders
- Activity Assistants
- Set-up Crew
- Cleaning Crew
- Games
- Arts/Crafts
- Bible Lessons
- Off-site Activities i.e. swimming, bowling etc.
- Off-site Field Trips

7. Perform Background Checks on all selected camp staff.

8. Plan daily activities in intervals based on cost, number of available staff, calendar days/hours, themes, and special events, etc.:

For instance:
- 15 minute interval
- 30 minute intervals
- 1 hour interval
- Day Activity (special trips, or events)
- Determine lunch/snack, and restroom breaks
- Determine cost of each off-site activity

9. Determine snacks and meals based on number of enrollment and hours of camp:

For instance:
- Daily lunch provided for full day camp w/morning and afternoon snacks
- Snack provided for Half Day
- Enrollees bring their own lunch
- Catered Meals
- No meals/snacks provided (for 1 hr camps, in this instance if desired a treat can be sent home with the youth after session)

10. Acquire all resources and materials need for implementation of all calendar activities and schedule off-site events:

11. Provide training for all volunteers, staff and activity leaders:

For instance:
- Schedule CPR and First Aid training at local Red Cross Agency.
- Schedule training for all staff for implementation of all calendar activities i.e. crafts, games, etc.
- Discipline
- Child Safety

12. Plan Registration Kick-Off Event for Enrollment:

13. Develop all forms needed:

For instance:
- Application (Employment, Volunteers, Camp Enrollment etc.
- Rescource Contact Sheet
- Materials List
- Medical History
- Waiver and Release of Information Indemnification
- Photo Agreement
- Rules and Behavior Agreement
- Volunteer, Staff and Activity Leader Name Badges
- Kid Name Badges
- Calendar of Activity and Events
- Newsletter Template
- Medicine/Allergy Form
- Emergency Contact Form

14. Provide training sessions for all volunteers, staff and activity leaders:

For instance:
- Schedule CPR and First Aid training at local Red Cross Agency.
- Schedule training for all staff for implementation of all calendar activities i.e. crafts, games, etc.
- Discipline
- Child Safety
- Volunteers, staff and activity leader name badges
- Kid Name Badges

15. Promote and Advertise Kid’s Camp.

16. Implement Registration Kick-Off Event for Enrollment.

17. Implement Kid’s Camp to include a Prize Store….and Have Lots of Fun!!

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