How to Operate a Summer Camp
Summer camp is a vacation alternative for many children. Operating a summer camp requires effort, organization, motivation and commitment. You are responsible for all aspects of the camp, including finances, safety of the staff and campers, menus, planning daily activities and handling emergencies. It is important to obtain insurance or licensing that might be required by your state.
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Things You'll Need
- Payroll/spreadsheet software
- Staff
- Calendar
- Organizational and management skills
Instructions
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How to Operate a Summer Camp
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1
Organize and keep track of bills, as this is crucial to the successful operation of the camp. Create a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel or use a business program, such as Quickbooks, to ensure that bills are paid on time. Keep invoices for all services and expenses, and record due dates for billing and payments on a calendar. Camp staff payroll, if applicable, must be done every 2 or 4 weeks. Prior experience in payroll or accounting is helpful in tracking payroll and expenses.
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Plan daily and weekly activities 3 to 6 weeks in advance. Most major activities---such as field trips---are planned before camp season begins. Some camps have daily, regularly scheduled activities---such as crafts at 10 am and lunch at 12 pm---while others are less structured and follow a weekly activities schedule that is based on each week's theme.
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3
Oversee daily food preparation and plan menus 3 to 6 weeks in advance, to ensure that all food is in stock and can be prepared correctly. Keep snacks simple by offering fruit and prepackaged crackers or cookies. Create a menu of each full meal for the week to streamline the daily meals and allow cooks to plan accordingly.
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Provide employee structure by creating a weekly schedule so that all shifts are properly staffed. Operating a summer camp also requires you to be available to meet with employees, respond to their concerns and answer questions. Background in employee management and supervision is helpful.
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Update and maintain marketing campaigns, using the camp blog or website to convey new information, announcements, camp agenda and pictures. Include information regarding camp sponsorship, late-registration or future plans for the camp.
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Tips & Warnings
Consult with a lawyer to determine if insurance or licenses are needed to operate your summer camp legally.
