Staff
Print Advertising for staff is a thing of the past. Now my most effective tool for recruiting staff is...
What is social media and word of mouth. We get our message out on numerous social media platforms and then ask staff, families, and friends to share it!
Flip charts, manuals, handouts, and lectures.
What is a thing of the past. Make staff training exciting and interactive. Have multiple directors deliver training; make training hands-on or interactive (creativity-->take them to the playground and ask them to use it differently); keep training active and quick moving; poll staff on their needs; have staff collaborate!
Your best new programming initiative?
What is a collaboration with Florida Victorious, the University of Florida NIL partner.
The customer is always right! Is that true?
What is false! But the customer is always the customer! Meet the mad MS Mom on trip day...
Best new initiative to increase program revenue is...
What is combining programs and optimizing resources. Lemonade Stand and Lemonade Stand Managers Edition!
This generation of summer staff just won't work full summer contacts anymore. What to do...
What is offer shorter contracts (June or July), full summer contracts with "bonus money", or even days off!
Communicating or informing? And Why?
What is commuicating! Informing is the act of sharing information while communicating is the process of sharing information in a way that encourages dialogue and collaboration. Avoid top-down delivery.
How to get camper interest?
What is find your camp era? Stay current with trends (Swifties) to gain camper and staff interest.
Evaluations...how often and are they necessary?
What is once per summer (we need to do more) and yes! Feedback is a gift!
Daily "Drop in" rates. Are they worth it?
What is yes, but significantly charge for convenience. The Oak Hall Summer program upcharges by nearly 70% per day (weekly charge equivalent to $67/day; flex day charge is $115/day).
I can't find staff "in field" (education, childcare, or recreation). What to do?
What is hire on personality and charisma. TRAIN on "skill".
Online training?
What is maybe. Look at the topics that could successfully be delivered online (procedural things like PayCom instructions (how to clock in and out)). Don't count on a huge investment from staff in online training. Pick topics accordingly and have a way to "validate".
Third party vendors- in person. Pros and Cons.
Pros- supervision from the vendor (not extra staff needed), no planning, vendor assumes liability, ability to provide specialized programming
Cons- not trained in your protocol, not best cost model, poor performance reflects poorly on your program
The best solution for "Generational Communication" is...
What is communicating in a variety of ways?
Emails, social media, online brochure, flyers, app (with push notifications or texting), "old school" white board with weekly details, "newsletter".
Discounts?
What is no! If you discount you send the message that you are charging too much. That said, maybe consider tiered pricing :)
Evaluations...how often and are they necessary?
What is twice a summer and yes! Clarity is kindness. Set the expectations and be consistent!
My staff is young and lacking experience. How can I best support them when dealing with difficult conversations?
What is bringing in speakers and having activities surrounding communication strategies? Don't discount something we, as veteran leaders, take for granted because of our experience. It is OK to ask/poll staff on areas they wish to be trained.
Third Party Vendors- Virtual. Pros and Cons
What are:
Pros- No planning, ability to provide specialized programming, staff on site trained in your protocol
Cons- not best cost model, poor performance reflects poorly on your program, supervision - extra staff needed, Technology (delivery issues)
The best way to share what kids did at camp today is...
What is a picture perfect summer? A picture is worth a thousand words. Sending a personalized email to families each week with a picture of their child is a HUGE touchpoint. New technology in apps or registration software with facial recognition to identify and send parents updates more frequently. (Flickr, MyCampApp, secured webpage, etc.)
Additional Fees?
What is it depends on your pricing model. Are you all-inclusive, in the middle (charge for some add-ons like lunch), or are you Spirit Airlines?
Staff morale...is it important and my most successful morale booster is...
What is yes! Name a Director of Fun and give them a budget! Make it a priority and then be present. They take care of the kids, you take care of them!
How can we best train a constantly changing staff?
What is an onboarding checklist, mentorship programs, & good onboarding? Spread out your trainings and record the previous ones.
How to come up with best new ideas?
What is borrow, steal, and make your own?
Fire Alarm!!!
When it is time to communicate early and often. It is better to inform families of unusual or adverse events that happen during the course of a camp day providing facts and insight. The version their 5-year-old shares may be a little different...
I should increase my fees annually and by this much...
What is yes. Never stop increasing your fees (expenses are going up) and you don't want to be playing catch-up. Consider matching school percentage tuition increase; use the CPI; or use a set percentage increase plus CPI.