The hardest part of being a camp director is getting paying kids.  If you've accomplished that ...you are on your way!

1) Securing the Facility

We would start this process, 6 months before camp.  If you are a coach with your own gym, then you are one step ahead of the competition.

2) The Staff

You need a handful of Coaches that you can trust to run an activity for the entire camp and that will knock it out of the park.

You'll be judged by your weakest coach on the court...trust me - keep that in mind as you go through your staffing.

After having your coaching stars secured, remember every coach that coaches a team directly impacts those campers' view of camp.

You have to overstaff, someone is going to cancel late - it always happens.  A lot of deaths in the family...etc.  Prepare.  Have a few U-men (utility staff) that have no ego and go in to do whatever the camp needs.

3) Your marketing plan

The safety of the campers is the most important element that a parent cares about sending their child to camp.  

After that, you have to self-assess - why this camp and not some other?  What are you selling?  This was a huge part of our success at Five-Star.  Really think about your camp's identity

and market it well.

When you market your camp...pick action photos that show off the teaching, the competitiveness, the camaraderie  of your camp

No one wants to campers standing around watching

4) Your communication

Be in front of the communication from the acceptance of payment to before camp notices of what to bring.  We would have templates that we would prepare for the different stages.  Maybe in total, there were three pre-camp notices.

It saves a lot of confusion if you are in front of it, construction on campus, no AC, lunch, bring a water bottle...etc

5) Make sure you have your insurance straight.  You should have liability and workmen's compensation.  We used Markel for years and it would be a significant expense but you can't skimp in this area.

Your camp should be a separate company, that is registered, pays taxes... make sure you register with the state you do business in.  Also, many states require camps to register and be inspected.  That is a separate permit and fee.  You may need to have physicals on all campers, run a certain amount of fire drills... 

It's not fun but it's really important to protect yourself and the camp environment

6) You can't run camp without basketballs... You also need coolers with Gatorade or Water, towels, timers, whistles, camp shirts, staff shirts and awards.  If you look at the Camp Manual - you'll get a great feel of the detail we put into it.  Don't wait until the last minute to secure it and to ship it to site.  Always bring a pump with a pin.