How to Start a Nonprofit Summer Camp?

For some nonprofit organizations, starting a summer camp can be the perfect way to connect with youth and support those in need.

But first, it is important to learn the ins and outs of how to start a nonprofit summer camp effectively.

In the following article, we will take you through each of the crucial steps and more. With this handy guide, you’ll have the resources you need to start your very own summer camp for your organization.

Let’s dive in!

There are a variety of different nonprofit summer camps hosted by organizations across the United States (and beyond).

For youth, summer camps provide the opportunity to create lifelong memories and enrich their lives for the better. Studies show that children who have access to summer programming are linked to improved outcomes across key life domains including:

• Mental and physical health
• Social and emotional development
• Academic achievement
• Overall wellness and safety

Summer camps are an opportunity to engage youth with a variety of activities and services that can support them in a multitude of ways.
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Some nonprofit summer camps are even designed for specific learning experiences and opportunities, such as:

• Sports Camps
• Robotics Camps
• STEM Camps
• Theater Camps
• Art Camps
• Music and Band Camps
• Cooking Camps
• And many more!

Whether the camps are day camps where children are able to participate in activities for a few set hours each weekday or extended overnight camps featuring in-depth engagement, nonprofits have the capability to help children and youth create enriching memories and improve their lives. Children even have a chance to go for hiking activities and experience unforgettable memories together. For example, if they ever trek around the Dolomites in Italy, they might have extended camps in Tre Cime Hike.

Despite the evidence that shows how impactful summer programming is, there are countless youth who experience barriers to accessing such experiences.

For families and youth who are economically disenfranchised, minoritized, and experience systemic barriers in other areas of their life, summer camps and summer programs are often not possible.

A report from the U.S. Department of Education revealed that 83% of low-income families did not have regular care arrangements during summer months, and only 53% of low income families visited cultural and educational institutions with children and youth (including zoos and aquariums).

When it comes to summer camps specifically, many families simply cannot afford that expense. Summer camps are an industry, and a steep price tag can come along with signing your child up for thrilling summer excursions.

According to the American Camp Association (ACA), summer camps cost on average $178 a day for day camps alone and cost a whopping $438 for sleep away camps. For families experiencing poverty, youth programming like this is unattainable.

This is where nonprofit organizations come in!

Unlike for-profit camping groups and corporations, nonprofits have missions to support their communities and promote charitable causes. Nonprofit organizations have the ability to meet community needs and provide low-cost and sometimes free services to those who cannot access programming through the for-profit sector.

Nonprofits like Chicago HOPES for Kids provide summer enrichment activities to children experiencing homelessness with a focus on academic programming to improve literacy and other learning outcomes.
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The YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club of America are two key nonprofit organizations that have historically offered summer camps at each of their divisions throughout the United States. The Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland, for example, charges a flat rate of only $10 for a “membership” that allows families to access these services.
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Nonprofit summer camps are key for providing critical services and programs to youth who are at risk or who come from families who do not have the means to sign them up for meaningful summer activities.

So how do you create a nonprofit camp?

While creating a nonprofit summer camp will ultimately come down to community needs, there are several steps that you should take when creating a nonprofit summer camp for your organization.

Align With Your Mission

First things first, your nonprofit summer camp should align with your organization’s mission.

Summer camps are not something that every nonprofit can include in their programming. If it does not make sense for your organization to provide this kind of service to the community, then it is time to go back to the drawing board and consider what other activities your nonprofit can provide for the summer.

For example, if your organization’s mission is to provide affordable housing for older adults and the elderly, a nonprofit summer camp for children and youth is most likely well outside your scope of work.

That being said, if a nonprofit summer camp is something that aligns with your organization’s mission and objectives—great! You can begin developing the specifics of your summer camp program. You should also tailor the summer camp’s specific activities and programming around that mission as well.

For example, if your organization typically provides mental health services and support to LGBTQ+ youth, your summer camp should serve this same population. The day-to-day activities of the camp can also include services tailored to the population’s needs (e.g. group therapy, art therapy, activities led by mentors with lived experiences).

Take for example, Camp Brave Trails.

Camp Brave Trails is a summer camp designed for LGBTQ+ youth and supporting the development of LGBTQ+ into young leaders of their community. The nonprofit summer camp offers a traditional summer camp while also offering summer day programming and meetups, family camp, and queer youth therapy.
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Remember, every summer camp should have a clear mission prior to its establishment. Consider overall goals, objectives, and reasons for starting a summer camp and plan the programming around that vision.

Fundraise

The cost of operating a summer camp can add up fast!

To respond to the cost of operating a high-quality summer camp, fundraising for the project is key. There are many grant opportunities for nonprofit summer camps to take advantage of as well as several different strategies for securing donations from individuals.

Consider your most critical needs. Your fundraising strategy should be built around what expenses are most vital and the urgency of the funding needed. For example, if your camp cannot operate without the appropriate or up to date infrastructure, consider starting a capital campaign to secure any land, buildings, or other capital costs required to run the program.

Remember to be creative!

There are so many different ways to get your community invested in your mission and excited to give to a good cause. For example, the YMCA helps support its campers through its Send a Kid to Camp Campaign. This is a great way to ensure children can participate in camp and get supporters invested in their mission.
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Plan Daily Agendas and Activities 

Whether your summer camp is a sleepaway camp and or a day camp, you will need to have pre-approved and pre-planned activities ready to go for your campers.

As mentioned above, the primary operations of the camp should align with your organization’s overall mission, but do not forget the most important thing about a summer camp—FUN!

Consider what types of programming would be most beneficial and most enjoyable to the age group(s) you are serving through this camp.

Trying to think of a unique snack to serve campers? Nothing is better than tried and true s’mores made around a campfire!

Is your camp located in a scenic outdoor area? Hiking, swimming, and field days are all exciting outdoor activities to engage your campers.

Leveraging the strengths of your camp’s location is a great way to identify exciting activities and agendas for your summer camp program.

For example, as one of the country’s premiere art museums and art schools, the Art Institute of Chicago and its School of the Art Institute combine the expertise of its school staff and its proximity to some of the most iconic works of historic artwork to create a unique curriculum for their summer art camps.
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Focus on Staffing and Recruitment

Another key item to address when developing a nonprofit summer camp is hiring staff to manage the camp and care for the campers.

Due to the fact that summer camps serve children and youth, recruitment processes will look a little different than other recruitment efforts your nonprofit may be used to.

It is important to recruit for and hire individuals with experience and expertise working with the age group(s) your summer camp plans to serve.

Moreover, the safety and security of the youth in your care should be tantamount. Be sure to work with experts (such as attorneys) to ensure that your summer camp is training and licensing employees based on appropriate state and/or federal regulations.

For example, depending on the specific camp and the type of hires, they may need to be trained and licensed as mandatory reporters, tasked with alerting the state of evidence of child abuse and/or neglect.

You may also need to hire specific positions to ensure the safety of campers during specific activities, such as swimming. This means you will need to hire licensed lifeguards or provide qualified licensing programs for your lifeguard staff.
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While you may not need to provide training as complex as water safety training, your staff should still know safety basics and receive appropriate licensing for other emergency situations. CPR and AED training are very common for camp counselors and other camping staff who may need to respond to camper injuries and urgent health and safety situations.

Work with your HR department, local government, and/or a qualified and licensed attorney to ensure all staff are appropriately certified and staffed in accordance with the law.

Wondering where to recruit exceptional summer camp staff?

Camps can have a lot of success recruiting older youth and young adults, since they are on similar school schedules and are in need of temporary jobs during the summer. Consider reaching out to local colleges and universities to post on their job boards or to attend career fairs.

You can also rely on your network of former campers. Campers who have grown out of summer camp age but have fond memories and experiences of their time may be excited about the opportunity to give back to a place that means a great deal to them.

Coordinate Food Service

Ensuring your campers have access to nutritious meals is crucial.

Even a smaller day camp that only lasts a few hours will most likely need to coordinate a lunch or snack time for campers.

You will need to decide the best course of action for meal provision. Is your organization capable and appropriately licensed to serve planned meals? Develop a menu so campers can plan ahead and alert camp staff of any allergies or food restrictions. Many camps will stipulate that campers are required to pack their own lunch each day and follow food restrictions to protect fellow campers.

Even if campers are responsible for bringing their own meals, it is always good to have snacks and backup meals on hand. Be sure to order plenty of food, treats, and snacks to keep your campers energized and ready to take on the day!

Get Licensing

Camps often offer a variety of activities, services, and programming that are not necessarily included within the scope of a nonprofit’s typical operations.

As such, it is important to ensure your organization is up to code and licensed to provide such services in accordance with local, state, and federal law.

Camp licensing will vary depending on the type of programming you are offering and the laws and regulations where your camp is operated. Work with your organization’s legal department or another qualified, licensed attorney to determine what licensing and/or certifications are required of your organization to run a summer camp and what actions you are required to take to ensure compliance.

Starting a nonprofit summer camp takes a lot of passion, dedication, and hard work. With the drive to provide a high-quality summer camp experience and the information provided above, you will be well on your way to designing an exceptional nonprofit summer camp that everyone will love!

Establishing a summer camp can be the perfect way to activate youth in the community your nonprofit organization serves.

Want to learn more about how to develop high impact nonprofit programs? Visit Instrumentl’s blog for helpful guides, articles, and FAQs to address your most pressing questions.