Immersive1st

Parent priorities have changed—and camps need to pay attention. Every time I survey parents, "safety and security" come up as their top concern when choosing an overnight camp (and for day camps, too—but it ranks even higher for overnight). Here’s the simplest example: ?? 20 years ago: Kids walked to school alone. If they were dropped off, parents often let them out at the corner to avoid traffic. ?? Today: Parents wait in their cars until their child has completely entered the building. This shift in parenting mindset directly impacts how families evaluate camps. Safety isn’t just an expectation—it’s the priority. Camps that communicate their approach to security clearly and confidently will stand out. How is your camp adapting to this change?

"I would have to meet most, if not all, the employees and fully trust them." From a recent survey submission by a parent considering overnight/sleepaway camp for their 12-year-old child. How can summer camps communicate trust in their marketing & communication plan?

?? Two Free Webinars on Camp Staff This Week! ?? 1?? Maximizing International Staff Success with Jeffrey Daly from International Exchange of North America (IENA) ?? Jan 8, 2025 | ?? 1:00 PM EST Learn how to make the most of international staff and navigate J1 visa updates. ?? https://lnkd.in/eVvN8Xip 2?? 2025 Staffing Survey Analysis with Dan Weir & Jack Schott ?? Jan 9, 2025 | ?? 2:00 PM EST Dive into key staffing trends, retention rates, and best practices for hiring in 2025. ?? https://lnkd.in/eviQqhrM

282 submissions to our staffing survey! #1 ?? Amazing—thank you! #2 Submit your response by December 31st to get early access to the data in January. #3 Join Jack Schott and me for a FREE webinar on January 9th to dive into the findings. Survey link: https://lnkd.in/eTFv3K7a Webinar registration: https://lnkd.in/e8Bg5cGh

#Hiring | Glendale, California (Los Angeles) // VP, Camp & Retreat Operations// Camp Bob Waldorf / Housing Included // $90-$125K + great benefit package I'm working with a great CEO to find a talented overnight camp expert. Over the past six months, I've spent significant time with this team. They are such a good group of caring, driven people! You can apply through LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/e2BMF9JZ Feel free to email ([email protected]) if you need to chat. Priority is given in my calendar to folks who formally apply.

Quiet branding ≠ being silent. Getting registrations from previous campers for summer 2025 comes from staying top of mind. Staying too quiet? That might mean last summer’s families choose something different. I hear from camp directors all the time: “We don’t want to overwhelm families with too much marketing.” While I understand not wanting to annoy people, the how matters just as much as the how often. Tone, vibe, timing, and frequency all play a role. Sharing stories about building friendships, trying new activities, and gaining life skills (the top reasons families choose camps) doesn’t have to feel noisy—it’s what families want to hear. People are only annoyed by messaging when it’s irrelevant. When it resonates, it builds trust. Here’s a great article with ideas on how to keep your branding quiet, but impactful: https://lnkd.in/ePdZczk8 What quiet branding strategies are you using?

I know the flood of messaging today can feel overwhelming, but the awareness it brings to nonprofits in need is so important. This day reminds us of the impact we can have when we come together to support the causes we care about. If you're considering giving, this article offers insights on how to approach it: https://lnkd.in/gdr9Zc5s