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The Facebook Live video platform is similar to periscope in that you can broadcast at any time you want directly from your Facebook page. Since this is a somewhat new tool for Facebook, they have been giving a lot of distribution (and even a notification) to brands that are using the live video option.

If you are headed up to camp or have some exciting summer camp news to share, use Facebook Live. Post to your page to let people know when they can expect you to be live. Facebook saves the video forever, but it is nice to have some engagement when you go live.

Users can comment and ask questions during the live video, so be prepared to answer some questions! Going live is super easy and Facebook has pulled together some great best practices for brands.

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[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Facebook is a great marketing and communications tool for summer camps and after-school programs. It’s like a massive chat room where over a billion people hang out. It’s where businesses go to have fun and get to know their customers.

Because you’ll handle it somewhat differently than your personal Facebook page, we wanted to share some tips for getting the most out of the popular social media channel:

1. Facebook is highly visual

As mentioned, post lots of images. Photo albums, pictures and videos get
180%, 120% and 100% more engagement, respectively, than posts with just words.

2. Facebook is all about relationships

You can post announcements and reminders about your camp or program, but just make sure that’s not ALL you post. Share articles, contests and challenges, videos, pictures, industry observations, surveys, links to your latest blogpost, etc.

Most importantly, you must engage! Get involved in the conversation (as a person, not as a business). Here’s why:

• You can monitor for negative comments or other problems that might surface there. Turn any of these into opportunities to show your prompt customer support.

• Make sure you’ve turned on the message feature of your page so people can private message you.This is becoming a more common customer service channel. And according to Edison Research, 42% of customers expect a response within an hour! No one else can see these messages. You cannot private message people who have liked your Page, but you can respond.

• Engagement is key to being seen in other peoples’ News Feeds. Currently, 96% of fans NEVER return to your page after the initial Like.That means your best chance of having your message seen is to get into the News Feed of your fans. The catch is that the News Feed is the electronic equivalent of a busy intersection during rush hour and only about 1 in 6 fans will be standing at that intersection when you post.

• Posting regularly (2-5 times a week) helps weight your “score” that increases your visibility, but you need to do more. Get people to Like, comment on and share your content. Posting as your camp page, go to their pages and thank them for commenting (prompting them to comment there).

• You can also go back and post comments on old comment threads to extend the lifespan of those conversations. Every interaction on your part increases your Facebook score.

3. Build a Facebook Community

Ask all your partners, vendors, counselors, employees and camp parents to Like your Page. Invite appropriate friends from your personal profile page. Click on “Invite Email Contacts” under “Build Audience” on your Facebook Admin Page to upload email lists and send messages of invitation. Promote your Page everywhere – on your website, printed materials, emails, registration page, etc.

4. Go Deeper

To really use the maximum potential of Facebook as a business marketing tool, investigate these Facebook features:

• Page Insights – Facebook’s analytics tool to measure your page activity and performance
• Apps – the tabs under your profile photo can contain a YouTube app for your channel, a Pinterest or Twitter app, as well as contest, poll and survey apps. (Most business apps come from approved 3rd-party developers.)
• Advertising
• Boosted Posts (formerly Promoted Posts) – pay to increase the number of News Feeds your posts display in
• Sponsored Stories – pay to have your follower’s activities with your Page promoted to their friends. (Mary Smith and Tom Jones like ACTIVE Adventure Camp) once you reach 100 Likes
• Facebook Offers – promote special offers once you reach 100 Likes

5. Posting Tips

• Introduce your staff
• Ask followers to vote on your next blog topic (give them choices)
• Rotate your profile photo often
• Always provide a link to your website
• Include registration links, when timely
• Address people in a conversation by name by typing @ before their name (@mary)
• Have fun!

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[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]To keep your summer classes packed, plan an attendance contest that awards prizes for each month and a grand prize winner for the entire summer.

Get started by setting a standard number of classes that each student must attend, each week consistently for a month to be eligible for an attendance award. You can create an award certificate on your computer that you can print yourself to keep expenses down.

Next, run a contest to see who can attend the most classes each month and award several levels of prizes (like 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place). So that you don’t break the bank, ask local businesses to donate prizes or certificates that your student might like such as: free pizza, haircuts, nail services, video/game rentals, massages, movie passes, etc. In return to the businesses that donate, offer them free training certificates at your school, you may get a few new students out of it.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]1. Open House 

Summer is a great time of year to plan an open house with some dynamic demonstrations.  Make it an all day fun event for all your students, along with their friends and family.  Try to have some carnival style games, face painting, raffles, demos, and anything else you can dream up that is fun and exciting.

2.  Buddy Weeks

Have a Buddy Week in early May, and then again in late June.  This will help you bring a steady flow of prospects into your school during some typically slow months.  Be sure to work these leads immediately.  The quicker you’re on it, the better chance of enrollment you will have.

3.  Mothers Only Day 

The week prior to Mother’s Day that have a special Mother’s Day class where all the students can bring mom with them to class that day.  Offer all the moms a free month of classes just for coming.  Be sure to offer them the free month in front of their children.  There’s nothing like a little positive pressure from the kids.

4.  Fathers Only Day

This year, Father’s Day is Sunday, June 20th. This is the same event as the Mothers Only Day only it’s for Dads.

5.  Summer Training Camps

An intensive 2 or 3 day training program, each session lasts 3 – 5 hours.   Give attendance credit to everyone that participates and allow the students to test right in the camp if they are ready for promotion.   We hold these camps during school vacation weeks as well as in the summer. That’s July and August.  We charge 9 per session and they sell out quick!  Max the training camps out at around 20 students to ensure personal attention.  I typically gross around ,000 per week when they sell out.

7. Record Setting / Breaking Day

Record Setting/ Breaking Day is a great way to get your students and parents together for a fun filled afternoon.  Also, you can use this as an opportunity to target parents for renewals or perhaps even get them involved in the lessons too.

The first year you do this, it should be called Record Setting Day.  Then it becomes Record Breaking Day every year after that.  The record holders’ names go on a large (2 ft x 2.5 ft) plaque in the waiting area, and remain there until someone beats their record.  So a name could stay there for as little as a year, or forever.

Some examples of records could be: punches per minute, kicks per minute, number of push ups, distance of long jump, power pad reading (measures pressure), belt tying (speed), cone gathering (speed), and anything else you can dream up.

But most importantly, remember to have a fun lesson plan that can compete with the nice weather.  You facility has to be more fun than the beach and more exciting than the amusement park.  Not only do you have to excite the students, but you have to excite the parents too.  Good Luck![/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]1. E-mail promoting your summer special.

2. Demonstrations at Summer Festivals and Fairs.

3. Contests in the school. Prize for the student who brings in the most friends who join the summer special. Have first, second and third prizes.

4. Promote your own Summer Health and Fitness Expo in your school. Bring in local health and beauty businesses to set up booths in your school. You supply the entertainment with martial arts, Cobra-Defense and Empower Boxing™ demonstrations.

5. Charity Fund Raiser – A Kick-a-thon or a spar-a-thon to raise money for charity. This can bring you free advertising and generate a lot of excitement in your school.

6. Couples Night. Students bring in their spouse or significant other to take class with them. Make it into a party with refreshments and a special price if they enroll that evening.

7. Work Out Partners -Go to local businesses that have a large female clientele or employees. Pass out free classes to the employees and cut a deal with tbe business that allows you to put up a poster or lead box promoting your program in exchange for your doing the same at your school.

The most important thing, during the summertime, is to not accept the fact that it is going to be slow because it has always been slow. I believe this is primary reason why many schools experience a drop off during the summertime. Instead of accepting it as a slow time, look at the summertime as a call to action. If we can bring in an extra 100 students into our Empower Boxing™ Program, just think where we will be when everybody comes back from vacation.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Just as you’d create a New Year’s campaign for January, you’ll want to make sure that you create a special summer campaign.   People tend to want to try new things during the summer, so your martial arts program may be something they may want to try.

Tie in “summer” into the headline of your campaign and create a benefit-oriented campaign that carries a strong message and give the reader a reason to take action.

Market Your Summer Special Like a “Guerrilla.”

No matter how awesome your summer special, if no one knows about it, no one can take advantage of it. Therefore, come up a variety of ways to get your message out.

Here are a few inexpensive ways to get your message out:

• Your school’s recorded voice mail message
• On your web site
• A poster on your storefront window
• Distribute flyers in surrounding businesses, students’ workplaces, churches, schools and ask friends to help place them
• Email the info to past students and to past inquiries
• Pass them out at community-wide events and fairs
• Begin distributing your information about 4-weeks before the kids get out of school in your area and keep spreading the word throughout the summer.

When you take a pro-active stance to summertime, you can look forward to better retention, more consistent income, and a continuous flow of new student traffic! When your classes are packed full of people with positive energy and excitement, both your school and you will be so hot you’ll sizzle![/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]If you’re not conducting summer camps, and have some free time, why not offer field trips to your facility? Simply gather local camps contact info and see if they’d like to schedule a trip to your school.

You can do it for free or easily charge .00 per student and create an hours worth of activities and education. Send each visitor home with plenty of school information and a special offer to enroll. This is a great way to pick up a little extra summer income and a few new students.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Summer is coming!  What is normally a downtime for martial arts schools, can now be the busiest time thanks to Empower Boxing™. There is not a better time to promote your Empower Boxing™ program than the summer. Unlike your traditional martial arts program, your Empower Boxing™ classes should grow during the summer months.

Why? Again, we are talking about two totally different markets. Your traditional martial arts program probably has more children in it than adults. What do children get during the summer? Eight to ten weeks of vacation from school. Because of this, the family vacation and trips are scheduled around this time of year, so many of your students leave for the summer or for at least part of it. Many of your kids will leave town and may be gone for the entire summer. As a result, our classes and usually our income shrink during the summer.

New martial arts students are less likely to make a commitment during the summer because they may plan on leaving town at some point during the summer for their vacation. How many times have you heard families say, “We will enroll when we get back from vacation.”? This all happens because most conventional martial arts programs are marketed to the family, regardless if you have one child training or the entire family. All training decisions are a family decision.

Now lets take a look at the average Empower Boxing™ student. A Empower Boxing™ student is most likely to be a young adult, not married and with very few family obligations. They work full time and do not get an extensive vacation like kids do. They will most likely be present for the entire summer.

These students are in Empower Boxing™ to get in better shape. They want to feel better and, most of all, to look better. When do adults want to look their best?  You guessed it!  In the summertime. Adults are thinking about how they are going to look in their bathing suits this summer and will spend a lot of money and work very hard  to achieve that look. Most gyms experience a upswing during the summer months and so can you. Gyms go out of their way to promote the “lets get fit this summer” image and you should to.

How can we capitalize on the summer market?  I recommend spending a little more on advertising and really working hard on getting the word out. Make it easy for people to get involved in your program this summer. Have a summer special. I recommend six weeks of training for 9 to 9 (depending on your market). This should include gloves and hand wraps.

You will want to point out the many health benefits associated with Empower Boxing™. Highlight the fact that “Muscle and Fitness” magazine rated aerobic kickboxing as the fastest way to burn calories in one hour. According to the magazine, Empower Boxing™ is burns more calories than aerobics, running and weight lifting. Most of all, you’re learning an important skill at the same time. Empower Boxing™ is the most complete workout you can get in one hour. Empower Boxing™ is a total body conditioning workout. These are the points you want to make about your program this summer.

Set a goal for your staff to sell fifty Empower Boxing™ summer programs within a two month period and develop some kind of bonus for them if they reach it.  Make sure that everyone, your staff and your students, has free class passes to give to their friends. You may want to have a open-house for Empower Boxing™ with demonstrations and free classes. Put together a demonstration team and go out to the summer events in your area in order to show them what a fun workout Empower Boxing™ can be.

The summer “Let’s Get Back in Shape” attitude that is promoted by the fitness industry comes only once a year, so take advantage of it. Promote, promote, promote. What is usually a downtime for martial arts schools can be the best time of the year for your Empower Boxing™ classes.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Program Goal:

To increase summer attendance and encourage students to bring buddies with them to classes (don’t send your friend home because its time for martial arts, bring them with you!).

When to start:

The program can start anytime from May 1^st on and can end August 1^st.

The Rules:

Every time a student attends class, they receive a ticket for a weekly and monthly drawing.  If they bring a friend to class, they receive 5 tickets. If a student successfully tests for new rank in May, June or July, they also receive 5 tickets.

All of the tickets are put in a large ticket container in the school. The school owner one drawing each week, one monthly and a final grand prize drawing at the end of summer.

The weekly prizes consist of tee shirts, water bottles, Frisbees, and other small inexpensive items (all emblazoned with the school logo).

For the once a month drawing, the prizes consist of things like in-line skates, skate boards, movie passes for 2-4 people, a pizza party for 10 people (hosted by the winner), dinner for two (if the winner is an adult), or a free testing or tournament.

The grand prize drawing might be an amusement park admission for 2-4 people, a weekend getaway for the family to a local resort, a Black Belt Club membership or a deluxe sparring gear or training equipment package.

The prizes are limited only by the imagination of the school owner, but not necessarily the budget –as many of the items are donated by local business.

Promotion

Scott says that his in-house promotion of the contest played a big role in building up student enthusiasm. He created a Hawaiian theme in his lobby with mannequins dressed in Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses and he had a CD playing summer-style music.

He acquired vacation posters from a local travel agency and hung them around his school. He even put up an old surfboard on the wall to get everyone in the right frame of mind. Scott advises posting prizes and the contest’s ticket container in the school where students and their parents won’t be able to miss them.

He also recommends pumping the contest up with in-class events like having crazy shirt days, water balloon carrying drills (for the Little Ninjas) and even giving out Popsicle’s in Saturday classes to everyone who attends.

How Much?

“My last Summer Of Fun Contest cost me less than 50” says Pettit, “and it had a significant effect on my student retention. The summer before I started this program my active student count dropped 30 percent. This year I saw a decline of less than 10 percent.  I also added more than fifteen students a month as a result of the contest, so as an added bonus it became an unexpected profit center for the school.”[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Due to the recent trend of violent behavior in school, school administrators and teachers are becoming increasingly concerned about safety in the classroom.

Generally when we hear of teachers being attacked by their students, we think of this atrocity happening only in inner-city, crime-infested areas. In reality, this behavior can happen anywhere – even in small towns.

Sadly, this type of activity is not just limited to high schools, it can happen in the younger grades as well.

Therefore, an opportunity exists to promote a summer self-defense course for teachers. Not only does this course help to give teachers more confidence and a cushion of safety as they enter into the next school year, it also helps to increase your cash flow and get you through the summertime slowdown.

Begin by creating an information package on your self-defense program. Include your biography and information about your school. You might also do a little write-up on the benefits of learning self-defense and how it can help to protect them should an attack occur.

If you’re located in a less dangerous area, you’ll need to work harder at convincing teachers that they need to take your self-defense course. You may need to research some attacks that have taken place outside of the inner-city environment, so that you can provide them with some statistics.
Speak with school administrators at the schools in your area. They are very concerned with teacher safety. If you can get the backing of the school administration, you’ll have a much easier time getting teachers to sign up for the course.

This course can be accomplished in one four-hour class. You can charge anywhere from 9.95 to 9.95 depending upon your market.

Therefore, if you can sign up just 25 teachers, you’ll have increased your summertime cash flow considerably.

Another thought might be to offer a substantial discount to teachers that sign up for your self-defense class by a certain date. This creates a sense of urgency in the minds of your potential customers.

If you get a positive response from these seminars, you might consider offering a self-defense seminar one Saturday or Sunday each month throughout the summer.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]If you are suffering from the summertime slowdown, it’s time to get out and drum up some business through your local school district. That’s right. The schools in your town can provide perfect opportunities to increase your summertime business.

The first thing you’ll want to do is to introduce yourself to the school leaders in your area.This includes the principal, teachers and even the local school board. Get to know them on a personal level. Let them know how your school can benefit their students.

Building a good reputation with the schools in your area is like adding a whole new dimension to your public relations program. Their influence is far-reaching and can definitely prove beneficial to your school’s success.

If they are impressed with you and the programs that you offer, they will be more than happy to promote your martial arts programs to parents and their kids.

Also, they may be able to arrange to have your leadership/demonstration team to perform before local organizations such as the Parent-Teacher Association, Rotary Club, and others.

This, of course, gives you the opportunity to explain and demonstrate the positive benefits that martial arts has on the community, particularly to the youth in the community.

As the end of school draws near, take some time to visit with the school administrators to see if there is an opportunity for you to participate in some of the end-of-school activities.

For instance, perhaps your studio could become a destination for a class field day. Or, perhaps, you could become involved with your school’s annual game day.

Most schools have something along the lines of a game day. This is where kids compete in a variety of activities such as track and field events, softball throws, and more.

You might visit with the physical education coordinator at the school to see if you can set up a martial arts challenge course at the school game day. Chances are, the coordinator will be thrilled to incorporate something so unique into their program.

Once you receive approval to participate in the school’s game day, it’s time to get ready for the big event.

First, you’ll want to create eye-catching flyers on brightly colored paper offering game day participants a special price on your lessons. For instance, you can offer a “buddy promotion,” where one student signs up for an eight-week program, and his buddy gets in for free. If they split the cost, each kid gets in for half-price.

This will give you an opportunity to enroll them in your regular programs. You’ll make some money, and have the potential of adding two students to your full-time roster by the end of the summer.

On the day of the event, have two or three of your leadership and demonstration teams move your equipment to the location of the event. Have them set up the martial arts challenge course and time the participants.

Play days are fun-filled, relaxing events and provide a great opportunity for you to get to know the teachers, and to make a positive impression on the kids in the community.

Introduce yourself to the participants and ask them their names. Then, make a point of cheering them on through the martial arts challenge course.

At the end of the event, make sure every game day participant walks away with one of your flyers, and Frisbee or a plastic mug with your studio logo, name, address and phone number printed on it.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

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[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]To increase your summer income, consider offering Fitness Kickboxing classes, or customized team training sessions aimed at enhancing middle school and high school athletes sports skills.

Examine your schedule and decide when the best times are for you to offer team training.  During the summer, you may have free time in the morning or early afternoon that you’d like to fill. You could offer a discount to join a class already on your schedule that has available space, but that should be a last choice. The idea is to create a customized class for the entire sports team.

Start by making a target list of area schools. Phone the schools and get information as to what sports teams they have.  Also, get the coaches’ names, ‘ addresses, and phone numbers.

Referring to your contact list and the various sport teams on it, write down a list of benefits the athletes in each individual sport would gain by participating in your program.  For example:

*Wrestlers: increase agility, speed, strength, while making it easy to control their weight.

*Cheerleaders:  enhance flexibility, build muscle strength and tone, agility, and keep body fat low.

Next, write the team coach a professional letter and be sure to provide information on your school, benefits, available class times, financial incentives, and deadlines.

After your letters have gone out, make follow-up calls several days later to make sure that the coaches have received your information. Find out if they have an interest in your school, or in a customized training program for their athletes. Remind them that the offer is on a first come, first serve basis. Also, resell them on any incentives and perks you have offered. Remember to always be positive and polite no matter what response you get.

Additional Tips:

Consider offering your services to only one type of sports team in your area. It can be powerful to announce that you work exclusively with one wrestling team, one cheerleading group, etc.

Also, think about donating a portion of the tuition you generate from working with the team back to them. This is a great way to show your support for your community.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Summer is usually a slower time for martial arts schools. Kids are getting out of school, and business tends to slow down a bit for school owners. If you’re up for the challenge, however, summer also presents an opportunity for school owners to profit by hosting a summer camp.

Parents are always looking for a way to cut the boredom of those long summer days for their kids. And, kids are always looking for a way to have fun, hang out with their friends, and experience new adventures. In fact, according to a recent article printed in Inc. Magazine, more than 5 million kids attend an estimated 8,500 day and overnight youth camps nationwide each summer.

Hard work? Yes. Profitable? You bet. Many school owners say, that by hosting a successful camp, or series of camps, they earn anywhere from 0,000 to 0,000.

The two main choices are a Martial Arts Summer Camp and a Weekend Retreat.

Get Prepared

First, the key to hosting a successful summer camp is to be prepared. Of course, this isn’t going to be a Marine boot camp, so plan to have challenging, enjoyable activities mixed in with a healthy dose of free time that the kids can use to just hang out.

Don’t forget to include Murphy’s Law in your planning. In a group of kids, if it can happen… it will. Be sure to have a contingency plan for any emergency.

The Six-Week Camp
Let’s begin with selecting a camp supervisor. Preferably this would be you or someone from within your school. If that’s not possible, you’ll need to interview extensively to find someone who works well with children, has experience working with groups of children, and whose ideas of discipline and control are similar to your own. Make sure the person you hire is someone that you feel comfortable with.

The martial arts instructor needs to be very good. Remember your ultimate goal is to convince camp attendees to enroll in your school program. So you’ll want to have good representation in this area.

Leadership teens make excellent, enthusiastic assistants and mentors—and will work for minimum wage. You should have a minimum of one supervisor to every eight students. Labor costs should not exceed 30 percent of your gross intake.

Finally, you’ll want to hire a bus and driver to provide transportation.

Weekend Retreat
While everything is on a smaller scale at the weekend retreat, a couple rules still apply. For instance, your student to supervisor ratio should not exceed 5 to 1; and your labor costs should not exceed 30 percent of the gross.

Each leader, wearing a colored t-shirt, is provided with a schedule of activities, whistle, digital watch, clipboard, and their team’s roster. Walkie-talkies or headsets are particularly handy when attempting to communicate among group leaders, camp supervisors and maintenance personnel.

Again, you’ll need to hire a bus and driver to transport the kids, volunteers, and parents to and from camp.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

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MATA-Pro Level Membership Only

Summer Marketing Files[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

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Do You Need Extra Insurance for Your Summer Camp?

John Graden: Summer time is coming and I know Schools do either Martial Arts Summer Camps which for instance is a four or six week period where the Kids come to the Martial Arts School and they do stuff throughout the day and it’s usually a combination of their current Students and hopefully a lot of Students that are, a lot of people that are attending that don’t belong to the Schools current roster, in hopes that they’ll enroll after the experience.  

But, clearly Parents have to work over the Summer and putting their Kids in a Martial Arts Summer Camp or a Summer School, is very attractive to the School and attractive to the Parents. However, as always there are liabilities involved.  Jennifer talk to us about what these Schools need to really understand about the potential for liability at their Summer Camp. What kind of insurance do they need for a Summer Camp?

Jennifer Urmston: Thank you, John. First at all it’s very, very, important if you’re holding a Summer Camp, to reach out to your Agent and make sure that your current insurance policy will cover the Summer Camp, because in a Summer Camp you typically have care, custody, and control of those Students, for a longer period of time, than you do during the School Year, when they’re just in for their Class and then they go back home.  

So, it is different coverage on a lot of Policies that you need to tell your Agent about and they need to know how many Students are going to come and how many hours of the day they are going to stay there and they need to know if you are transporting those Students anywhere else and going off property.  That leads me into when you are setting up your Summer Camp, if you are taking them off property and going outside or going to a Park or doing any kind of activity that’s away from your premises, not only do you need to tell your Insurance Company but that needs to be part of the liability waiver that your Parent’s sign for those Kids.  

So, if you are doing anything off site, make sure it if very clear that they’re going to be outdoors, or they’re going to be at a Park, or they’re going to be at a Swimming Pool, if you’re taking them somewhere and that that language is included in the waiver, so the Parents are signing off that they know their Child’s going to be off premises and doing other things.  

The other thing that. that really comes to mind and that you should always be aware of for any time of Day Camp or Summer Camp is that you’re going to be having participants who are not your normal Students, who are not as familiar with your Marital Arts teaching itself, so again making sure that these new participants are very comfortable with the activities, before they do any more advanced activities.  

John Graden: I’m imaging that you’re suggesting a different waiver of liability for the Camp than the one they’ve signed for the School.  

Jennifer Urmston: Yes, exactly John, a Summer Camp waiver that is really designed for those Kids that haven’t been in your facility before and also designed to tell the Parents what these Kids are going to be doing so that they’re signing off on it that they know that their Kids are going to be doing these things.  Additionally, you know, when you do have Kids there for Summer Camp, be aware of always having two Adults in your Group of Kids and this is important for protecting yourself from a sexual abuse or molestation claim.  

Make sure there are always two Adults with the Kids, if Kids are changing clothes, make sure Kids of the same age are in the Dressing Room, changing clothes, versus, Kids that are significantly older, make sure that again, that you are aware of the need to protect the Children and Supervise the Children at all times, make sure any extra hired, you know help that you’re bringing in, any extra Instructors that are going to be helping you out in the Summer that you’ve done background checks on those folks, again to protect yourself from any kind of claim that the Child was abused in any way.

John Graden: Let’s talk about background checks for just a moment.  There is. First up it’s not that expensive and it’s easy to do in today’s technological world with the Web, right?

Jennifer Urmston: Right, absolutely, right now our Vendor Secure Search, it’s available on our website, it has a flat fee of I believe of 8 per person to do a background check and those checks will cover all fifty States, everywhere where that person has lived.  

And it’s very easy and you’re documenting for your file, that you did check every Volunteer and every person over eighteen years old, that are working with your Kids, that they haven’t had any priors for abusing Children and you keep, you know, copy that in your file, that you did everything you could ahead of time to protect your Students.

John Graden: Well let’s talk to a little bit about some of the incidents that do happen.  If you do a google search for Summer Camp Law Suits you get all sorts of crazy stories from Kids falling off horses, from rocks hitting them the head, one Kid, bless his soul, drowned in the Lake, another Girl got Lyme disease, what is the range of liabilities in terms of specific instances or stories that you can recall.

Jennifer Urmston: Well again, that’s one of the reasons that I brought up the Issue, of making sure if you’re taking Children off-site that you’re very clear about that and that Parents are signing off on that and that Children themselves are prepared for that, they know what’s coming. 

Swimming Pools are, any bodies of water are dangerous, my experience is we have far more claims related to bodies of water than anything else, again I haven’t had a claim from someone getting hurt from a Horse but you certainly can imagine that when you have Children who aren’t familiar with Horses that you could have an injury.  

The Lyme Disease, brings up an issue that’s important to know, which is that most Insurance Policies do excluding communicable disease, and so again that’s something to be aware of in your waiver, that you’re telling the Parents that the Kids are going to be outside.  

That it’s not known to the Parents that the Children are going to be outside in the Woods or in a Canoe, or riding a Horse, or they could come in contact with Tics or Fleas, or other Bugs or Snakes, that are natural to the Outdoors.

John Graden: How about a Snake Bite?

Jennifer Urmston: I, again if you’ve taken care to let them know that they’re going to be outside, it’s kind of like when you go for a hike and someone’s foot gets stuck in a hole, you know, if they know they’re going outside for a hike in the woods, that’s a normal part of going outside for a hike in the woods, your liability is that you are prepared to administer first aid, you are prepared to get that Child safely the care that they need. 

So again be, make sure your Instructors have been trained in First Aid, have been trained in CPR, that you have an emergency plan if you’re taking Kids off site, how are you going to get them to the Emergency Room, if they fall and break something or if they get bitten by a Snake, make sure whatever Pool, if you’re going to use a Pool, bring them, or a body of Water, that there are Lifeguards there, that are trained to administer CPR, you know it be, the thing is your expertise as a Martial Arts School Owner, is in teaching your Kids Martial Arts Skills and Life Skills, that you do every day in your facility.  If you are not an expert at handling a Swimming Pool, make sure you are taking them where they do have good expert Lifeguards.

John Graden: You know I look back at the Summer Camps, we did about three of them and they were really successful, they would generate, thirty, forty, fifty thousand dollars over the course of actually, just a weekend, it was really powerful, but it was, I think back at all the potential liabilities.  

We actually had an Ambulance called one time, because this Kid got so anxious about a demonstration that he was going to do that night on the stage, he started throwing up and getting sick.  We had to call an Ambulance because he was just too nervous.  But then I had, you know, one of the Teenagers say, ‘Yeah, just swam out to that rock and back, in the middle of the lake.’  I thought I had no idea that Kid was swimming out there, Holy Cow, Wow!

Jennifer Urmston: Out that far, right.  The wonderful thing about the Summer Camps, like you said they can generate great revenue for your facility, they expose new people to your facility, you get more Students in the fall, it’s great, but what I would always caution is make sure you have spoken to your Insurance Carrier, make sure you’ve written down all the activities that they are going to do and disclose that to the insurance carrier and the Parents and there, there should be an additional premium on your Insurance for doing this. 

If you’re going to make thirty or forty thousand dollars over the course of a Summer Camp and there is going to be an additional premium or two or three hundred dollars, it’s worth it to make sure you have coverage, for all these things that you want to do with these Kids that are abnormal to your normal Business, with Kids that aren’t familiar with your normal Business.  

Don’t take that liability on yourself, communicate it to your insurance carrier and make sure they are covering you for those Summer Camps because they are an outstanding way to grow your Business.  I’m the Mum of a ten year old Boy, I love when he does new things in the Summer and does something new that he’s going to enjoy and want to continue doing in the Fall.  

So, it’s great for the Kids, it’s great for the Parents, it’s great for the Business, just do your homework ahead of time to know what you’re doing and communicate it to the Parents and the Insurance Company.

John Graden: Thank you again as always Jenifer for that insight, because that is really important knowledge.  Alright Guys you heard it from the Pro.  Make sure you get your waivers filled out, make a good list of all the activities that you’re going to be doing and get those background checks done.  [/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

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[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]While many studio owners bemoan the slow, hot summer months, other studio owners confess that the summer months are often their most profitable months out of the year.

All it takes to be successful all year-round is a little resourcefulness and ingenuity.  Think weekend retreats, sleepovers, special weapons training, and… summer camps.

Provided that you plan and organize every detail in advance, pulling off a successful summer camp will be a breeze.  In order to keep things interesting, however, the approach you take to your summer camp must be a different approach to the one that you take when you’re teaching classes in your studio.

Many studio owners have had success holding their summer camps in the latter part of the summer, say about mid-August – depending upon when school starts in your community.  The theory being that summer activities have begun to wind down, leaving kids little to occupy their time until the school year begins.

Other studio owners operate one summer camp per month throughout the summer months – June, July, and August – grossing as much as 5,000 over the summer.

Classes are generally four hours long and held in the afternoons, when the studio is the least congested.  Break your class down into 15-minute increments.

You’ll want to account for every minute of your class, including breaks.  This will make it easy for you to keep your classes organized and running smoothly, as well as help to keep them interesting for your students.

Your classes can include activities such as fitness kickboxing, games, problem-solving activities, character building exercises, and martial arts.

When it comes to promoting your summer camp, a majority of your students will have come from your own studio.  However, you can encourage your current students to invite their friends to attend your camp.

Give your students brochures to hand out to people they feel may be interested.  You might even consider offering some sort of an incentive program for the student that brings in the most new faces.

And, because moms play an important role in planning summer activities, you’ll want to make sure that you pass around flyers, and leave brochures at places that moms frequent – the grocery store, beauty parlors, childcare centers, etc.

A strategic part of your planning will be to determine how many people you will have participating in your camp well in advance.  This will allow you to have plenty of snacks, special camp T-shirts, awards, and other supplies on hand.

It is recommended that you have your participants pay in advance, and at the same time have them sign a waiver, a medical release, and supply you with a list of emergency contact numbers.

Make this a special time for the participants.  You’ll want them to have fun, but you’ll need to establish your rules up front.

For instance, you may want to establish a no talking or running rule while you’re teaching.  Lay the rules out ahead of time, so your kids will know what to expect from you.

To make the most out of your summer camp, and to make sure that your kids are staying busy and having fun, stick with your schedule.  Be sure to include plenty of breaks for snacks and beverages.

Regardless of how many weeks you decide to hold a summer camp, make the last day one to remember.

Your summer camp is designed not only to increase your revenue during the summer months, but hopefully, to encourage some new people to sign on as full-time students at your studio in the fall.

On the last day, invite parents, and arrange a tournament to showcase what your students have learned during their camp.  Present each one with a certificate of completion, and an award to take home.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]These figures are hypothetical for a three day camp example:
Number of students planning to attend: 125

Camp charge per student: 0

Total cost for facility: ,250

You have seven instructors at your disposal at no charge. However, with 125 students attending, you’ll need to hire at least eight more instructors at 5 per day, which equals 00.

Total cost so far is ,850 plus 00 for incidental cost equals ,350. Divide that by the number of students attending, and cost per student comes out to 8.80. If you charge 50 for a three day camp, your profit on 125 attendees will be 1.20 per student.

Gross revenue 50 x 125 = 8,750

Expenses 8.80 x 125 = ,350

Profit = 1,400 or 1.20 per attendee

To figure the expenses and profit on a five-day camp, just update the numbers and follow the same formula.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Before the summer hits it is important to schedule plenty of school related activities. You will want your students to know in advance all the fun that they will miss if they are not around. Post your summer schedule in an area of the school where you can refer to it during your class announcements. Also, include the schedule in your newsletters, and hand out the schedules to students and parents as well.

Also, be sure to schedule events that students can easily bring friends and family to. Some winners are picnics, bowling/golfing parties, movie nights, lock-ins, buddy days, pizza parties, special training sessions, and laser tag night to name a few.

Vacation Logs

Create a vacation log. Then announce in your newsletter and in classes that students who are going on vacation need to sign the vacation log.

Your vacation log should have a space for the students name, phone number, departure date, return date, and the location they are visiting. Leave some business cards next to the log, and invite the students to mail vacation postcards to the school. Let the students know that the postcards will go up on a bulletin board so their classmates may read about their trip.

This will help the student think about the studio while they are away.

Using the information obtained in the vacation log, call the students a day or two before they are returning into town. Leave a message on their answering machine welcoming them back into town. Offer the student extra classes or make-up lessons to help them feel comfortable about their return to the school.  If the student doesn’t have an answering machine, then simply send them a “We Miss You” postcard. Even consider having some of their classmates sign the card.

Early Make-Up Classes

Most studios offer make-up lessons for students who missed classes while they were on vacation. However, consider adding a “new twist” by giving your students the chance to make-up classes before they leave town.

Students that will miss several weeks will appreciate being able to make-up classes, even before they’ve left for vacation.  They’ll find this especially helpful if they are required to attend a certain number of classes before they can test for their next stripe or belt. But best of all, they will be more likely to pay their tuition over the summer even though they may have missed some classes.

Test Make-Up Policy

Another tip that helps in retaining students during the summer is to offer make-up belt or stripe exams. Students can take this exam either before or after their vacation just as long as they have the required amount of classes and are ready to test. This policy works especially well for “A” rated students since they are typically ready to test first.

Add Flexibility to Your Schedule

Another way to increase your summer retention is to create a summertime schedule. By offering morning classes to children and adults, you give the students the opportunity to take class for the day, while still having plenty of daylight hours left to spend with their friends and family.

Also, if students can’t make their assigned classes let them come to another class that they can make.  A student attending class of a lower rank, for example, is better than a student not attending class at all.

Preventing summer dropouts before they happen is much easier than trying to get someone back in the school after they’ve missed several months of training. Taking the time to implement these retention techniques is well worth it. As students come to you and give you reason’s why they need to stop for the summer, take the time to really listen to what they are saying. Try to find a solution that will keep the student at least somewhat active and keep them on the road to black belt.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Here are some thoughts that may get you started on your most fun and profitable summer ever…

Host a family picnic

It’s hard to beat a family picnic held on a beautiful day in scenic location. Everyone is relaxed and comfortable. This makes for a great opportunity to really get to know your students and their parents on a personal level.

Plan early and reserve a picnic area at a park or lake near you.   Recruit a couple of volunteers and have them help you to organize the food, games, and contests.

Picnics are ideal for building camaraderie among your staff and your students.

Sponsor a martial arts camp

According to a recent article printed in Inc. Magazine, more than 5 million kids attend an estimated 8,500 day and overnight youth camps nationwide each summer.  And, since kids are always looking for a way to have fun, hang out with their friends, and experience new adventures, it would be safe to assume that there is a market out there for a martial arts camp.                       Many school owners say, that by hosting a successful camp, or series of camps, they can earn anywhere from 0,000 to 0,000 in a summer.

Make your class schedule “summer” friendly

Daily routines tend to change or fall by the wayside during the summer months. Kids are out of school, and everybody finds themselves busy with summer activities. Therefore, it would benefit you to adjust your class schedules to accommodate busy summer days.

For example, you might consider adding some additional family classes to your schedule to accommodate those folks that would prefer to attend class at a time different from their usual class time. Encourage your students who maintain a good attendance record by recognizing them with a certificate, or rewarding them with a small prize.

Offer a weekend martial arts retreat

A weekend retreat is a nice alternative to conducting an extended summer camp.   It’s not as labor intensive and still produces a good profit.

Camps are available to rent by the weekend. They come with all the amenities including a pool, bunkhouse, auditorium, cafeteria, and a selection of activities.

Camps generally charge anywhere from 0 – 0 per person and includes use of the facilities and meals. You’ll be able to charge each student about 50 to attend this retreat.

Offer to teach martial arts classes at other summer camps

You may be able to offer classes at some of the summer camps in your area.   For example, take your equipment out to the camp, and offer a one-hour class every Tuesday and Thursday for the length of the camp.

Offer to give the camp sponsor a small percentage of your take for allowing you the privilege of conducting your classes at their camp.

Keep in touch with students while they’re away for the summer                                                                                               That old adage, “out of sight, out of mind”, definitely holds true for martial arts students.   After all, except for the most diehard of martial artists, it’s just human nature to be easily distracted by other, seemingly more attractive, activities.

That’s why it’s important for you to maintain contact with your students in their absence.   The longer they are gone from your class, the less likely it is that they will return.

Hand out a projected absence form at the beginning of the vacation season.   It will solicit the student’s name, phone number, summer destination, and address.   This will give you the opportunity to periodically contact that student via newsletters or phone calls.

Ask the student to send the school a postcard of their destination so that you can post it on the bulletin board. This is a great way to keep your school at the top of your student’s mind. So hopefully, when he returns from his travels he’ll continue on with his lessons at your school.

Offer fitness kickboxing classes

With increased attention being paid to the nationwide problem of obesity, you’re likely to gain the attention of adults who are looking for a quick way to lose weight and get in shape.

According to Muscle and Fitness magazine, aerobic kickboxing is the fastest way to burn calories. You can increase your summer season revenue by offering a six-week fitness clinic for anywhere between 9 and 9, depending upon your market.

Conduct a martial arts/fitness sports camp

Speaking of fitness, you can offer a strenuous one-week fitness program at a local sports camp in your area.   This class could about two and half hours a day for one week, and bring in considerable revenue for your school.

Host a few “themed” sleepovers

What kid doesn’t love a sleepover with his friends?   You can offer a variety of themed sleepovers.   Themes can be related to martial arts such as Black Belt Club, and sport weaponry.

You can go with a patriotic sleepover around the Fourth of July, or have a sleepover with a tropical theme such as a Hawaiian Luau.

Kids love this because they get to hang out with their friends, eat pizza and watch movies all night.   Parents love this because for just 0 per student, they know that while they are getting to enjoy a little free time, their kid is having fun in a safe environment.

Offer a special summertime rate on lessons

One of the easiest ways to bring in students during the summertime is to offer a special rate on your classes beginning with Memorial Day and ending with Labor Day.

For instance, you might consider a special that would entail an unlimited number of classes per month at your standard monthly tuition rate.   Waive your registration fee, if you have one, and include a free uniform in the deal.

Be sure to advertise this special early, so folks will have time to consider what a great deal this is, and set aside the time to attend.

Ideas To Help You Through The Summer

As you know, summertime can be one of your toughest competitors.  So you’ll have to devise some methods to keep your students interested in attending class during the summer months.

Here are some of creative ideas to help get you started

Beat Your Best Day

Those students that have a competitive streak will really love this annual event.   Parents and students gather for an exciting record-breaking competition.   Those who set the record for any number of activities will get to see their name on a special plaque that you can hang in your studio.

Then, next year when you hold your Beat Your Best Day, participants will try to set a new record, or best their old record.

Competition categories are limited only to your imagination. However, they can include belt tying for speed, and long jump for distance. You can even create a record-setting event using the number of push-ups, punches, or kicks that can be accomplished in a minute.

Hold An Open House

Holding an open house is a great way to introduce potential customers to your studio, and entertain your students, their family and friends.

Make sure you have your demonstration/leadership teams on hand to show their stuff.   Hold a raffle for some special prizes, and add some street festival style games to include a face-painting booth, demonstrations, and pony rides.

Gladiators

Break your students down into three or four equal, well-balanced teams.  This means that each team should have the same number of members, and should include a balance of beginners, advanced students, and adults.

Each team should select a captain and a co-captain, and be given a special color and a team name that will differentiate them from their competitors.

This is a team-motivated competition that can include a whole range of events. Truly, your imagination is free to roam on this one.   Teams can compete for the best attendance record, which team learns their techniques the quickest, who runs the fastest relays, and so on.

Bring-A-Friend Week                                                                         

Have your student’s bring a friend for free during this week.   Take that opportunity to recruit the friend.   These weeks are best done in the early part of May and the latter part of June.

Theme Nights                                                                                         

Theme nights are a fun way to add interest to your classes.   You might consider hosting a gladiator night, professional wrestling night, laser tag night or a movie night just to name a few.

Celebrate Moms & Dads                                                                          

During the month of May, invite your students to bring their moms to class.   Offer them a free month of lessons for attending.   This makes moms feel special, and they might just like it enough to sign up for your classes on a full-time basis.

Of course, when June comes around, you’ll have an opportunity to treat your students’ dads with the same offer.

Parents’ Night Off                                                                            

Parents will be particularly fond of this event.   See, they will drop their kids of at your studio about 7 p.m. and pick them up at midnight.   While they’re enjoying their evening off, your students will be enjoying a pizza party, movies, games, and fun activities all night.

Martial Arts Boot Camp                                                                       

This will be an intense two- to three-day martial arts training program.   Each session should last at least three to five hours. Give your students points for attending.  These are a great way to fill the slow periods in July and August.   At 9 a session, you’re students will have fun, and you’ll make a nice little profit.

These are just few of the steps you can take to increase your revenue.

So, what would otherwise be a “slump” can really end up being a very profitable time of year.

And, to top it all off, the real payoff to any of these programs, is the possibility of having generated enough interest in the martial arts to acquire new students for your fall program.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]More Summer Camp Articles

The summer camp at your school is a work intensive event. Usually the camp lasts all summer with kids signing up and paying in advance for the number of weeks they will be participating. For instance, a child may be charged 0 per week with a small discount for a six-week commitment. You’ll have to look at other specialty camps in your area to figure out what the market bears for tuition.

Activities during the day include games, sports, karate, reading and down time, swimming at a local pool, field trips, movies and just about anything else you can arrange. You’ll find out quickly what the kids like and don’t like. Having a bus rented and a driver hired is almost a necessity if you want to take the kids to a pool or to the theater. You’ll also need some super leaders with a great sense of responsibility and creativity. These kids have to be entertained from 8a.m. to 4p.m. Monday through Friday.

Not only do you risk kids dropping out of the summer program and never enrolling in your regular kids class but you also have a serious liability issue if the leaders are irresponsible. In Florida, all camp leaders have to be fingerprinted and registered with the state. In fact, after having camps for three summers in a row we decided it was too much work for too little reward. Yet, some schools are very successful with their camps. Not only do they earn high camp fee but they also convert 80 – 90 percent of the kids over into the regular karate program.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Tip #1
Priority number-one is to build rapport with campers and their parents. All staff needs to shake hands, make eye contact and learn names of campers and their parents. The goal is to make campers feel comfortable and their parents confident that they’ve made the right choice in enrolling their children in our camp.

Tip #2
Avoid negative statements. Focus on the positive. Be patient and kind. This is not a military school –but there will be periods of time when training when a certain degree of discipline is expected, it should be done with a smile.

Tip # 3
All staff is trained to avoid being alone with campers in offices, locker rooms or any other area where they’re out of the direct sight of other campers or coaches.

Tip #4
All coaches should have stickers, prizes and snacks they can distribute for good behavior throughout the day. The job is to catch campers “doing things right” and reward them for good behaviors.

Tip #5
All coaches and helpers line up and greet parents and campers both at the beginning of each day and when the campers depart. Our goals is to show team unity and a level of interaction and involvement with our campers that is above and beyond the norm.

Tip #6
Have fun and be a great role model of behavior, language and enthusiasm.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Here’s the schedule of events and P & L report from a recent one-week martial arts summer camp, which filled up with thirty children in just two weeks.

Monday

The first day of this year’s camp was spent at the Naval Aviation museum.  They have an IMAX movie theater and a Fighter Pilot simulator ride that the kids just went crazy for.  After the movie and rides, we took a break to eat a bag lunch on the spot.  We then returned to the school to practice our Taekwondo drills.

My cost was 65.00

Tuesday

On day two, we took the troops bowling for two hours.  This included lunch, which was provided by the bowling alley.  We then headed off to the local Coast Guard Station for a tour.  After the tour, we returned to the school and finished the day with some fun TKD exercises.

My cost was 60.00

Wednesday

Perhaps the coolest part of the camp, we took the kids on a tour of the popular Florida Caverns State Park.  There, the kids got to eat lunch in a real cave! There was plenty of well-supervised swimming and a safe climbing wall to challenge everyone.  Afterwards, it was back to the school for more kicking and punching.

My cost was 0.00

Thursday

One thing I’ve learned is that all kids love dolphins.  So this year, we scheduled a dolphin cruise on a glass bottom boat. Lunch was provided for the kids on the boat.  We finished the day with some great character development drills at the school.

My cost was 10.00

Friday

For the grand finale’, we took the group to Shipwreck Island Water Park. This place is a true wonderland for kids.  It’s loaded with slides, wave pools, and tube rides.  We spent the entire day there, and the park even included lunch for an extra per child.

My cost was 40.00

Organizing the Camp

Transporting the kids each day required some creative thinking.  So I contacted my church and offered to make a donation to their youth program if they would lend me a couple of their fifteen passenger vans each day for the week.  Without hesitation, they agreed. Beyond the donation, all I had to pay for was the gas.

For helpers, two moms volunteered to be chaperones. Along with myself this was adequate assistance to watch the thirty children.

The parents of each child were required to submit a signed Waiver of Liability at the time of registration.  For no additional charge, my attorney prepared the release form, which I’ve included for your reference.

My total investment for food was approximately 00 since the children brought bag lunches on several days. My biggest expense was the cost of admission into the various parks.  However, in many cases, I was able to negotiate the price down.

In terms of revenue, I charged 50 per child and limited the camp to thirty kids. The tuition had to be paid in advance before any of the children were registered.  As I’ve already mentioned, the camp filled up within two weeks following the announcement using internal marketing only.

Here is a break down of all the expenses and revenues for this successful one-week camp.

Total Expenses

Admission to Events 65

Food 00

Gas 00

Donation for Vans 00__________

Total ,465

Total Revenues

Tuition ,500

Total Profit

,500 – ,465 = ,035

In the end, the kids had a blast and our school netted a profit of over ,000.  Not bad for a week of fun in the sun![/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Simple as pie to organize and loads of fun for all involved. Pick a good picnic sight and invite everyone to bring whatever food and drink they would like to share. Organize baseball, dodge ball games and seashell hunts and finish with a special Karate Olympics for the kids with tons of prizes for everyone and you’ll have a great time. There is no charge for this and the parents will love you for the opportunity to spend such quality time in a positive atmosphere of respect and courtesy.

It’s helpful to huddle up with the kids and explain to them that this is their opportunity to demonstrate the respect and self-control that they have learned in class to the parents. By establishing a standard of conduct, the kids will be very cooperative and fun. Indeed, the parents will also be impressed and appreciative.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

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1. Where will it be held?
2. How many sessions?
3. What Times?
4. How much to charge?
5. Daily rates?
6. Weekly rates?
7. Black Belt Club discount?
8. What ages of kids?
9. Who will staff it?
10. What time is kid drop off?
11. What time is pick up?
12. Penalty for late pickup?
13. What clothing do kids require?
14. Brown bag or lunch and snacks supplied?
15. Can we use school’s hold-harmless form?
16. Can we take kids with special medical needs?
17. How will we advertise and promote the camps?
18. What our budget?
19. What will we do at the camps?
20. Who can we network with?
21. If sign-ups for a particular camp are slow, do we run it anyway, or cancel it?
22. Will we have a minimum attendance required?
23. How will we take emergency numbers?
24. Will the camp coaches know first aid or CPR?
25. Do we try and fill the camps with current students or fresh faces?
26. Do we provide refunds?

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[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Martial Arts camps not only bring in necessary additional income but they also provide a vehicle for gaining new students as well as keeping current students interested and involved.

In addition to the camp at your school, you can contact private schools in your area that run summer camps and YMCA’s , country clubs, etc. I usually run three camps every summer.

My gross revenues from these camps are about 0,000-2,000 from June through August. Here’s how to do it!

Step One—Plan your time
Figure out the best week or weeks to run your camp. Generally, I have found the second or third week of August to be best.

This is when summer activities are winding down and the kids are home driving mom crazy while school is a few weeks away. Look at your schedule and block out four hours after the noon hour.

This is usually an unproductive part of the day for most schools. My children’s classes are shortly thereafter, so I allow my regular students to stay for their class—Mom is happy and my attendance stays up.

Step Two—Create your curriculum
Create a curriculum that is different and exciting to your camp participants. Don’t just do martial arts and expect a big turnout the following year! Your curriculum must be appealing to your campers, but most importantly, their parents.

On a sheet of paper, or schedule pad mark 15 minute intervals down the left side of your page. To the right of each 15 minutes you will place the activity, including breaks. It is very important that you account for every minute.

Do not leave any blanks! I start the day with a fun warm-up. Try to stay away from the same old “Jumping jacks—ten down the first row”. Use music, use props, get creative!

The rest of the day is filled with martial arts (one hour max), character education, aerobic Kickboxing, circuit training, conflict resolution, games, contests , musical forms, creative combinations, and other fun activities. As you begin to plan each day it becomes easier and easier. Do not try to “wing it”! Careful planning for each day is essential.Step Three—Market your camp.

When it comes to marketing, put on your thinking caps. You have a ready-made market right in your school. Most of my camp participants are my current students.

Ask your students to bring a friend to summer camp (give them a few brochures to give to their friends). You’ll be surprised at the response.

Also, mom generally plans the activities for the summer. Leave brochures where moms frequent such as beauty shops, tanning parlors, pre-schools, day care centers, grocery stores, dry cleaners, etc.

Finally, don’t forget about networking. It really works! For example, I do not use newspaper, radio or TV to advertise my camps.

Step Four—Sign Up Campers
Sign up forms with payment in advance is crucial to your planning. You will need to make preparations for awards, prizes, T-shirts, snacks and various supply items.

One week prior to your camp, send out letters to campers and parents describing your curriculum, drop-off and pick-up times and other pertinent details that will make life simple for you and your campers. I require a waiver and medical releases as well as emergency numbers so that I can reach a parent or guardian if necessary.

I will not allow a camper to leave with anyone other than their parents unless arrangements are made in advance and in writing.

Also, I generally have a couple of teenage black belts as assistants the ratio I like to keep is one assistant for every ten campers.

Success starts on the first day

Set the tone immediately. To begin with, I have everyone sit in a straight line and introduce themselves. Then, I explain my rules. No running, no talking when I am talking or teaching.

And stay away from mirrors and windows. That’s it! Simple yet it sets the tone. Remember it’s a camp and you want to make sure they are going to have fun.

Each year, I hand out a different camp T-shirt. To help with this I have a “design our camp T-shirt contest” well in advance of my camp and the winner gets a free T-shirt. I do not have the kids wear uniforms and shoes are allowed.

To really ensure that you have a successful camp and make a good impression, make sure that you start your curriculum on time and stick to your schedule.

Another suggestion is to include a couple of 15-minute breaks so the kids can get snacks and drinks. At the end of the day make certain that the children have a handout to take home with them.

I like handouts about home rules, conflict resolution, character education, etc. Talk to the parents when they arrive to pick-up their kids. Tell them what you covered and how much fun you had with their kids.

A lasting impression is made on the final day
The final day needs to be the best and most memorable day for the campers. After all, you want as many non-students to continue at your school as possible. You also want to build repeat business for next year’s camp.

On the last day, I have a tournament and graduation. The tournament consists of judging their creative combinations, simple and easy board breaking, and fun sparring with the counselors and me. To make sure the parents are part of this, I send invitations home with the kids a few days before the last day.

I have all of the campers demonstrate what they learned as a graduation. They all receive a nice frameable certificate and those that have never experienced martial arts at your school, receive a gold belt with a white stripe down the center (a non-rank at my school).

Remember, make it fun, exciting and memorable. By doing so you are creating great word of mouth advertising. Finally, I hand out an invitation to a “Bring A Friend” class that I schedule within the next two weeks following the camp.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Friday
8:30 p.m. – Bus Arrives
Greet students as they exit off bus. Students line up with their assigned team leaders. Take them to cafeteria for dinner.
10 p.m. – Orientation
Group gathers in auditorium for orientation. Following orientation, group plays a game of night soccer.
Midnight Lights Out

Saturday
7 a.m. – Wake Up!
Have kids get ready for the day. Bunks need to be made and area inspected.
8 a.m. – Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast as a team. Then, clean up area.
9 a.m. – Dodge Ball
10 a.m. – Soccer Game
11:30 a.m. – Ninja Seminar
Team leaders, escort your kids to seminar and take a break.
12:15 p.m. – Snack Time for Kids
Kids return weapons to bunk and join team in cafeteria for a fruit snack.
12:30 p.m. – First Activity
Group leaders drop your kids off at first activity. Return for seminar. Leaders will pad a bit and bring kids in to watch the end of the seminar.
2 p.m. – Lunch
Gather your group and meet at the cafeteria for light lunch. Settle for nothing less than respect and good manners. Rest before next activity.
3:30 p.m. – Second Activity
4:30 p.m. – Third Activity
5:30 p.m. – Fourth Activity
6:30 p.m. – Dinner
As always ensure good manners and respect from your group.
Relax after dinner.
8 p.m. – Black Belt Test
Group leaders, escort your kids to this activity. Sit with them during the event.
10 p.m. – Bonfire
Relax and enjoy the fire, but don’t forget to keep an eye on your group.

Sunday
7 a.m. – Run & Martial Arts Fitness
Get your kids moving. Have them make their beds and inspect the area.
9 a.m. – Breakfast
Eat as a team. Then, clean up area.
10 a.m. – Group Ninja Skit
Help your group choreograph their skit. Skit should be 2 – 5 minutes and include dialog and action using Ninja techniques.
11:15 a.m. – Skit performances
Performances are videotaped.
Noon – Lunch
Gather your group and meet at the cafeteria for lunch. Ensure respect and good manners.
1 p.m. – Pack
Escort group to bunkhouse to pack belongings and clean.
2 p.m. – Depart
Group leaders perform a final head count.

Go home. Sleep…[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Another great retention strategy is to create a summer events calendar and load it up with classes and events to help keep your students interest and make your school a great place to be this summer.

You can host picnics, martial arts movie nights, trips miniature golf, pizza parties and other fun events outside your regular class schedule. You can also plan events in or after classes such as bring a friend day, an ice cream party, game night, and host guest instructors. Use your imagination.

The key is to give your students the calendar of events before the summer starts so that they can see, well in advance, what they’ll miss if they’re not around![/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Friday
8:30 p.m. – Bus Arrives
Greet students as they exit off bus. Students line up with their assigned team leaders. Take them to cafeteria for dinner.
10 p.m. – Orientation
Group gathers in auditorium for orientation. Following orientation, group plays a game of night soccer.
Midnight Lights Out

Saturday
7 a.m. – Wake Up!
Have kids get ready for the day. Bunks need to be made and area inspected.
8 a.m. – Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast as a team. Then, clean up area.
9 a.m. – Dodge Ball
10 a.m. – Soccer Game
11:30 a.m. – Ninja Seminar
Team leaders, escort your kids to seminar and take a break.
12:15 p.m. – Snack Time for Kids
Kids return weapons to bunk and join team in cafeteria for a fruit snack.
12:30 p.m. – First Activity
Group leaders drop your kids off at first activity. Return for seminar. Leaders will pad a bit and bring kids in to watch the end of the seminar.
2 p.m. – Lunch
Gather your group and meet at the cafeteria for light lunch. Settle for nothing less than respect and good manners. Rest before next activity.
3:30 p.m. – Second Activity
4:30 p.m. – Third Activity
5:30 p.m. – Fourth Activity
6:30 p.m. – Dinner
As always ensure good manners and respect from your group.
Relax after dinner.
8 p.m. – Black Belt Test
Group leaders, escort your kids to this activity. Sit with them during the event.
10 p.m. – Bonfire
Relax and enjoy the fire, but don’t forget to keep an eye on your group.

Sunday
7 a.m. – Run & Martial Arts Fitness
Get your kids moving. Have them make their beds and inspect the area.
9 a.m. – Breakfast
Eat as a team. Then, clean up area.
10 a.m. – Group Ninja Skit
Help your group choreograph their skit. Skit should be 2 – 5 minutes and include dialog and action using Ninja techniques.
11:15 a.m. – Skit performances
Performances are videotaped.
Noon – Lunch
Gather your group and meet at the cafeteria for lunch. Ensure respect and good manners.
1 p.m. – Pack
Escort group to bunkhouse to pack belongings and clean.
2 p.m. – Depart
Group leaders perform a final head count.

Go home. Sleep…[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Camp can begin the Monday after school breaks for summer. Have a bus available to pick students up from your school in time to begin activities at 9 a.m. Then, plan a return trip leaving the camp at 4 p.m. You can arrange to have an early drop-off/late pick-up program. Charge an additional 0 charge for providing this extra-supervised time.

Weekend Retreat
Here’s an idea of what the schedule of your weekend retreat might look like:

4 p.m. – Staff should arrive at camp to prepare for the arrival of the kids.
8 p.m. – Bus arrives.
8:20 p.m. – Take kids in for a quick snack at the cafeteria.
9 p.m. – Take group to the auditorium for orientation.
å
Orientation should include reciting the student creed, explanation of the rules, and a peek into what the weekend holds in store. Then, split the kids into their respective groups. Each group should have a 45-minute activity planned to occupy the kids while members of your staff are preparing for the Ninja Walk.

The Ninja Walk is a unique outdoor obstacle course. Using body shields and blockers, staff members jump out at the kids as they walk in their groups back to their bunkhouse. The kids ward off attacks by using punches and kicks.

10:30 p.m. – Have kids brush their teeth, straighten their beds, and stand at the foot of their bunk for inspection.

Then, it time for lights out. Just be sure to have a staff member on hand to make sure kids go to sleep.
Saturday begins at 8 a.m. with a variety of activities. Plan a special performance of the demo team and board-breaking contest in the evening, finished off with a bonfire and martial arts stories. You might consider having the kids tell the group what martial arts means to them.

On Sunday morning everyone cleans up the campgrounds and bunkhouse, then settles in for some downtime around the pool or lake. A quick lunch, and the kids take the bus back to your school.

Your state may require camp leaders to be fingerprinted and bonded. Check to make sure you meet the requirements of your state and insurance company. Have parents sign a liability waiver to protect you in case someone gets injured while at the camp.

Another good idea may be to incorporate your camp. Thus, keeping it separate from your school. Also, it makes good business sense to open a special business checking account for all your transaction activities related to the camp.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element data-style=””][text_block style=”undefined” align=”left”]Friday
8:30 p.m. – Bus Arrives
Greet students as they exit off bus. Students line up with their assigned team leaders. Take them to cafeteria for dinner.
10 p.m. – Orientation
Group gathers in auditorium for orientation. Following orientation, group plays a game of night soccer.
Midnight Lights Out

Saturday
7 a.m. – Wake Up!
Have kids get ready for the day. Bunks need to be made and area inspected.
8 a.m. – Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast as a team. Then, clean up area.
9 a.m. – Dodge Ball
10 a.m. – Soccer Game
11:30 a.m. – Ninja Seminar
Team leaders, escort your kids to seminar and take a break.
12:15 p.m. – Snack Time for Kids
Kids return weapons to bunk and join team in cafeteria for a fruit snack.
12:30 p.m. – First Activity
Group leaders drop your kids off at first activity. Return for seminar. Leaders will pad a bit and bring kids in to watch the end of the seminar.
2 p.m. – Lunch
Gather your group and meet at the cafeteria for light lunch. Settle for nothing less than respect and good manners. Rest before next activity.
3:30 p.m. – Second Activity
4:30 p.m. – Third Activity
5:30 p.m. – Fourth Activity
6:30 p.m. – Dinner
As always ensure good manners and respect from your group.
Relax after dinner.
8 p.m. – Black Belt Test
Group leaders, escort your kids to this activity. Sit with them during the event.
10 p.m. – Bonfire
Relax and enjoy the fire, but don’t forget to keep an eye on your group.

Sunday
7 a.m. – Run & Martial Arts Fitness
Get your kids moving. Have them make their beds and inspect the area.
9 a.m. – Breakfast
Eat as a team. Then, clean up area.
10 a.m. – Group Ninja Skit
Help your group choreograph their skit. Skit should be 2 – 5 minutes and include dialog and action using Ninja techniques.
11:15 a.m. – Skit performances
Performances are videotaped.
Noon – Lunch
Gather your group and meet at the cafeteria for lunch. Ensure respect and good manners.
1 p.m. – Pack
Escort group to bunkhouse to pack belongings and clean.
2 p.m. – Depart
Group leaders perform a final head count.

Go home. Sleep…[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element][text_block]Summer Camp Themes

• Around the World — ‘Travel’ to different countries with local field trips and outdoor-themed experiences that relate to countries with martial arts origins.
  • In the Garden — Plant a garden with your theme tied to all the things you grow there throughout the summer.
  • On Stage — Put on themed dress-up plays and shows in a backyard mini-amphitheater or puppet theatre, and invite the parents to watch the results.
  • Outdoor Art — Organize weekly creative projects — such as painting clay pots, sheets/banners hanging on the fence, or t-shirts/aprons — and then exhibit the products.
  • When I Grow Up — Feature a different professional theme each week, and tie in visits from themed guests or field trips to their occupational settings.

[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element][text_block]

the best icebreaker ideas: how to play!

Free Instructions (step-by-step) for good icebreaker ideas! You will find over 100 of our favorite family friendly icebreakers and group activities. These easy-to-follow guides are useful for a wide variety of settings: classrooms, corporate training and team building, camps, youth groups, parties, retreats, hanging out with friends! Please share this site with your friends![/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]

[op_liveeditor_element][text_block]How to get Summer Campers to enroll in your after-school or standard evening martial arts.

Day one of camp during arts and crafts, have the kids create an invitation to the Camp Martial Arts Show on the last day of camp. Make it a demo/graduation and 30-minute showcase of what the kids have learned.

Break board to earn white belt. Extend a special price to the parents.

Apply one week of camp fee towards registration/gi. For instance, 39 per week, knock 39 off registration and uniform.[/text_block][/op_liveeditor_element]