How to Start a Summer Camp Business

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A summer camp business is a facility that operates overnight recreational camps for adults and children. Camps may have themes and the industry includes outdoor adventure retreats.

Camps generally provide accommodations and other amenities, such as cabins, fixed campsites, food services, recreational facilities, and equipment. IBISWorld estimated that there are 6,000 summer camps in the United States with market size of more than $4 billion.

As a matter of fact, the market size of the summer camp sector in the United States reached 3.91 billion U.S. dollars in 2019, up from the previous year’s size of 3.86 billion U.S dollars.

Steps on How to Start a Summer Camp Business

Conduct Market Research

If you are considering starting a summer camp business, then you would need reliable market research to be able to maximize profits from the business. The first step in the market research process for your summer camp business should be to develop market-based research questions in line with your overall business goal and objective.

In this regard, you should source information that will help you maximize your business, look for data that will tell you what your potential market will be looking out for from summer camp, and also help you operate your summer camp business with less stress and of course, build the business to profitability.

a. Who is the Target Market for Summer Camp Business?

Schools
Families
Churches
Paramilitary
Corporate organizations
Tourists and international Campers

b. Is Summer Camp Business a Profitable Business?

Yes, the summer camp business is quite profitable. Available data shows that an average summer camp business can make around $240,000 (USD) and above per year gross.

c. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?

Yes, there are niches when it comes to the summer camp business. Operators may specialize in any of the niche ideas including sports camps, team building camps, community service camps, farming/ranching/gardening camps, and wilderness camps.

d. Who are the Major Competitors?

Raquette Lake Boys Camp
IMG Academy
YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser
Lakefield College School Summer Academy & Programs
Timber Lake Camp
Paris Saint-Germain Academy USA Pro Intensive Camps
Camp Rim Rock for Girls
Windsor Mountain Summer Camp
Camp North Star
YMCA Camp Mason
Pok-O-MacCready Camps
Camp Kamaji for Girls
Camp Pillsbury
Camp Nashoba North
Camp Poyntelle
Timber Lake West Camp
Camp Green Lane
Raquette Lake Girls Camp
Camp Chippewa for Boys
Mercersburg Academy Summer Programs.

e. Are There County or State Regulations or Zoning Laws for Summer Camp Business?

Yes, and zoning laws require summer camp facility operators to follow specific rules and regulations, including some that apply only to players in the campground and summer camp industry. Please note that in many communities, zoning laws require summer camp facilities to apply for a permit from the city.

This application process allows the city’s zoning department to determine whether the summer camp facility meets the zoning rules of the community. Permits also ensure that all summer camp facilities are properly licensed by county or state agencies.

f. Is There a Franchise for Summer camp Business?

No, there are no franchise opportunities for the summer camp business.

g. What Do You Need to Start Summer Camp Business?

A Feasibility Report
Business and Marketing Plans
Business Licenses and Permits
A Well-Equipped and Secured Summer Camp Facility
Insurance
EIN (Employer Identification Number)/Federal Tax ID Number.
A Corporate Bank Account
Employees
Operational Capital (For Ongoing Expenses)

Choose a Memorable Business Name

When looking to start a business, before you can begin to file the necessary documents with the constituted authorities or start your website, it is necessary that you come up with a name that you will be recognized with. It is essential that the name you come up with can easily be pronounced, is unique and easily memorable. Some of the catchy business name ideas suitable for a summer camp business are;

Creative Summer Camp Business Name ideas

Green Network© Summer Camp, Inc.
Next Level® Summer Camp, LLC
Future Solutions® Summer Camp, Inc.
Tree Land® Summer Camp, Inc.
Bob King™ Summer Camp, Inc.
Lush Green™ Summer Camp, LLC.
Nile Division© Summer Camp, LLC
Mount Camel® Summer Camp, Inc.
Christian Culture© Summer Camp, Inc.
Move Ahead© Summer Camp, Inc.
Dray Danton® Summer Camp, LLC
Park House® Summer Camp, LLC
Latitude Connect™ Summer Camp, LLC
First Port© Summer Camp, Inc.
Pantex Chap® Summer Camp, Inc.
Power House™ Summer Camp, Inc.
George Town™ Summer Camp, Inc.
Mangrove Base© Summer Camp, Inc.
Fresh Nest® Summer Camp, Inc.
Oasis Land™ Summer Camp, Inc.

Register Your Business

a. What Type of Business Structure is Best for Summer Camp Business?

When it comes to the business structure of a summer camp business, the one that most players in this line of business consider is an LLC. It is common to consider an LLC because providers want to protect themselves from lawsuits. Please note that an LLC will need an EIN if it has employees or if it will be required to file any of the excise tax forms listed below.

b. Steps to Form an LLC

Choose a Name for Your LLC.
File Articles of Organization.
Choose a registered agent.
Decide on member vs. manager management.
Create an LLC operating agreement.
Comply with other tax and regulatory requirements.
File annual reports.

c. What Type of License is Needed to Open a Summer Camp Business?

General Business License
Zonal Permits
Signage Permit
Operational State Facility Inspections for your facility

d. What Type of Certification is Needed to Start a Summer Camp Business?

You don’t need any certifications to start a summer camp business.

e. What Documents are Needed to Open a Summer Camp Business?

DBA
EIN
Business and liability insurance
Federal Tax Payer’s ID
State Permit and Building Approval (For your summer camp facility)
Certificate of Incorporation
Business License
Business Plan
Employment Agreement (offer letters)
Operating Agreement for LLCs
Insurance Policy
Online Terms of Use
Online Privacy Policy Document
Contract Document
Company Bylaws
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

f. Do You Need a Trademark, Copyright, or Patent?

If you are considering starting a summer camp business, usually you may not have any need to file for intellectual property protection or trademark. This is so because the nature of the business makes it possible for you to successfully run the business without having any cause to challenge anybody in court for illegally making use of your company’s intellectual properties.

Cost Analysis and Budgeting

a. How Much Does It Cost to Start Summer Camp Business?

A summer camp business will cost from $2 million to $6 million to start and that can easily go higher depending on your overall business goals and objectives.

b. What are the Cost Involved in Starting a Summer Camp Business

Business Registration Fees – $750.
Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits – $7,300.
Marketing, Branding and Promotions – $5,000.
Business Consultant Fee – $2,500.
Insurance – $5,400.
Rent/Lease – $2.5 million.
Other start-up expenses like commercial satellite TV subscriptions, stationery ($500), and phone and utility deposits ($2,800).
Operational Cost (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $60,000
Start-up inventory – $75,000
Store Equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $4,750
Furnishing and Equipping – $1.5 million
Website: $600
Opening party: $7,000
Miscellaneous – $5,500

c. What Factors Determine the Cost of Opening a Summer Camp Business?

The size of the summer camp
The choice of location
The required licenses and permits
The cost for branding, promotion, and marketing of the summer camp business
The cost of furnishing and equipping the summer camp facility
The cost of the insurance policy covers
The cost of registering the business
Cost of recruiting and training your staff
The cost for the purchase and customizing of uniforms
The cost of the grand opening of the summer camp business

d. Do You Need to Build a Facility? If YES, How Much Will It Cost?

Yes, it is compulsory to build a new facility for your summer camp business, and it will cost you a minimum of $3 million.

e. What are the Ongoing Expenses of a Summer Camp Business?

Electric bills
Utility bills (internet subscriptions, phone bills, signage, and software renewal fees et al)
Salaries of employees
Maintenance
Insurance
Marketing costs

f. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?

Chief Executive Officer (Owner) – $55,000 per year
Summer camp Facility Manager – $38,000 per year
Accountant/Cashier – $34,0000
Marketing and Sales Officer – $32,000 per year
Attendants (5) – $30,000 per year
Customer Care Executive/Front Desk Officer – $23,396 per year
Cleaners – $18,000 per year
Security Officers – $21,150 per year

g. How Do You Get Funding to Start Summer Camp Business?

Raising money from personal savings and sale of personal stocks and properties
Raising money from investors and business partners
Sell shares to interested investors
Applying for a loan from your bank/banks
Pitching your business idea and applying for business grants and seed funding from the government, donor organizations, and angel investors
Source for soft loans from your family members and friends.

Write a Business Plan

a. Executive Summary

Green Haven® Summer Camp, LLC is a standard summer camp facility that will be located in a serene environment on the outskirts of New Haven – Connecticut. Our aim in setting up the business is to contribute our quota in ensuring that families, campers, religious organizations, and corporate organizations that live in New Haven and neighboring cities have a facility that is highly suitable for corporate and family summer camping.

b. Products and Service

Providing overnight recreational camping
Organizing camping programs for teens
Selling meals, snacks, and nonalcoholic beverages prepared for immediate consumption
Providing room or unit accommodation for travelers and others
Collecting tuitions or fees and membership dues
Other related facility operations.

c. Mission Statement

Our mission is to foster values of sharing, integrity, responsibility, and respect in a friendly, safe environment of fun. We want to give our guests the best camp experience because we know it gives them greater self-confidence and self-esteem.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to encourage our campers to discover and develop the best version of themselves.

d. Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of the summer camp business are to provide a safe and secured camp facility and programs for campers.

e. Organizational Structure

Chief Executive Officer (Owner)
Summer camp Facility Manager
Accountant/Cashier
Marketing and Sales Officer
Attendants (5)
Customer Care Executive/Front Desk Officer
Cleaners
Security Officers

Marketing Plan

a. SWOT Analysis

Strength:

Ideal Location for summer camp facility
Highly Experienced and Qualified Employees and Management
Availability of additional service offering
Highly Secured and Clean Facility
Excellent operational history

Weakness:

Not enough existing clientele to run at full capacity immediately
The owner is new to large-scale marketing
We will need a loan to build our facility
The owner is currently running the business solo
Lack of economies of scale.

Opportunities:

A growing number of campers in the United States
Build upon existing clientele
Online market, new services, new technology, and of course the opening of new markets
Favorable government policies.

Threat:

Loans diminish profitability until they are paid off
The first year will be financially tight while we gain customers and pay off loans
Competition in the area could increase
Management of employees requires time, money, and efforts
Economic downturn; when the economy is bad it affects consumer spending which in turn impacts businesses negatively.

b. How Do Summer Camp Businesses Make Money?

Summer camps make money by;

Providing overnight recreational camping
Organizing camping programs for teens
Selling meals, snacks, and nonalcoholic beverages prepared for immediate consumption
Providing room or unit accommodation for travelers and others
Collecting tuitions or fees and membership dues
Food and drinks court

c. Payment Options

Payment via bank transfer
Payment with cash
Payment via credit cards
Payment via online bank transfer
Payment via check
Payment via mobile money transfer

d. Sales & Advertising Strategies

Introduce your summer camp by sending introductory letters to schools, households, religious organizations, and other stakeholders in and around your city
Open your summer camp with a party so as to capture the attention of residents who are your first targets
Advertise your summer camp on national dailies, local TV stations, and local radio station
Promote your summer camp online via your official website and all available social media platforms
Continuously improving the performance of our brands
Hire the services of experts to make your brands the first choice in your city
Making your first impression count positively
Make use of attractive handbills to create awareness and also to give direction to your summer camp
Adopt a direct mailing coupon marketing approach
Position our signage/Flexi banners at strategic places
Create a loyalty plan that will enable you to reward your regular customers

Financial Projection

a. How Much Should You Charge for your Product/Service?

The average weekly rate for day camp ranges from $199 to $800, while overnight camps will set parents back between $680 and $2,000 a week, according to the American Camp Association.

b. How Much Profit Do Summer Camp Business Owners Make a Year?

It depends, but the available report shows that on average, a successful summer camp owner can make from $50,000 to $90,000 a year. A successful summer camp itself can make over a hundred thousand dollars depending on its popularity, location, and assets.

c. What Factors Determine the Amount of Profit to Be Made?

The capacity of the summer camp
The type of related services and product offerings
The location of the summer camp
The management style of the summer camp
The business approach of the summer camp
The advertising and marketing strategies adopted by the summer camp
The number of years the summer camp business is in business

d. What is the Profit Margin of Summer Camp Business?

The profit margin of the summer camp business is not fixed. It will depend on some factors that are unique to your location, your facility, amenities, and service offerings.

e. What is the Sales Forecast?

Below is the sales forecast for the summer camp business it is based on the location of the business and other factors as it relates to such startups in the United States;

First Fiscal Year (FY1): $550,000
Second Fiscal Year (FY2): $750,000
Third Fiscal Year (FY3): $1.2 million

Set Up your Office

a. How Do You Choose a Perfect Location for Summer Camp Business?

The demography of the location
The purchasing power of businesses and residents of the location
Accessibility of the location
The number of summer camps in and around the location
The local laws and regulations in the community/state
Traffic, parking and security et al

b. What State and City are Best to Open Summer Camp Business?

Paso Robles, California
Grand Island, New York
Canyonville, Oregon
Cedar City, Utah
Long Beach, Washington
Dandridge, Tennessee
Mountain Home, Idaho
Custer, South Dakota
Theodore, Alabama
Roswell, New Mexico

c. What Equipment is Needed to Operate Summer Camp Business?

You should purchase games accessories, camp beds, electronic gadgets, camp gas, first aid box, safety gadgets, computers/laptops, internet facility, telephone, fax machine, and office furniture (chairs, tables, and shelves) amongst others and all these can be gotten as fairly used.

Hire Employees

When it comes to hiring employees for a standard summer camp, you should make plans to hire a competent chief executive officer (you can occupy this position), facility manager, marketing and sales executive (business developer), accountant, attendants, cleaners, and security officers.

Launch the Business Proper

In recent times, no summer camp opens its door for business without first organizing an opening party to officially launch the business. You can choose to do a soft opening party if you are operating on a low budget or you can choose to go for a grand opening party.

With a proper launching of the summer camp business, you will officially inform people in your city that your summer camp business is open for business.

a. What Makes Summer Camp Business Successful?

Choose a good and secured location to launch the business
Hire only competent, hardworking, and trustworthy staff
Be deliberate with your marketing sales approach
Encourage the use of word of mouth to promote your summer camp business
Leverage all available online and offline platforms to promote your summer camp business

b. What Happens During a Typical Day at Summer Camp Business?

The facility is open for the day
Administrative work is done concurrently
The facility is cleaned, arranged, and ready to welcome patrons
Campers come in and their rooms are allotted to them
Campers engage in various activities
Food and drinks are served
Surveillance is carried out
Maintenance of the facility is carried out
The facility is administratively closed for the day.

c. What Skills and Experience Do You Need to Build Summer Camp Business?

Good facility management skills
Customer services skills
Interpersonal skill
Business management skills
Bargaining skill
Work experience in the campground industry
Experience in managing people
Experience in business administration.