Running a successful gymnastics day camp is more than just filling time during school breaks—it's a chance to introduce new families to your facility, keep current students engaged, and create memorable experiences that have them coming back for more. Whether it’s a half-day or full-day camp, creating a well-rounded, dynamic program is key to ensuring your camp stands out.
With fall in full swing and winter approaching, now is the perfect time to plan special camps for Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and beyond. These camps not only offer a fantastic way to keep your gym busy during downtime, but they also provide an incredible opportunity to engage with both new and current students. Here's everything you need to know about running a successful day camp at your gymnastics facility.
1. Boosting Revenue and Filling Downtime with Day Camps
For gym owners, day camps are a game-changer when it comes to increasing revenue and filling the gym during those off-hours when regular classes aren’t in session. Not only do day camps provide an additional source of income, but they also help bring new faces into your facility. Existing students often bring friends or siblings along, giving you an opportunity to introduce gymnastics to kids who may never have stepped foot in a gym before. This kind of exposure can easily turn a camp attendee into a long-term student.
By running camps during holidays or school breaks—like Thanksgiving, Winter Holidays, or even on random days off from school—you’re maximizing your gym’s potential. Instead of letting the gym sit empty during these times, you’re transforming it into a hub of activity that can generate revenue while meeting the needs of your community.
2. Planning a Fun, Engaging, and Energetic Camp Schedule
To run a successful camp, it’s essential to design a program that’s fun, structured, and engaging. Kids love variety, so switching up activities every 15-20 minutes is key to keeping their attention. Every camp should have an exciting theme that sets the tone for the day, whether it's "Ninja Warriors," "Winter Wonderland," or "Superhero Training." Themed days give you the chance to inject creativity into the schedule, making each camp day feel unique and special.
Here’s a sample Gymnastics Camp Daily Schedule that balances gymnastics instruction with fun activities, making sure the kids are always engaged:
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Early care (for those who need it)
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM: Camper arrivals and check-in, Open Gym stations
9:20 AM - 9:25 AM: Safety rules
9:25 AM - 9:35 AM: Group warm-up and stretching
9:35 AM - 10:00 AM: Drills and gymnastics instruction stations (rotating through groups)
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Fun games and creative activities
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM: Snack and cool-off break
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM: Rotate through 3 gymnastics stations with coach supervision
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM: Games
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM: Relay races, trampoline skills, and foam pit races
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Lunch & New Arrivals
12:40 PM - 1:10 PM: Rotate through 3 gymnastics stations with coach supervision
1:10 PM - 1:40 PM: Games
1:40 PM - 1:55 PM: Cool Down / Snack
1:55 PM - 2:25 PM: Drills and gymnastics instruction stations (rotating through groups)
2:25 PM - 2:55 PM: Games
Tip: Rotate between higher-energy and lower-energy activities to avoid overwhelming the campers. Games, relay races, and free play can be balanced with structured gymnastics stations, skill-building, and cool-down periods.
3. Marketing Your Camps for Maximum Enrollment
To pack your camps with eager participants, effective marketing is key. While word of mouth is powerful, a targeted marketing campaign can make sure you reach as many families as possible. Here are some of the best ways to promote your camps:
In-class promotion: Coaches can mention upcoming camps at the end of every class, getting students excited.
Handouts and flyers: Send students home with a colorful flyer outlining the details of the camp, and be sure to hang posters around your gym.
Email campaigns: Directly email parents, highlighting the fun activities, benefits, and themes of the camp.
Social media marketing: Use engaging posts on platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase what’s in store for campers.
It’s important to start marketing your Thanksgiving and winter holiday camps early. Now is the perfect time to ramp up promotion and give parents ample time to plan ahead. Offering early bird discounts or bring-a-friend specials can help incentivize registrations.
4. Staffing and Preparing Your Team for Camp Success
A well-run camp requires a well-prepared team. If your gym doesn’t have a dedicated events or camp staff, day camps are a great opportunity for part-time coaches to pick up extra hours. Ensure that every staff member is properly trained for the demands of camp, especially if they’re more accustomed to regular classes. Camps tend to involve larger groups of kids and more varied activities and are a little more "fun", so proper staff-to-camper ratios and station management are critical but also less impact on the coach so ideal for younger teens with a strong leader.
For gyms that hire seasonal staff during the summer months, creating a training program to prep new hires before camp starts ensures that they’re fully equipped to manage the chaos and excitement that comes with energetic campers. (Let me know if you want a guide via email).
5. Turning Day Campers into Long-Term Members
One of the best aspects of running day camps is the potential to convert campers into regular students. Campers—especially those new to gymnastics—are often eager to keep the fun going after camp ends. By sending a follow-up email to parents with an incentive (such as 10% off their first month of classes or a free open gym pass), you can nudge them to enroll in your regular programming. This not only keeps kids engaged, but also strengthens your gym’s community and boosts long-term revenue.
6. Pricing Your Camps for Flexibility and Profitability
Offering daily rates is the most flexible option for parents, especially for those who may want their kids to attend a single day of camp or multiple, non-consecutive days. If your gym has the resources, offering a drop-in style option with no pre-registration required can be a hit for busy families. Alternatively, providing a small discount for parents who pre-register for multiple days can help you lock in campers ahead of time.
Pricing should reflect your local market. For example, in California, half-day camps often cost $55+, while full-day camps can run around $75+. However, pricing may be higher or lower depending on the region, so it’s important to benchmark against other local options to ensure competitiveness.
7. Balancing Safety and Fun for a Smooth Camp Day
Safety should always be at the forefront when running any camp. Proper supervision is crucial, and having dedicated coaches assigned to each rotation or station ensures that every child is not only engaged but also safe. It’s also important to balance high-energy activities like relay races and gymnastics drills with lower-energy activities like games or cool-down breaks. This helps maintain enthusiasm without exhausting campers.
Exciting News! 🚀 PlanSport Pro is rolling out an amazing new feature—Camp Planning Tools! From customizable lesson plans to fun themes, everything you need to run successful day camps is at your fingertips. Want to be the first to try it? Get on the list now and be ahead of the game for your upcoming holiday and summer camps!
Bonus: Free Sample Lesson Plan & Marketing Template
As a special bonus, I'm providing a free sample lesson plan to help you kick-start your next day camp! This detailed plan includes everything from warm-ups and skill drills to fun games and trampoline activities, ensuring that your campers stay active and entertained throughout the day. (Reply "Camp" and I'll send it to you!)
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