Best Practices
4 Summer camp trends to maximize your marketing in 2025
The rush begins in just a few short months, so now is the time to prepare for summer camp registration season. That time of year can be a high volume, high reward season for many community and arts education programs if they’re well prepared. Create better offers and marketing plans by learning about summer camp trends for 2025.
Based on consumer research and our years of experience in course and camp registration, we’ve identified four key trends that matter for anyone planning, marketing, or registering kids and teens for camp.
Trend #1: Cost conscious parents weigh return on investment
Parents will likely continue to be cost conscious as we head into the 2025 camp registration season. The consumer price index keeps going up, and that means parents may need to stay cautious with their spending.
At the same time, costs are rising for programs too, leaving little room to reduce registration fees. That means marketers will need to make an extra effort to share compelling impact stories that convince parents their programs are worth investing in.
Action plan:
- Collect feedback from former campers and their families.
- Craft social media posts, blogs, and other marketing around these stories.
- Set up payment plans that make programs more affordable.
CourseStorm makes it easy to set up automated payment plans with just a few clicks. There’s no need to chase parents for payment and no extra work for busy camp staff. Learn about everything summer camp registration software has to offer.
Trend #2: Mental health matters for kids and teens
Both parents and teens are focused on mental health right now. The CDC and other experts have sounded the alarm on youth mental health. Although the last available data shows a slight increase in youth mental health, the overall trend has been downward for a decade.
Parents, teens and lawmakers are taking note. There’s more mental health information on social media, a greater push to share resources like the national 988 crisis lifeline, and even government funding for this issue.
The good news for camp administrators is that summer camp includes many elements that support mental wellness, including socialization, self expression, and getting outside. Make sure parents and campers know about them!
Action plan:
- Tell parents about the benefits of arts on mental health
- Share impact stories that show how your programs make kids happier and healthier
- Train staff in mental health first aid and tell parents you’re doing it!
Showing parents you take mental health seriously, while still offering a fun and enriching environment, gives them confidence in your program. It shows them they can trust you with what is most precious in their life, their children.
Trend #3: A growing focus on sustainability and nature
Speaking of health, consumers named “the health of the planet” as their number one issue of concern. Young people are particularly invested in combating climate change and preserving the ecosystem. Camp programs that focus on sustainability and outdoor activities may be especially attractive to today’s youth and parents.
Teens spend an average of less than 11 days outdoors per year. Many teens cite the lack of outdoor spaces, suburban living, and highly structured lives as reasons why they don’t spend more time outside. Simply giving kids the opportunity to get away from their phones, socialize in the real world, and connect with the natural world can make a world of difference.
Action plan:
- Share how your programs get kids outside and away from screens
- Showcase art projects that use recycled materials and elements from nature
- Highlight your efforts to go green, like moving to a paper-free registration system
Sustainability is more than a summer camp trend, it’s a movement with teens leading the charge. Your program is probably already making green choices. Make sure your campers and parents know about your efforts. Talk about it in marketing emails, social media posts, and donor letters.
Trend #4: Transformational experiences wanted
Consumers of all types are seeking transformational moments and memorable experiences. Parents want this for themselves and their children. Keep in mind that the customer experience doesn’t start when the child arrives at the first day of camp. It starts when the parent or caretaker first begins searching for a camp or class for their child.
Programs succeed when they offer a positive user experience from their course catalog through registration to the last day of camp.
Action plan:
- Build an informative and easy to navigate camp and course catalog
- Streamline class registration and payment processes
- Offer shopping carts, group registration, and user accounts
- Deliver a fun and informative camp experience
You already have an amazing summer camp program. Get a registration system to match. CourseStorm can help you communicate with and register customers on a streamlined platform that’s easy to navigate. Parents can easily find classes and register one or all of their children in a single transaction.
Summer camp trends come and go, but parents’ desire to easily register their child for camp never changes. Give them a positive experience year after year with the right summer camp registration software.
Natasha Wahid
Natasha is a seasoned marketing leader with a curious mind and a passion for storytelling and community. A mission-driven person, Natasha has spent the majority of her career in industries that impact people, including HR and education technology. A firm believer in lifelong learning, Natasha is currently sharpening her roller skating skills and dusting off her Italian.