Martial Arts Marketing and Management Tips for Summer Camps

While many studio owners bemoan the slow, hot summer months, other studio owners confess that the summer months are often their most profitable months of the year. With a little resourcefulness and ingenuity, you can turn the summer into a booming season for your martial arts studio. Think weekend retreats, sleepovers, special weapons training, and most importantly, summer camps.

Successful Summer Camp Planning

  1. Timing and Frequency:

    • Many studio owners find success by holding their summer camps in the latter part of the summer, around mid-August, when other summer activities have wound down. This keeps kids engaged until the school year begins.
    • Some owners operate one summer camp per month throughout June, July, and August, potentially grossing up to $15,000 over the summer.

  2. Class Structure:

    • Classes are generally four hours long and held in the afternoons when the studio is least congested.
    • Break the class down into 15-minute increments, including breaks, to keep activities organized and interesting.

  3. Activities:

    • Include a variety of activities such as fitness kickboxing, games, problem-solving activities, character-building exercises, and martial arts.

Promotion and Participant Management

  1. Promotion:

    • Most participants will come from your current students. Encourage them to invite friends by giving them brochures and offering incentives for bringing in new attendees.
    • Pass out flyers and leave brochures at places frequented by moms, such as grocery stores, beauty parlors, and childcare centers.

  2. Participant Management:

    • Determine the number of participants in advance to ensure you have enough supplies, such as snacks, camp T-shirts, and awards.
    • Have participants pay in advance and sign a waiver, a medical release, and provide emergency contact numbers.

Running the Camp

  1. Building Rapport:

    • Priority number one is to build rapport with campers and their parents. All staff should shake hands, make eye contact, and learn the names of campers and their parents.

  2. Positive Environment:

    • Avoid negative statements. Focus on the positive and be patient and kind. Although discipline is expected during training, it should be administered with a smile.

  3. Supervision:

    • Staff should avoid being alone with campers in areas out of sight of others to ensure safety and transparency.

  4. Rewarding Good Behavior:

    • Coaches should have stickers, prizes, and snacks to reward good behavior throughout the day.

  5. Greeting and Departure:

    • All staff should greet parents and campers at the beginning and end of each day, showing team unity and high involvement.

  6. Fun and Role Modeling:

    • Staff should have fun and be great role models in behavior, language, and enthusiasm.

Making the Last Day Memorable

  1. Showcase Achievements:

    • Invite parents and arrange a tournament to showcase what students have learned during the camp.
    • Present each participant with a certificate of completion and an award.

  2. Encouraging Long-Term Engagement:

    • The goal of the summer camp is not only to increase revenue during the summer months but also to encourage new participants to sign up as full-time students in the fall.

By strategically planning, promoting, and running engaging summer camps, you can turn the summer months into the most profitable time of the year for your martial arts studio.