The Do’s and Don’ts of Making a Summer Camp Promo Video

Summer has arrived and you know what that means – it’s time to start planning your summer camp program. But how do you make sure parents and kids know about all the engaging activities you’ve got lined up? Release the summer camp promo video!

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of creating a killer summer camp promo video that’ll have families lining up to sign up. We’ll cover everything from planning to execution and throw in some cool summer camp promotion ideas along the way. So, let’s dive in!

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why you should bother with a promo video in the first place. In today’s digital age, video is king. It’s eye-catching, engaging, and can convey a ton of information in a short time. Plus, it’s a perfect thing to be shared on social media and your website.

• Show off your camp’s unique features

• Highlight your awesome activities

• Give parents a feel for your facilities

• Showcase your amazing staff

• Create excitement and buzz around your program

Think of your promo video as a virtual tour and a sneak peek rolled into one. It’s your chance to make a great first impression and stand out from other summer camps in your area.

Now that we’re all on board with the idea, let’s talk about planning. A great video starts with a solid plan. Here are some key steps to get you started:

What do you want your video to achieve? Are you looking to boost enrollment, showcase new activities, or highlight your camp’s values? Having a clear goal will help guide your content and messaging.

Who are you trying to reach? Parents? Kids? Both? Understanding your audience will help you tailor your message and choose the right tone for your video.

What are the most important things you want to communicate about your summer camp? Maybe it’s your focus on outdoor adventures, your arts and crafts program, or your awesome instructors. Pick 3-5 key points to highlight.

Will your video be upbeat and fun? Informative and reassuring? A mix of both? Your style should reflect your camp’s personality and appeal to your target audience.

Determine how much you can spend on your video. This will help you decide whether to hire a professional or go the DIY route.

Now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s talk about what you should do to make your summer camp promo video shine.

Summer camp is all about having a blast, so make sure your video reflects that! Include shots of kids laughing, playing, and enjoying camp activities. Let the excitement shine through!

What makes your summer camp special? Maybe you have an awesome water park, a cool science lab, or a fantastic sports program. Whatever it is, make sure it gets some screen time in your video.

Nothing builds trust more than hearing from happy campers and parents. Include a few short testimonials in your video to give it that extra punch of credibility.

Your counselors and staff are the heart of your camp. Include some shots of them interacting with kids and leading activities. It’ll help parents feel more comfortable about who’s looking after their little ones.

Attention spans are short these days. Aim for a video that’s 1-2 minutes long. If you have more to say, consider making a series of shorter videos instead.

Whether you’re shooting on a smartphone or with professional camera, make sure your footage is clear, well-lit, and steady. A shaky or blurry video can make your camp look unprofessional.

Many people watch videos without sound, especially on social media. Adding captions ensures your message gets across even when the volume is off.

Just as important as what to do is what not to do. Here are some pitfalls to avoid in your summer camp promotional video:

While a few transitions or text overlays can be nice, too many special effects can be distracting and make your video look amateurish. Keep it simple and let your camp’s impressiveness speak for itself.

It might be tempting to use that popular hit song, but using copyrighted music without permission can lead to your video being taken down. Stick to royalty-free music or consider hiring a local musician to create a custom track.

While it’s good to show off your campgrounds, remember that summer camp is about experiences, not just places. Focus more on the activities and the fun kids will have.

What do you want viewers to do after watching your video? Sign up for camp? Visit your website? Be sure to include a clear call to action at the end of your video.

Now, you might be wondering whether to tackle this video project yourself or hire a pro. Both options have their pros and cons:

• Cost-effective 

• You have complete control 

• Can be a fun project for staff and campers

• Time-consuming 

• May not look well-polished 

• Requires some technical know-how

• High-quality result 

• Saves you time 

• Brings expertise in storytelling and video production 

• More expensive 

• Less hands-on involvement from your team 

• May not capture your camp's personality as better as you could

If you decide to go the DIY route, invest in a good smartphone gimbal for steady shots, and consider using video editing apps like iMovie or Adobe Premiere Rush.

Whether you’re behind the camera or directing the scenes, here are some tips to make your summer camp promo video look its best:

Make a list of the activities and scenes you want to capture. This will help ensure you don’t miss any important elements of your camp.

Whenever possible, shoot outdoors or in well-lit areas. Natural light tends to look better on camera and requires less equipment.

B-roll is supplementary footage that adds context to your main shots. Think close-ups of hands doing crafts, wide shots of your campgrounds, or slow-motion footage of kids playing.

Mix it up with wide shots, medium shots, and close-ups. This variety will make your video more visually interesting.

Shaky footage can be distracting. Use a tripod for stationary shots and a gimbal or stabilizer for moving shots.

If you’re including interviews or voiceovers, be sure to record in a quiet place with a good microphone. Clear audio is just as important as good visuals!

Once you’ve got all your footage, it’s time to professionally edit it into a cohesive video. Here are some tips for the editing process:

Grab attention right from the start with an exciting or beautiful shot that captures the essence of your camp.

Choose a soundtrack that matches the energy and tone you want for your video. Remember to use royalty-free music or get proper permissions.

Summer camp is fun and energetic, so should your video be! Use quick cuts between shots to keep things moving.

These are text overlays that introduce people or describe what’s happening. They’re a great way to add context to your visuals.

Finish your video with a strong closing shot and a clear call to action. What do you want viewers to do next?

You’ve made an awesome summer camp promo video – now what? Here are some ideas for getting it seen:

Post the video on all your social media channels. Consider using paid advertising to reach a wider audience.

Send the video to past campers and interested families in your email database.

Make sure your video is prominently displayed on your website’s homepage and summer camp page.

Consider hosting a small event (virtual or in-person) to premiere your video. Invite past campers, families, and local media.

If you do presentations at schools or community events, incorporate your video to make a bigger impact.

While your promo video is a fantastic tool, it shouldn’t be your only method of promotion. Here are some other summer camp promotion ideas to consider:

Share stories, photos, and updates about camp life throughout the year.

Think branded water bottles, t-shirts, or backpacks that kids will love to use.

Encourage past campers to share their favorite camp photos for a chance to win a prize.

Team up with local sports shops, craft stores, or family-friendly restaurants for cross-promotion.

Invite families to tour your facilities and meet your staff in person during your open house.

After all that hard work, you’ll want to know if your summer camp promo video is doing its job. Here are some ways to measure its impact:

Use analytics tools to see how many people are watching your video and for how long.

Check if there’s an increase in visits to your camp registration page after releasing the video.

When new families sign up, ask them if they saw your video and if it influenced their decision.

Look at your childcare enrollment numbers compared to previous years to see if there’s an increase.

Ask parents and kids what they thought of the video. Their input can help you improve future promotions.

Creating a summer camp promo video might seem like a big task, but it's a powerful way to showcase what makes your camp special. Remember to keep it fun, authentic, and focused on the amazing experiences kids will have at your camp. 

Ready to make your summer camp shine? Schedule a free strategy call with No Joke Childcare today. Our experts will help you create a plan to make your camp the talk of the town. Don't miss out – let's make this your best summer camp yet!