Christian camps and retreat centers offer a unique experience for church groups seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and connect with their faith in a peaceful and serene setting. However, these camps often struggle to fill their calendars, particularly during the off-season. In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for connecting with local church groups and filling your camp calendar year-round.
1. Reach out to local churches
One of the most effective ways to connect with church groups is to reach out to local churches in your area. Offer to give a presentation about your camp and the services you offer, and provide them with brochures or flyers that they can distribute to their members. Additionally, consider hosting an open house or a weekend retreat for church leaders to experience your camp firsthand. By building relationships with local churches, you can establish yourself as a trusted partner for their retreat needs.
2. Leverage social media
Social media is a powerful tool for reaching new audiences, including church groups. Consider creating a Facebook page for your camp or retreat center and posting regular updates about upcoming events, services, and amenities. Use relevant hashtags like #christiancamp and #churchretreat to make it easier for potential guests to find your page. Additionally, consider using social media advertising to reach a wider audience and target specific demographics, like families or church groups.
3. Offer customizable packages
Church groups come in all shapes and sizes, with different needs and preferences when it comes to retreats. To attract more groups to your camp, consider offering customizable packages that can be tailored to their specific needs. For example, you might offer different meal plans, activity options, and lodging choices to accommodate different group sizes and budgets. By offering flexibility and customization, you can appeal to a wider range of church groups and fill your camp calendar year-round.
4. Focus on family-friendly amenities
Many church groups include families with children, so it’s important to offer amenities and activities that appeal to all ages. Consider offering activities like swimming, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding, as well as family-friendly entertainment like game rooms and movie nights. Additionally, offer comfortable lodging options that can accommodate families, such as cabins or cottages with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. By creating a family-friendly atmosphere, you can attract more church groups and establish yourself as a go-to destination for family-oriented retreats.
5. Partner with Camp Connection
One of the best ways to connect with church groups and fill your camp calendar is to partner with Camp Connection. With our white glove booking service, we make it easy for Christian camps and retreat centers to connect with church groups and fill their calendars year-round. With just one phone call, we can list your camp on our website and send group bookings to you, allowing you to focus on running camp while we bring the groups to you. Church groups find our website, contact us, and we place them at your camp and walk them through the booking process. This way you can focus on running camp, we’ll bring the groups.
In conclusion, Christian camps and retreat centers can connect with church groups and fill their calendars by reaching out to local churches, leveraging social media, offering customizable packages, focusing on family-friendly amenities, and partnering with Camp Connection. By implementing these strategies, you can establish yourself as a trusted partner for church groups and create a steady stream of bookings year-round. Don’t let your camp go unused during the off-season. Connect with church groups today and start filling your calendar!