This blog was published in 2021 and updated on July 24th, 2023.

Whether in-person or hybrid, it can be difficult to keep children engaged and ensure they are enjoying their summer camp experience.

According to the American Camp Association (ACA), more than 5,000-day camps and 7,000 overnight camps are running across the country every year. Many church and school-based summer camps operate annually as well.  

To help summer camps boost participation, we’ve compiled a list of 5 effective strategies to keep summer hybrid campers engaged.

2. Tell a story
   

   To get your summer campers excited, try presenting educational information or fun facts in a narrative. The story will hook their attention and increase the likelihood that they retain the information, all while making the presentation fun. You can engage hybrid campers both in person and through the screen.
   
   

3. Present a choice

   Choosing what you do is almost always more enjoyable than having an activity forced on you. When children are told they must participate in a given activity, it tends to make them feel less engaged and more reluctant. Instead, try presenting camp participants with a choice between activities. These activities can be simple and easy to monitor. For instance, you can supplement your pre-existing plan with the option to read at certain intervals. This lets campers feel in control of their experience, making them excited to engage with whatever they choose to do.
   
   

4. Incorporate creativity
   

   Creating something out of nothing brings with it a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Leverage this by teaching campers how to draw, make origami, or write a story. Creative acts keep children focused and enthused. As an added bonus, these activities can be designed to teach skills that will translate into the classroom. Measuring, writing, and sketching will only help campers succeed when they return to school.
   
   

5. Show and tell
   

   Tying your activities or lessons back to the campers in a relevant way makes the whole process much more personal. Have campers bring in something they care about and explain it in light of what they’ve been doing. This will make them feel special while ensuring they understand why their camp activities are relevant to their lives.
   
   

6. Use online games
   

   There are a host of free educational games on the internet. These games can teach hybrid campers anything from math to science and language arts -- keeping them entertained while improving their academic skills remotely. These are great for hybrid camps and in person, provided the campers can access computers or tablets. Games can also serve as one of the options for activities when incorporating choice, as mentioned above.
   
   

How AfterSchool21 helps camp staff and campers 

If you’re looking for more ways to ensure your camp runs smoothly, AfterSchool21 (AS21) software allows you to easily collect and analyze attendance and outcomes data, so you know what’s working with your hybrid campers and what isn’t. AS21 also makes it easy to ensure your camp meets state and federal requirements, meaning less stress and more smiling campers. 

AfterSchool21 (AS21) is used by more 21CCLC programs than any other after-school program data management software. AS21 supports in-person, hybrid, and virtual programs by streamlining attendance, tracking outcomes, collecting evidence of participation, and simplifying reporting for the 21APR.

Book a demo to learn how AS21 can help after-school programs reach their goals while making reporting requirements less troublesome.

Utilize AS21's mobile drop-off/sign-in and sign-out functionality

AfterSchool21 has user-friendly, mobile drop-off/sign-in and sign-out functionality. This helps tremendously with managing hybrid campers during the summer. Parents can initiate the“sign-in” and “sign-out” process remotely on their smartphones.

With mobile and contactless sign-in/sign-out, summer camps can:   

• Create a QR code that any parent can scan and initiate the sign in/out process and any mobile device 
• Track the arrival time and signature time for all pick-ups and drop-offs    
• Provide the camp staff with the name and signature of the authorized person picking up or dropping off a camper   
• Securely store an image of the signature provided    
• Instantly create attendance logs for participants when they are dropped off or picked up (if attendance is not already added by program staff)    
• Charge accurate late pick-up fees by automatically creating fees if a student is signed out after the scheduled end time of the program (for fee-based sites)   
• Ensure the person picking up the child is an approved contact   
• Automatically store the name of the person who completes the pick-up 
• Provide pick-up identify information easily in participant's attendance report   
  

Many variables contribute to the success of your summer program. A safe and supervised environment will provide parents with peace of mind. 

Contact a team member to learn more about mobile sign-in/sign-out and how AS21 can help programs reach their goals while making reporting requirements less onerous.