Start your own summer camp!

This instructable is the story of the creation of a summer camp called Camp Kaleidoscope, in Cambridge, MA. I created this in 2006 and ran until 2008. It is a program that focused on giving children the opportunity to choose what they did during the day -- even nothing -- and guiding them through creative art and science projects. Our projects varied from taking machines apart to making video games, and our aim was to provide children with opportunities that would ignite and continue to sustain their curiousity. 

The Parts and Crafts community and summer camp has since grown out of Camp Kaleidoscope, starting in 2009. If you are eager to learn more about how to start your own camp, please contact them at [e-mail] !

Step 1: Overview: Logistics

Here are the key hurdles you need to clear in order to start a camp:

• Figuring out what's going to happen at your camp
• Finding a place to have the camp
• Advertising
• Licensing
• Liability and medical insurance
• Staffing (which is very related to the first step!)
• Getting a simple business set-up

Let's proceed!

Comments

[scarrillo]

THIS WEBSITE IS THE GREATEST CREATION OF MAN! INFINITE KNOWLEDGE OHH YES! I EAGERLY STRIVE TO THE FUTURE@!=^_^=

[Juklop]

Can I use the same concept to start a cult? :D

[dreamer26]

Juklop ,you could but remember everything has a price and I'm quite sure you dont want to pay for that.

[M4industries]

 Geez! You are making me get hyped up about summer already! I have 7 weeks left then final exams. 

[jboy19]

I would like all of your advice an information for starting a camp. I have the motivation and imagination as to starting a camp. Along with that motivation , i have heart, and i think that is a key element in teaching, and helping kids. From a young teacher, to a more wiser teacher, i am asking for your advice and help to make my dream come true. When you find the time, if you could contact me on my email at [e-mail], I would greatly appreciate it. thank you for your time, and i look forward to hearing from you.

[bercht]

Although it is only pocket change, the fact of having to pay for the information that you are providing in order to help people, is somewhat disheartening. I was quite excited to find that there are people out there with positive ideas and plans to help kids to be able partake in and learn important life building skills that we all need to realize before we can lead a richer fuller more appreciative life. But none the less i do not have a credit card, nor do i want one, but i will not let this stand in my way. I would enjoy to hear from you (the organizer) as i have some questions i qould like to run past u, as i have a few very lucrative propositions to discuss. If you would be so kind as to get a hold of me at [e-mail] that would be great.
Thanx for your time!  
                               Brandon

[dawdou]

We would like all ideas for starting a camp for kids. Thank you. Doug and Dawn [e-mail]

[dawdou]

We need too talk. My wife and I are going to start a opportunities camp for kids and for others. I have a story to tell you about when I was 14 and what to start up a camp. Please contact me at [e-mail] or 503 391-4649 PO Box 1184 Aumsville,Or 97325 Thank you, Doug and Dawn Stenerodden

[westoverlynette]

I thought this site was very helpful. However I have a question? What do you do for money during the rest of the year. How do you generate an income to support your living expenses during the year?

[nagle]

I found that running a camp gives you a tremendous amount of reputation and social capital, making it possible to

• run afterschool programs (I did some in hands-on science; some in creative math activities)
• run classes for homeschoolers
• tutor
  

and this how I supported myself for the 2 school years after the 1st and 2nd summers.

After the third summer (this past year,) I tried launching The Kaleidoscope Center -- a homeschooling center based off of the same principles. It got going (and is still going!) but I felt like it wasn't the right fit for me. I've taken the past 6 months, living off of the savings I have from camp to fix a major neck problem I'd had for 3 years (I wrote about it at my health blog at michaelnagle.org) and to start a community science center called sprout!

Of particular note there is that while after the first summer we just broke even (I made $2,500 over the summer), the second and third summers were both profitable enough to live for the remainder of the year, frugally (I made about $15 - 20k , closer to $15k, each summer.)

[elbel86]

It seems to be a very good instructable for a day care or something, but what was described here does not sound like a summer camp to me. Summercamp is outdoors, and involves actual camping (ya know, in tents). Still quite good, just not what i expected when i clicked the link.

[BoulderGeo]

elbel, if I understand correctly, I think this is designed more for a day camp than an overnight or "sleep-away" camp. A lot of kids go to camps where they are dropped of in the morning and picked up when their parents get out of work. So yeah, it is kind of like a really sweet daycare with a lot of fun organized activities and education mixed in. :-) Though you could do something like this with kids in dorms or cabins. There are sleep-away science camps at research facilities and stuff.

[applestone]

public charity/private foundation
this page seems to outline info on public charity vs private foundation

[porcupinemamma]

Seriously! As an adult, I would consider a kind of camp like this an awesome holiday. I have no science background and am 52 years old with an artsy kind of history. Does ANYONE know of a camp like this where I could go? I'm not kidding. It would be a dream holiday!

[leohead2012]

This site was super helpful I had the idea of starting my own camp and needed some resources, thanks

[emuman4evr]

Very nice instructable, If someone does make a camp I'd like to see a comment on it. What was your average kid turn out?

[nagle]

Our first year was small: we had 5 - 10 kids each week. The camp has grown really rapidly -- in its second year we had 25 - 35 kids each week, and this year we're looking at roughly 60 kids each week.

[liqueta12]

How is your summer camp going??

[amacon]

All I can say is "wow!" This instructable has been invaluable. Starting a summer camp has been my dream for the past quarter century. Finding this on the internet tonight seems like kismet. I think it's high time I made my dream a reality. Thank you!

[liqueta12]

Have you gotten started with your summer camp??

[leahbuechley]

Fantastic instructable! I love that don't hurt anybody sign :)

[MasterMediaXD]

did you know that they are taking apart a CD drive that has invisible lasers that can be potentially harmful if power is supplied these invisible laser can sometimes blind if looked into directly(when power is supplied)!

[MasterMediaXD]

I noticed that it would be OK if there is supervision to make sure power is not supplied and all power leads are taken away! sorry for causing any stress from what I said before!

[SeMi_AuToMaTic]

daddy day camp lol. rated pg.

[solo.card]

For someone who's going to be working at a summer camp very soon (5 days! Scary...) I find this very interesting!

[T3h_Muffinator]

That's really cool! I have plans to start a primary school (way) later in life, but starting a camp first would be a great idea. Thanks for the tips/instructions!

[msmith9899]

Excellent instructable! I've been thinking of starting a similar maker-style camp and this has been very helpful. Thanks for the inspiration!