10 Fun Promotion Ideas for Summer Camps

Summer Camp Sweepstakes Series

Chattanooga Free Times Press | Chattanooga, TN

The Chattanooga Free Times Press ran a series of sweepstakes designed to get the word out about local summer camp options. Each sponsoring camp received their own one-day sweepstakes and gave away a free week at their camp. The paper included email opt-ins and lead-generation questions on the entry form of each sweepstakes to grow the advertiser’s databases. On average, each sweepstakes generated over 150 entries and 130 emails opt-ins, which was great for the advertisers. The paper secured $5,000 in sponsorship revenue from the campaign.

YMCA Summer Camp Photo Contest

WDBJ -TV | Roanoke, VA

WDBJ-TV ran this fun photo contest with the sponsoring local YMCA to promote their summer camp programing. They asked their viewers to submit a photo of how their kids ‘stay healthy and active’ during the summer for a chance to win two weeks of summer camp. This campaign was a great opportunity to build both the station and sponsors’ email lists, as both included email opt-ins on the registration form of the contest.

Summer Camp Sweepstakes

Pocono Record | Stroudsburg, PA

This sweepstakes from the Pocono Record and the sponsor, Precious Moments Christian Academy, gave away a huge prize of a 4-week stay at summer camp. This valuable prize was perfect for attracting potential customers because those who entered the contest were interested in four weeks at this camp. The campaign included an email opt-in for the sponsor as well as lead-generation questions. They took this opportunity to ask users ‘Will you have child care needs this summer?’ and if the user would like to be contacted to learn about available options at the academy. As a result, the sponsor identified 28 users interested in the program! And, to top it off, the paper brought in $4,500 in sponsorship revenue.

Jax Best Summer Camps Ballot

WJXT-TV | Jacksonville, FL

This ballot from WJXT-TV was a perfect way to showcase all the awesome summer camp options in the area and give parents one spot to get all their information. They expanded their Best-Of partnership with Visit Jacksonville – the local tourism bureau – to include this ballot, asking viewers to vote for their favorite local summer camp. This was a timely way to engage the parents but also grow the station and sponsor audience list with an email opt-in and a Facebook ‘like’ button on the entry form.

Code Ninjas Summer Camp Sweepstakes

WDAF-TV | Kansas City, MO

WDAF-TV created this sweepstakes with their advertiser Code Ninjas, a local children’s coding camp. They gave away a free week of camp to one random entrant, which drove excitement and identified tons of WDAF audience members interested in the camp!

Baby Shark Video Contest

Record Journal | Meriden, CT

Video contests are a great way to connect with a targeted audience and create engaging content. The Record Journal created this video contest with their local YMCA to promote their children’s day camp and attract new families to their programs. They asked parents to share a video of their child singing the incredibly popular ‘Baby Shark’ song for a chance to win one of three summer camp prize packages. This was a great way to capitalize on the song of the summer, as many parents already had a video on their phones or could easily get one. The advertiser used three lead-generation questions on the entry form to learn if the user would be interested in joining, what programs they would like to see, and how they believe they help the community. As a result, the YMCA identified 18 people interested in joining and gathered valuable consumer information.

What Summer Camper Are You? Personality Quiz

KWLM-AM | Willmar, MN

Lakeland Broadcasting used this turnkey personality quiz to promote their local sponsor, Green Lake Lutheran Ministries. They gave away a camp experience to one lucky entrant, a package valued at $440. This was a great chance for the retreat center to boost awareness of their summer program!

One River School of Art + Design Summer Camps Sweepstakes

Pamplin Media Group | Portland, OR

When this local art and design camp wanted to drive excitement and awareness of their summer art and design programs, the team at Pamplin saw a perfect opportunity for a promotion. They created a sweepstakes for two free weeks of camp, which was a great chance to find interested parents and promote their camp. Not only did the sponsor grow their email database with an email opt-in on the entry form, but they used a lead-generation question to ask users what programs they would be interested in joining.

Camp and Activities Sweepstakes

Westerly Sun | Westerly, RI

To promote all the great summer camps in your area, try a multi-sponsor sweepstakes like this one from the Westerly Sun. Seven local camps sponsored this Camp and Activities giveaway, each of which got an email opt-in on the entry form. The form also included two lead-generation questions asking users about their children and summer camp preferences, which was great information for all the sponsors.

Don’t miss this great chance to highlight local summer camp activities. These promotions are also great for growing your own list of local parents and families.