If you’ve ever seen a Hollywood blockbuster or a Broadway musical, you’ve witnessed the power of a well-run production to captivate, educate and motivate an audience. And of course, the stars aren’t the only element that makes a great production shine. From producers and managers to sets, lights and costumes, a lot of work has been done both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes to ensure a flawless show.
Camps and educational programs have a lot in common with Hollywood in this way. Let’s take a look at how running a camp is like putting on an Oscar-worthy production.
Kids are the Stars
The kids are the reason your program exists in the first place, and their “star power” takes center stage. Just like in show business, the “above-the-line” talent is a top priority–but thankfully, kids aren’t as demanding or dramatic as certain high-maintenance stars! Bottom line: It’s essential to keep the stars’ needs at the top of the to-do list ensure a winning production.
Administrators as Executive Producers
Executive producers raise the funds for the show and put all the elements into place. They’re the people who make the magic happen, and while they may never be on screen or get a curtain call, without them, there would be no production. Camp administrators and directors act as the executive producers of camps and classes, organizing, making decisions and maintaining the momentum needed to get the show on the road.
Parents as Stage Managers
Behind the scenes of any production are stage managers, getting actors on their marks at the right time and making sure lights, sound and other essential elements are perfectly coordinated. Parents play a similar role at camp, ensuring kids are signed up and registered and dropping them off on time with all necessary gear in tow. The fees that parents pay are also what keeps camps going. If it wasn’t for parents, the show couldn’t go on.
Invisible Technology
Technology supports everyone involved in a production. Lighting panels, soundboards, sets and even ticket and concessions sales are often technology-enabled to ensure a smooth, glitch-free show. In the same way, camps need registration and management software that gives the administrators and parents what they need without taking away from the stars of the show–the kids! ACTIVE Camp & Class Manager is just the ticket, providing parents with an easy way to register and administrators essential tools for managing the camp.
Find out how Random Farm Kids Theater Camp uses Camp & Class Manager to run its camp production, keeping parents happy and kids engaged here.