How to Plan a Summer Camp for Your Music Studio
Have you thought about running a summer camp but feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start? Maybe you just need a little guidance to help bring your ideas to life. If that sounds like you, then you're in the right place!
kids having fun at a piano camp!
I've planned and run multiple summer camps in my music studio, and today, I’m sharing my top tips to help you make your camp a success. Whether you want to increase income, keep students engaged, or free up your schedule, summer camps can be a game-changer.
1. Let Students Vote on the Theme
The first step in planning your camp is deciding on a theme—and your students can help! Letting them vote not only builds excitement but also ensures you’re choosing a theme that will attract interest.
Here’s how to do it:
Create a simple voting sheet with two or three theme options.
Place it on a music stand near your studio entrance, and let students mark their votes throughout the week.
If you teach online, use Google Forms, a Zoom poll, or email parents to gather votes.
Once voting is over, announce the winning theme to your students and their families. This builds anticipation and gives you confidence that your camp will be a hit!
2. Dream Up Your Camp
This is the fun part—imagining what your camp will look like! Ask yourself:
What do I want to accomplish? More income, excitement, or flexibility in my summer schedule?
Who is this camp for? Beginners, mixed ages, or a specific level?
What theme or curriculum will I use?
When will my camp take place? Will I offer multiple sessions?
Will I have a parent open house at the end?
Thinking through these details helps bring your vision to life.
3. Plan the Logistics
Once you've outlined your camp, it’s time to work out the practical details:
Where Will Your Camp Be?
If you teach from home, decide how much of your space you're willing to use.
If you have outdoor space, use it! Just be mindful of things like landscaping. (Pro tip: If you have delicate plants, use caution tape from a hardware store to mark off areas.)
Consider hosting your camp at a park, renting a space, or even offering an online or hybrid option.
How Many Days and Hours?
A single-day camp is great for low-commitment, high-engagement sessions.
Full-day camps work well for working parents who need childcare.
A multi-day camp (3–5 days) allows for deeper learning and more variety.
4. Execute with Confidence
Now it’s time to bring your camp to life! Here are a few things to consider:
Collaboration: Partnering with another teacher can enhance your camp and expand your reach. I’ve teamed up with an art teacher for a music-and-art camp, and it was a fantastic experience!
Marketing: Once your camp is planned, spread the word! Email your studio families, post on social media, and send reminders as the date approaches.
Engagement: Keep students excited leading up to camp by sharing sneak peeks of activities.
Summer camps are a fantastic way to grow your studio, inspire students, and make the most of your summer. With a little planning and creativity, you can create an experience your students will love!
Are you ready to start planning your camp? Let me know in the comments what theme you're considering! 🎵🎨☀️
NEED SOME MORE HELP?
Sign up here for a training video where I cover the above topics in more detail. I also use stories of how my camps were run.
You’ll get a four-page pdf with an step-by-step outline of what to do! Sign up at this link:
Summer Camp Countdown
