Summer Camp Business Plan for Starting Your Own Business

Do you want to start a summer camp business? A summer camp, also known as sleepaway camp, is a supervised program for children/teenagers conducted during the summer months where they are offered a variety of specialized activities such as hiking, canoeing, campfires with or without academic activities.

A summer camp business is not easy to start since it requires a massive amount of initial capital along with an impeccable planning. Before starting this venture, you will have to do a thorough research so that you may get to know, how to start a summer camp business.

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Executive Summary

In order to start a new summer camp business, you need a professional to help you prepare a detailed business plan for summer camp. It will help you understand what you will need to startup your business. It gives a complete overview of what you will need in the next few years to prepare the ideal strategies.

We are going to cover all the important basics of a summer camp startup in this section of the best bussiness plan template for summer camp.

2.1 The Business

The Summer Town will be a summer camp located beside Mitchell’s Cove Beach in Santa Cruz, California.

It is located on a very serene and natural environment. At Summer Town, we are going to offer the right combination of physical and mental activities to help children thrive in an active environment.

2.2 Management of Summer Camp

The Summer Town will be owned and operated by Lily Jill, who has been working for some of the biggest summer camps in the United States for the last 11 years. Being experienced in this industry, Lily knows how to run a summer camp business and make it successful.

2.3 Customers of Summer Camp

Our customers will primarily be the kids, teens and young adults from across the country.

In our summer camp, we are going to assure their parents that their kids will stay in a safe and comfortable environment. Our summer camp is ideal for all the active kids who want to try new activities.

2.4 Target of the Company

This free business plan template for summer camp has listed all the activities and services we are going to offer like academic activities, fitness, and adventure sports.

Our company targets are summarized in the chart below.

Summer Camp Business Plan - 3 Years Profit Forecast

Note

In order to help you further, we are going to elaborate further with a sample business plan for starting up your summer camp.

Company Summary

3.1 Company Owner

The Summer Town will be owned and operated by Lily Jill. Lily has been working for some of the biggest summer camps in the United States for the last 11 years.

She has vast exposure in activities, which combine science, wildlife, and traditional camp activities to provide the best and fun experience to clients.

3.2 Why the Summer Camp Business is being started

Lily is passionate to start a summer camp business. She started off as a Group Leader and have since worked in a number of roles like Camp Director, Operations Support, and Trainer for companies such as Kingswood and Camp Beaumont. The reason behind her starting this business is her passion about it.

In this summer camp business plan model, you are going to discuss the passion and inspiration of the owner behind starting this business.

3.3 How the Summer Camp Business will be started

Lily has procured a beautiful building which was previously used as a small resort for starting her summer camp. The financial experts have forecasted the following costs for the start-up:

Summer Camp Business Plan - Startup Cost

The detailed start-up requirements are as follows:

Start-up Expenses 
Legal$55,300
Consultants$0
Insurance$32,750
Rent$32,500
Research and Development$32,750
Expensed Equipment$32,750
Signs$1,250
TOTAL START-UP EXPENSES$187,300
Start-up Assets$0
Cash Required$332,500
Start-up Inventory$32,625
Other Current Assets$232,500
Long-term Assets$235,000
TOTAL ASSETS$121,875
Total Requirements$245,000
START-UP FUNDING$0
START-UP FUNDING$273,125
Start-up Expenses to Fund$11,875
Start-up Assets to Fund$15,000
TOTAL FUNDING REQUIRED$0
Assets$23,125
Non-cash Assets from Start-up$18,750
Cash Requirements from Start-up$0
Additional Cash Raised$18,750
Cash Balance on Starting Date$21,875
TOTAL ASSETS$0
Liabilities and Capital$0
Liabilities$0
Current Borrowing$0
Long-term Liabilities$0
Accounts Payable (Outstanding Bills)$0
Other Current Liabilities (interest-free)$0
TOTAL LIABILITIES$0
Capital$0
Planned Investment$0
Investor 1$332,500
Investor 2$0
Other$0
Additional Investment Requirement$0
TOTAL PLANNED INVESTMENT$695,000
Loss at Start-up (Start-up Expenses)$313,125
TOTAL CAPITAL$251,875
TOTAL CAPITAL AND LIABILITIES$251,875
Total Funding$255,000

Services for customers

Before starting a summer camp business, you must decide what will you offer to the kids/teenagers who will become your customers since the planning of many subsequent things depend on this phase. The Summer Town will provide eight 4-bedroom units along with attached washrooms, laundry facilities, and fully-equipped kitchens. We will also offer a common outdoor swimming pool along with various other facilities.
Our primary services to our target customers will be the all-inclusive summer camp package which includes 2 months stay along with all associated facilities, tons of interesting games, sports and hikes. In addition to this main package, we will also offer various short courses. Our main services include:

  • Summer package
  • Cooking course
  • Computer course
  • Weight loss course

In this summer camp business plan example, you need to elaborate in detail what types of courses and packages you are going to offer.

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    Marketing Analysis of Summer Camp Business

    The most important component of effective summer camp business plan is its accurate marketing analysis that is why Lily acquired the services of marketing experts to help her through this phase. It is only after this stage that a good business plan summer camp could have been developed. If you are starting your summer camp on a small scale, you can do marketing analysis yourself by taking help from this summer camp business plan template or other summer camp business plan sample templates available online. If starting on a large scale, you must seek counsel from marketing experts.

    When running a summer camp, you need to do proper market research and find what you need for your business to stand out.

    5.1 Market Trends

    According to IBISWorld report, the summer camp industry generates more than $3 billion in revenue as of 2016. Currently, there are more than 6,000 registered summer camps in the United States which are responsible for employing more than 28,000 people across the country. The industry is growing at an estimated rate of 3.3% but according to experts, the industry has still to grow. There are also many non-profit summer camps in the United States who aim to achieve other goals with their efforts.

    5.2 Marketing Segmentation

    Our target market is the kids, teens and young adults from across the United States. The psychological, health and social benefits of summer camps have been strongly established over the recent years and parents are now more than ready to send their children to these summer schools. In addition to providing a lot of fun, these summer camps also teach younger generation many moral values which they cannot learn in their classrooms.

    Our experts have identified the following type of target audience which can become our future consumers:

    Summer Camp Business Plan - Market Segmentation

    The detailed analysis of our target audience is as follows:

    5.2.1 Kids:

    The first group comprises of the kids, studying in junior schools. We have prepared specific programs which contribute to the mental and psychological development of kids who join our summer camps. These kids will be subjected to various fun activities which include but are not limited to in-door and out-door games as well as various sports.

    5.2.2 Teens:

    The second category comprises of the teens, studying in high schools. In addition to providing fun and healthy activities for teens, we offer computer course, cooking course and weight loss course to them so that they can fully utilize their summer holidays to the fullest extent while also having the best time of their lives.

    5.2.3 Young Adults:

    The third category includes young adults, studying in colleges or universities. We have also prepared various programs in accordance with the mental standing of this group in addition to the three courses mentioned before.

    The detailed market analysis of our potential customers is given in the following table:

    Market Analysis       
    Potential CustomersGrowthYEAR 1YEAR 2YEAR 3YEAR 4YEAR 5CAGR
    Kids45%11,43313,34416,55318,74520,54513.43%
    Teens38%22,33432,34443,66552,54466,43210.00%
    Young Adults17%8,3229,45510,65512,86714,43315.32%
    Total100%42,08955,14370,87384,156101,4109.54%

    5.3 Business Target

    Our main business targets are:

    • To achieve the net profit margin of $10k per month by the end of the first year, $15k per month by the end of the second year, and $25k per month by the end of the third year
    • To balance the initial cost of the startup with earned profits by the end of the first year

    5.4 Product Pricing

    After considering our market competition and various other aspects, we have decided to price our packages in the same ranges as that of our competitors.

    Strategy of Summer Camp Business

    Sales strategy is an important component of the summer camp business plans because it decides how you will attract customers to generate revenue for your company.

    6.1 Competitive Analysis

    We will have a tough competition ahead of us because Santa Cruz houses many summer camps. Still, we hope to stand out due to the quality of our services. Our second competitive edge will be our unparalleled customer service which will be the best in town. We will treat every individual with utmost respect and make sure that they spent the best time of their lives in our summer camp. We will also ensure the security and safety of all kids and teens by implementing strict policies.

    6.2 Sales Strategy

    • We will market and advertise our summer camps on social and print media.
    • We will offer a 15% discount on our services for the first three months of our launch.
    • We will conduct seminars in schools and colleges for emphasizing the benefits of summer camps and hence will promote ourselves.

    6.3 Sales Monthly

    Summer Camp Business Plan - Sales Monthly

    6.4 Sales Yearly

    Summer Camp Business Plan - Sales Yearly

    6.5 Sales Forecast

    Mushroom Farm Business Plan - Unit Sales
    Sales Forecast   
    Unit SalesYear 1Year 2Year 3
    Summer Package1,887,0302,680,3202,588,240
    Computer Course802,370815,430823,540
    Weight Loss Course539,3207702301,002,310
    Cooking Course265,450322,390393,320
    TOTAL UNIT SALES3,494,1704,588,3704,807,410
    Unit PricesYear 1Year 2Year 3
    Summer Package$140.00$150.00$160.00
    Computer Course$600.00$800.00$1,000.00
    Weight Loss Course$700.00$800.00$900.00
    Cooking Course$650.00$750.00$850.00
    Sales   
    Summer Package$2,149,800$2,784,000$3,383,200
    Computer Course$120,050$194,500$268,500
    Weight Loss Course$50,110$71,600$93,000
    Cooking Course$139,350$194,600$249,850
    TOTAL SALES   
    Direct Unit CostsYear 1Year 2Year 3
    Summer Package$0.70$0.80$0.90
    Computer Course$0.40$0.45$0.50
    Weight Loss Course$0.30$0.35$0.40
    Cooking Course$3.00$3.50$4.00
    Direct Cost of Sales   
    Summer Package$989,300$1,839,000$2,679,700
    Computer Course$66,600$119,900$173,200
    Weight Loss Course$17,900$35,000$52,100
    Cooking Course$19,400$67,600$115,800
    Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales$1,294,100$1,699,400$2,104,700
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      Personnel plan

      The personnel plan of our summer camp business model gives an estimate of how much cost will be incurred on the salaries of the staff.

      When starting a camp for kids, you need to describe the number of employees as well as candidates you are going to hire. You cannot just manage the whole business without a well-trained staff.

      7.1 Company Staff

      Lily will manage the overall operations and will initially hire following people:

      • 1 Accountant for maintaining financial records
      • 3 Sales Executives responsible for marketing and discovering new ventures
      • 5 Chefs for preparing food and offer cooking course
      • 14 Service Assistants for undertaking various day-to-day operations
      • 12 Cleaners for keeping the camp in a perfectly cleaned shape and undertaking other cleaning tasks, like laundry
      • 4 Drivers for Airport pick-up and transfer service
      • 1 Nutritionist for providing weight loss course
      • 1 Computer Technician for offering computer course
      • 1 Doctor for providing medical service in case of emergency
      • 1 Facility Manager for managing all facilities and equipment in the camp
      • 1 Front Desk Officer for acting as a receptionist
      • 4 Security Officers

      7.2 Average Salary of Employees

       Personnel Plan   
       Year 1Year 2Year 3
      Accountant$44,000$47,000$50,000
      Sales Executives$53,000$56,000$59,000
      Chefs$66,000$73,000$80,000
      Service Assistants$145,000$152,000$159,000
      Cleaners$166,000$173,000$180,000
      Drivers$550,000$650,000$750,000
      Nutritionist$410,000$440,000$480,000
      Computer Technician$35,000$38,000$41,000
      Doctor$44,000$47,000$50,000
      Facility Manager$53,000$56,000$59,000
      Front Desk Officer$35,000$38,000$41,000
      Security Officers$86,000$89,000$92,000
      Total Salaries$1,271,000$1,415,000$1,569,000
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      Financial Plan

      Finally, you will have to prepare a financial plan before you start summer camp business. Our financial plan outlines the development of the company over the next three years and is specifically developed to achieve the company’s short-term and long-term objectives.

      If you are wondering how to start a summer camp, consider the following details.

      8.1 Important Assumptions

      In this section, list all the estimates of tax and interest rate over the next three years.

       General Assumptions   
       Year 1Year 2Year 3
      Plan Month123
      Current Interest Rate10.00%11.00%12.00%
      Long-term Interest Rate10.00%10.00%10.00%
      Tax Rate26.42%27.76%28.12%
      Other000

      8.2 Brake-even Analysis

      Here, you need to show the overall graph in which you can define the revenue of your company and milestones you are expecting to achieve.

      Summer Camp Business Plan - Brake-even Analysis
       Brake-Even Analysis 
      Monthly Units Break-even5530
      Monthly Revenue Break-even$159,740
      Assumptions: 
      Average Per-Unit Revenue$260.87
      Average Per-Unit Variable Cost$0.89
      Estimated Monthly Fixed Cost$196,410

      8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

      In this table, you need to list all the incomes and expenses you are going to expect in your business.

       Pro Forma Profit And Loss   
       Year 1Year 2Year 3
      Sales$309,069$385,934$462,799
      Direct Cost of Sales$15,100$19,153$23,206
      Other$0$0$0
      TOTAL COST OF SALES$15,100 $19,153 $23,206
      Gross Margin$293,969$366,781$439,593
      Gross Margin %94.98%94.72%94.46%
      Expenses   
      Payroll$138,036$162,898$187,760
      Sales and Marketing and Other Expenses$1,850$2,000$2,150
      Depreciation$2,070$2,070$2,070
      Leased Equipment$0$0$0
      Utilities$4,000$4,250$4,500
      Insurance$1,800$1,800$1,800
      Rent$6,500$7,000$7,500
      Payroll Taxes$34,510$40,726$46,942
      Other$0$0$0
      Total Operating Expenses$188,766$220,744$252,722
      Profit Before Interest and Taxes$105,205$146,040$186,875
      EBITDA$107,275$148,110$188,945
      Interest Expense$0$0$0
      Taxes Incurred$26,838$37,315$47,792
      Net Profit$78,367$108,725$139,083
      Net Profit/Sales30.00%39.32%48.64%

      8.3.1 Profit Monthly

      Here, you need to show the detailed overview of your monthly profits for the 12 months in the next 3 years.

      Summer Camp Business Plan - Profit Monthly

      8.3.2 Profit Yearly

      Your investors by business plan may also want to know the annual profits your business can make. It will also help you determine the estimate annual profits for the next 3 years.

      Summer Camp Business Plan - Profit Yearly

      8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

      You need to show up your gross margin on monthly basis in your business plan.

      Summer Camp Business Plan - Gross Margin Monthly

      8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

      Here, you can come up with annual gross margin you are expecting for the next 3 years.

      Summer Camp Business Plan - Gross Margin Yearly

      8.4 Projected Cash Flow

      Here, you need to analyze the balance over the cash flow expected in your business for the upcoming year.

      Summer Camp Business Plan - Projected Cash Flow
       Pro Forma Cash Flow   
      Cash ReceivedYear 1Year 2Year 3
      Cash from Operations   
      Cash Sales$40,124$45,046$50,068
      Cash from Receivables$7,023$8,610$9,297
      SUBTOTAL CASH FROM OPERATIONS$47,143 $53,651 $59,359
      Additional Cash Received   
      Sales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Received$0$0$0
      New Current Borrowing$0$0$0
      New Other Liabilities (interest-free)$0$0$0
      New Long-term Liabilities$0$0$0
      Sales of Other Current Assets$0$0$0
      Sales of Long-term Assets$0$0$0
      New Investment Received$0$0$0
      SUBTOTAL CASH RECEIVED$47,143 $53,651 $55,359
      ExpendituresYear 1Year 2Year 3
      Expenditures from Operations   
      Cash Spending$21,647$24,204$26,951
      Bill Payments$13,539$15,385$170,631
      SUBTOTAL SPENT ON OPERATIONS$35,296 $39,549 $43,582
      Additional Cash Spent   
      Sales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Paid Out$0$0$0
      Principal Repayment of Current Borrowing$0$0$0
      Other Liabilities Principal Repayment$0$0$0
      Long-term Liabilities Principal Repayment$0$0$0
      Purchase Other Current Assets$0$0$0
      Purchase Long-term Assets$0$0$0
      Dividends$0$0$0
      SUBTOTAL CASH SPENT$35,296 $35,489 $43,882
      Net Cash Flow$11,551$13,167$15,683
      Cash Balance$21,823$22,381$28,239

      8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

      In this balance sheet, list all the assets and liabilities in your business in the long run.

       Pro Forma Balance Sheet   
      AssetsYear 1Year 2Year 3
      Current Assets   
      Cash$184,666$218,525$252,384
      Accounts Receivable$12,613$14,493$16,373
      Inventory$2,980$3,450$3,920
      Other Current Assets$1,000$1,000$1,000
      TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS$201,259 $237,468 $273,677
      Long-term Assets   
      Long-term Assets$10,000$10,000$10,000
      Accumulated Depreciation$12,420$14,490$16,560
      TOTAL LONG-TERM ASSETS$980 $610 $240
      TOTAL ASSETS$198,839 $232,978 $267,117
      Liabilities and CapitalYear 1Year 2Year 3
      Current Liabilities   
      Accounts Payable$9,482$10,792$12,102
      Current Borrowing$0$0$0
      Other Current Liabilities$0$0$0
      SUBTOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES$9,482 $10,792 $12,102
      Long-term Liabilities$0$0$0
      TOTAL LIABILITIES$9,482 $10,792 $12,102
      Paid-in Capital$30,000$30,000$30,000
      Retained Earnings$48,651$72,636$96,621
      Earnings$100,709$119,555$138,401
      TOTAL CAPITAL$189,360 $222,190 $255,020
      TOTAL LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL$198,839 $232,978 $267,117
      Net Worth$182,060$226,240$270,420

      8.6 Business Ratios

      Detail all the projected sales growth you are going to expect in percentage.

       Ratio Analysis    
       Year 1Year 2Year 3Industry Profile
      Sales Growth4.35%30.82%63.29%4.00%
      Percent of Total Assets    
      Accounts Receivable5.61%4.71%3.81%9.70%
      Inventory1.85%1.82%1.79%9.80%
      Other Current Assets1.75%2.02%2.29%27.40%
      Total Current Assets138.53%150.99%163.45%54.60%
      Long-term Assets-9.47%-21.01%-32.55%58.40%
      TOTAL ASSETS100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%
      Current Liabilities4.68%3.04%2.76%27.30%
      Long-term Liabilities0.00%0.00%0.00%25.80%
      Total Liabilities4.68%3.04%2.76%54.10%
      NET WORTH99.32%101.04%102.76%44.90%
      Percent of Sales    
      Sales100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%
      Gross Margin94.18%93.85%93.52%0.00%
      Selling, General & Administrative Expenses74.29%71.83%69.37%65.20%
      Advertising Expenses2.06%1.11%0.28%1.40%
      Profit Before Interest and Taxes26.47%29.30%32.13%2.86%
      Main Ratios    
      Current25.8629.3932.921.63
      Quick25.428.8832.360.84
      Total Debt to Total Assets2.68%1.04%0.76%67.10%
      Pre-tax Return on Net Worth66.83%71.26%75.69%4.40%
      Pre-tax Return on Assets64.88%69.75%74.62%9.00%
      Additional RatiosYear 1Year 2Year 3 
      Net Profit Margin19.20%21.16%23.12%N.A.
      Return on Equity47.79%50.53%53.27%N.A.
      Activity Ratios    
      Accounts Receivable Turnover4.564.564.56N.A.
      Collection Days9299106N.A.
      Inventory Turnover19.722.5525.4N.A.
      Accounts Payable Turnover14.1714.6715.17N.A.
      Payment Days272727N.A.
      Total Asset Turnover1.841.551.26N.A.
      Debt Ratios    
      Debt to Net Worth0-0.02-0.04N.A.
      Current Liab. to Liab.111N.A.
      Liquidity Ratios    
      Net Working Capital$120,943$140,664$160,385N.A.
      Interest Coverage000N.A.
      Additional Ratios    
      Assets to Sales0.450.480.51N.A.
      Current Debt/Total Assets4%3%2%N.A.
      Acid Test23.6627.0130.36N.A.
      Sales/Net Worth1.681.290.9N.A.
      Dividend Payout000N.A.

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