Paul Berliner CampMinder

One idea sparks another , and then another , until everyone in the room more or less agrees on how we should move forward . This was back in January , 2012 . By July , this exchange of ideas is materializing into some of the most significant advances in CampMinder ’ s history .

Whether it ’ s alumni management , webbased forms , staff recruitment , or health center operations , many of the systems within CampMinder were born out of discussions at CampMinder Camp . One session that drives much of this brainstorming is called “ The Road Ahead .” As the name implies , the focus of this session is to visualize the future : how will camps take full advantage of the Internet in our increasingly digital society ?

For me , these brainstorming sessions make CampMinder Camp stand out as the most innovative gathering of camp professionals out there . At the first

WANT IN ? The next CampMinder Camp will be held January 31 & February 1 , 2013 at The Boulderado , in Boulder , Colo . Contact Director of Client Relations Lauren Swisher to learn more and reserve your space . You can reach her at 303 444-2267 , ext . 104 or at lauren @ campminder . com . Attendance is free for current CampMinder clients .

CampMinder Camp in 2009 , 30 local camp directors gathered in North Carolina to collaborate on the future of technology in camping . The conference consisted exclusively of brainstorming sessions and a keynote presentation . Four years and many suggestions later , the conference has matured into an annual convergence of progressive summer camp operators nationwide . In 2012 , 150 camp professionals attended and registration filled in just under five weeks . Given the anticipation and high expectations for the event , our team spent many late nights shuffling the schedule around to deliver the most value to each “ camper .”

Camper Divisions

While studying the

list of attendees , it

became clear that

campers naturally

fell into one of three

divisions based on

their varying levels

of experience with

CampMinder :

1 . juniors noun \ jün-yers \ : In most cases , a Junior ’ s camp has

just started with CampMinder , and there is a lot to learn . For

the novice user , we created the New Camp Track – a series of

training sessions that demonstrate the basics of each application .

2 . inters noun \ in-ters \ : This person is familiar with

CampMinder but wants to get more out of the system . He often

feels like there are opportunities to gain further benefit from his

relationship with CampMinder .

3 . seniors noun \ sē-nyers \ : A senior has been with

CampMinder for many years or is someone with an advanced

understanding of information management . Seniors are our

collaborative innovators who are passionate about shaping the

camp industry ’ s future .

Our goal for CampMinder Camp 4 was to ensure that every camper would have the most valuable experience relative to his or her skill level . We began developing the 2012 program by creating the New Camp Track , then we put together sessions geared towards Inters and Seniors . This format proved to be a huge success and will continue into the future .

For Juniors , the New Camp Track starts with a New Camp Orientation , followed by introductory classes on Reporting & Communication , Forms , Health Center Management , Financial , Accounts , and Scheduling .

Even though we designed the New Camp Track primarily for those just getting started with CampMinder , all campers are free to attend any session of their choice . Many directors who have been using CampMinder for years , but are not taking advantage of the entire system , attend these 101 sessions to see how CampMinder might improve other areas of their camp ’ s businesses . By design , a camper following the New Camp Track should leave CampMinder Camp with a detailed knowledge of specific CampMinder applications and a global understanding of the scope of the platform .

In effect , the New Camp Track provides a long-term vision for how each camp can “ grow into ” CampMinder over time .

Inter campers have mastered the basics and are looking for new efficiencies .

Some of the sessions tailored towards Inter campers include : transportation trainings , efficient forms collection , and advanced reporting . There are also a slew of sessions that focus on broader technology topics such as social media , elegant website design , and dealing with parents who are not tech-savvy .

We want every Inter camper to leave Boulder with a specific plan to improve the management processes of at least one area of camp administration . Is there an opportunity to implement the camp store cash register ? Should I be using CampMinder ’ s scheduling system to automate elective assignments based on camper preferences ? Should we offer bar-coded , fax-back forms to obtain hard-copy signatures digitally ? These are the types of questions we expect Inters to ask themselves as they return home .

Senior campers , we expect , will spend most of their day in high-level brainstorming sessions . In the past , these sessions have led to the creation of the Health Center Management System , Resident and Day Camp Transportation Systems , web-based forms , and an ultra-efficient staff recruitment process . In 2012 , we focused on the Financial System , Bunking , mobile application development and other topics . We also hosted a three-hour , mega-brainstorming “ Road Ahead ” session .

Over the life of CampMinder Camp , we ’ ve heard hundreds of voices offering countless ideas . Our job is to constantly listen , logically plan , and boldly move forward .

CampMinder Camp is about bringing together camp professionals intent on improving their businesses . A palpable creative energy surrounds the two-day event as attendees are introduced to likeminded

professionals whose paths they otherwise might not cross . After all , this is the only event focused exclusively on technological solutions to challenges shared across the summer camp industry .

So , should you go to CampMinder Camp ?

CampMinder Camp

January 31 & February 1 , 2013

Boulder , Colorado

Paul Berliner is the Chief Operating Officer at Camp- Minder . Paul is originally from Washington DC but has lived in Boulder , Colo ., since 2003 . He attended Camp Saginaw for 10 summers . Outside of the office , Paul can be seen skiing , biking , camping , and playing music in the Rocky Mountains .

Paul Berliner paul @ campminder . com