Every November and December, there’s always a lot of talk about how schools, businesses, houses of worship, clubs and other organizations can give back to their community for the holidays. But where, exactly, does that leave summer camps? Your prime months of operation just happen to be the time of year when few people are thinking about the holidays, and by the time people are sharing season’s greetings, your campers have been back at home and school for quite some time.

If you’re determined to involve your camp’s staff, volunteers and families in holiday giving, however, you do have some options.

Encourage holiday giving during the summer.

While the hot and humid summer months don’t exactly kindle thoughts of holiday cheer, there’s no reason you can’t inspire some holiday spirit by organizing a charitable event for your campers while you have them. Then, you can save what they collect and distribute it to people in need over the holidays. 

You can’t go wrong with a toy or book drive, for example. Encourage campers to bring donations along to camp, and then distribute what you’ve collected later in the winter season. This is also a great way for your camp community to watch the good they shared over social media in the fall/winter.

Another option is to collect food for a Thanksgiving drive. Urge them to think about the kinds of boxed and canned foods people need for the holidays (for example, stuffing and cranberries), and then bring those items along to camp.

And last, in end-of-season surveys, offer ways for families to contribute to a campership fund to help other kids have the same impactful and positive experience the following summer. 

Organize an online fundraising campaign during November and December.

In these post-COVID-19 years, you don’t need to be physically present to do some good. With all your current and past families, you have likely collected an enviable email contact list. 

Find a cause that’s near and dear to your heart or aligns closely with your camp’s mission during the holidays, and set up an online donation campaign, making sure to use social media to advertise. Not only will the campaign do some good, but it may also create community among families who are missing each other during the off-season.

Encourage families to work with their children on ways to give back.

You can also use your vast email list to provide inspiration to others. Even if you’re not actively working with your campers, inspire their parents to undertake their own holiday giving project. Some ideas for that include:

• Performing random acts of kindness.
• Baking cookies for neighbors, friends or a local senior living facility.
• Making cards for patients at a local health care facility.

Find more tips, resources and information for camps.