Parents will soon be dropping off their children at your door.  They probably have a general idea that you are a “Christian ministry” – but frequently they have little else to go on except for what they read in the brochure or heard from a friend.  But if they’re going to become friends of your ministry —perhaps even donors—they will need to see more of what you’re doing.

Here are several ways you can shift their focus from your entrance way to the heart of your ministry—and start them praying and pledging support for your camp.  

1.   Be sure each family is personally greeted when they arrive.  The director or someone in a leadership role should be at the entrance to extend a warm welcome.  Another staff person should be available for giving directions to the various areas around your grounds or facilities.

2.  Have an air-conditioned area set aside as a hospitality center, with cold drinks, like lemonade or punch, and fresh cookies.  This would be a great place to display literature, or play a video that will introduce parents to the “bigger picture” of the ministry,  including any year-round activities and programs and/or any expansion plans.

3.  See to it that all buildings and facilities are in their best condition, with clean, fully stocked restrooms available close by.

4.  Before they leave the grounds, give parents an overview of the schedule and activities.  If they are Christians, encourage them to pray often for the children during the week, and share other ministry prayer requests with them.

5.  Invite parents to attend the special ceremonies or events, where they can see slides or a video of what the children learned, songs they sang, and activities. Be creative.

6.  Place around your facilities project calendars showing the current status of capital improvements and explanations, and describe how donations for projects will help improve the facility.

7.  At the conclusion of the program, give each parent an evaluation form that asks questions about their child’s experience with your ministry.  Let them know that their input is extremely valuable.  Ask them to review the survey with their child—and ask about the things they liked and the things that could be improved.

8.   Include parents on your mailing list.  Inform them about opportunities to participate in any year-round programs you might offer, new developments, upcoming special events, anniversaries, capital campaigns, and so forth.  It’s important to “keep in touch” often.  Don’t be afraid to make a strong sponsorship appeal to the parents, either when they arrive or at the end of the program.  Tell them that many boys and girls would like to come to ministry but cannot because of lack of finances.  Invite them to participate in a scholarship fund to help provide “certificates” or “scholarships” for underprivileged children, and for those whose parents are in a situation that does not allow them to provide the full fee.

These are just some of the ways I believe “friend” raising can be accomplished with parents, which will result in fund raising.  As they have confidence and trust in your ministry and see the potential for growth—not only in their own child’s life, but in the lives of other children—contributions will follow.

Source: Adapted by Brian Kluth from an article by Brian Ogne for CCI's Journal of Christian Camping.