The Referral Rundown #1: Top 5 Camp Referral Program Mistakes

This is the Referral Rundown (formerly the Tool Belt), the newsletter that helps camps grow through word of mouth.

We’re like a Capri Sun for directors - refreshing, and fun to open.

Today’s estimated read time: 1m 49s

And a big welcome to those who are here from the OMC Great Gathering 👋

🛑 The Top 5 Referral Program Mistakes

Every camp wants word-of-mouth growth. It’s the best kind of recruitment there is.

But most referral programs fail.

Not because referrals don’t work. Because the foundation is weak.

Here are the five mistakes that kill camp referral programs:

1. Parents Don’t Use It (Poor Incentives)

Love alone doesn’t always spread the word.

Some parents will talk about camp no matter what. Others won’t, until you give them a reason.

Generous rewards create momentum, especially early.

Weak incentives send a message: “This isn’t that important.”

2. Parents Won’t Recommend You (Not Being Referable)

This one hurts, and I hate to say it:

No program can fix a bad experience.

If kids didn’t have a blast last summer, parents won’t recommend you. No software can change that.

The best referral strategy is still the same: run an amazing camp.

3. Ambassadors Forget About It (Not Engaging Parents)

Parents are busy. Super busy.

If you launch a referral program and never mention it again, they forget.

Silence sends a signal. And the signal is: “This doesn’t matter.”

Remind your families that this is important. Often.

4. Getting Bogged Down (Too Much Admin)

Referral programs get messy fast.

Spreadsheets. Guesswork. “Who actually referred Cindy?”

When it gets overwhelming, people give up and programs die.

Figure out how to streamline your process before you launch.

(This is exactly what Camp Tree is built for.)

5. Missing Earned Rewards (Poor Tracking)

Missed rewards break trust.

Parents feel shortchanged. Motivation drops. Stress rises.

A referral program isn’t finished when someone signs up.

It’s finished when the reward is delivered.

***

Avoid these mistakes, and referrals actually work.

Referrals aren’t complicated. But they do require follow-through.

Have questions?

That’s what we’re here for. Hit reply and let us know.

🌲 Camp Tree Corner

A few things we’re building this month:

This Newsletter

We’ve focused this newsletter on equipping you to grow with referrals.

More practical resources for camp professionals, less noise.

Integrations

We’re working toward tighter connections with the tools camps already use.

Think camp management systems and CRMs like Salesforce or HubSpot.

The goal is simple: fewer manual updates, and clearer tracking when families enroll.

Slack Community

Every Camp Tree member gets access.

We share what’s working, and get help when something isn’t.

If referrals feel harder than they should, our demo is a good place to start.

⛺️ Around the Campfire

Here’s the reality no one likes to say out loud: camps will face mental-health crises.

The question isn’t if, it’s whether you’re ready.

This study looks at what actually worked at a massive camp event.

Bottom line: screen early for risk, staff real on-site mental-health support, and create clear paths for kids to safely rejoin camp life after intervention.

🤣 The LOL Lodge

Until next time,

Peter “Head Counselor” Elbaum