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Grow Your Camp

Grow Your Camp

By: Mark P. Fisher & Carl Lefever
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About this listen

Welcome to the Growth Your Camp Podcast: 'Cause You Can't Minister to Empty Beds

Helping Christian retreat centers grow in mission and margin.

Hosts:

Mark P. Fisher, of Inspiring Growth

Carl Lefever, of Improve & Grow

Overview:

This podcast is designed to inspire and equip camp leaders to grow their camps through stories and systems. It is meant to be a place where camp leaders learn how practical marketing systems can amplify their ministry impact—without losing sight of their mission.

Key Themes:

  • Filling the Calendar: Strategies and real-world examples of how retreat and camp leaders increase bookings and reduce seasonal gaps. Topics might include: lead generation systems, improving inquiry response times, pricing strategy, market positioning, capacity management, and off-season marketing approaches.
  • Marketing that Feels Like Ministry: How faith-driven leaders approach marketing as an extension of their mission rather than a distraction from it. Topics might include: values-based storytelling, ethical persuasion, branding that builds trust, and aligning marketing messages.
  • Digital Growth Systems: Modern tools and digital marketing tactics that consistently drive visibility, inquiries, and revenue for retreats and camps. Topics might include: websites that convert, CRM and automation, SEO and Google Ads, social media advertising, online reviews, and emerging technologies like AI.
  • Stories of Growth: Candid conversations with leaders about their challenges, breakthroughs, and the turning points that sparked momentum. Topics might include: turning around a struggling retreat season, launching new programs, rebuilding after crisis, or scaling operations while staying mission-aligned.
  • Leading for Growth: How leadership mindset, team culture, and operational systems create the foundation for sustainable growth. Topics might include: team alignment, delegation, budgeting and stewardship, guest experience excellence, and building systems that support long-term ministry impact.

Have a specific question you'd like us to cover? Click here to record a question and submit to our team.

2026 Mark P. Fisher & Carl Lefever
Episodes
  • Ep 5 | The Missing Pages That Drive Retreat Bookings for Camps

    Ep 5 | The Missing Pages That Drive Retreat Bookings for Camps
    Mar 27 2026

    In this episode, Mark shares a camp marketing tip about the importance of asking for and responding to reviews. Then Carl and Mark explore how camp websites can significantly boost guest group bookings by improving website structure, messaging, and inquiry processes. They share practical strategies, real-world examples, and a special offer to help camp leaders grow their retreat programs.

    Keywords

    camp website, guest groups, retreat bookings, marketing strategy, camp marketing, website optimization, inquiry funnel, camp revenue, digital marketing, camp leadership

    Key Topics

    Website structure for guest groups

    Messaging and positioning for retreats

    Inquiry and lead capture strategies

    Case studies of successful camp websites

    Special offer: Growth Action Plan

    Hosts

    Mark P. Fisher, Inspiring Growth

    Carl Lefever, Improve & Grow

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Camp Growth Strategies

    00:37 The Importance of Customer Reviews

    05:13 Challenges in Camp Marketing

    06:41 Personal Journey into Camp Ministry

    10:09 Website Strategies for Guest Groups

    12:09 Revenue Insights and Capacity Management

    12:46 Maximizing Revenue Through Guest Group Rentals

    13:32 The Disconnect in Camp Leadership Perspectives

    15:09 Understanding Guest Group Needs

    17:44 Creating an Effective Retreat Section on Websites

    20:53 Essential Content for Retreat Websites

    23:15 Key Questions for Potential Guests

    25:53 The Importance of Inquiry Forms

    28:13 The Pricing Debate: To Show or Not to Show?

    37:51 Implementing Effective Website Changes for Growth

    40:45 Growth Action Plan for Camps

    Resources:

    Improve and Grow Website Services - https://improveandgrow.com/

    Cross Oak Camp - https://crossoakamp.com/

    They Ask You Answer by Marcus Sheridan
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    45 mins
  • Ep 4 | Growth Comes from Saying No

    Ep 4 | Growth Comes from Saying No
    Mar 27 2026

    In this episode, Carl shares a tip on how camps can get to the top of Google quickly by leveraging the Google Ads grant and Mark interviews Ryan Moore from Kaleidoscope. Ryan shares insights on strategic planning, camp growth, and the importance of clarity and courage for camp leaders. Discover practical tips, inspiring stories, and a special offer for listeners to enhance your camp's impact and sustainability.

    Keywords:

    camp growth, strategic planning, camp leadership, camp marketing, Kaleidoscope, camp development, non-profit, camp strategy, camp sustainability, growth tips

    Key Topics

    The role of clarity and courage in camp growth

    How strategic planning drives camp success

    The importance of outcomes over features

    Using data and assessment for growth

    Stories of camp impact and transformation

    Hosts

    Mark P. Fisher, Inspiring Growth

    Guest

    Ryan Moore, Kaleidoscope, Inc

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup

    00:05 Welcome to the Grow Your Camp Podcast

    01:25 Marketing Tip: Google Ads Grant for Nonprofits

    04:51 Ryan Moore's Camp Connection and Story

    08:07 Overview of Kaleidoscope's Services

    12:18 Challenges Facing Camps: Clarity and Courage

    17:25 Case Study: Strategic Planning Success

    20:49 Conclusion and Call to Action

    Resources

    • Learn more about Kaleidoscope Consulting at https://kaleidoscopeinc.com/
    • Register for the Google for Nonprofits program to access the Google Ads Grant at https://www.google.com/nonprofits/
    • Submit a Topic to the Grow Your Camp Podcast via our website at https://growyourcamppodcast.com
    • Talk to Carl at Improve & Grow about getting help setting up your Google Ad Grant at https://improveandgrow.com/
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • Ep 3 | Be Less Busy: Using Technology to Grow Your Camp

    Ep 3 | Be Less Busy: Using Technology to Grow Your Camp
    Mar 22 2026

    In this episode, Mark shared a marketing tip called "Eat What You Kill", which covers the importance and benefits of having dedicated sales roles vs. shared, and the option of virtual sales support. Carl and Mark also interview Asaf Darash, CEO of RegPack, who shares how their innovative registration platform helps camps grow by increasing registration completion rates, reducing account receivables, and offering flexible payment options. Discover how technology can streamline camp operations and boost growth.

    Keywords

    Camp growth, camp sales strategy, camp registration software, summer camp payment plans, camp management, camp marketing, camp registration automation, camp software, camp registration tips, camp industry

    Key Topics

    Kill What You Eat: Benefits of Dedicated Sales Reps

    RegPacks's innovative registration platform

    Impact of camp stories on growth

    Flexible installment payment systems

    Reducing account receivables from 25% to 3-5%

    Integrating marketing tools for measurable ROI

    Hosts

    Mark P. Fisher, Inspiring Growth

    Carl Lefever, Improve & Grow

    Guest

    Asaf Darash, Founder and CEO at RegPack

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    00:39 Quick Camp Marketing Tip: Eat What You Kill

    04:51 Introduction to RegPack and Its Unique Approach

    14:44 The Power of Conditional Logic in Registration

    24:46 Pricing Models and Support

    28:20 Case Study: Transforming Camp Operations

    32:04 Conclusion: Be Less Busy

    Resources

    RegPAC Official Website - https://regpacks.com

    Inspiring Growth Virtual Sales - https://go.inspiringgrowth.biz/
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    35 mins
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