For many private K–12 schools, summer is a time to slow down, regroup, and prepare for the coming academic year. But for families whose children attend your summer camps—especially those not currently enrolled—this season is a golden opportunity to plant seeds for future enrollment.
And when it comes to families who may be unfamiliar with private education or concerned about affordability, offering insights into your financial aid process can be the game changer that turns a great camp experience into a lifelong school relationship.
So how can your admissions and financial aid teams make the most of this warm-weather window? Here are eight smart, approachable ways to engage prospective financial aid applicants through your summer camps.
1. Host a “Discover Financial Aid” Pop-Up During Pickup Time
Pickup and drop-off windows are high-traffic moments that lend themselves to informal but meaningful engagement. Set up a welcoming booth with signage like “Curious about tuition assistance?” or “Wondering if private school is possible for your family?”
Offer brochures, answer questions, and provide a quick interest form families can fill out to request a follow-up. Keep it casual, friendly, and free of jargon—this is about planting seeds, not pushing paperwork.
2. Offer Short Financial Aid Mini-Workshops
Consider offering a series of short (20–30 minute) financial aid “mini-sessions” one evening a week during camp. These should be open to all camp families—especially those not currently enrolled—and provide a high-level overview of your school’s affordability philosophy.
Make these sessions approachable:
- No application forms
- No pressure to enroll
- Just honest, clear info about how financial aid works
Include real scenarios or anonymous sample awards to show what’s possible. Many families are surprised to learn that private education is within reach.
3. Send a “Camp to Classroom” Welcome Packet
Create a special packet or digital guide for non-enrolled camp families introducing them to your school community. Include:
- A letter from your admissions director
- A FAQ on applying for financial aid
- A link to your upcoming open house dates
- Testimonials from current parents who received aid
This helps position your school not just as a summer experience—but as a potential year-round home for their child’s education.
4. Use Camp Staff as Storytellers
Camp counselors are on the front lines of family interactions and are often trusted by kids and parents alike. Train your staff with a few talking points about the school’s values, financial accessibility, and how summer camp offerings connect to the broader school experience.
They don’t need to pitch admissions—they just need to be ready to say something like:
“You know, a lot of families start at camp and end up joining the school—especially after learning about our financial aid program.”
5. Invite Families to a “Behind the Scenes” Campus Tour
Organize a relaxed, family-friendly tour one afternoon during camp to give parents a chance to explore your campus and experience the warmth of your school community. Even if school isn’t in session, walking through classrooms, libraries, and arts or athletic facilities can help families visualize their child as part of your school. Make the event special by including a brief welcome from the Head of School, an introduction to the financial aid team, and light refreshments to help create a welcoming atmosphere. Many parents may assume private school is financially out of reach; this is your opportunity to gently rewrite that narrative by showing them what’s possible.
6. Feature Financial Aid Stories on Your Camp Communications
Whether you’re sending weekly camp newsletters or daily photo recaps, include short parent testimonials or quotes about financial aid:
“We weren’t sure private school was an option until we talked to the financial aid team. Now both our kids are thriving here.”
Or spotlight alumni who started as summer campers and later received financial support to attend. These stories normalize the idea that affordability and private education can go hand-in-hand.
7. Offer Early Pre-Application Consultations
Summer is a great time to offer 15–20 minute one-on-one “pre-application consultations” for interested families. These sessions should be informal but structured enough to:
- Learn about the family’s background
- Explain financial aid eligibility basics
- Provide a roadmap for applying later in the year
Use a gentle intake form (digital or on paper) to help gather info ahead of time. For families who may be unfamiliar with financial aid processes, this personal attention can make all the difference.
8. Follow Up with Purpose in the Fall
The seeds you plant during summer need nurturing in the fall. After camp ends, follow up with families who engaged with your team—especially those who expressed interest in financial aid.
Send personalized thank-you emails, as well as handwritten thank-you emails. Send invitations to your fall open houses and fall financial aid workshops. Make sure you include a reminder of your financial aid deadlines and an encouraging note about the family’s child and how much they enjoyed summer camp.
These follow-ups can gently turn curiosity into applications—and ultimately, enrollment.
For many families, summer camp is their very first experience with your school. Their child is laughing, exploring, making new friends—and they start to wonder: Could this be our school, too?
Don’t let financial awarding assumptions keep your prospects from applying. Many families, especially those new to private K-12 education, assume they won’t qualify for assistance—or that the process is too complicated or intimidating.
That’s why offering warm, welcoming, and low-pressure opportunities to learn about financial aid during summer camp is so powerful. It bridges the gap between curiosity and confidence.
And for your school, it’s a strategic move. Engaging with families before they’re officially in the admissions funnel gives you a head start on building relationships, understanding needs, and planning aid resources accordingly.
Your summer camp program is more than a fun seasonal offering—it’s a powerful extension of your school’s brand, mission, and values. Every high five from a counselor, every creative art and summer science project, every giggle on the playground is a window into what makes your school special.
By thoughtfully introducing financial aid resources and outreach during camp, you help families imagine something bigger: a future where this summer isn’t the end of their experience—but the very beginning.
So go ahead—plant those seeds. With intention, warmth, and just the right amount of information, you’ll help them grow into strong, lasting relationships with families who may not have otherwise found their way to your school.
Request a demo to see how you can support every step of their financial aid journey—from camper to student.
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