Ever wonder which parts of your camp are really making an impact?
Running a successful camp is about more than activities and schedules. It’s about understanding what’s working and where you can improve. By looking at your camp through a lens of data, you can turn everyday observations into measurable insights, make informed decisions, and set goals that truly enhance the experience for your campers and staff.
In our previous post, Simple KPIs to Guide Your Camp’s Growth, we explored how KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) can help connect your mission to meaningful goals. This next step is about choosing KPIs that align with your camp’s unique purpose because the most valuable data reflects what your organization cares about most.
Start With Your Mission
Your camp’s mission is the lens that brings your data into focus. Think about what your organization values most, then choose KPIs that show how well you’re living out those values.
For example:
Community & Belonging: % of campers who report making a new friend
Growth & Skill-Building: % of campers who tried a new activity or improved a skill
Staff Excellence: Staff return rate year over year
Camper Retention: % of campers returning next summer
Each of these metrics can help you demonstrate how your mission comes to life in measurable ways.
Turn Data Into Stories
Once you start collecting this information, your data can do more than measure progress—it can tell the story of your impact.
For boards or funders: Use KPIs to show outcomes and justify new investments in programs, equipment, or staffing.
For prospective parents: Use KPIs to highlight how your camp delivers on its promise—connection, growth, and confidence that lasts beyond summer.
Numbers alone don’t make decisions—they support the story you already know to be true about your camp.
Ready to Build Your Framework?
If you’re new to tracking KPIs, this chart is a great place to start. It highlights examples of measurable goals that can guide your camp’s growth and success. Use it to identify a few KPIs that align with your mission, then refine each one by defining what success looks like for your organization.
Download these charts to find ideas for KPIs that connect directly to your mission and goals.
For next steps and practical advice on putting KPIs into action, check out our blogs:
