Winter break is here: and as parents send their children to winter camps, a team of educators and volunteers is standing by to give them an epic good time. This can be a hard time of year, though. We’re all tired. We’ve all hustled all year, either as teachers or program leaders or afterschool/enrichment educators. It’s important to gain an energy boost, since winter camp sets the tone for how schoolers will engage with upcoming spring break and then summer camps. Maximizing buy-in is key to securing enrollments for those programs, so here are some tips to gain momentum through this winter break!

Bonus: this is geared toward what we at Drone Legends call our “Ambitious Educators” or “Creative Program Leaders,” but definitely gives ideas for what we call “Future-Minded Adults,” i.e. the parents who make it all possible. Whatever category you fit into, read on for some ideas to make every winter break program experience a success!

Pick the Right Program (Winter Break Drone Camp? Yes, Please)

Attracting school-age kids to winter camp is all about the BIG (COOL) IDEA. While you could go the coding or robotics route, that excludes kids who aren’t technologically-inclined. Of course, we are totally biased, but winter drone camp has proven time and again to be a tech-friendly but majorly inclusive option. A few key reasons why:

Planning Winter Break

It’s crunch time, and let’s face it, very few of us spend weeks and weeks drafting lesson plans for winter break. For the most part, it sneaks up on us and we wing it. But admins know that the purchasing has to happen in advance, as does the marketing to attract as many kids as possible. 

For Administrators

You’ll secure more enrollments and have a well-run program if you tick a few boxes in advance:

For Educators

As a teacher or program leader, it’s easy to focus on classroom activities toward the end of the year, but winter break is a big deal. Your students get a break, and so do you. Departing from academically-intensive routines can free students up to be more creative, and give everyone a much needed break. Well, it’s in the name. So as you prepare for winter break, here are some tips:

For Parents

Parents run the gamut of “I had winter break planned in June” to “the kids don’t have school next week?” Wherever you fall in that range, there are some things you can do to ease the transition from school to break and back again. Here are some ideas:

Running Winter Break

Winter break can sometimes be a free for all, occupying different areas of the school or getting shuffled around in an unconventional schedule. Not to mention the interruption of day trips or field trips during the week. It’s important that admins and teachers are on the same page about what to expect. Running a winter break can go like clockwork, as long as the logistics are taken care of:

Most importantly: HAVE FUN. Winter break has to be a blast. Everyone needs this down time. Picking the right program is so important, but so is giving teachers or employees the freedom to enjoy the time with students. Add music and lights and decorations and a little leeway for free play. Sometimes, those experiences are just as important as the educational or curriculum components.

Winter Break Follow Up

Once winter break is over, a new year typically starts, which can distract substantially from all-important follow up. We urge you not to let that happen: how you follow up with every student in your winter break program can make or break spring break, which makes or breaks summer camp. This cascading effect is real, and problems can be avoided if you plan in advance how you will call, mail, text or email parents the following messages:

Drone Legends: Winter Camp With Drones

Ever-popular, drone camps for kids are always a winning choice. However, without a plan, drones can be confusing or costly or only work with a couple of kids. The magic of drones is unlocked when you introduce them with the right program, and of course, we have that. To explore how drone camps can come to your location or school, contact us today.