『Grow Your Camp』のカバーアート

Grow Your Camp

Grow Your Camp

著者： Mark P. Fisher & Carl Lefever
無料で聴く

今ならプレミアムプランが3カ月 月額99円

2026年5月12日まで。4か月目以降は月額1,500円で自動更新します。

概要

Welcome to the Grow Your Camp Podcast: Because 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.

Episodes are 25-45 minutes in length, content is fun, engaging and practical. We bring on reputable guests that work in or on camp and always include a quick camp marketing tip at the top of each episode.

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
エピソード
  • Ep 6 | From Empty Beds to a Waiting List

    Ep 6 | From Empty Beds to a Waiting List
    2026/04/03

    In this episode, Carl shares a camp marketing tip on how answering unasked questions on your website can dramatically increase retreat inquiries. Then Mark sits down with John Schwieterman, Executive Director of Cross Oaks Camp and Retreat Center, to unpack how he transformed a struggling camp into a rapidly growing operation.

    John shares the real story behind that growth—from cold calling hundreds of churches with limited results to implementing a system that now generates consistent inbound leads and an 88% close rate. They walk through the practical changes that made the difference, including website improvements, digital marketing strategy, and the leadership shift required to stop doing everything alone.

    You’ll hear what actually worked, what didn’t, and how to think about growth as both an operational and strategic challenge. If you’re trying to fill more beds, increase bookings, or move your camp out of survival mode, this episode gives you a clear, real-world example of what that path can look like.

    Keywords

    camp growth, retreat bookings, camp marketing, lead generation, website optimization, digital marketing, camp leadership, nonprofit growth, camp revenue, guest groups

    Key Topics
    • Why most camp websites fail to convert inquiries
    • The shift from cold outreach to inbound lead generation
    • Website structure and FAQ strategy for better conversions
    • Using Google Ads and SEO to drive qualified leads
    • Improving close rates with better lead quality
    • The operational challenges that come with growth
    • Leadership mindset: when and how to ask for help
    • Measuring ROI on marketing investments
    Hosts

    Mark P. Fisher, Inspiring Growth
    Carl Lefever, Improve & Grow

    Guest

    John Schwieterman, Executive Director
    Cross Oaks Camp and Retreat Center

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
    02:00 Camp Marketing Tip: Answering Unasked Questions
    05:08 John’s Camp Story and Background
    08:48 Challenges Facing Camp Growth
    12:45 Early Growth Efforts and Cold Calling Strategy
    18:48 Realizing the Need for Help
    21:16 Investing in Marketing and Systems
    23:24 Website and Lead Generation Transformation
    27:46 Results: Higher Close Rates and Revenue Growth
    30:29 The Operational Reality of Growth
    31:54 Leadership Lessons and Asking for Help
    33:08 Advice for Executive Directors
    35:03 Understanding Marketing ROI
    39:26 Time Management and Scaling Leadership

    Resources

    Cross Oaks Camp and Retreat Center – https://crossoaks.com
    Google for Nonprofits – https://www.google.com/nonprofits
    HubSpot CRM – https://www.hubspot.com
    Grow Your Camp Podcast – https://growyourcamppodcast.com

    Have a question you'd like us to cover on a future podcast?

    Click here to record your question >

    If this episode was helpful to you:
    • Follow / subscribe to the podcast
    • Share it with another camp leader who could benefit
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    40 分
  • Ep 5 | The Missing Pages That Drive Retreat Bookings for Camps

    Ep 5 | The Missing Pages That Drive Retreat Bookings for Camps
    2026/03/27

    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

    Have a question you'd like us to cover on a future podcast? Click here to record your question >

    If this episode was helpful to you:

    • Follow / subscribe to the podcast
    • Share it with another camp leader
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    45 分
  • Ep 4 | Growth Comes from Saying No

    Ep 4 | Growth Comes from Saying No
    2026/03/27

    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/

    Have a question you'd like us to cover on a future podcast? Click here to record your question >

    If this episode was helpful to you:

    • Follow / subscribe to the podcast
    • Share it with another camp leader
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    25 分
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