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.

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

• 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

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

John Schwieterman, Executive Director
Cross Oaks Camp and Retreat Center

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

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

Click here to record your question >

• Follow / subscribe to the podcast
• Share it with another camp leader who could benefit

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

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