Grow Your Camp
Claim This Podcastby Mark P. Fisher & Carl Lefever
Podcast Overview
<p><b>Welcome to the Grow Your Camp Podcast: 'Cause You Can't Minister to Empty Beds</b></p><p><i>Where we share stories and systems to help camps grow.</i></p><p></p><p><b>Hosts:</b></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-p-fisher/" target="_blank">Mark P. Fisher</a>, of <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.inspiringgrowth.biz/" target="_blank">Inspiring Growth</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carllefever/" target="_blank">Carl Lefever</a>, of <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://improveandgrow.com/industries/camp-marketing/" target="_blank">Improve & Grow</a></p><p></p><p><b>Overview:</b></p><p>Most camp directors didn't sign up to be marketers. They signed up because they know what happens to a kid who spends a week away from everything — and they wanted to be part of it. But empty beds are a real problem, and figuring out how to fill them, fund the mission, and still lead well is work nobody really prepared you for.</p><p></p><p>The Grow Your Camp Podcast exists for <b>that director</b>. Every episode opens with one tactic you can use this week — then goes deeper with a real camp leader who's already solved the problem you're sitting with. Real numbers. Real stories. The systems behind the growth.</p><p>This is what it sounds like when the mission gets to grow.</p><p></p><p><b>Key Themes:</b></p><ul><li><b>Filling the Calendar:</b> 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.</li><li><b>Marketing that Feels Like Ministry:</b> 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. </li><li><b>Digital Growth Systems:</b> 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.</li><li><b>Stories of Growth:</b> 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.</li><li><b>Leading for Growth:</b> 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.</li></ul><p></p><p>Episodes are typical 30-45 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.</p><p></p><p><b>Have a specific question you'd like us to cover?</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.speakpipe.com/GrowYourCamp" target="_blank">Click here to record a question and submit to our team.</a></p><p></p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/6/2026
1 verified contact email on file for Grow Your Camp
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Recent Episodes
June 26, 2026
EP 14 | How Camps Can Access Free Advertising on Google via the Google Ads Grant
<p>Many camps struggle with visibility—not because their programs lack value, but because the right families, churches, and retreat planners never discover them.</p><p></p><p>Mark opens the episode with a practical camp marketing tip on following up with retreat inquiries that have gone silent, sharing a simple email subject line that can restart conversations and recover lost bookings. Then Carl shares how an unexpected project at Refreshing Mountain Camp introduced him to Google Ads and ultimately launched a career helping camps grow through digital marketing.</p><p></p><p>The conversation then turns to one of the biggest opportunities available to nonprofit camps: the Google Ad Grant. Carl explains how eligible 501(c)(3) organizations can receive up to $10,000 per month in free Google advertising, walks through the application process, campaign setup, keyword strategy, and the common mistakes that prevent camps from seeing results. He also shares real examples of camps using the grant to generate more registrations, retreat inquiries, and community engagement, along with his perspective on how AI is changing search and what camp leaders should be doing to stay visible online.</p><p></p><p><b>Keywords</b></p><p>Google Ads Grant, nonprofit marketing, camp marketing, retreat center marketing, Google advertising, camp enrollment, nonprofit advertising, digital marketing, summer camps, retreat bookings</p><p></p><p><b>Sound Bites</b></p><p>"About fifty percent of the camps I talk to have no idea the grant program exists."</p><p>"One of the biggest mistakes camps make is they apply for the grant and then they never do anything else with it."</p><p>"The reality is organic listings just continue to get pushed further and further down."</p><p>"You could start showing up at the top of Google and not have to pay for the ads."</p><p></p><p><b>Hosts</b></p><p>Mark P. Fisher,<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://go.inspiringgrowth.biz/" target="_blank"> Inspiring Growth</a></p><p>Carl Lefever,<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://improveandgrow.com/industries/camp-marketing/" target="_blank"> Improve & Grow</a></p><p></p><p><b>Resources</b></p><p>How to Apply for a Google Ads Grant<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://growyourcamppodcast.com/blog/how-to-apply-for-google-ad-grant/" target="_blank">https://growyourcamppodcast.com/blog/how-to-apply-for-google-ad-grant/</a></p><p>Google for Nonprofits Program Website<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.google.com/nonprofits/" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/nonprofits/</a><br /></p><p><b>Have a question you'd like us to cover?</b></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://growyourcamppodcast.com/feedback/" target="_blank">Click here to record your question ></a></p><p></p><p><b>Want Help Growing Your Camp?</b></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://growyourcamppodcast.com/discovery-call/" target="_blank"><b>Click here to schedule a call ></b></a></p><p></p><p>If you’re enjoying the podcast, be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.</p><p></p><p>Music licensed through Soundstripe.</p><p>Code: UTVAPPJTMM75SPDU</p>
June 19, 2026
Ep 13 | Increase Camp Revenue Without Adding More Guests
<p>Many camp leaders assume the only way to grow revenue is to add more guests, build more facilities, or create more programs. But what if growth starts with better stewardship of the capacity you already have?</p><p>Mark Fisher shares the personal story that reshaped his career, including the health crisis and board decision that led him from camp leadership into consulting. That journey sets the stage for a practical conversation about one of the most misunderstood topics in camping: pricing.</p><p>Mark and Carl discuss why many camps underprice their highest-demand dates, how waitlists reveal hidden opportunities, and why demand-based pricing is about stewardship—not simply charging more. They break down practical ways to get started, including seasonal pricing, using waitlists as a decision-making tool, giving booking teams flexibility to solve problems, and creating pricing options that help both camps and guests succeed.</p><p>The episode also opens with a practical marketing tip on expanding your camp's online visibility through free directory listings, including Google Maps, Apple Maps, Yelp, tourism websites, and camp-specific directories.<br /></p><p><b>Keywords</b></p><p>demand-based pricing, camp pricing strategy, camp revenue growth, camp sustainability, seasonal pricing, camp waitlists, retreat center pricing, camp stewardship, camp capacity management<br /></p><p><b>Sound Bites</b></p><p>"Our fifth son is being raised by a different father."</p><p>"That day, that generosity unlocked the future for me."</p><p>"The F word. It's four letters and it's full."</p><p>"We're full, we're full. And I'll say, that's a cuss word we don't use. We say, we have a wait list."</p><p>"Waitlisting is really the indicator on a leader's dashboard."<br /></p><p><b>Hosts</b></p><p>Mark P. Fisher, <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://go.inspiringgrowth.biz/" target="_blank">Inspiring Growth</a></p><p>Carl Lefever, <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://improveandgrow.com/industries/retreat-camp-marketing/" target="_blank">Improve & Grow</a><br /></p><p><b>Chapters</b></p><p>00:00 Episode Soundbites</p><p>00:13 Introduction</p><p>01:17 Quick Camp Marketing Tip</p><p>06:55 Mark's Story</p><p>18:10 Camp Pricing</p><p>22:15 The Waitlist: Your Demand Signal</p><p>34:15 Putting Demand-Based Pricing to Work</p><p>42:20 Communicating Price Changes</p><p>47:32 Real Results & Camp Stories</p><p>52:08 Baby Steps to Get Started</p><p></p><p><b>Resources</b></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://growyourcamppodcast.com/blog/expand-directory-listings/" target="_blank">Camp Directory Listings Guide</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805" target="_blank">Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss</a><br /></p><p><b>Have a question or topic you’d like us to cover on a future episode?</b><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://growyourcamppodcast.com/#section-jX_si5C89T" target="_blank"> Submit a topic idea</a>.</p><p>If you’re enjoying the podcast, be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.</p><p>If you’d like help growing your camp or retreat center, connect with<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://improveandgrow.com/industries/camp-marketing/" target="_blank"> Carl at Improve & Grow</a> or<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://grm.improveandgrow.com/retreat-camp-discovery-call" target="_blank"> schedule a meeting with Carl</a>.</p><p>You can also connect with<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://go.inspiringgrowth.biz/" target="_blank"> Mark at Inspiring Growth</a> or<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://meetings.hubspot.com/mark607" target="_blank"> schedule a meeting with Mark</a>.</p><p></p><p>Music licensed through Soundstripe.</p><p>Code: PEUWHTCU2NBTYHZJ, BQHFSGNXOLYO5MEY, BI46AFUWOYJCJMZS</p>
May 25, 2026
Ep 12 | The Real Reason Guests Rebook Your Camp
<p>Refreshing Mountain has doubled revenue over the last decade while maintaining a strong focus on guest relationships and retention. In this episode, Administrative Director Justin Harnish shares the principles that helped the camp grow without losing the culture that built its reputation.</p><p>Mark opens with a personal dedication to his mother’s 85th birthday and reflects on the people and experiences that shape camp leaders over time.</p><p></p><p>Carl’s quick marketing tip explains why camps should stop sending every audience to the same homepage and how dedicated landing pages can improve conversions and lead generation.</p><p></p><p>Justin then shares his personal camp story and how a formative camp experience shaped both his faith and belief in the long-term power of camp ministry.</p><p></p><p>The conversation explores the two “Christian marketing principles” guiding Refreshing Mountain’s growth strategy. “Relationships Trump Everything” focuses on intentional guest care and personalized communication. “Return Business Is Worth Investing In” covers stewardship, rebooking strategy, guest retention, and why long-term relationships drive sustainable growth.</p><p></p><p>Justin also shares lessons around guest feedback, occupancy planning, and how adding meeting room capacity became a major growth driver for year-round bookings.</p><p></p><p><b>Keywords</b></p><p>camp marketing, camp retention, rebooking strategy, retreat center growth, guest experience, Christian camp leadership, landing pages for camps</p><p></p><p><b>Sound Bites</b></p><ul><li>“Relationships trump everything.”</li><li>“Return business is a metric of integrity.”</li><li>“The camps growing fastest online make visitors instantly feel: ‘This is exactly for me.’”</li><li>“Happy returning guests are your best marketing.”</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Hosts</b></p><p>Mark P. Fisher, <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://go.inspiringgrowth.biz/" target="_blank">Inspiring Growth</a><br />Carl Lefever, <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://improveandgrow.com/industries/camp-marketing/" target="_blank">Improve & Grow</a></p><p><b>Guest</b></p><p>Justin Harnish, Refreshing Mountain</p><p></p><p><b>Chapters</b></p><p>00:05 Welcome & Episode Dedication<br />02:38 Quick Camp Marketing Tip<br />08:40 Justin's Camp Story<br />09:29 The Power of Camp Experiences<br />11:57 Refreshing Mountain Background<br />14:51 Balancing Business and Ministry<br />15:57 Org Challenges During Season of Growth<br />22:52 Principles of Relationship-Driven Service<br />24:53 Understanding Rebooking and Customer Feedback<br />26:42 Enhancing Customer Experience Through Personalization<br />30:09 The Importance of Rebooking and Customer Relationships<br />37:13 Investing in Return Business<br />45:20 The Impact of Meeting Room Capacity on Revenue<br />45:57 Growth Partnership with Improve & Grow<br />48:22 Making Way for Innovation at Camp<br />53:22 Episode Debrief with Mark & Carl<br />59:42 Closing Message & New Website Features</p><p></p><p><b>Resources</b></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aGUHG6pTLSwHrKxPCXKgSyEfSySehCG6/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Refreshing Mountain Christian Marketing Principles</a></p><p></p><p><b>Have a question you'd like us to cover?</b></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://growyourcamppodcast.com" target="_blank">Click here to record your question ></a></p><p></p><p><b>Want Help Growing Your Camp?</b></p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://meetings.hubspot.com/mark607" target="_blank">Schedule a Chat with Mark ></a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://grm.improveandgrow.com/retreat-camp-discovery-call" target="_blank">Schedule a Chat with Carl ></a></li></ul>
14 total episodes available
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- What is Grow Your Camp?
<p><b>Welcome to the Grow Your Camp Podcast: 'Cause You Can't Minister to Empty Beds</b></p><p><i>Where we share stories and systems to help camps grow.</i></p><p></p><p><b>Hosts:</b></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-p-fisher/" target="_blank">Mark P. Fisher</a>, of <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.inspiringgrowth.biz/" target="_blank">Inspiring Growth</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carllefever/" target="_blank">Carl Lefever</a>, of <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://improveandgrow.com/industries/camp-marketing/" target="_blank">Improve & Grow</a></p><p></p><p><b>Overview:</b></p><p>Most camp directors didn't sign up to be marketers. They signed up because they know what happens to a kid who spends a week away from everything — and they wanted to be part of it. But empty beds are a real problem, and figuring out how to fill them, fund the mission, and still lead well is work nobody really prepared you for.</p><p></p><p>The Grow Your Camp Podcast exists for <b>that director</b>. Every episode opens with one tactic you can use this week — then goes deeper with a real camp leader who's already solved the problem you're sitting with. Real numbers. Real stories. The systems behind the growth.</p><p>This is what it sounds like when the mission gets to grow.</p><p></p><p><b>Key Themes:</b></p><ul><li><b>Filling the Calendar:</b> 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.</li><li><b>Marketing that Feels Like Ministry:</b> 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. </li><li><b>Digital Growth Systems:</b> 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.</li><li><b>Stories of Growth:</b> 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.</li><li><b>Leading for Growth:</b> 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.</li></ul><p></p><p>Episodes are typical 30-45 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.</p><p></p><p><b>Have a specific question you'd like us to cover?</b> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.speakpipe.com/GrowYourCamp" target="_blank">Click here to record a question and submit to our team.</a></p><p></p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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