2021 was a year of growth for our summer camps and a year of numerous challenges. We were able to build a new site for Farmstead Camp, several new round pens, staging areas, and arenas. We bought additional horses and hired a quality summer staff. In spite of adding space for an additional twenty campers a week, we still had waiting lists for many camps that were far larger than we could have expected. Spots in camp filled up quickly and we were genuinely sorry when we could not find a spot for every child.
Although our numbers were up, our costs rose at a dizzying rate. Our insurance for the property and the trail riding business quadrupled in 2021. Hay costs were up 30%; staffing costs were up 25%, and quality horses were really expensive to buy in the Covid economy.
And then we had smoke and the closure of the Tahoe National Forest which impacted most of our August and September business, two of our busiest months.
Last summer, we had a serious struggle with offering camp days due to smoke-related concerns but we had to continue to support our staff and horses. Many of our parents were gracious enough to split camp costs with us and many did not ask for a credit or refund. But August was still a bust. We are a seasonal business and count on our summer income to pay for our horses over the winter.
How do we survive another summer like last summer? How do I personally manage the fear of another summer like last year? We need to stop being so flexible. And parents need to stop expecting that our business can accommodate their last-minute changes. We have waiting lists to fill spots but most parents have found other activities within two weeks of the camp date. Some weeks there were 10 kids on a waiting list and I still could not fill a camp opening if it was last minute. Ask yourself, how will they recoup this income, if I cancel my spot last minute?
Please do not get upset because we have been forced to change our cancellation policies. We are just trying to make 2022 less stressful and hopefully more sustainable. We have researched many local summer camps and our new policies are in line with most of them. If anything, ours perhaps need to be stricter. Most other camps are not trying to feed and shod a horse.
This year we will be adding PREC Camp Insurance for $100. per camp week and it is nonrefundable.
Summary of changes:
1. No cancellations with a refund before two weeks of the start of camp. We will provide a credit for future camp weeks or trail rides if you have purchased our new Camp Insurance.
2. Cancellations can be made two weeks prior to the start of camp with Camp Insurance for a full refund. The Camp Insurance will not be refunded.
3. Camp Date changes can be made two weeks prior to the start of camp with Camp Insurance.
4. Camp Date changes can not be made within two weeks of camp even with Camp Insurance.
5. Without Camp Insurance, cancellations after May 15, will not receive any refunds or credits.