Analyzing Factors Influencing Summer Camp

Attendance at Slippery Rock University Camps

Courtney Lee & Paige Costantino

December 6, 2013

Research Objectives The purpose of this study was to analyze factors

influencing summer camp attendance at Slippery Rock University summer camps.

The secondary purpose of this study was to analyze the influences of why campers attend camps.

The third purpose of this study was to determine the different interests of previous campers.

The final purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of marketing and branding of Slippery Rock camps.

Slippery Rock University & Camps and Conferences Founded March 26, 1889

SRU Camps and Conferences in existence for 30 years

Hosted approximately 51 camps May 28 to August 15, 2013

Originally camps and conferences under Athletic Director

Today directed by Lisa Weinzetl since April 2009

Methodology Population – 8,347 students

Female 4,818 (58%) to Male 3,529 (42%)

Non-probability Sampling Design

Convenience Sampling

Quota Sampling

75 females and 75 males

Methodology 29-Item Questionnaire

5 Demographic

5 Close-Ended

7 Open-Ended

2 Ranking

4 Scale

6 Dichotomous

Collection of DataDistributed between

October 29th-31st

Robert M. Smith Student Center and Aebersold Recreation Center

Response Rate: 150 of 165 = 90.91%

DemographicsRace Male

Percent of Total

MalesFemale

Percent of Total

Females

White/Caucasian 68 90.67% 68 90.67%

Biracial/Multiracial 4 5.3% 3 4.0%

Black/African

American3 4.0% 2 2.67%

Hispanic/Latino(a) 0 0% 1 1.3%

Asian 0 0% 1 1.3%

Other 0 0% 0 0%

Overall Total 75 50% 75 50%

50/50

Distribution of Ages

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 2705

10152025303540

10 17 13 22 8 3 1 0 0 113 19 23 15

4 1 0 0 0 0

2336 36 37 12

4 1 0 0 1

Distribution of Ages

MaleFemaleTotal

Age

Nu

mb

er

of

Resp

on

den

ts

Median = 20

Slippery Rock Camp Attendance

15; 10%

135; 90%

Slippery Rock Camp Attendance

YesNoONLY 15

ATTENDED!!!

Why do you enjoy camp? I met long-term friends, learned more about

myself, got the college experience, and learned vital information about school

Because it was a good time to bond with my team

I met new people and explored campus

I got to stay in dorms, play competitive teams

I learned new skills and met new people

All the players were nice and I learned a lot

Opinio

ns

Camps Attended

Sports Music Academic Arts Other0

20

40

60

80

100

120

53

110

1

22

53

6 8 6

26

106

718

7

48

Types of Non-SRU Camps Attended

MaleFemaleTotal

Types of Non-SRU Camps

Num

ber

of

Respondents

Factors for Attending Camp

Reasons Female Mode Male Mode

Parents 2 1

Siblings 3 3

Friends 1 1

Other 4 4

Interests of Attending Summer Camp

Reasons Female Mode Male Mode

Sports 1 1

Music/Dance 4 3

Arts/Drama 5 5

Academics 3 2

Religion 5 5

Other 6 6

Branded Camp Importance

Not Influential Somewhat Inflential Neutral Influential Most Influential0

10

20

30

40

50

60

62

1923

25

6 7

25 26

11129

44

49

36

Branded Camp Importance

MaleFemaleTotal

Response

Num

ber

of

Respondents

What did you learn at camp? Attending field hockey camp helped improve my skill

and team chemistry

Sports – technical skills and being an all around better player

Teamwork, focus, doesn’t let anything get in your way

How to work in a team, try my best and focus on little things in a big picture

I learned how to work with children and their parents. I gained patience and interpersonal skills

I learned a lot about myself as a person and became a leader through this camp

Satisfaction with Quality and Service I had Olympic and International

coaches/mentors as well as experiences at national level events

Because the coaches were always professional offered assistance and advice

I learned a lot of the skills that were made goals for that week

I learned a lot of important skills at all the field hockey camps

99%

Satisfaction

Rate!

Repeat Camp!

115; 77%

35; 23%

Attending Camp More than Once

Yes

No

77% Return Rate

Primary Reason to Attend Summer Camp

To make friends To learn new skils

Parent's decision Mandatory team camp

Other0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

8

49

96

3

16

37

11 10

1

24

86

2016

4

Primary Reason to Attend Summer Camp

MaleFemaleTotal

Response

Num

ber

of

Respondents

Awareness of Camps My mom always found

camps for me

My parents, school, and friends

I found out about other camps through my church

Flyers in school, emails from coaches, looked online

53; 35%

97; 65%

Awareness of Camps at Slippery Rock Univer-

sity

Yes

No

Conclusions Friends greatest influence by both sexes – parents

ranked first by males also, second my females High interest and have attended sports camp by

both sexes – both individual and team camps – most concerned with skill improvement

Sports camp highest interest – academics ranked second as well by males and third by females – music, dance, leadership, scouts, and bible camps are other interests

Unaware of SRU camps – heard about camps through primary schools, parents, coaches – branded camp at SRU would increase likelihood of attendance

Recommendations Branded sports camps

Academic camps – reach out to SRU academic departments

Reach out to a wider distance from SRU in schools through NY, PA, NJ, WV, VA, OH

Partner with nationally recognized organizations such as Boy Scouts of America

Sign contracts with nationally recognized organizations and branded camps

For the Manager…

Recommendations Sample individuals under the age of 18

Survey other institutions

Focus groups

More open-ended questions

Probability sampling design

Survey parents

Survey pre, during, and post camp

Future studies…

QUESTIONS?