Wednesday evening in Arlington, Virginia. We are in a high school gym packed with families exploring summer camp options.
The speakers have pop music blasting through them. Popcorn smell is everywhere. Booths pack the entire floor, and if we’re being honest, it’s a bit overstimulating.
But in a two-hour window, Hannah and I talked with about 30 to 40 families about Twin Creeks. It was fantastic.
Camp fairs aren’t what they used to be. Most of them are a bit quieter now, lesser attended, sometimes not worth the drive. But this one still works. It’s in a good location, well-organized, and families always showing up.
Though I have to be honest here. I still love going to camp fairs.
Because camp is an easy sell.
Not because I know any clever tactics or well-rehearsed “sales” pitches. But because the product itself is inherently good.
The Elevator Pitch
When parents come up to our booth, the overview always stays simple and consistent.
Twin Creeks is in West Virginia. Overnight camp. Ages 6 to 15. Outdoors-focused. Lots of activities. Mix of structure and choice.
That’s what we have via orientation.
Sometimes kids lead the conversation instead of parents. When that happens, I skip the description entirely and just talk to the camper.
“How old are you?”
“What are you interested in?”
“Have you done camp before?”
And if you know camp, then you know the talk easily adapts to who’s driving the conversation.
If a 13-year-old looks nervous, then it’s all about how we have a separate area for ninth grade and above. That usually removes the fear that they’re too old for this (which some teens think).
If it’s a younger kid then we talk things like activities, swimming, and, of course, food.
Real Conversations from the Fair
A six-year-old recognized Twin Creeks immediately because her cousins attended. The parent already trusted the experience. I introduced Dream Week, our one-week option for younger first-time campers. Same session, just the first week.
A dad expressed concern about difficult mornings and a little trepidation if his kid didn’t adjust. “Try a week. If it doesn’t work, we’ll bump you to next year.”
Another parent asked a vulnerable question about supervision and behavior. The kind that comes from real worry, not skepticism. I answered it calmly and directly.
These kinds of questions are completely normal.
Why Camp Is Actually an Easy Sell
Everyone enters a camp fair in a good mood.
Families already want this experience for their kids. The conversation is about confirming that this specific camp is the right fit.
And camp is inherently positive. Outdoors. Growth. Fun. Adventure.
We’re talking about two weeks in West Virginia where kids make friends, build confidence, and discover they can handle more than they thought.
Camp is aspirational by default.
These days, many families enroll now without ever meeting us in person. Word-of-mouth drives a lot of decisions. But personal connection still deepens trust. That’s why I love camp fairs because it gives us more chances to talk camp. And again, camp is so easy to talk about.
The Simple Truth
When the product is good, the conversation can stay straightforward.
Just honest answers to honest questions.
Whether that happens at a camp fair, on a call, during a visit, or through emails back and forth, camp is an easy sell.
If you’ve been to a camp fair and stopped by our booth, this is what we were doing. Listening. Answering questions. Talking with your kid if they wanted to lead.
If you’re thinking about camp for your kid and wondering what that first conversation looks like, this is it.
Because camp sells itself. We’re just here to help families see if it’s the right fit.
