Case Study: Camp Walden
A Neighborhood in the Woods:
How Campminder Helps Camp Walden Stay Connected
Camp Walden isn’t just a summer camp—it’s a neighborhood in the woods. Nestled in the heart of nature in Cheboygan, Michigan, Walden is a screen-free camp where campers create their own schedules, moving between activities and meeting new friends throughout the day. Instead of staying with the same cabin group, campers crisscross camp to horseback riding, kayaking, the farm, and other activities.
With 200-250 campers and more 100 staff members on site at any given time, running this kind of open, dynamic community requires seamless communication. For owner/director Liz Stevens, and James Hickey, Assistant Director, that’s where Campminder comes in.
From Pencils to Pixels
When Liz and her husband Scott took over camp operations in 2006, everything was done by hand—registrations, communications, even cabin assignments. “All the registrations were in a ledger, in pencil, in my mom’s beautiful cursive handwriting,” Liz recalls. Letters were printed, stamped, and mailed, arriving days later.
Fast forward to today, and Campminder has transformed operations. Camper registration, donor management, alumni outreach, and health records all run through one system. “I spend more time in Campminder than anything else in my life,” Liz says. The transition from ledgers to a streamlined, online system has been game-changing.
Same Bus, Less Fuss
One of the biggest upgrades has been text messaging for transportation days. With buses arriving from suburban Detroit and Chicago, parents used to wonder, Where’s the bus? Now, Camp Walden sends texts throughout the journey:
- Morning departure updates so parents know exactly when buses leave camp.
- ETA adjustments based on traffic conditions.
- Arrival alerts so families know their campers are safe at camp.
The ability to plan messages ahead of time has been a major efficiency boost for James. “Being able to draft texts a few days before travel makes everything smoother, especially on chaotic bus days.”
Don’t Want to Miss a Thing
Beyond buses, Camp Walden also uses texting to make sure caregivers don’t miss important emails.
If an essential update goes out—such as a form deadline reminder—Liz follows up with a short text:
“Just sent you an email—check it out when you can!”
The response? Parents appreciate it. James notes that very few opt out of text messaging, signaling that they find these reminders helpful rather than intrusive. “We don’t overdo it,” Liz explains. “That way, when parents get a text from us, they know it’s something we really want them to see.”
Quick Wins
