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& Retreats, Leadership Adventure Programs, and a variety of family pro-
grams. Camp Kern is a $2.5 million branch operation of the Greater Dayton
YMCA.
In 2002, YMCA Camp Kern had a summer camp retention rate of 29
percent, meaning that out of 10 children attending Camp Kern for the first
time in 2001, only 3 campers returned in the summer of 2002. The national
average rate of summer camper retention (campers who return after their first
year experience) is approximately 50 percent. Additionally, Camp Kern had
a retention rate of 34 percent in conferencing; and staff retention was at an
all time low for seasonal Summer Camp and Outdoor Education staff; and
a whopping 40 percent turnover for full-time staff.
That same year, Jeff Merhige arrived as the new executive director,
determined to change the culture and philosophy of YMCA Camp Kern.
“The Disney Way model seemed to be a perfect fit for what we needed to
accomplish,” noted Jeff. Jeff and his staff team at Camp Kern would strive to
become the best in reputation, program delivery and development, relation-
ship building, facility, and work culture.
A Camp Kern Staff Guidebook was developed and new staff training was
designed for all employees, educating them on the new operating philosophy
of “Guests and Kids First,” as well as its program goals, mission statement,
and staff expectations, which included a staff commitment to excellence
contract. Staff evaluations were also created to assess responses to questions
such as: (1) What can we do to help you be excellent? (2) What would you
change to help us all be excellent? (3) What do you think should be kept the
same or modified to be excellent?
By the end of 2005, the all-inclusive sharing of dreams and goals among
Camp Kern staff resulted in a dramatic improvement in staff energy and
motivation. Camp Kern’s retention rate of summer campers had jumped to
71 percent in 2005. And conferencing today celebrates a 92 percent reten-
tion rate.
In the past three years, Camp Kern has received donations and gifts totaling
over $2 million, renovated five buildings, and built four new buildings—includ-
ing a 300-person Assembly Hall and Conference Center.
Staff retention: There has been no senior staff turnover in the past two
years (9 positions), seasonal staff retention has grown to 65 percent for
summer staff and seasonal outdoor ed staff, and full-time staff retention has
grown to 85 percent.