INSIGHT

FIVE THINGS TO FOCUS ON FOR 2026

In the coming year, families you’re trying to reach are dealing with a higher cost of living than ever before. There are more kids than ever with anxiety and other mental health concerns. Meanwhile, you face escalating operating expenses, along with staffing challenges.

How do we best deal with this?

Here are five things we think you should pay attention to in 2026 (a number of which we can help you with!):

1. Provide social proof of the effects your camp has on kids and families
   
   

   Share testimonials and positive feedback from parents and campers on your website and in your social media. Do this in written form and in video.

   OUR KIDS’ videos and reviews go into depth about the value of your camp, unlike any other reviews. These strong reviews highlight the growth kids gain from camps, detailed and drawn out in a way no other reviews are:

   • Jennifer’s look back on the effect Camp Kwasind has had on her life
   • Marc Andre and Anne Marie’s discussion of the ("significant!") personal growth their kids have had at Camp Eden Woods
   • Marjorie’s personal look at how Pedalheads helped her child progress in bike-riding—and confidence
   • Javier’s sharing of how his son grew more courageous thanks to Great Big Theatre Company


2. Showcase camp life as much as possible

   You might find it hard to generate followers and likes on Instagram or TikTok. Those platforms aren’t built for marketing. Still if you post a video that only gets 20 likes it might have more impact and influence than you think.

   To be honest, though, your photo gallery on OurKids.net and Camps.ca profiles is a better way to truly showcase camp life to many more parents. Profiles got an average of 1,065 views on our platform in the last year.



3. Offer payment plans, flexibility, or financial help

   Do what you can to relieve families’ financial pressure. Some tips:

   • Offer early bird discounts and/or sibling discounts (if you don’t already) to help relieve families’ financial stress.
   • Point families to Our Kids’ robust list of tips on paying for camps. We include tax credits, creative self-financing ideas, and third party financial aid organizations. Link to this from your website or share it on your social channels (see link below).


4. Get your communication game on point

   Interact with your audience in social media, including but not limited to: email, Instagram, reddit, and of course, OUR KIDS’ websites. When you interact with families, focus on promoting the long-term value of your camp experience as much as you can.



5. Build out a robust website presence that’s search- and AI-friendly

   Many of the things that worked for search engine optimization help you with optimizing for AI overviews and other AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, etc. Here are a few things that will help you:

   • Use schema markup for all key information on your website, to give search engines and AI crawlers easily crawlable snippets.
   • Properly structure headings, navigation, and other content to optimize parsing of all critical content.
   • Optimize page speed & mobile responsiveness. A fast site is great for users but it also helps you optimize for search and AI.
   • Add an XML sitemap, and regularly update this in Google Search Console, whenever you add any new pages to your site.

ACT

UPDATE YOUR PROFILE FOR THE EARLY REGISTRATION

In preparation for the upcoming season, be sure your OurKids.net and Camps.ca profiles are fully updated to maximize lead generation. Please review the following:

• Programs & Sessions: Double-check your dates, rates, and locations. Sessions appear across many pages on our sites, not just your main profile.
• User Reviews: Reviews from parents, campers, and alumni build credibility and trust. Each new review strengthens your brand.
• Insider’s Perspective Videos: If you have unbooked videos, now is the time. Families respond to authentic stories, and video is one of the most trusted formats for validating their decision.
• Brand Identity: Complete your brand identity details in Basic Info, including differentiation, staff, and registration. These insights help families clearly see what sets you apart.

SAVE $400 WHEN YOU RENEW

As you prepare for the upcoming season, now is the time to renew your membership and secure your uninterrupted visibility across search engines, AI platforms, and, most importantly, in the minds of prospective families.

In 2026, we’re rolling out exciting new enhancements designed to reflect the latest shifts in the marketplace and technology. From AI-powered smart filters to automated profile updates and more, these innovations will make it easier than ever to stand out and connect with the right families.

Learn what’s NEW in 2026

Not found on OUR KIDS yet?

As Canada's most influential platform for families researching camps and programs, OUR KIDS connects highly engaged local families with the options they seek. Our thoughtfully curated content about your organization will amplify your brand awareness and influence families to choose your program.

Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your marketing in a way that’s proven effective for 300+ clients for the last 28 years.

Learn about OUR KIDS

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