CHESS CAMPSuccessful Scheduling, Structure, and

Incentives

CHESS CAMP SCHEDULE OPTIONS Overnight Camps

Level of Players: All Levels Level of Coach Commitment: Very High

Week-long Camps Level of Players: Novice – Advanced (no beginners) Level of Coach Commitment: High

Day-to-Day Camps Level of Players: Total Beginner – Intermediate Level of Coach Commitment: Moderate/High

Half-Day Camps Level of Players: Total Beginners – Intermediate Level of Coach Commitment: Low to Moderate

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COACH COMMITMENT LEVEL KEY Low – May not need to know the players levels as much as at other levels.

Less planning in some structures.

Moderate – Coach needs to evaluate the campers and group accordingly so everyone receives lessons at the proper level.

High – Coach tracks student progress, knowing levels of the students within each group.

Very High – Coach is also a guardian. Knows all allergies, medical conditions, eating restrictions, etc. Parents have given complete trust to coach.

CHESS CAMP SCHEDULE OPTIONS Overnight Camps

Level of Players: All Levels Level of Coach Commitment: Very High

Week-long Camps Level of Players: Novice – Advanced (no beginners) Level of Coach Commitment: High

Day-to-Day Camps Level of Players: Total Beginner – Intermediate Level of Coach Commitment: Moderate/High

Half-Day Camps Level of Players: Total Beginners – Intermediate Level of Coach Commitment: Low to Moderate

Now that you have seen the

Commitment Level Key, here’s a 2nd look!

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AN ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE … HALF-DAY CAMPS WITH HIGH COMMITMENT!

How is this different? Half-day camps could be 1-2 coaches per 25 kids, with a simple format of a

lesson (famous game), chess puzzles or drills, and free play/tournament each session.

The High Commitment Camp will have a ratio of 1:8, with Junior Coaches (typically volunteer teenagers) making that ratio even better. Campers will rotate through stations and progress with each session.

How is this possible? A dedicated staff of coaches in a program that is large enough to attract good

numbers. Organized system of stations in which each coach or junior coach knows their roll

and what is expected of them.

SCHEDULE & INCENTIVES Half-day is 9am-Noon or 1-4pm. Full day is 9am-4pm. Incentive for full day

is the extra hour (pack a lunch and hang with the coaches and other kids!)

Siblings are encouraged to attend (substantial sibling discount – 50%) and the multiple levels and groups means that all kids in the family have a group that works for them.

Stay for the entire week (or two): Free camp shirts or hats if the camper signs up for 10 sessions is minimal cost to you, and the campers advertise your camp or club!

Quality instruction and knowing the kids’ names is not always enough to encourage the kids to skip another summer day that could be spent playing video games. The next slide talks about more incentives for the kids.

INCENTIVES FOR THE CAMPERS Earning titles or recognition. Bonus for

physical manifestation of this – stickers, certificates, medals, etc.

Extreme example: Chess Passports!

Stuff! Kids will respond to many different incentives – encouragement, knowledge, ability to beat their parents in chess, etc., however it will not hurt your cause to have a Chess Store.

Chess Store – kids earn points by completing curriculum, competing in tournaments or other contests (puzzle-solving, skills testing, etc.), etc.

CHESS CAMP STATIONSInstructionCurriculum, Drills, and Testing

Laptops & TabletsFree PlaySomething else! Origami, Art, etc.