For the first time, Snow Mountain Ranch at YMCA of the Rockies in Granby, Colorado hosted the 2016 YMCA Camp Marketing and Financial Development Symposium. With attendance by YMCA representatives from across the country, the symposium was geared towards YMCA camp marketing and financial development. Many educational sessions focused on all forms of marketing development for camps, donor fundraising, strategies and relationships, working with boards, committees and volunteers, and camp diversity.
Design Concepts sponsored the event, with Shanen Weber, Principal, attending the conference. Shanen shares,
The symposium literally gave Design Concepts the opportunity to show the type of work we do, and specifically how we worked with YMCA of the Rockies to create their Family Adventure Park, summer tubing hill, and adventure zone playground. It was an invaluable opportunity to show other YMCA's how we could help with their future projects, goals and visions.
Snow Mountain Ranch representatives conducted a site tour of their camp amenities stopping at the summer tubing hill and adventure playground (currently under construction). An explanation of the planning process, funding, construction and use was shared, with Shanen being able to provide input from the designers’ perspective. Conversations and questions asked focused on how the tubing hill has attracted so many to Snow Mountain Ranch, which was the original goal of the project. Other YMCA's were able to see the results of 'out of the box' ideas and what the possibilities are outside of typical programmed activities.
Conversations continued in small groups/sessions and focused on the importance of introducing and exposing the younger generation (small kids) to being outside, enjoying their natural surroundings and environment. The YMCA camps nationwide significantly contribute to nurturing youth towards the “get outside and play” initiative.
