Youth workers, it’s time to rally your high school students for ASCENT Summer Camp! We all know how life-changing a week at camp can be—new friendships, incredible worship moments, and unforgettable experiences. But first, we have to get them excited enough to sign up! Here are 10 fun and practical ways to get those registrations rolling in.
1. Create an Epic Hype Video (We Provided One HERE)
If your camp promo video doesn’t make your students say, “I HAVE to go to this!”, you’re missing an opportunity. Pair last year’s highlights with some upbeat music and exciting graphics. Don’t forget testimonies from campers saying things like, “This was the BEST week of my life!” Share it everywhere—Instagram, TikTok, your youth room after church—just flood their world with it.
2. Launch Camp Scholarships with a Competition
Got students who need help with camp fees? Make it fun by hosting competitions to earn scholarships. Whether it’s a lip-sync battle, a best meme contest, or a fundraising bake sale competition, competition brings energy. Plus, it shows students that nothing should hold them back from this experience.
3. Leverage Your Most Influential Students
Every youth group has a few students everyone else looks up to. Get them on board early and excited about camp, and you’ve basically got walking, talking promotions. Encourage them to share on social media, invite their friends, and discuss why everyone needs to come.
4. Host an ASCENT Preview Night
Turn one of your youth nights into a mini-preview of camp! Think camp games, a sneak peek of worship (bring in your best singer and guitarist!), and food inspired by camp meals (yes, s’mores are mandatory). Give a short talk about what to expect and end the night with early registration discounts.
5. Share Camp Stories on Social Media
Post pics, videos, and memories from last year’s camp. Caption them with stories of transformational moments, hilarious camp pranks, or Instagram-worthy shots of activities like zip-lining or night worship under the stars. Keep it real and relatable—it’ll resonate with your students.
6. FOMO is Your Friend
Fear of missing out is a huge driver for teens. Show them what they’ll be missing if they don’t go. Create countdown reminders, list exclusive camp activities, and share hype-worthy updates like, “Only 3 weeks until ASCENT early bird registration ends!” Make it urgent, and they won’t want to wait.
7. Bribe Them (Kind of)
Who doesn’t love some free swag? Give away camp merch like water bottles, hats, or stickers to students who register early. Bonus idea: host a raffle for anyone who signs up, and the winner gets something cool like camp snacks or a VIP bunk spot—it’s small, but to them, it’ll mean everything.
8. Invite Alumni to Share Their Camp Stories
Bring in some high school or college students who have gone to ASCENT in the past. Have them share their favorite memories during youth group or on video for social media. Their enthusiasm and genuine love for camp will be contagious!
9. Blend the Spiritual and the Fun
Remind students that while camp is all about adventure and good vibes, it’s also an opportunity to encounter God in a real way. Share how lives have been spiritually impacted at ASCENT, but keep it balanced—students want both the fun and the faith-filled moments.
10. Make It a Squad Thing
Teens will sign up if their friends are going. Encourage students to register as groups with their squads. Promise extra free time to chill with friends or offer cabin buddy placements for those who register early as a group. When one friend signs up, the domino effect will kick in.
Bonus Tip: Make It Easy!
Have a straightforward registration process. Too complicated or full of red tape? They’ll check out quicker than you can say “ASCENT”. Make sure parents have all their FAQs answered ahead of time, and if possible, offer a way for parents to register on their phones.
With these ideas, you’ll inspire students to pack their bags and prepare for an experience they’ll never forget. Keep up the energy, youth workers—ASCENT Summer Camp is going to be one for the books, and your students need to be there to see it all happen!
What’s your favorite way to pump up camp hype? Share your tips and stories too!
