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  • 1.  Summer Camp (Humane Education) Registration Software

    Posted 12-28-2023 09:11 AM

    I'm starting to dive into Summer Camp planning for 2024 (it feels too early for this!) and am curious what programs other facilities use for registration. Our Humane Education department is small, and I've mostly used spreadsheets to track sign up in the past. So it looks like: The parents submit the registration paperwork to me (in-person or via email) and then pay for camp at our front office (in-person or via phone) and I track it all manually. I spend a lot of time following up with parents for one part after the they submit the other (usually paperwork submitted and then they take a few weeks to pay for camp).

    I am trying to expand our camp program for 2024, and I imagine it's going to make my spreadsheet even more challenging to maintain. I'd like to look at better options that can help me "work smarter, not harder." 

    Does anyone else have a program/event registration program they really like? I'd love to have one that requires the paperwork and payment be submitted together.  We are open to programs that we would have to pay for. We have tried DonorView in the past and have decided not to stick with it. 

    Thank you!


    #EducationandTraining

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    Erin Dams
    Community Relations Coordinator
    Roanoke Valley SPCA
    Roanoke VA
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  • 2.  RE: Summer Camp (Humane Education) Registration Software

    Posted 01-08-2024 05:33 AM

    I wanted to share an update on this, as I reached out via email to a few other Humane Education people I know and did some investigating of my own. I am planning to go with HiSawyer for our camp and other education programs going forward. It has a LOT of great attributes that will not only make registration easier, but help my camp staff stay organized during the season (and move a lot of things to virtual so they aren't hauling giant binders everywhere!). It is reasonably priced and comes with a LOT for the price. 

    Another option that caught my eye was Zeffy. Zeffy is a reasonable free option that I think could have covered my basic concerns - it doesn't have much room to expand use, but I wish I had found it 2 years ago when I was just getting started! 



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    Erin Dams
    Community Relations Coordinator
    Roanoke Valley SPCA
    Roanoke VA
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  • 3.  RE: Summer Camp (Humane Education) Registration Software

    Posted 01-09-2024 07:25 AM

    Erin,

    Thank you for sharing your information. I just was checking out Zeffy and it is nice to know there is a platform out there helping with these fees. We use Eventbrite, but are very unhappy with fees attached either for us to cover or our guests for events. I have been trying to find a different option. Thanks again!



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    Michelle Schutz
    Humane Education Manager
    Virginia Beach SPCA
    VA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Summer Camp (Humane Education) Registration Software

    Posted 10-03-2024 11:35 AM

    Hi Erin,

    I am looking into a new software for our camp management for 2025.  Our organization has used Campsite for a few years and last year was my first year with the program.  We would like to make a change as the campsite management software is so cost prohibitive and that is not where we want to spend our resources if there is another option that will perform the same tasks.

    I saw you were planning to go with HiSawyer and I was wondering if you did use it and what you thought of it.  My main concerns are for parents to be able to register and pay in the system and to collect the data we need to plan successfully.

    HiSawyer looks like it has great potential and could possibly be used for some of our other initiatives at the shelter.

    Thanks!

    Sara



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    Sara Kohli
    Volunteer and Camp Programs Manager
    IndyHumane
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Summer Camp (Humane Education) Registration Software

    Posted 10-04-2024 07:09 AM

    Hey Sara! 

    That's a great question - we did go with HiSawyer (started using them in February and still using them today). I LOVE it. Absolutely LOVE it! HiSawyer has been a complete game changer for my education programs, and has easily saved me personally 150+ hours of work this year.  It integrates with Stripe for the payments online, which we already use.

    I really love that the parent's account with the kid's attached information is saved, so unless something changes, they won't have to fill in everything again for camp next year. Refunds are easy, Transferring kids to another week of camp is easy, and checking the kids in/out each day are super easy.  Their support team always gets back to me very quickly as well, which I appreciate. 

    I'm also now using HiSawyer for my Scout programs, school visits, and Birthday parties as well! You can see all the year-round "party packages" we've added here: https://www.hisawyer.com/roanoke-valley-spca/schedules/parties 



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    Erin Dams
    Community Relations Coordinator
    Roanoke Valley SPCA
    Roanoke VA
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    Original Message


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