The future of Learning on the Log

Photo found here: http://www.yellowbot.com/emerald-city-overland-park-ks.html

August 12, 2012
The Future of Learning on the Log (LOTL)

We are known for our great programs, our incredible staff, and our ability to engage our campers in social activities. But, do you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes or what we have planned for the future? We are currently in the middle of launching our company to the next level, into a much larger corporation. 

For the first 8 years, LOTL was a very small company, running with a skeleton crew and very limited resources, and therefore limited ability to grow. We have always struggled with trying to find a balance between hiring more staff and at the same time, filling our groups enough to make the addition, worthwhile. Having a 2:1 child to staff ratio is great for the quality of our groups, but incredibly hard to uphold from the business side of things.  

In the last two years, we have worked incredibly hard and long hours to continue to offer our quality groups, but also tackle the business side of things, because we have very lofty dreams and ideas of where we want LOTL to go. We put together an INCREDIBLE board of directors that have, in the last year, launched us into a whole new realm of business. Everyone has been so generous and eager to help us. 

We have received numerous donations of equipments and materials, some from our Amazon Wishlist, as well as used books and toys and games for us to use in our vans and for our upcoming Pre-School. 

We have had some incredible business men putting together a business plan for us and financial projections to help us plan. We have had marketing professionals helping us re-do our logo and our slogan and helping us with print material we can use for fund raising. We have social media experts in England helping us with social media strategies and awareness plans. We have people planning fund raising events and hosting dinners and parties, where we will have the opportunity to meet and connect with more people who might be able to propel us forward. We have people guiding us in the grant writing process as well as trying to put together a "vision" for LOTL that will help us brand ourselves. 

We have also tripled our full-time staff, and have plans in place to continue to grow those numbers.

The number of people and the amount of work that is going on behind the scenes, is incredibly overwhelming, but in nothing but a WONDERFUL way. 

As you know, we are launching our first ever morning program, our Enrichment Pre-School, that will offer an academic piece, where students will sign up for the entire school year. An intense social skills experience that will emulate Summer Camp, all year long. 

What you may not know, is that we have plans (hopefully within two years) to open our own facility that will include gymnastics/tumbling equipment, swimming indoors, enclosed sports arena, 25 ft rock climbing walls and obstacle courses......and so much more! We also plan to offer parent support groups, sibling group outings, a parent council, teen programs, overnight camps, homework tutors, family programs and outings, and much much more! 

We have big plans and we hope you stick around! We would love to tell you more about what we have planned and where we could use your help. Let us know if any of this sounds good to you and if you have any special skills you would be willing to share or any contacts you would be willing to introduce us to.