Guide to the Spacious Skies Campgrounds Themed Months: An Important Brand Element!
The What: The Spacious Skies Campgrounds Themed Months Calendar—a branded, broad set of themes that ANY event or activity can fit within, if you will it so! It is a tool to help you drive sales, occupancy, guest engagement, and repeat campers!
The How: Use the theme of the month to (1) inspire tasteful but fun camp store and campground décor, (2) dictate what in-store promotions and themed marketing you will enact, and (3) provide the themed framework for any activities, events, gatherings, programming, etc. that may grace any day throughout your month (not just on weekends!). Keeping the theme all month vs. changing it up each week/weekend should help ease the planning, administrative, and budgetary burdens faced in years past.
The Example: Let’s take the month of May and its theme ‘Galactic Guardians’, which, by our definition, “celebrates everyday heroes with interstellar gratitude, from honoring hometown heroes to safety workshops and superhero-themed activities, shining a cosmic spotlight on those who inspire and protect.’ How can I take broad ideas and fit them into a theme?
Decorate a wall in the camp store or pavilion with a framed display labeled "Heroes Among Spacious Skies," inviting guests and staff to write or post names of their personal heroes (family, teachers, firefighters, etc.) and use a metallic starry backdrop with subtle cosmic accents. (mid effort)
Discount glow-in-the-dark items (sticks, lanterns, water bottles) or starry-themed merchandise for nighttime adventures and send a promotional text with themed verbiage. (low effort)
Invite the local fire department for an interactive fire truck tour and meet and greet with local heroes (mid effort)
Put out a bowl of dog treats at the cosmic canine commons for a scheduled dog park ‘yappy’ hour with a cute sign on it that says “For our Super Dogs” (low effort)
Hand out hometown hero-themed printables and nature scavenger hunts to our cosmic kiddos (low effort)
Play a superhero themed movie on movie night (low/mid effort)
Lead activities like an obstacle course (“Superhero Training Camp”), tug-of-war, or a water balloon toss (high effort)
The Customization: The royal ‘we’ knows that people love to know that activities and events are an option when they come camping, whether or not they actually participate. You as the GM know your guest base best—you know if you only require a fully passive event and activity schedule (think print outs and movies) vs a more robust one (your guests are former Jellystoners).
The Requirement: Yes, you are required to implement themed months. This, like our logos, fonts, colors, verbiage, etc. is an element of the Spacious Skies brand. It is a unique brand element, and it is critical that we can say that at every campground galaxy in our little universe, we are celebrating the same, consistent, festive theme in a way that is unique to your operation, leaning on the strengths and interests of you and your team.
Support: Lean on your brilliant and creative peers, regional directors, marketing and communications team members, and leadership for ideas and inspiration! Our skills and backgrounds are so varied, putting our heads together always returns great things.
Minimum Requirements:
Activities:
Host at least one themed activity or event per week. This can be as simple as a craft, game, or community gathering related to the month’s theme.
Events:
Plan at least one event per week that appeals to all ages and abilities to ensure inclusivity in line with our values. Examples: trivia night, movie night, craft table, or themed snacks.
Decor and Atmosphere:
Include at least one themed decor element in a common area (e.g., pavilion, camp store, or front desk). This could be signage, props, or a centerpiece that reflects the month’s theme.
Overall Tips for Tasteful Decor
Color Palette: Use colors associated with the theme of the month as well as our cosmic tones like teal, navy, silver, gold, and white while avoiding overly bright or clashing hues.
Materials: Use natural elements like wood, fabric, and soft lighting to keep the decor grounded and in harmony with the outdoors.
Graphics: Avoid cartoonish styles and instead try and match the modern yet eclectic nature of our brand visuals.
Guest Engagement:
Offer one guest engagement item per week, such as a themed handout (e.g., scavenger hunt sheet, trivia card, or badges) or a small take-home keepsake (e.g., sticker, button, or bookmark).
Social Media Contribution:
Share at least two photos or videos per month of themed activities or decor to be used for social media, ensuring all materials align with the month’s cosmic and inclusive tone.
Team Involvement:
Ensure staff wear a themed accessory (e.g., superhero masks, space-themed pins, or retro gear) during at least one key activity or weekend.
In-Store Tie-Ins (Optional but Highly Encouraged):
Offer at least one themed promotion, such as discounts, bundles, or exclusive items, that reflects the month’s programming.
Local Partnerships (Optional but Highly Encouraged):
Whenever possible, invite local community organizations or businesses (e.g., food trucks, firefighters, activity instructors, astronomy clubs, animal rescues, etc.) to participate in the month’s themed programming.
Entertainment (Encouraged for High Occupancy/Holiday Weekends):
Taking occupancy and budget into account, consider inviting a local singer-songwriter, band, DJ, etc. to entertain your campers.
Budget:
The ‘Camper Entertainment’ line item in your budgets is where you will find most of what has been budgeted to activities and events, but ‘Local Outreach’ may also apply, at your discretion.
SPACIOUS SKIES CAMPGROUNDS: THEMED MONTHS CALENDAR
January: Cosmic Comfort
Begin the year under the stars of comfort and connection. Embrace hygge vibes with cozy campfire nights, indoor-outdoor warmth, and a focus on self-care and relaxation. “Find your place under Spacious Skies” and recharge your interstellar energy.
February: Love Among the Galaxies
Celebrate the bonds of love, friendship, and community that connect us across the cosmos. From starry date nights to heartwarming group activities, February is about discovering that “you belong at Spacious Skies.”
March: Stargazing Futures
The month of our founder’s day, Spacious Skies Day on March 19th: “When you wish upon a Spacious Skies star,” anything feels possible. Celebrate hope, renewal, and the promise of brighter days with future-forward activities like vision boards, constellation crafts, and stargazing.
April: Planetary Love
Honor the Earth with a month of outdoor adventures and eco-conscious fun. From “taking your indoors outdoors” to nature hikes and recycling challenges, this is a galactic ode to our home planet.
May: Galactic Guardians
Celebrate everyday heroes with interstellar gratitude. From honoring hometown heroes to safety workshops and superhero-themed activities, shine a cosmic spotlight on those who inspire and protect.
June: Critter Constellations
Animals of all kinds—pets, dinosaurs, and farm friends—take the spotlight. Plan a cosmic critter carnival or “camp where you belong” with your furry, scaly, or prehistoric pals.
July: Stellar Yuletide
“Radical Cosmic Energy” meets the joy of midsummer celebrations with Christmas in July. Deck the galaxies with twinkling lights, interstellar holiday games, and winter-inspired treats under the Spacious Skies.
August: Astro Adventures
Explore the universe with a celestial month of outer space-themed fun. From astrology and zodiac nights to astronomy hikes, “camp where you belong” as you journey through the stars.
September: Retro Rocket Vibes
Blast into nostalgia with retro fun, classic games, and feel-good memories that keep everyone “young at heart.” Celebrate the golden age of camping with tie-dye workshops, throwback cookouts, and vintage RV meetups.
October: Spooktacular Skies and Cosmic Hauntings
Step into a universe of cosmic spookiness with Halloween celebrations under the Spacious Skies. Haunted trails, pumpkin carving, and interstellar costume contests make October out-of-this-world.
November: Grateful Gatherings
“Camp where you belong” with a month of gratitude and togetherness. Highlight the warmth of the community with shared meals, thank-you events, and moments of reflection under your galaxy’s stars.
December: Winter Wanderverse
Close the year with cosmic wonder and interstellar adventure. Embrace the magic of winter through celestial lights, festive stargazing, and cozy gatherings that allow permission to “take your outdoors indoors,” just this once!
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Easy to Implement Ideas from Ali’s Head (in no particular order)
Place these on your calendar, any day of the week!
2-3 self-led crafts in a bag
2-3 self-led crafts or activities that require nature and comes with a prize
Campground scavenger hunt that changes each month
Community bonfires whenever it makes sense, regardless of the day of week
Guest beer shares/local goods shares or other social hours (provide space and tables)
Cosmic Canine Yappy Hour (provide treats)
Cosmic Camp Store coffee and board/card games
Q&A on topics you or your team are experts on—camping, RV care, or any interest!
Group dog walks – ok to just circle park! Make it a dog show!
Group human walks
Birdwatching
Plant ID
Scout-type stuff
Karaoke
Campfire jams
Open mic nights
Golf cart parades
Spontaneous dance parties
What else can you think of?