The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is looking to amplify the experiences of the campers’ families through the use of UniFocus’ Survey Solutions, which will allow the Camp to gain insight from parents who attend their “Change of Pace Experience (COPE)” weekend programs to support their strategy to become a more research-based organization. UniFocus is proud to contribute its services free of charge to support the Camp’s and community’s efforts to lift the morale of parents of seriously ill children. GUESTScope provides the camp with the tools they need to deliver on their mission. Through the COPE program, the Camp strives to create a unique experience for parents, while promoting key values such as safety, camaraderie, possibility, and appreciation.
“Our goal is to provide seriously ill children and their families with ‘a different kind of healing’ that comes from being part of a community of fun, friendship and acceptance,” says Beth Starkin, Manager of Communications for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. “During COPE programs, we provide parents of seriously ill children with a strong network of families living through similar experiences. Our summer camp program gives our kids something to look forward to – a time where they can just be kids.”
The Camp is currently spearheading strategic initiatives within its culture including a focus on research, she explains. The Camp is committed to each family’s experience being the best memory possible. “Understanding how our existing programs could be improved for our participants supports delivery of the Camp’s mission,” Starkin comments. “The feedback from the satisfaction surveys ensures a clear understanding of our participants’ perceptions, and allows us to understand the satisfaction level our parents have with our programs, giving us the knowledge to deliver a better experience for everyone.”
UniFocus’ dynamic, “at a glance” dashboard displays essential key metrics which prioritizes opportunities and the actions to be taken for an immediate and positive impact on participant experiences. GUESTScope supplies users with the ability to customize the data by category, as well as look at specific comments on individual questions highlighting areas the camp is exceeding in and where there is room for additional growth.
“The various reports UniFocus administers are invaluable. They communicate a clear picture of what the families are thinking, and allows our teams to take action,” Starkin states. “The breakdown of the data is superior and a tremendous asset to us.”
The Camp is extremely pleased with the features UniFocus’ solutions deliver, and they are grateful for the partnership the two companies have created. “The UniFocus team actively listens to the feedback and incorporates our requests,” Starkin> continues. “They are very responsive and their customer service is unparalleled."
“We are pleased to help the Camp capture the appreciation and feedback of their families. Authentic and direct communication can transform the strategic decisions necessary to enhance the families’ experiences. The relationships established at camp have the power to touch hearts and ease the minds during difficult times. UniFocus is delighted to contribute our products and services to help support this great cause and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp,” states Mark Heymann, President and CEO of UniFocus.
“With UniFocus, we now have the insight into what our families are looking for, so we can create an experience that matches those ideals and our brand promise can be better met,” Starkin says. The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is part of the SeriousFun Children’s Network, a network of sister locations in the United States and around the world that give children across the globe the opportunity to enjoy a reprieve from their illness.
In 1988, Paul Newman opened The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut so that children coping with serious illnesses could have a special hideout where they could simply be kids. The Camp, which served 288 campers its first year, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012-13 with 20,000 children and family members now experiencing “a different kind of healing” annually. Each year, 2,500 are served onsite and 19,000 visits by the Hospital Outreach Program bring the fun and friendship of Camp into more than 20 sites throughout the Northeast – all free of charge.
