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New Campuses

Launching new locations is a big process with lots of moving parts. Fortunately, we've learned some things along the way that might help as your team prepares for launch. Check out the content below to get a glimpse of how we launch new campuses and what your responsibilities will look like.

Launch Timeline


Check out the list below to get an overview of the launch process. In parinthesis we define who's responsible for the task/project listed.
PHASE 1: Scope
Walk through the site with the Launch Team. (Network)
Map out the kids environments. (Network)
Create a budget using the
Launch Budget Template
⁠
. (Network)
Take inventory of current supplies and create a purchase list for the things we still need. (Network)
Set a target for the amount of volunteers that will be needed. (Network)
Hire and train the new Kids Lead. (Network)

PHASE 2: Build
Purchase all necessary items. (Network)
Assemble and organize supplies. (Campus)
Prepare all kids ministry environments. (Campus)

PHASE 3: Prepare
Invite people from your community. (Campus)
Recruit volunteers. (Campus)
Process new volunteers and assign them roles. (Campus)
Host a training event for your team. (Network)
Organize curriculum content so that it’s ready to use. (Campus)
Print/prepare all of the administrative docs in the
Printing List
⁠
. (Campus)
Print/prepare all of the volunteer supplies, including shirts, name tags and the documents in the
Printing List
⁠
. (Campus)
Pre-register families in CCB. (Campus)

PHASE 4: Launch
Host a “soft launch” weekend to practice. (Campus)
Open the campus to the public on launch day! (Campus)

Budget & Supplies

LAUNCH BUDGET VS. OPERATIONAL BUDGET
All costs associated with getting a campus up and running for their first month will be a part of the launch budget. This typically includes decor in each environment, classroom supplies, volunteer resources and curriculum content. We include the first month after launch to make sure that no items have been missed or overlooked before handing full responsibility to the campus team. After the first month, all costs will come out of the new campus’ operational budget.
SHIPPING
If possible, we will ship launch supplies directly to the new campus. If that’s not possible, we will ship to one of our existing campuses and arrange for the supplies to be brought to the new campus.
ORDERING IN WAVES
FIRST WAVE: Items that require assembly and/or take longer to ship.
SECOND WAVE: Items that don’t require extra assembly and ship within a week.
THIRD WAVE: Items that will be bought at a physical location (e.g. brick and mortar retailers like the Dollar Store).

Recruiting Volunteers

Get sign-ups. One of your best avenues for getting sign-ups will be your first Vision Night. Make sure you get names and contact info so that you can follow up with each person. If there’s WiFi at the venue, we recommend borrowing a red iPad from Guest Services and using a short online sign-up form. If not, print out some sign-up sheets and add them to a clipboard.
Follow up. Follow up quickly. Reach out to them with a call/text/email within two days of sign-up, even if it is just to say, “Thanks for signing up. We’ll send you more info soon!” Capture the momentum while you have it. Their next step will be attending a pre-launch training session.
Train them. There will be some pre-launch training sessions for volunteers. The Network kids team will be responsible for facilitating this session. The goal is to share the vision for Sandals Kids and cover the must-know elements in our ministry so that they are prepared for their first weekend service.
Release them. Assign each volunteer to a specific role. Make sure each kids environment at each service is fully staffed with volunteers for the first weekend.

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