Expert: Carl Fuglein - 3/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: I would like a start a Christian youth camp organization(non profit). But i don't know what to do. I would like your advice on what i need to plan for, things to consider etc. Thank you.

Peace E.

ANSWER: Hi

How old are you?

Do you have any capital to invest?

Have you done a business plan?

Are you thinking about buying property, or just setting up a booking agency or a group to run programs at other's campgrounds?

Why do you want to do this?

Have you talked to your pastor, friends, parents, business partners, etc?

Is this a calling, or just something you just want to do?

While you get this going, how do you intend to support yourself?


These should get you started.  I'm sure I'll have more questions when you answer these.

blessings,
carl


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'll be 25 years in a couple of weeks

Yes i do have a little bit but i know God is able to provide more

I've not done a business plan yet

In the future I'll buy a property but at the beginning I'll have to rent one

Because i know God has called me into the youth ministry. i just don't want to organize camp meeting but after the camp meeting i want to also have a medium by which the youth can still communicate with the organization if they have questions or if they want to talk to someone, just a place where they can run to for help.  

I have not spoken with anyone about it yet. Right now I'm still figuring out what i have to do to make this happen before i tell my family, friends etc.

It's a calling.

Initially i can use my salary and also look for ways to raise funds.

I hope I've been able to know better about my question.

Thanks
Peace E.E.



ANSWER: Peace-

The first thing you need to do is build a business plan - there are several sites on the web and/or software you can buy that will  help you with this.  Be realistic - things cost more and take longer than you think.  Building a camp program can take years - a lot of it is word of mouth  - unless you do a ton of advertising, people will not know about it - your best advertisement will be the people who come and get something out of it.  You need to definitize your goals ahead of time, not just make them up as you go along.  Try to enlist the help of people who share your vision - building a camp program by yourself would be almost impossible.  Talk to experts who have done this for a while and make sure you don't make the same mistakes.

Hope this helps

good luck,

carl


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the advice. I know it's a bit beyond me at the moment. The issue is i want to do it in my country Nigeria where these kinds of things are not very popular in the real sense so it's a bit difficult to find people who would share the same ideas with me or people who have done this before to get advice from them. So if you know how else to get the expertise advice or what else to do considering my location.

Thanks
Peace E.E.

Answer
The fact that you're in Nigeria probably changes everything.  Unless you have the backing of an existing Christian church, I would think the task ahead of you is extremely difficult.  Have you thought about joining a missionary organization?  There are many organizations in the United States who probably have missions in Nigeria and would love to have someone with your passion involved.  I would try by doing a Google search on Missions - Nigeria