“Camp & Class Manager makes program registration simple to set up, run, and manage.”

The Downingtown Community Education Foundation (DCEF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching educational opportunities within its local school district. DCEF runs after-school STEM programs, seasonal camps, and special events designed to inspire students beyond the traditional classroom setting.

With only two staff members—one focused on operations and programming—the organization needed a reliable, user-friendly system that could streamline registrations, simplify communication, and provide accurate reporting.

The Challenge

DCEF’s programs attract hundreds of students each session, and managing registrations manually or through tools like spreadsheets was not a sustainable option. The organization needed a platform that could handle large volumes of registrations, process payments securely, and make it easy to communicate with families—all while saving staff valuable time.

“With thousands of registrations each year, efficiency is everything,” associate executive director Ronda Hamilton said. “Camp & Class Manager makes program registration simple to set up, run, and manage.”

The Solution: Camp & Class Manager

DCEF has used Camp & Class Manager (CCM) for more than five years, relying on the system to power every step of its program operations—from setup to reporting. The platform’s intuitive design and automation features have enabled DCEF to scale programs without needing additional staff support.

Key features that have made the biggest impact include:

• Season rollover: The ability to quickly replicate past programs saves hours of setup time each year.
• Centralized communication: Built-in email tools allow DCEF to instantly connect with parents or instructors without needing external systems.
• Flexible cancellations: Requiring parents to process cancellations through staff ensures that all changes align with program policies.
• Comprehensive reporting: Easy-to-generate reports help leadership track participation, revenue, and trends to guide decision-making.

“The rollover feature and communication tools save so much time and keep everything organized,” Hamilton explained. “We’ve registered over 9,000 students, and that simply wouldn’t be possible without CCM.”

The Results

Camp & Class Manager has transformed the way DCEF operates, creating a smoother experience for both staff and families. Parents can now easily find, register, and pay for programs online—eliminating paperwork and confusion.

Hamilton noted that while some families are initially hesitant with new systems, CCM’s intuitive interface quickly wins them over:

“It’s easy for parents to register. Once they try it, they love it.”

The reporting and communication features have also provided significant operational value. DCEF uses these tools to prepare board updates, communicate schedule changes, and track program performance at a glance.

When the foundation launched a new academy immediately after the pandemic, CCM made it possible to move fast.

“We were able to set up and implement an entirely new program serving several hundred students and dozens of teachers in under a week,” Hamilton said.

Looking Ahead

DCEF continues to rely on Camp & Class Manager as a core part of its long-term operations. With the ability to make quick adjustments, monitor registrations daily, and report results efficiently, Hamilton sees CCM as essential to the organization’s continued success.

“It’s an easy system to check in on, make edits, and use for better results,” she said. “It keeps everything running smoothly.”

Advice to Other Organizations

When asked what she’d tell others considering Camp & Class Manager, Hamilton’s advice was simple. “Be patient learning setup, and don’t hesitate to reach out to support—they’re phenomenal.”

By adopting Camp & Class Manager, DCEF has eliminated manual processes, streamlined registration management, and enhanced communication with families—all while supporting thousands of student participants with a small team.

“Ease of setup, registration, communication, and reporting—everything about Camp & Class Manager makes my job easier.”