How to Start a STEM Camp Merch Shop: Step-by-Step Setup

A STEM camp merch shop is one of the few projects a camp director can finish between planning sessions in the off-season. The setup takes about an hour. The shop is live the same day. From that moment forward, every camp family, sibling, and grandparent can order camp apparel direct. The camp banks the markup. Nobody has to manage size piles at the registration table. Below is the step-by-step setup.

Step 1: pick the plan

• Free plan: 3 live products, higher per-piece base price, no monthly fee. Right for camps testing the model.
• Self-Service VIP ($59/month): 200 live products, lowest per-piece base price. Right for camps ready to run a full catalog.
• Done-For-You VIP ($109/month): same lowest pricing plus monthly design support and full shop layout. Right for directors who want hands-off operation.

Step 2: upload the camp logo

One upload covers every product. PNG, JPG, SVG, or AI all work. If the only existing logo is on a banner photo, snap a phone picture and upload it. We will clean it up.

Step 3: pick 8 to 10 starter products

1. Youth cotton tee ($19.88) - main camper tee
2. Adult cotton tee ($19.88) - older campers and counselors
3. Performance wicking tee ($23.86) - outdoor activity day
4. Youth hoodie ($36.88) - cool-morning kid layer
5. Comfort Soft Hoodie adult ($36.88) - parent and counselor
6. Sport-Tek Polo ($34.88) - counselor uniform
7. Mesh Trucker Hat ($25.88) - souvenir item
8. Embroidered Rope Hat ($29.86) - premium souvenir
9. Sibling tee ($19.88) - family addon
10. Comfort Soft Crewneck ($34.88) - no-hood option

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

Step 4: set retail prices

Default profit margin: base price plus $10. For hoodies and polos, set base plus $15 to $20. See full STEM camp profit math.

Step 5: share the shop URL

Five places to share on launch day:

• Email to enrolled families and waitlist
• Camp Facebook and Instagram pinned post
• QR-code poster at the registration table
• Footer of welcome email for new families
• QR-code card included in the camp confirmation packet

Step 6: bank the markup

Families order, each sale credits the camp the markup, weekly direct deposit. Camp treasurer just receives the deposit. No invoicing, no inventory accounting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does setup take?

About one hour. Most camp directors do it in one sit-down.

Do we need a separate website?

No. The shop is hosted on a Bear Grips subdomain that the camp configures.

How does the camp get paid?

Weekly direct deposit. Camp provides bank info at setup, markup deposits automatically.

What if a product needs to change?

Everything is editable any time. Update from the dashboard, change goes live the same day.