STEM Camp Merch Profit Math: What a Real Camp Apparel Program Makes

February 18, 2026 8 min read By Tyler Kasprzak

Quick Answer

A 60-camper STEM week typically clears $1,500-$2,500 on apparel.
A 200-camper summer program typically clears $4,000-$8,000.
A 500-camper year-round STEM facility typically clears $12,000-$22,000.
End-of-camp ceremony drives 30-40% of total apparel revenue.

Table of Contents

Per-item margin economics
Small camp: 60 campers per season
Mid-size camp: 200 campers per season
Large camp: 500 campers per season
What camps do with the money
Three ways to push past the baseline
Frequently Asked Questions

A real STEM camp merch program is not a side income. It is a parallel revenue stream that adds to the camp top line on top of tuition and sponsorship. Below are the actual revenue numbers for STEM camps of three sizes, the per-item margins, and how the math plays out across the season. Conservative numbers, year-2 program baseline.

Per-item margin economics

Item	VIP base	Common retail	Margin per piece
Youth cotton tee	$19.88	$30	$10.12
Adult cotton tee	$19.88	$30	$10.12
Performance tee	$23.86	$36	$12.14
Youth hoodie	$36.88	$55	$18.12
Comfort Soft Hoodie adult	$36.88	$55-$60	$18-$23
Embroidered Rope Hat	$29.86	$45	$15.14
Sport-Tek Polo	$34.88	$50	$15.12

Small camp: 60 campers per season

Source	Volume	Avg margin	Subtotal
Camper tees (in tuition, no margin)	60	n/a	$0
Family bleacher tees	40	$12	$480
Sibling tees	20	$10	$200
Ceremony hoodies and tees	50	$15	$750
Hat souvenirs	30	$13	$390
Off-season alumni purchases	20	$15	$300
Annual total	220 orders		$2,120

Mid-size camp: 200 campers per season

Source	Volume	Avg margin	Subtotal
Family bleacher tees	140	$12	$1,680
Sibling tees	80	$10	$800
Premium camper upgrades	40	$15	$600
Ceremony hoodies + family kit	180	$16	$2,880
Hat souvenirs	100	$13	$1,300
Off-season alumni and gifts	80	$15	$1,200
Annual total	620 orders		$8,460

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Large camp: 500 campers per season

Source	Volume	Avg margin	Subtotal
Family bleacher tees	350	$12	$4,200
Sibling tees	200	$10	$2,000
Premium camper upgrades	100	$15	$1,500
Ceremony hoodies + family kit	450	$16	$7,200
Hat souvenirs	250	$13	$3,250
Off-season alumni and gifts	180	$15	$2,700
Annual total	1,530 orders		$20,850

What camps do with the money

Counselor pay raises: STEM camps have tight margins, apparel funds the staff retention
New equipment: robotics kits, 3D printers, lab supplies
Scholarships: subsidized spots for kids who could not otherwise attend
Marketing budget: paid ads, open house, recruitment events
Reserve building: weather days, lost-camp-week insurance

Three ways to push past the baseline

Build the ceremony kit aggressively: most camps under-invest here, this is the highest-converting moment
Run an alumni section: list a "I went to STEM camp" tee year-round for the off-season
Get every staff into the affiliate program: counselors refer friends to start camps, the camp gets a share

Run the Numbers for Your STEM Camp

Open a free shop, add your camp roster, watch the math compound. Parents order direct, camp banks markup.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are these numbers realistic for a brand new camp shop?

Year one tends to land at 50-60 percent of these numbers. Year two and three hit the baseline. Year five and beyond exceed it.

What is the single biggest revenue lever?

The end-of-camp ceremony. One event drives 30-40 percent of annual apparel revenue.

Does the camp have to handle sales tax?

Sales tax is collected and remitted by the platform automatically.

Can a camp lose money on the program?

No. Zero unsold items, zero inventory commitment, no monthly cost on the Free plan.

Tyler KasprzakYouth Sports Director

Tyler runs a multi-sport youth athletic program covering baseball, soccer, and basketball for kids ages 6-14. He has coached travel teams for 12 years and writes about uniform planning, parent fundraisers, and tournament logistics.