Bear Grips Pro ShopsSTEM Camp Merch Profit Math: What a Real Camp Apparel Program Makes
- 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.
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 |
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.
Start FreeFrequently 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.
