Text Messaging

There is no monthly fee for having the Text Messaging module on your CampSite subscription, but you must purchase credits in order to send outgoing text messages.

It costs one credit to send a single text message (i.e. a message of 160 characters or less, to a single recipient). Credits can be purchased in the following packages:

• 3,000 credits for $150
• 10,000 credits for $300
• 25,000 credits for $600

When you initially add the text messaging module to your subscription, we'll add the text credit package of your choice to start with (and bill the associated fee to your payment method on file with our CampSite's Billing department). 

When you need to purchase additional credits, you may do so at any time via the DB Management tab of the Admin settings for your database. To learn how, click here.

• Tip: When choosing how many credits to purchase, note that credits never expire, and unused credits will rollover year to year. Also, credits are not used on any text replies that you receive - only on texts that you send.

A randomly generated phone number will be assigned to your account, and all text messages you send from CampSite will be sent from this number. If parents/staff wish to text you back, they can send a text to your assigned number and their response will be displayed within CampSite. That said, parents may save your assigned phone number to their contacts to identify your incoming messages and/or send you replies as needed.

Though the last 7 digits of your assigned phone number will be randomly generated, you can arrange for the CampSite Support team to customize your area code, which will be discussed during the texting setup process.

If you're ready to add the texting module to your database, contact CampSite support via support@campmanagement.com.

First, we'll have you e-sign an agreement authorizing us to update your current CampSite contract to include the texting module, and also authorizing payment for your initial credit package.

Once the agreement is signed, the Text Messaging module will be added to your database, and you can request parents to opt-in to receiving text messages from your camp. Click here to learn more about the text messaging opt-in proces.

After logging into the Parent Dashboard, parents can access the “My Account” page to opt in to text message notifications. 

To opt-in from here, parents need to select the 'opt in to text message notifications' for their account, click 'save changes' at the bottom of the page, and then respond YES to the text message they receive asking them to confirm if they'd like to opt-in to text messages from your camp.

Staff can find their opt in setting in the Messaging preferences tab of the My Account page of their dashboard.

After selecting the 'opt in to text message notifications' and clicking 'save changes' at the bottom of the page, they then must respond YES to the text message they receive asking them to confirm if they'd like to opt-in to text messages from your camp.

Admin users can send an opt-in request via text message to an individual parent by navigating to the family's profile page and locating the cellphone icon next to the parent's cellphone number.

When this icon is greyed out, it indicates that the parent is not opted into text messaging.

Double click the cellphone icon to text the parent an opt-in request.

Click "OK" to confirm that you wish to send the request.

The parent will then receive a text message asking them to join text messaging with your camp.

The must reply Yes to confirm. After replying Yes, they'll receive a confirmation message.

Once opted in, the cellphone icon next to the parent's phone number will no longer be greyed out.

Admin users can also merge an opt-in link into an email message to the family. 

When parents click the link, it'll trigger an automated text to their phone, to which they must reply Yes in order to opt in.

To merge an opt-in link into the body of your email:

1. Click + Add merge field
2. Select the Family Info tab
3. Scroll down to the Text Messaging Opt-In URLs section
4. Click the relevant field*

*Each parent (primary or divorced) has a unique URL they need to click, so make sure to select the appropriate opt-in URL depending on which parent(s) you're emailing. If a parent clicks a link that's not meant for them (e.g. P1 clicks the opt-in link for P2), the opt-in will not be successful.

Text messages can either be sent individually via the recipient's profile page, or in mass via an advanced report.

Initiate a text to an individual family or staff person via their profile page.

On their profile page, click the Action Menu and select to send a text message.

1. Load a previously saved text message.
2. Write the text message. Click + Add merge fields... to merge data from the recipient's profile page into the body of your message.
3. Save this message to send again later. Save a copy of this message to send again later.
4. Calculate how many credits this message will use (in regards to the number of character in the message and how many opted-in recipients are selected). Preview the message.
5. Select which parents to send the text message to.
6. View the recipients and note which parents in the family have opted in. Parents who have not opted in will not receive your text message (and no credit[s] will be used on parents not opted in).
7. Send the text message.
   

To initiate a mass text, first create an advanced report that contains all of your desired recipients.

Please note that users must be granted permission via their User Permissions in order to be able to send mass texts.

To grant this permission, access their "Campers" and/or "Staff" User Permissions; go to the Advanced Reports section and select "Send text message from Advanced reports"; then click Save changes for this user.

"Quick replies" to incoming messages can also be sent via the parent or staff Text Messaging Dashboard.