By Jimmy Alfiere, Co-Founder & Chief Troublemaker, Autumn’s Gate
Let me tell you something you probably already suspect: running a summer camp should feel like a blend of Disney World and a National Geographic expedition. What it actually feels like, is herding caffeinated squirrels through a laser maze while blindfolded. 😂
We may still be scrappy and covered in mud (mud if we’re lucky 💩) but we’re also pioneering the mitigation of chaos associated with activities, corporate and regulatory compliance, camper experience, and even animal care. We’re using AI to wrangle schedules, optimize rider development, craft camper experiences, and (dare I say it) make camp more magical.
Why All Summer Camps Need AI
Autumn’s Gate isn’t your typical day camp. Most small day camps in New York State don’t operate under the same levels of regulatory oversight. Ours? Let’s just say the Empire State has a lot of feelings about how we do things.
We summer camp squirrel maze laser
We don’t let that stop us though. Where most camps simply scale back their programming if it’s too expensive, risky, or bound by regulations, we lean into it. Swimming is a perfect example of this, and something I am very proud to say we got done this year!!
You can learn more about how we were able to save swimming at Summer Camp here.
We’re often told that we are setting precedents in Niagara County. And while this makes me proud, it’s also really sad!.
I assumed that most children had access to real summer camp experiences. I was wrong.
Most summer programs, especially day programs, are essentially daycares with a few extra games. This is because all the really fun activities; riding horses, obstacle courses, animal encounters, swimming, boating or fishing also happen to be the most risky.
With high risk comes high responsibility! 😉😎
- Staff certifications
- Age requirements
- Activity-specific counselor ratios
- Weather-based contingency plans
- Camper height, weight, skill level, AND interests
…and that’s just to start the day.
The “Choose-Your-Own-Adventure” Revolution
One of our favorite new additions is our Focus & Drift System.
Campers 8+ choose a Focus.
A Focus at Autumn’s Gate Summer Camp. theme or skill they want to lean into for the week. Think of it like a major in college, but with more goats and glitter:
- Equestrian (All about horses, from ground to saddle)
- Adventure (Running, climbing, obstacle courses—yes, there’s a mud pit)
- Farm & Animal (Donkeys, ducks, bunnies, emus… we have the whole zoo)
- Aquatics (Pond play, water games, waterslides!)
- Explorer (Hiking, fishing, tracking, nature immersion)
- Creator (DIY, art, STEM projects, and craft wizardry)
- COMING SOON:
- Performer (Music, comedy, magic, theater)
- Hero (Martial arts, lightsaber duels, Jedi training, agility courses)
And then there are the Drifts; elective-style bonus blocks that any camper can choose, even if it’s outside their main focus. Want to ride horses even if you’re in Hero Focus? Done. Want to hop into a STEM drift as an Adventure camper? Absolutely.
This mix-and-match, choose-your-own-adventure style camp is awesome. But it’s also a logistical Rubik’s Cube.
Enter Autumn’s Gate AI
Cue our AI-powered scheduling assistant: AGAI.
She’s like if your favorite camp counselor, a data scientist, and a cruise director had a brainchild that lived inside a server. AGAI was trained to do what humans can’t; see the entire camp in real time, analyze how each camper is doing, and recommend pivots.
Let’s say your kid signs up for Aquatics but ends up less “mermaid” and more “mud monster.” AGAI is tracking camper feedback, real-time attendance, and even post-activity sentiment. It notices that your camper rated their STEM drift a 5/5 and wasn’t so jazzed about the splash zone.
It immediately proposes a modified schedule.
Suggestions are sent to our directors to review, adjust, and approve. Because while AI helps us manage complexity, humans still hold the reins. 😉🤠
Real-Time Adaptation = Real-Time Magic
This isn’t just about fixing what’s broken. It’s about optimizing what’s working.
Campers get more of what they love. Staff are placed where they thrive. Horses aren’t overscheduled. Activities don’t get overcrowded. We reduce camper boredom, increase engagement, and lower drop-outs from electives that aren’t the right fit.
In short: we’re creating a summer camp that adapts in real time to what your child actually wants and needs.
The Road Ahead: Beta in 2025, Launch in 2026
We’ll be rolling out the beta test of AGAI this summer, quietly integrating her into back-end operations with a few Focus tracks and elective periods. Please let us know if you’re interested in participating in our Beta test this season!
By 2026, our goal is a fully operational system that:
- Ingests parent forms, medical data, camper interests, and skill levels
- Matches that to available staff, certifications, ratios, weather, and resources
- Generates personalized, evolving schedules for every camper
- Notifies staff of shifts or schedule changes instantly
- Gives real-time feedback loops to counselors and parents
- Gamifies the Camp experience, and celebrates a Level Up like only Camp Ceremonies can
This Is the Future of Camp
Kids don’t just want fun. They want to feel seen.
This is what happens when you give AI to a bunch of horse lovers, artists, Jedi trainers, and farm nerds.
This is what happens when you say, “What if camp could be even better?”
This is the new Summer Camp standard.
Welcome to Summer Camp 2.0.
🐴🎨🧪⚔️🌲💧
— Jimmy Alfiere, Chief Troublemaker
Autumn’s Gate Co-Founder & Resident Idea Wrangler
Want to see the magic in action? Keep your eyes peeled for our AGAI Beta updates throughout Summer 2025. And as always, if you’ve got questions, we’ve got coffee. Let’s talk.
