Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Yanes.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Wise Choice Summer Camp was founded over 21 years. It started initially as a tutoring camp but after years of listening to the feedback of the parents and the campers, we have adjusted the schedule to what it is today. Staying true to my roots I wanted all the campers to learn and gain a skill during the summer and because of that, the first hour of the day is our educational hour. Campers will work on a weekly report that they have to present at the end of the week on Friday. In my opinion, this is the most important skill campers will participate in during the summer.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was not a smooth road. I worked for free for approximately ten years. The rent on these facilities were high and so was payroll. I kept doing the camps because it was a way to give my tutoring employees a job throughout the summer and I kept the dream alive that one day it would be a prestigious camp. I loved camp every summer and never did it with the thoughts of money as a priority. The main focus was always to make sure the campers had an unforgettable summer.
As you know, we’re big fans of Wise Choice Summer Camp. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We specialize in making an unforgettable summer experience for campers throughout the Miami-Dade area. We have four locations in different parts of the city Coral Gables, Doral, Kendall, and Westchester. What sets us apart from all other camps is the fact that our staff members are all professionals and genuinely care about the campers’ happiness. The schedule is maximized for campers to have a productive day with no downtime. The schedule also allows the campers to have a customized experience because they are allowed to choose a mini-elective to end the day. This is unique to our summer program and the campers love it. What I am most proud of is the fact that many of our campers have grown into young adults, and many of them reach out at some point of their life and they tell us that camp was their favorite part of their childhood. Some of these campers tell us that some of the skills learned have also helped them become successful in life. It is the most rewarding feeling to know that we impacted the lives of many children in a positive way.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The most important quality that I have was the persistence and belief in myself and the program. For many years, this program was not profitable and the average person would have given up on the camp. I invested at least a decade of my life giving my employees jobs during the off season and putting smiles on campers faces at my own expense. It would have been easier for me financially to just save my money. Our camp program has never been sponsored by the government.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wisechoicesummercamp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisechoicesummercamp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisechoicesummercamp
