At ESF, our new year starts a little earlier. When the last camper heads home and summer winds down, we gather at the end of September for our annual tradition: Kaizen. 

If you’re new to the ESF family, you might be wondering what that word means. Kaizen is a Japanese term for “continual improvement,” and it sits at the heart of how we work. We try to live it every day, but for one week each fall, it gets our full and undivided attention. 

During our Kaizen sessions, our team takes an honest, detailed look at every part of the camp experience we delivered this summer. We celebrate what went well, and we dig even deeper into what could have gone better. Camper and family feedback, counselor insights, and the small moments we noticed along the way all get a seat at the table. No idea is too big, and no detail is too small. 

This year’s Kaizen week is just the beginning. Over the coming month, the ideas and conversations from these sessions will grow into a full strategic plan, shaping the new initiatives and enhancements we’ll roll out for future summers. 

Thank you to every parent and staff member who shared feedback this summer. You helped make this year’s Kaizen one of our most productive yet. We can’t wait for you to see what’s in store next summer!