Our crazy Summer-Camp-for-Teachers idea? It's HAPPENING!
Team Letter | April 1, 2025
Happy New Quarter, Alpaca!!
First, let me tell you how proud I am of what we accomplished in the first quarter of 2025 — we grew to 100 customers, won 2 national awards, launched a new website, grew our team, and closed our seed round of funding. Not a bad three months!
Now, let me tell you how bonkers excited I am about a little dream of ours that’s coming to life, thanks to the 100% “let’s say yes if it means listening to teachers” attitude on this team.
Years ago when we were starting this company, we dreamed up this idea: “What if we could invite educators to come together for a summer camp focused on building creative, joyful, educator-created content?” And not long ago, I mentioned this idea off-hand to the head of our educator team, who said, “We could make this thing happen!”
So this week, we launched Camp Alpaca — a two-week summer workshop for educators, happening this June at our HQ in Omaha. It’s joyful, hands-on, creative — and most importantly, it’s an embodiment of one of our core values: Listen to Teachers.
As you know, we believe teacher voice is essential — not just for shaping better products, but for building a better company. That belief has shown up in interviews, focus groups, product feedback calls, and pilot programs. But this summer, we’re taking it a step further. We’re pulling teachers directly into our process — side by side with our team — to create something together.
Here’s how it works:
What is Camp Alpaca?
Our camp will be a two-week, in-person summer workshop where 12 educators will learn, co-create, and help shape the future of Alpaca. At camp, educators will:
Learn creative tools like Canva, iPhone photography, and social media strategy
Join listening sessions and focus groups to share real insights about teaching today
Co-create beautiful, useful school culture tools that will be shared with educators across the country
When and Where?
Camp runs Monday through Thursday, June 16–26, 2025, in-person at Alpaca! (Note: because of how hands-on and collaborative the experience is, this is an in-person-only program. so we’re not providing housing or travel, but we’ll help out-of-town folks connect for shared lodging. I know, I know. We’re working on whether we can do a remote option because we have a LOT of interest from out of town. Stay tuned.)
Who can participate?
Camp Alpaca is open to current, active educators — that includes classroom teachers, para-educators, substitutes, administrators, counselors, and other school-based staff.
We’ve got a short and simple application, and we’re prioritizing folks who bring diverse perspectives and energy to the work. We’re only accepting twelve participants this first year. It’s a pilot, a learning experience, and hopefully, the start of something big.
Get ready, Alpaca! Our space will welcome the brilliant ideas and perspectives of extraordinary educators this summer. This is a chance to listen deeply, create together, and stretch what it looks like to be an educator-centered company. I couldn’t be more excited.
Applications are open now through Friday, April 11 — and we’ll notify selected campers by April 15. If you know an educator that should be a part of this, please encourage them to apply!
Camp Alpaca is more than just a summer program. It’s a step toward a company where teachers don’t just influence the work — they help create it.
Let’s go, Alpaca!
KB