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This guide walks you through the full setup path from a blank account to a live camp portal ready to accept applications. You’ll create your organization, configure the basics, invite your admin team, and open your application form.
1

Create your PlayaOS account

Go to playaos.app and sign up. You can register with an email and password or use SSO if your organization supports it.Once you’re signed in, you land on the platform dashboard where you manage your camp organizations.
2

Create your camp organization

Click New organization and fill in three fields:
  • Camp name — your camp’s full display name (e.g., “Camp Sunrise Collective”). This appears throughout the portal and in emails to members.
  • Slug — the URL identifier for your camp (e.g., sunrise-collective). This becomes your portal address: sunrise-collective.playaos.app. Use lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens only.
  • Preset — choose the type that best describes your camp.
The preset configures your camp’s default features. You can adjust individual settings later.
New organizations start on the Free plan, which supports up to 10 members and provides admin tools without a member-facing portal. Upgrade to the Camp or Network plan to unlock the full member portal and application workflow.
3

Configure camp branding

After your organization is created, go to Settings → Branding to set the details your members will see:
  • Contact email — where members can reach camp leadership
  • Givebutter URL — your Givebutter campaign link for collecting dues (required for payment features)
  • Instagram handle — optional; displays in member-facing pages
Your camp name and portal URL are already set from step 2. If you want to update the display name without changing your slug, you can do that here too.
Set your contact email to a shared address (like info@yourcamp.com) rather than a personal inbox — it’s what members see when they need help.
4

Invite your admin team

Go to Settings → Team and invite the people who will help you manage the camp. Enter each person’s email address and assign their role:
  • Admin — can review applications, manage members, assign shelters, schedule shifts, and send emails
  • Super admin — everything an admin can do, plus access to billing, settings, and managing other admins
Invitees receive an email with a link to join your organization. They’ll need a PlayaOS account (or they’ll create one when they accept).
You are automatically assigned the super admin role when you create the organization.
5

Open the application form

Go to Applications → Settings and enable the application form. You can configure:
  • Which fields are required vs. optional
  • Whether applicants need a referral from an existing member
  • Custom questions specific to your camp
While the form is closed, applicants who visit your portal URL will see a message that applications are not currently open. Open the form when you’re ready to receive submissions.
The application form and member portal require the Camp plan ($19/mo) or higher. On the Free plan, you can still manage members manually through the admin dashboard.
6

Share your camp portal URL

Your camp portal is live at yourslug.playaos.app. Share this URL with prospective applicants — it’s where they’ll apply, log in, and access their member dashboard once approved.Applicants visit the portal, click Apply to join, and complete the application form. Their submission lands immediately in your Applications queue.
Add your portal URL to your camp’s social media profiles, website, and any recruitment posts before opening applications. PlayaOS doesn’t have a public camp directory — applicants need to know your URL to find you.

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What’s next

With your portal live, explore the rest of the setup guides to get fully configured:

Plans and billing

Compare Free, Camp, and Network plans and upgrade when you’re ready.

Payment integration

Connect Givebutter to collect dues directly through the member portal.

Managing applications

Review submissions, schedule vibe checks, and approve members.

Branding and config

Customize your portal’s name, contact details, and display settings.