The CampHacker Podcast
CampHacker - from Go Camp Pro
Recent Episodes
Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/04/what-they-dont-get
What is one thing you learned working at camp that surprises people when you talk about?
The fact that people don’t understand what we do full-time is not just and “us” problem - it’s a problem for our entire industry.
It’s annoying as all heck - yes.
And.
It could be the reason why you’re under-enrolled and understaffed.
One of the biggest issues facing our industry is our reputation. We are consistently fighting against Hollywood stereotypes and the notion that camp is a luxury item for privileged kids or glorified child-care.
We - meaning consultants, associations, directors, staff, etc. - need to do a better job articulating what camp does for it’s leaders and the types of people that it creates.
If we don’t, how do we expect families and staff to value the experience enough to trust us with their kids or their summer employment?
Do these show notes sound like we’re up on a soap-box? Well just wait for the episode!
Tune in to get a (kind) earful from Travis and Chris!
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Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director
- Chris - Notion.so
- Travis - https://deckofbrilliance.com/
Your Hosts:
- Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
- Chris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight
Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/03/choice-based
Elective-based, choice-based, whatever you call it, it just may be the future of camper programs.
We welcome back one of our original hosts, Dan Weir and welcome back Jack Schott from The Summer Camp Society (and TSCS Podcast!) to unpack all things choice-based programming.
You’ll hear:
- How do we actually define choice-based programming
- Why was this model so radical 10(ish) years ago
- What are the benefits of giving campers more ownership over their camp experience
- How does a choice-based model tie into equity, intentionality and positive social development (yes, we go deep in this one!)
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Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director
- Chris - Argh! Pirate Ship!
- Travis - ear filter - Flare Calmer - 🇨🇦 https://amzn.to/3VI3MkW 🇺🇸https://amzn.to/3VDWOgW
- Jack - https://www.allinpodcast.co/ or https://getaway.house/
- Dan - Wireless
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Your Hosts:
- Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
- Chris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight
- Jack Schott, Co-Founder - The Summer Camp Society
- Dan Weir, Sr. Consultant - immersive1st - Day Camp Community
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Rate and Review the CampHacker Show
(Thank you!)
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Thanks to our sponsor!
UltraCamp
Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagement.com/camphacker
Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/03/our-advice-to-new-staff
What are the most important things staff need to know to be successful this summer?
Right now (March), camp directors everywhere are starting to think about staff training…or, intending to do so at least.
There are a trillion things that we want to teach staff and it would be literally impossible to pack it all in during training and even harder to decide on which one is the most important.
This episode, Travis and Chris put themselves in the shoes of camp directors the day before the kids arrive at camp. If this was the only advice they could give to camp staff - what would it be?
Unsurprisingly, they couldn’t narrow it down to one each, but it’s all great.
Please pass this on to your camp staff! The keeners will thank you!
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Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director
Chris - http://makeplayingcards.com
Travis - Talknotes https://talknotes.io/app
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Your Hosts:
- Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
- Chris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight
-
Rate and Review the CampHacker Show
(Thank you!)
-
Thanks to our sponsors!
UltraCamp
Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagement.com/camphacker
Camptivities
Why spend hours on your schedules, only to find mistakes and missed activities for your campers! Let Camptivities do the heavy lifting and help you create the best schedules yet, without the mistakes, and in less time. Come check out Camptivities; specifically designed for camps by camp people. Find out more at camptivities.com
Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/gen-z
Unlocking the Potential of Gen-Z at Summer Camp
Staffing continues to be one of the biggest thorns in the paws of our industry. It’s a challenge that isn’t likely to go away soon, so what can we do to ride this wave, rather than just letting it crash into us?
Travis and Mandi dig into this topic and share how an approach of curiosity is a Camp Pro’s best tool when working with this generation of camp staff.
In this episode, we cover:
- What do we need to know about this generation of camp staff? How will their worldview shape how they view their role this summer?
- How can we show this generation why the summer camp experience is not just worthwhile, but incredibly desirable?
- How we can help staff understand that camp is one of the best training grounds around for almost all future careers
- Is it possible to screen for the potential of great staff members? What can we do to identify the staff who are going to be super successful this summer?
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Your Hosts:
- Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - [email protected]
- Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - [email protected]
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Thanks to our sponsors!
The American Camp Association - Illinois
The American Camp Association of Illinois is made up of nearly 289,000 members, volunteers, campers, families, and professionals who believe in the power of camp. We work to disrupt the effects of poverty by providing fundamental services for children and families, and learning opportunities for camp professionals. Learn more about ACA Illinois by visiting acail.org.
Camptivities
You know the impact you want camp to make in a child’s life. But figuring out the day-to-day details can be overwhelming. Let Camptivities help you make that impact by streamlining the creation of your camp activity schedules. Schedule a demo at camptivities.com.
Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/power-between-people
With great power comes…well, you know the rest.
We all know that even in the sunshine and butterflies that is summer camp, there is evil lurking about. An evil that affects people and communities from all over. It has a name, too.
Are you ready?
Power.
Okay, maybe a bit dramatic, but it’s something nonetheless that we need to talk about when it comes to the microcosm that is summer camp.
On this episode, Mandi and Travis discuss how the power structures of the summer camp world have consequential effects on not just the employees, but the entire culture and program.
You’ll hear about:
- How power is an ever-present entity, how everyone has it (to an extent) and how dynamic it can be
- The risk of harm that can be inherent in the systems that even the most well-intentioned camp leaders can create
- How the different spaces, and the unspoken rules of those spaces create a power-filled environment
- How camp directors can be aware of these systems of power and consider the good, the bad and the ugly in them
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Your Hosts:
- Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - [email protected]
- Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - [email protected]
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Thanks to our sponsors!
The American Camp Association - Illinois
The American Camp Association of Illinois is made up of nearly 289,000 members, volunteers, campers, families, and professionals who believe in the power of camp. We work to disrupt the effects of poverty by providing fundamental services for children and families, and learning opportunities for camp professionals. Learn more about ACA Illinois by visiting acail.org.
Camptivities
You know the impact you want camp to make in a child’s life. But figuring out the day-to-day details can be overwhelming. Let Camptivities help you make that impact by streamlining the creation of your camp activity schedules. Schedule a demo at camptivities.com.