Protecting Camp Culture and The Lasting Impact of a Soda Bottle - with Gabe Chernov - Intentionally Intentional Leaders

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-gabe-c

The End of the "Magic" Myth: Gabe Chernov on Engineering Social-Emotional Growth

In this episode of Intentionally Intentional Leaders, Travis Allison talks with Gabe Chernov, the owner and director of Birch Trail Camp for Girls. They explore the small interactions that stick with us forever and the systems Gabe uses to build a resilient camp culture.

Gabe talks about the deep impact of a camp director’s letter during a time he felt childhood homesickness and how he uses that same spirit of mentorship today. They dive into the post-COVID challenges of youth development, which led Birch Trail to create a custom values-based board game to help campers talk about their feelings. Whether he is explaining the process of scaffolding a wilderness trip or the non-negotiable need for eight hours of sleep, Gabe shows how to lead with a mix of data and empathy.

Key Takeaways for Camp Professionals

• The Power of the Nothing Moment. Gabe and Travis discuss how a tiny interaction, like learning the right way to drink from a glass soda bottle, can stay with a person for decades. Gabe uses these stories to remind his staff that they are always making a permanent impact even when they do not realize it.
• Gamifying Values and Empathy. To help kids with the social effects of the pandemic, Birch Trail developed a physical board game and value cards. This tool gives campers the specific language they need to express gratitude and work through feelings within their cabin group.
• Scaffolding for Growth. Gabe describes camp as a process by design. By carefully planning every activity and wilderness trip, directors create a safe environment where campers are encouraged to fail, learn from that failure, and build true resilience.
• The Midnight Rule for Staff Wellness. Long before sleep science was a major trend in the industry, Gabe implemented a mandatory midnight shutdown for staff lounges. He talks about the importance of being unpopular in the short term to protect the long-term health and safety of the counselors.
• Distinguishing Needs from Demands. With parent advocacy on the rise, Gabe shares his framework for saying no. He breaks down the difference between an individual demand and a communal need, explaining that a camp must say no when a request hurts the collective experience of the cabin.

Connect with Gabe. If you have questions about Birch Trail’s programming or their values board game, you can reach out to Gabe Chernov at Gabe@birchtrail.com.

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