Camp Code - Leadership & Staff Training Podcast for Camp Directors

How to Build a Positive Camp Culture - Camp Code #114

6 snips

Dec 20, 2022

Exploring how to build a positive camp culture, the hosts discuss practical strategies for staff engagement and retention. They suggest asking staff to identify signs of a toxic workplace and addressing these concerns collaboratively. Using LEGO as a metaphor, they emphasize the importance of teamwork and individuality. Daily check-ins on toxic behaviors foster a nurturing environment. Leadership's role in creating accountability and a supportive atmosphere is highlighted, encouraging open communication for a thriving camp experience.

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ADVICE

Identifying Negative Camp Culture

Split returning staff into groups and ask what negative camp culture looks, sounds, and feels like.
Use creative sharing methods like tableaux or songs for engagement.

ADVICE

Countering Negative Culture

Discuss why negative culture matters and how to counter it with actions and words.
Decide on specific responses for different negative behaviors.

ADVICE

Boosting Staff Morale

Create a rotating team to organize fun staff-only activities.
This boosts morale and positive interactions.

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/campcode/how-to-build-a-positive-camp-culture

How to Build a Positive Camp Culture

In our last episode, we touched on the importance of a positive camp culture and how it can help retain staff year to year. Today, we will dive into HOW we can actually create a positive camp culture.

We hope you love this episode of Camp Code! If you do, please consider subscribing to the show, and leaving us a rating in your Podcast app. It’s SO easy, just head to https://ratethispodcast.com/campcode

Best Practice for Leadership Training

From Beth

Ask your staff to come up with a list to the question “What are the signs of a toxic workplace?”. The staff will come up with things like “there are no boundaries with work”, “people don’t trust each other”, “there is no support for our staff growth”, “there is constant dysfunction and confusion” etc…

Any of these are a red flag for your camp culture. Create a large poster with all of these behaviours, create little red flags and put the poster somewhere where campers cannot see it, like the staff lounge. Further, have your staff put a red flag next to the sentence where an employee feels like they are in a toxic environment.

Check on this poster daily and remove the flags as you deal with the issue. This shows your staff that you’re paying attention to what they need, resolving issues and most of all, you are focused on creating a culture that is positive and inclusive for everyone.

Your Hosts:

Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors
Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau

Thanks to our sponsor…

UltraCamp

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