Adjusting to Camp Culture - Camp Code #57

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Camp is weird! Let’s help staff navigate.

Building off of what we learned from Episode 56, we wanted to focus on some of the findings our Camp Directors friends came across this past summer. Focusing on the outside world, and fitting in on some the cultures we develop at camp, we want to focus on some guidance to help prepare your staff for a summer at camp.

Our hosts Beth Allison, Ruby Compton and Gabrielle Raill dig in to the following topics:

Empowering the staff.. More and more, parents are calling to ask questions about contracts and/or asking for time off for their kids. We want to empower the staff, and are always looking for ways for staff to be accountable for their own employment.

Cellphones are a crutch that is a part of our culture, however; at camp it can interfere with the important connections that get created at camp.

Vaping!

Sleep habits, reflecting on the research of sleep and implementing these with staff

Moving from living alone, to having interaction all of the time and how we get staff to welcome being in reach with people at all times.

Leadership Training Best Practices

Overcoming the cell phone issue as a staff with a joy list

Gather the staff together with 5 flip chart papers and markers. Get the staff talking and adding things to categories on sheets like “this made me smile”, “this makes me happy”, “this was a memory or magical moment that I remember most”.

The kicker: Then ask them, “how many of these moments happened because of a phone?”

This can open up a conversation about your cell phone policy and how phones can help or hinder connection.

Your Hosts:

Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau

Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - CampHacker.tv

Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors