The CampHacker Podcast

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!What did it take to run in-person programming this year? Where did the guts, confidence and motivation come from? Jalisa Danhof will tell you.This episode, we are excited to share a conversation with Jalisa Danhof, who took on the challenge of running in-person overnight camp during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Through her creative and innovative style, she lead her team to beat the odds and flourish. Even though there were challenges and pieces of the puzzle that were beyond her control, Jalisa and her team overcame them each day with success and pride. Jalisa thrives on confrontation and challenge: “I chew them up like a dragon and spit them out stronger and more resilient than ever before.” yeah - that’s right!You won’t want to miss this conversation! Tune in to this episode to hear about:How Jalisa came to her full-time role at Camp NewaygoHow did Jalisa personally and professionally manage the uncertainty that came with the pandemic looming?What were some of the biggest stresses for her, camp and her family during this time?What changed in her role and her approach to her job due to this different summer?What are some of the things that Jalisa is grateful for after the summer of 2020? What will she take away from it?Thanks to Jalisa for joining us on this episode! Who else should join us on Beyond Camp? Share in the comments!Links & Other Bonus MaterialVideo: Simon Sinek - How Great Leaders Inspire Action (Start With Why)Jalisa’s Recharge Pick - The Office Ladies PodcastEnjoy the new show?We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.Any feedback? Send Matt an email at matt@gocamp.proYour Hosts:Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - kentr@girlguides.caGuest:Jalisa Danhof, Director, Camp NewaygoWhat is Beyond Camp?Beyond Camp is a new summer Podcast brought to you by Go Camp Pro.Cassie Bloy and Rachel Kent are here to explore the intersection of camp and our lives. As much as people like to talk about camp and ‘the real world’ as two separate entities, camp professionals know that this simply isn’t true. Beyond Camp dives into how different aspects of our lives affect our camp experience, effectively bursting the camp bubble and welcoming all parts of our lives into the conversation.Go Camp Pro is excited to bring you this weekly podcast during the summer of 2020.If you have any feedback, or would like to support the work of Go Camp Pro email our producer, Matt, at matt@gocamp.pro

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!What’s the opposite, but still unhelpful version of a “Debbie Downer”?…A “Chipper Charlie”? Whatever it is, there’s a time and a place when that overly positive personality is not appropriate. Let’s dig into “Toxic Positivity”Do you ever find yourself thinking or saying “nothing can go right today”. Have you had some say “Just look on the bright side” or “think positive.” in response? When someone shares the sentiment of simply “remaining positive” through something as hard as a global pandemic, they may not realize the effect they are having on others. Do you find you struggle to share your emotions and put on your mask when having conversations with enthusiastically positive personalities? Beyond Camp is ready to dig into toxic positivity and how we can navigate the use of healthy positivity with those that surround us. Tune in to this episode to hear about:What is toxic positivity and where does it show up in and out of camp?What effect does it have on people who are genuinely struggling?How to handle a situation where someone is displaying some toxic positivity? How to have that hard conversation.How does toxic positivity get in the way of an empathetic response to hardship?What does positive and healthy self-talk look like during a crisis as big as this one?How do we help our staff understand toxic positivity in a way that encourages resilience, but doesn’t shame the naturally positive person, Have you had an experience with toxic positivity? Tell us about it in the comments!-Links & Other Bonus MaterialVideo: Brené Brown on EmpathyArticle: Positive Self-TalkHBR: Make a To-Don’t List-Enjoy the new show?We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.Any feedback? Send Matt an email at matt@gocamp.pro-Your Hosts:Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - kentr@girlguides.ca-What is Beyond Camp?Beyond Camp is a new summer Podcast brought to you by Go Camp Pro.Cassie Bloy and Rachel Kent are here to explore the intersection of camp and our lives. As much as people like to talk about camp and ‘the real world’ as two separate entities, camp professionals know that this simply isn’t true. Beyond Camp dives into how different aspects of our lives affect our camp experience, effectively bursting the camp bubble and welcoming all parts of our lives into the conversation.Go Camp Pro is excited to bring you this weekly podcast during the summer of 2020.If you have any feedback, or would like to support the work of Go Camp Pro email our producer, Matt, at matt@gocamp.pro

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Full show notes at http://gocamp.pro/beyondcampDo you have the guts to tear it all down and start building the life that you want? It’s not easy, but take it from Ruby Compton, it’s possible!With so many of our lives in turmoil right now in one way or another, some can see it as the perfect time to rebuild. The desire to do this can either come from a sense of “well, it’s already in shambles anyway” or, from a lens of “this is something that I can actually control amidst the chaos”.Either way, it’s a brave decision to start aligning yourself with a new/different purpose. Hats off to you for even contemplating it.So, what does it take to make the leap? How do you know it’s time? What will it actually be like?Who better to answer these questions than someone who has, and is living that transformation? That’s why we called in the creme de la creme, the queen of the raft, Go Camp Pro Podcaster extraordinaire - Ruby Compton!  We dive into this topic with Ruby as she shares with us how she’s building her business and career around her life - instead of the other way around. Join us as we discuss finding the courage to take a different path and how she stays true to herself and her values. Whether you’re planning on starting your own business or just want to explore the path less travelled, we are certain there’s something in this conversation for you. Tune in to this episode to hear about:Ruby’s camp “origin story”How Ruby moved into and out of full-time directing and camp workHow growth needs to be a continuous part of our life’s work, no matter the role we are inFinding a way to consistently check-in to see if the work is matching your valuesDeveloping a healthier relationship with work-life balanceMuch, much more!Who is another guest we should have on Beyond Camp? Let us know in the comments!-Enjoy the new show?We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.Any feedback? Send Matt an email at matt@gocamp.pro-Your Hosts:Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - kentr@girlguides.caRuby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors-What is Beyond Camp?Beyond Camp is a new summer Podcast brought to you by Go Camp Pro.Cassie Bloy and Rachel Kent are here to explore the intersection of camp and our lives. As much as people like to talk about camp and ‘the real world’ as two separate entities, camp professionals know that this simply isn’t true. Beyond Camp dives into how different aspects of our lives affect our camp experience, effectively bursting the camp bubble and welcoming all parts of our lives into the conversation.Go Camp Pro is excited to bring you this weekly podcast during the summer of 2020.If you have any feedback, or would like to support the work of Go Camp Pro email our producer, Matt, at matt@gocamp.pro

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!What connects you to your “True-North”? When the world feels like it’s been flipped upside down, where can we turn to sort itself out? Let’s get oriented to the new normal together here on Beyond Camp. Things are changing at a dizzying pace and it can be hard to orient ourselves. Daily we are pulled in new directions, by the news, social media, our peers, friends and family. So come, grab your compass and dig into this conversation as we discuss how to find our bearings, what grounds us and how we are charting our path forwards. Join hosts Rachel and Cassie as they share some strategies, boundaries, routines and introspective practices to help you find your way through the foggy landscape that is Summer 2020. Tune in to this episode to hear about:Strategies and advice on cautious media, news and social media consumptionEstablishing routines to establish a sense of normalcy in your day and weekLeaning into your values and traits to help you discover and use what you are truly gifted atSurrounding yourself with the right community to support you through the twists and turnsLooking into bettering yourself and your skillset through education and professional development opportunitiesMuch, much more!What is something your compass points to? Let us know in the comments!-Links & Other Bonus MaterialCOVID-19 Visual FactsBook: Atomic HabitsGallups’s Clifton StrengthsHBR: Reinventing Your CareerSubscribe to the HBR email digest here-Enjoy the new show?We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.Any feedback? Send Matt an email at matt@gocamp.pro-Your Hosts:Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - kentr@girlguides.ca

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Whether you’re a coaster-nut or not, this was NOT the ride we thought it would be. Grab your barf-bag and let’s dig into this episode of Beyond CampAnyone else feel like they are strapped into a roller coaster they didn’t sign up for and can’t get off of? You’re not alone. Join us today as we talk about the highs and lows of the last few months. We talk boundaries, supporting ourselves and those who turn to us during challenging times. We are here to remind you that it’s okay to feel those feelings, to talk about them and to be kind to yourself. As camp pros, we give this advice to others all the time and often fail to take it ourselves. We are here to be that camp director for you, to remind yourself that it’s okay to feel a bit out of control, to not know what’s going on and to sometimes feel like you’ve just been flipped upside down. Tune in to this episode to hear about:Validation of the emotions you may be feeling - it’s okay to not be okayRecognizing your emotions - naming them and claiming themSome ways to cope during the peaks and valleys of emotionsMoving past the guilty feelings of enjoying a summer without campWorking through the varying stages of grief that comes with this timeHow to set boundaries for when others want to offer you supportHow are you managing the emotional roller coaster? Let us know in the comments!-Links & Other Bonus Material found at gocamp.pro/beyondcamp-Enjoy the new show?We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.Any feedback? Send Matt an email at matt@gocamp.pro-Your Hosts:Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - kentr@girlguides.ca

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!If we don’t have Summer Camp? What are we? Who are we? Let’s answer this together.The pandemic has uprooted all of us, it’s unprecedented, caused us to pivot, turned our worlds upside down… you’ve heard it all by now. We’ve heard these words a million times. Listen in today as we chat about how we have are coping with what feels like losing a part of ourselves.We often feel called to be a camp director and when that’s gone we feel like we’ve lost part of ourselves. Join us for the first episode of Beyond Camp where we explore what our identity meant to us, why it was so important and how we are slowly moving forward. This is hard stuff, but together we can do hard things.Join hosts Rachel & Cassie as they dive deep into this tough, but necessary conversation.Tune in to this episode to hear about:Why does the COVID-19 camp pandemic hurt camp professionals so personally?What words and language can we use to communicate both a sense of loss or solidarity with other camp professionalsWhat are we actually missing? Why does this hurt so much for some of us?What if folks don’t get it? What if they still don’t understand what we really do/did as camp professionals?What things can we do re-charge and refill our bucket during this hard time?-Links & Other Bonus MaterialArticlesHBR: What Happens When Your Career Becomes Your Whole IdentityThe School of Life: How Your Job Shapes Your IdentityPsychology Today: You Are Not Your WorkHBR: Separate Who You Are From What You Do-Enjoy the new show?We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.Any feedback? Send Matt an email at matt@gocamp.pro-Your Hosts:Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - kentr@girlguides.ca-What is Beyond Camp?Beyond Camp is a new summer Podcast brought to you by Go Camp Pro.Cassie Bloy and Rachel Kent are here to explore the intersection of camp and our lives. As much as people like to talk about camp and ‘the real world’ as two separate entities, camp professionals know that this simply isn’t true. Beyond Camp dives into how different aspects of our lives affect our camp experience, effectively bursting the camp bubble and welcoming all parts of our lives into the conversation.Go Camp Pro is excited to bring you this weekly podcast during the summer of 2020.If you have any feedback, or would like to support the work of Go Camp Pro email our producer, Matt, at matt@gocamp.pro

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!A Camp Podcast, in the Summer!?Coming July 9th, 2020: Beyond Camp: Exploring the Intersection of Camp and Our LivesAs much as people like to talk about camp and ‘the real world’ as two separate entities, camp professionals know that this simply isn’t true. Beyond Camp dives into how different aspects of our lives affect our camp experience, effectively bursting the camp bubble and welcoming all parts of our lives into the conversation.For the summer, stay tuned to the CampHacker Podcast feed. We're releasing a new show every week! We hope you enjoy this preview! Episode one drops July 9th at 6 am.If you have any feedback or ideas for future topics please get in touch! - matt@gocamp.pro.Go well and safely friends, see you next week.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!We need to be in this for the long-run. Think ahead to 2025 with the CampHacker Podcast.Things are hard now. It’s no doubt.However, through hard things, comes the opportunity for big and beautiful changes.It’s is the idea of weathering the storm and watching the flowers thrive.Give yourself a break from the doom and gloom to think about what your camping program will look like in 5 years. 5 summers from now, what do you want to be proud of? How will we show the world the importance of camp after the possibility of a summer without it?When it comes to thinking big, there’s no other crew you want in your corner. The whole gang is here, so sit back, relax for a second and dream alongside Gabz, Dan, Joe and Travis.In what ways do you think camp will look different in 2025? Let us know in the comments!Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Voice messaging Slack extension - https://talk-talk.me/Dan: Joby GripTight GorillaPod Stand PRO -  https://amzn.to/35Xpo0VJoe: Lee Valley Best-Ever Picture Screw - https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/hardware/picture-hanging-and-framing/anchors-and-screws/76382-lee-valley-best-ever-picture-screwGabz: TeamGantt Project Management Framework - https://www.teamgantt.com/google-sheets-gantt-chart-templateYour Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - CampHacker.TV, Founder at Go Camp ProJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce Williams Summer Camp & Retreat FacilityDan Weir, Sr. Director - Youth Development, Summer Camp, & Strategic Initiatives - YMCA of Long IslandGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauRate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)Thanks to our sponsor!Radtagz - Be and Be Known

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Real Talk. Dealing with COVID and camp is hard and we can’t keep going at this 24/7. What are Travis, Dan and Joe doing to avoid thinking about COVID-19?You may be a work-horse. You have been the camp counsellor who stayed up until 3 am to finish that extra special surprise for your campers. You may have been the Program Director who spent hours upon hours trying to quash staff drama. You may have even spent the night pouring over accreditation standards and thinking about every little detail you needed to fix before your standards visit the next day.You may have been able to do that, but COVID-19 and camp is not that.When we are dealing with something this ominous, we more than ever need to set mental boundaries. We’re not talking about taking a 15-minute mindfulness break, or trying to re-frame this all as an opportunity, or simply trying to just keep working to deal with this.You need a mental pause, and to take a second to take off the mask of security and strong leadership that you put on for your staff, families and alumni.And if you think that this is the mindset of amateurs in the industry, it most certainly is not.We wanted to get real with you on this episode of the CampHacker Podcast. This is Travis, Dan and Joe talking about what they, as people with a combined almost 100 years in the industry are doing to protect their sanity during this unprecedented time in the camping world.Tune in to hear our 3 hosts share their favourite Podcasts, Books, Music, TV Shows and Hobbies that they use to switch their brains from the mentally, physically and emotionally taxing jobs of keeping their programs, and the industry as a whole, alive.Editors Note: I’m extremely grateful to Joe, Dan and Travis for their radical openness and vulnerability in this episode. What are you doing to intentionally foster community and empathy with your team? Let us know in the comments!Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Custom Zoom Signs - Vote, SMRT, and “You’re Muted”Dan: Can’t Hurt Me by David GogginsJoe: Yo-Yo Tricks - https://yoyotricks.com/Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - CampHacker.TV, Founder at Go Camp ProJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce Williams Summer Camp & Retreat FacilityDan Weir, Sr. Director - Youth Development, Summer Camp, & Strategic Initiatives - YMCA of Long IslandRate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)Thanks to our sponsor!Radtagz - Be and Be Known

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Being a leader in crisis is necessary, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. The CampHacker team is here to help.This is a test of our leadership.COVID-19 is likely one of the biggest threats to your camp that you, as a director has faced in your camping career.In times like this, it’s easy to look inward. It’s natural to worry about the money, about the uncertainty of viability if you miss a summer, disappointing children…sorry, we don’t have to remind you of all that you’re worrying about right now.When things are hard, the sign of a great leader is the one that shows compassion, empathy and care for their staff team. Think about your high school and college-aged staff right now. The prospect of summer without camp is emotionally devastating and they need your help.Don’t get us wrong, we’re not suggesting that you need to sugar-coat things and tell them that everything’s going to be alright. What they need, is for you to walk beside them in their feelings. That may look like being honest with them, to coach them through their feelings, or maybe even simply to take the time to listen to them.If you want to be strategic about it, think about your staff team in 2021. Do you want to start from scratch, or do you want to have a team of people who loved camp, felt heard, and stayed connected through an emotionally difficult time for you, and them?This is your time to show them, that no matter what, you, camp, and the community of their peers are here for them.What are you doing to intentionally foster community and empathy with your team? Let us know in the comments!Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Ruby’s Slack suggestions https://gocamp.pro/blog/navigating-slack-part-3-the-fun-stuff https://gocamp.pro/blog/navigating-slack-part-2-of-3 https://gocamp.pro/blog/navigating-slack-part-1-of-3            Dan: Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable by Tim GroverJoe: GRR-Ripper 3D Pushblock for table saws - https://www.microjig.com/products/grr-ripperGabz: Apple Arcade: What the GolfYour Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - CampHacker.TV, Founder at Go Camp ProJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce Williams Summer Camp & Retreat FacilityDan Weir, Sr. Director - Youth Development, Summer Camp, & Strategic Initiatives - YMCA of Long IslandGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauRate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)Thanks to our sponsor!