The CampHacker Podcast

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/gen-zUnlocking the Potential of Gen-Z at Summer CampStaffing 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 careersIs 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?-Your Hosts:Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - getlamped@gmail.com Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - travis@gocamp.pro-Thanks to our sponsors!The American Camp Association - IllinoisThe 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.CamptivitiesYou 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.Free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic: https://camp.mba/travisTake it once a month to see how all of your work is progressing.  Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Dive into the intricate power dynamics at summer camps, where leadership isn’t as straightforward as it seems. The discussion unveils how power is shared and how it influences camp culture and relationships. Explore the psychological effects of control, anxiety, and surveillance on behavior. Learn how physical spaces shape authority and self-perception among campers and staff. Gain insights on practical leadership strategies that prioritize communication and well-being, revealing the complexities of camp management.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/02/retain-staffThe number one recruiting tactic? You got it - retaining!As the summer creeps closer, the staffing woes of the industry rear it’s ugly head again.Wouldn’t it be great if staffing wasn’t the thing that stole your focus from creating the best program you know you could be? Well, it’s a long road, but one of the biggest shortcuts on that road is retaining last summer’s staff!And, how do you do that? Well, because this is a Go Camp Pro podcast, you know we have to talk about being intentional in your strategy. How do you be intentional? Well, we’re here to help with that, too!In this episode, Chris and Travis go deep into the very nature of intentionality and how that can apply as you look to retain your best staff.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris - Big Dumb Cup: https://www.stanley1913.com/collections/tumblersBe aware of lead in the bottom of the mugTravis - Beeper App https://refer.beeper.com/XYMr2p-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsors!UltraCampImagine 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/camphackerCamptivitiesWhy 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.comFree Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic: https://camp.mba/travisTake it once a month to see how all of your work is progressing.  Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/01/camps-and-aiIs AI going to ruin the summer camp industry?AI really proliferated right before we all went to camp in 2023.Some of us started playing with it, but over the summer, while we were living in our “unplugged” utopia, many parts of the world began to change without us. Now that we’re back, directors and industry partners are readily using AI, but in our haste to catch up, have we taken a second to consider the bigger picture? No shame if you haven’t yet. You’re busy, and that’s why we’re here!We welcome back EmJ and Jack from The Summer Camp Society Podcast to help guide Camp Pros on unpacking this important discussion.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris - Beanie w Headlamp (🇺🇸 - https://amzn.to/47reRJJ, 🇨🇦 - https://amzn.to/3NRlnm0)Travis - Emergency - Neil Strauss (🇨🇦 - https://amzn.to/3H61PGv, 🇺🇸 - https://bookshop.org/a/84130/9780060898779)Jack - How to run great meetings - How to Run Effective Meetings | Matt Mochary | The Tim Ferriss Show podcastEmJ - Giant Postits - 4 x 6 (🇺🇸 https://amzn.to/3H9dTai, 🇨🇦 - https://amzn.to/3H8ISmJ)-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp HighlightJack Schott, Co-Founder The Summer Camp SocietyEmJ Juszczyk, TSCS Podcast Producer and Programs Director at Project Kindred-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsors!UltraCampImagine 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/camphackerCamptivitiesWhy 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.comFree Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic: https://camp.mba/travisTake it once a month to see how all of your work is progressing.  Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/good-for-everyoneJust BEING at camp is a good thing - the science proves it!We intuitively know that camp is a good thing.We can tell a million heart-filled stories about how camp changes lives.But as you all know, the proof is certainly in the pudding - so for the discerning camp pros (or camp families we are trying to convince to come to camp!) this episode will be a great place to start!Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis unpack some of the major findings over the last few years of research when it comes to the benefits of the summer camp experience for everyone involved.You’ll hear about:Why being in nature is a foundational part of the benefits of the camp experienceThe psychosocial benefits of positive community and relationshipsHow camp develops physical literacy and a healthy relationship to riskHow camps are a developmental relationship super-chargerWhere to get your hands on this research-Links and Resources:UPLOADS - The Understanding and Preventing Led Outdoor Accidents Data Systems (UPLOADS) Project-Your Hosts:Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - getlamped@gmail.com Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - travis@gocamp.pro-Thanks to our sponsors!The American Camp Association - IllinoisThe 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.CamptivitiesYou 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.Free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic: https://camp.mba/travisTake it once a month to see how all of your work is progressing.  Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/01/climate-changeRecycling programs and talking nature education programs are only step 1.When we talked about climate change and camp 10 years ago, the conversation usually was about how we can be a bit more sustainable, how to teach campers about nature appreciation and maybe looking at recycling a little bit closer.That’s not what this conversation is about.We need to seriously consider how the climate emergency is going to fundamentally impact many of our programs. Power availability, infrastructure, air quality, the sheer ability to go outside - as some would say - the very essence of camp is on the line here. Maybe not for us, but surely for the next generation at our camps.Chris and Travis are joined by Danny Sudman from Green Camps, an organization that empowers camps to reduce their environmental impact and inspire the next generation of eco-leaders.This isn’t just a “doom and gloom” episode (although, there’s certainly some of that), the team brings solutions and inspiration to help camps feel inspired to think about this in a serious way.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris - Windproof Waterproof Rechargeable Lighter (🇺🇸 - https://amzn.to/3S9bhPG, 🇨🇦 https://amzn.to/423B3IR)Travis - Warheads for Panic Attacks - https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2023/12/01/tiktok-warheads-trend-panic-attack-experts/71754898007/Danny - Energy and Water Efficiency Checklist for Camps and Retreats https://www.greencamps.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ES_Checklist_Camps_Green-Camps-co-brand.pdf-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp HighlightDanny Sudman, Founder & Executive Director - Green Camps-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsors!UltraCampImagine 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/camphackerCamptivitiesWhy 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 Free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic: https://camp.mba/travisTake it once a month to see how all of your work is progressing.  Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/12/giving-up-on-deiWhere did the momentum go?We believe that summer camp should be an accessible place where individuals feel welcome and included for the unique and wonderful things they bring to the community.Right?While many camps would say that they believe this - but if they honestly look in the mirror, would their commitment to DEI be the same as it was in 2020?While DEI may not be in the headlines as much these days (which, isn’t good on it’s own) - camps that truly believe that camp should be for every child and staff member, need to keep their foot on the gas.Chris, Travis and Gabz join to share what they have been hearing from the industry, why DEI initiatives are still essential, and how we can get back at it.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorGabz - Highlighter Pen - staff gift during exam timeChris - The Hundred’s Years War on PalestineTravis - Bottle Brush-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp HighlightGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsors!UltraCampImagine 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/camphackerCamptivitiesWhy 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.comFree Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic: https://camp.mba/travisTake it once a month to see how all of your work is progressing.  Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/being-in-natureAnd are we thinking about “nature” too specifically?Being in nature is good for us - we know this intuitively.But did you know that science backs this up?It is proven, beyond doubt, that being in nature decreases anxiety, decreases rumination, and alleviates low mood.Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis unpack some of the major findings over the last few years of research when it comes to being outdoors and its effect on the individual.You’ll hear about:The scientifically proven physical and emotional benefits of being in natureWhy getting into nature is especially critical in this day and ageHow our bodies process emotions and how nature can be a way to shortcut that processingHow can camp professionals explain the benefits and the research to camp families-Your Hosts:Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - getlamped@gmail.com Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - travis@gocamp.pro-Thanks to our sponsors!The American Camp Association - IllinoisThe 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.CamptivitiesYou 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.Free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic: https://camp.mba/travisTake it once a month to see how all of your work is progressing.  Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/12/demographics-tcscAre you being thoughtful about how a changing demographic will affect your camp?Whether you are a camp with a wait-list, or you’re hoping for a few more “bums in bunks”, something that we need to seriously be thinking about is the potential to serve a the demographic in the world. And, this isn’t just in a “be better at DEI” lens (although we should all be consistently trying to be better with our DEI practices). Communities are getting older, more racially diverse, more neuro-diverse, more accustomed to technology, privacy - the list is literally endless.For camps that are being thoughtful about this, it’s an opportunity to not only bring in new campers, but to bring in new investments into your programs and facilities. But - it doesn’t come easily.Luckily, you’ve got some incredible camp pros on your side. Travis and Chris are joined by Jack and EmJ from The Summer Camp Society Podcast to help guide Camp Pros on unpacking this vast discussion.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorJack - https://jamboard.google.com/?pli=1 Mr. Pen- Dry Erase Board https://amzn.to/3SNTCxW - US - https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Erase-Board-Black-Marker/dp/B08L45NSRM?th=1 EmJ - Canva Magic Studio https://www.canva.com/magic-homeChris - Ali Abdaal’s Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@aliabdaal Travis - https://getreadytosend.com/-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp HighlightJack Schott, Co-Founder The Summer Camp SocietyEmJ Juszczyk, TSCS Podcast Producer and Programs Director at Project Kindred-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsors!UltraCampImagine 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/camphackerCamptivitiesWhy 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. CFree Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic: https://camp.mba/travisTake it once a month to see how all of your work is progressing.  Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/11/no-techIs the “no technology” policy at your camp compatible with the campers of today?“No technology at camp” is a sacred part of many of our summer camp cultures. The value of unplugging. Being “in the moment”. “Being real” are all things plastered all over our website and marketing materials.Is this the right way? Or is it just the way that…wait for it…we’ve always done it.The answer definitely isn’t clear - but Travis and Chris wade into the murky deeps of the techno-sphere and how camps can more intentionally think about technology at their camp.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris - JBL Clip 3 Mini Bluetooth SpeakerTravis - OLIGHT I1R 2 PRO - Can: https://amzn.to/3QRBuRk  US: https://amzn.to/3SLHE87 & - https://www.reddit.com/r/summercamp/-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsors!UltraCampImagine 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/camphackerCamptivitiesWhy 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.comFree Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic: https://camp.mba/travisTake it once a month to see how all of your work is progressing.  Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis