The CampHacker Podcast

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 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.com

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.com

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.

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. Come check out Camptivities; specifically designed for camps by camp people. Find out more at camptivities.com

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.com

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/11/parent-coms-2023How confident are you that your camp parents will read and act on your emails?Getting your information to parents. The most necessary and maybe one of the most difficult parts of the job.Even though the communication landscape is constantly shifting, what remains the same is that you have important information that parents need. So - adapting is once again - the name of the game!Chris and Travis get together and talk about the hellish present and…maybe less hellish future of communication with parents.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris - An earpiece for your walkie-talkie! Total James Bond!Travis - Photo sorting and AI editing: https://aftershoot.com/downloads/-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.com

Delve into the concept of 'camp magic' and the idea of a camp environment creating a sense of escapism. Explore the impact of the 'camp bubble' on information flow. Discuss the challenges of explaining 'camp magic' and communicating the value of camps. Learn how to contact Mandy and join 'prickly pickles' discussions.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/11/small-systemsIt doesn’t take as much as you think to set yourself up for long-term efficacy.Travis is joined by Dr. Lydia Hughes Evans to discuss systems of project management, personal efficacy and organizational development that any camp pro can pick up and start using today.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorBack next episode!-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProDr. Lydia Hughes-Evans, CEO, Author and Speaker-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.com

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/10/decoding-researchWhat is research, and what can it be for camp pros?We need to start here. Before we get into how to use research to empower our marketing and recruiting efforts, we need to unpack the basics of research.So, whether you’re a research buff or not, this episode is meant to get everyone on the same page before we really dig deep.You’ll hear about:What are the basics of research and the process behind it that we need to know?How do we know who the right people to talk to when selecting candidates for qualitative research?Why it’s important that we ask kids and gain their insights in the research processWhy it’s important to consider the context when the research was conducted.How do you find research on camp? How do you know what is worth reading?Pro-tip: Use Google Scholar - https://scholar.google.ca/ Pro-pro-tip - just email the researcher and they may just give you a copy!-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

Kyrah Altman, summer camp alumni, joins the hosts to discuss the art of setting boundaries and helping staff do the same. They emphasize the importance of setting and honoring boundaries for personal growth and relationships. They also highlight the challenges of teaching young people about navigating disagreements and the significance of self-care. The podcast includes book recommendations, TV show comparisons, and opportunities for engagement.