The CampHacker Podcast

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/08/the-intersection-of-camp-and-researchDid you know that the positive experience of summer camp is a proven fact?Yes. It is!In this new mini-series from Go Camp Pro, join Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison to focus in on prominent and emerging research in the summer camp world.This episode will set up the rest of the season so tune in and get excited!You’ll hear about:How Mandi found her passion for camp and where the research part of her journey came to beWhere should we be starting our discussions when it comes to research and camp?How do we navigate the research that’s already out there?What topics will we cover in this mini-series?-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

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/06/30-tools-What will you be putting your brain to keep you focused this summer?Well folks, if you’re reading this in June - you’re in it now!Us, too! As we wrap up this season to take our focus to the summer, we want to leave you with a wickedly practical one.Producer Matt and Dan Weir join Travis, Chris, Gabz and Joe to share the tools that will keep them focused, happy and thriving this summer.For the links to all the tools, find the show notes at:https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/06/30-tools-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauDan Weir - Senior Consultant - Immersive1st-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’t it be refreshing if your registration software gave you MORE time? With UltraCamp, you can track attendance, manage staff applications, streamline registration, and much more. Get back the time you need to focus on what is really important: CAMP! Find out more at summercampsoftware.com/camphacker

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/05/alumni-community-Do you wish your camp had the benefits of an engaged alumni community?It’s a gift to have a group of people that intimately “get” what your camp is all about.And, alumni can be like getting a gym membership or Ikea furniture as a gift. Ultimately useful, but a crap-ton of work to get there.Once you’ve got it going, alumni can be an excellent and cost-effective source of staff support, mentorship, maintenance, marketing, board guidance, fundraising and more!So how do you get to the useful point.The CampHacker team is here, and specifically, you need to listen to what Gabz has to say in this episode. Camp Ouareau has put in the work to not just open their doors wide to alumni, but to specifically direct them to a place that is available to them either as a supporter of camp, or someone who just wants to enjoy the nostalgia.(Chris, Joe and Travis all have incredible points, too, of course!)-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris - https://www.itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/. Gabz -A question to ask within a team that could benefit from being seen and building trust. “From working with your teammate what would you say their leadership style is?Joe - Directors Cupboard Supply Closet - things camp will need that you will just “have”Travis - https://www.youtube.com/@Cercle-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’t it be refreshing if your registration software gave you MORE time? With UltraCamp, you can track attendance, manage staff applications, streamline registration, and much more. Get back the time you need to focus on what is really important: CAMP! Find out more at summercampsoftware.com/camphacker

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/05/new-career-new-campWhat would we do if we were starting at a completely new to us summer camp?We’re so grateful to have one of our founding CampHacker hosts Dan Weir join us this episode. Welcome back, Dan!To support the vast number of new camp directors, Dan, Chris, Joe and Travis engage in a thought exercise to put take all the knowledge they have now and plopped themselves in a new camp.This isn’t just an episode for newbies! Having this “newbie” mindset will consistently keep you nimble to the changing landscape of the industry and open to change.Also, want some help getting there? You should consider a consultant.Dan, Chris and Travis are great assets for your camp. Check out the host links below.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris - Todoist - Get your act together!Dan - Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety https://bookshop.org/a/84130/9781250241214Joe - Retevis Radio/Walkie-talkie - https://www.retevis.com/Travis - Chipdrop - get free wood chips https://getchipdrop.com/-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauDan Weir - Senior Consultant - Immersive1st-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’t it be refreshing if your registration software gave you MORE time? With UltraCamp, you can track attendance, manage staff applications, streamline registration, and much more. Get back the time you need to focus on what is really important: CAMP! Find out more at summercampsoftware.com/camphacker

The discussion dives into the complexities of setting personal boundaries for camp staff, emphasizing the balance between well-being and operational needs. The hosts explore how to navigate discomfort in camp environments while prioritizing safety and emotional growth. They offer insights on fostering open communication about triggers and developing emotional self-regulation strategies. Additionally, innovative management tools are presented to reduce admin tasks, enabling staff to focus more on their core mission with campers.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/04/partnering-with-parents-in-2023It's time to adapt to post-pandemic parents!We need to adapt a whole lot as camp directors.On the checklist of “things we need to re-assess every 5 or so years”, parents are certainly on that list.As the majority of our camper parents start to shift toward the majority being millennials, we need to re-think how we are meeting them where they are at. Systems of communication, expectation-building, community-building and trust are all things that we have control over in this special relationship, and one that we need to pay attention to.Joining the regular panel is returning guest Jolly Corley, a camp pro and parent partner expert to weigh in on re-evaluating this post-pandemic group.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris - Thompson Tees - Chris’ favGabz - Loop Ear Plugs - EngageJoe - Book - The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for FailureTravis - Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us about the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans - Michaeleen Doucleff https://bookshop.org/a/84130/9781982149680Jolly - Fabulous habit app https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fabulous-daily-habit-tracker/id1203637303https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.thefabulous.app&gl=us-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauJolly Corley - Camp Director and Trainer - www.jollycorley.com-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’t it be refreshing if your registration software gave you MORE time? With UltraCamp, you can track attendance, manage staff applications, streamline registration, and much more. Get back the time you need to focus on what is really important: CAMP! Find out more at summercampsoftware.com/camphacker

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/03/setting-summer-staff-up-for-success-If the success of your camp is your responsibility, then the success of your staff is your responsibility.The idea that our summer staff need to be set up for success is one of those ideas that is intuitive, yet extremely difficult to get right.Couple that with a seismic shift in the psychology and expectations of this generation of staff and the “correct path” to properly coaching and nurturing this generation of staff is going to be more important than ever. Whether this episode is an affirmation of your staffing philosophy, or you’re feeling the strain of this gen of staff, Chris, Gabz and Travis are here to give you practical advice on how to increase the impact of this essential staffing mindset. -Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris - Artisans of Spendent ValeGabz - Multi colour variety pack zip tiesTravis - Faster Than Normal - Peter Shankman https://bookshop.org/a/84130/9780143131229-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’t it be refreshing if your registration software gave you MORE time? With UltraCamp, you can track attendance, manage staff applications, streamline registration, and much more. Get back the time you need to focus on what is really important: CAMP! Find out more at summercampsoftware.com/camphacker

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/03/camp-program-of-the-future-10 years from now, are you going to be proud of the program decisions that you made today?Last episode, we unpacked the types of programs that we think it’s time to say goodbye to.And because we all know how annoying it is to have people only give you problems and not solutions, that’s where this one comes in.Travis, Gabz and Chris are here to talk about not only the specific programs that they are excited to see in the future, but the intentionality that will need to go into them.Because it’s really hard to know what the world is going to look like 10 years ago. We’re recording this in 2023 and think about how different the world was in 2013! A smartphone, 4 major social media platforms and a pandemic later, and we could have never seen what was coming.Whether technology majorly changes or not, we know that it’s “people before programs” so making sure we have the right people and right philosophies around social-emotional learning is what’s going to really move the needle.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris - Get yourself a foam rollerGabz - Finch: Self Care Widget PetJoe - FUNdoing Fridays - Chris CalvertTravis - 5-Minute Fridays - Liz’s AI How To to make marketing writing better, Chris & Alyssa’s work on making a place for Neuro Divergent staff, Michael, Jorgi - all GCP-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’t it be refreshing if your registration software gave you MORE time? With UltraCamp, you can track attendance, manage staff applications, streamline registration, and much more. Get back the time you need to focus on what is really important: CAMP! Find out more at summercampsoftware.com/camphacker

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/02/camp-programs-let-goShould They Stay or Should They Go Now?Being a culture of change is essential for any camp that wants to be around for a long time.True camp pros know this, live this and breathe this, but even the best of the best can fall prey to the “way we’ve always done it”-itus.Camp programs.Sometimes, camp programs like our rituals, opening/closing ceremonies, activity areas, camp-wide events gain this “sacred” status that we hold onto for simply the idea of it.Consider this episode your wake-up call.Chris, Joe, Gabz and Travis put their heads together to call out and call in camp programs and rituals that they think need a good hard look at.As a preview - Chris is going to make you think differently about Color War.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris - Laptop Stand https://amzn.to/4022hy2Gabz - Image Colorizer https://imagecolorizer.com/Joe - Sullivans 36"x59" Gridded Cutting Mat for Home Hobby Table - Jo Ann FabricsTravis - Shade: trees, cooling stations, deep porches, picnic shelters-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’t it be refreshing if your registration software gave you MORE time? With UltraCamp, you can track attendance, manage staff applications, streamline registration, and much more. Get back the time you need to focus on what is really important: CAMP! Find out more at summercampsoftware.com/camphacker

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/02/motivation-morale-When it’s been a few months without staff or kids, how do you and your year-round team remind yourself why you do what you do?Please review us! - Click here!We tell our seasonal staff that a summer of camp is a marathon, not a sprint. But we know that we’re lying to them, right? Or at least relatively.Being a year-round camp pro is a marathon that lasts YEARS, with sprints embedded within it, just to keep us on our toes.With burnout being a hot topic for employees of every level, it’s important that we check in on each other. The whole gang’s here to share what they do day in and day out with themselves and their teams to stay connected with the “why” of their world.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris - Not Just Play: Summer Camp and the Profession of Social WorkGabz - Rode Videomic ME for smartphones https://amzn.to/3iUgsnSJoe - Book - 100 Things We've Lost to the Internet - Pamela Paul Travis - Pixton -Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsors!CamptivitiesScheduling is the backbone of every camper’s experience, but when there’s a staffing change, it’s almost impossible to fill that role with someone who knows all of the nuisance a schedule takes. Come check Camptivities out; specifically designed for camps by camp people. Find out more at camptivities.comUltraCampWouldn’t it be refreshing if your registration software gave you MORE time? With UltraCamp, you can track attendance, manage staff applications, streamline registration, and much more. Get back the time you need to focus on what is really important: CAMP! Find out more at summercampsoftware.com/camphacker