The CampHacker Podcast

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/09/camp-unionHow might (or might not) a union help serve Camp Pros as they navigate an increasingly stressful profession?At the end of August, a particularly thought-provoking post was made in the Summer Camp Professionals Facebook group.After hearing about some of the horror stories of this, and past summers, a pro posted this:“…Its become clear to me in the last few months that the people in charge of camps are often not the people that run summer camps and this can lead to some wild expectations including around hours, pay, vacation time, parental leave, etc. because the ACA hasn’t put these things in the standards, I’m wondering if having some sort of body to educate people on best practices around expectations for staff would be helpful.”That pro, was Alana Matteson, and she is our guest this episode to kick off ournew season of both Camp Code and the CampHacker Podcast!Alana joins Travis and Ruby for this discussion on not just Unions, but the type of advocacy that pros need in general to have more successful, fulfilling and sustainable careers.-What do you think? Let us know in the comments!-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: WorkSharpRuby: Personal Recipe BookAlana: Power Beats High-Performance EarbudsYour Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProRuby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby OutdoorsAlana Matteson, Summer Camp Professional-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show-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/camphackerFree 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/2021/06/why-we-volunteerOver 16 hours of volunteer podcasting this year. Why do we do it? How can we encourage the next generation of camp pros to give back to the industry…There are SO many people that love and support the industry. From Podcast hosts, to speakers, to bloggers, to association volunteers, to contributors in the online communities, there are tens of thousands of volunteer hours poured into the industry every year.This episode is dedicated to the spirit of volunteering at camp, and how we can encourage the next generation of camp professionals to step up and support the industry as it enters this chapter of recovery and change.Chris, Joe and Travis are joined by Go Camp Pro’s Executive Producer, Matt Honsberger (who’s currently typing this blog!) to look back on this season of the CampHacker Podcast and share where the inspiration to give time comes from, and how to help others find it as well.-How are you encouraging staff to volunteer? Let us know in the comments!-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: The Future is Trust: Embracing the Era of Trust-Centered LeadershipJoe: Books Full of Tools (3 books): Four Favorite Tools; Recomendo; Cool Tools: A Catalog of PossibilitiesChris: NutribulletMatt: Forgettable to Unforgettable: How to become an extraordinary leader in just seven weeks-Your Hosts:Chris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsTravis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProMatt Honsberger, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro-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/camphackerFree 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/2021/06/recruitment-begins-nowWas staffing a pain for you this year? Let’s get ahead of this beast for next summer!The global pandemic has hit our industry hard in so many ways, but one of them that we didn’t really expect was how hesitant our youth and young adults who have traditionally served every summer at camp would be about joining us for another season. And whether that was because they were a bit more risk-averse, or maybe they’ve just seen the financial benefits more desirable. Either way, what we need to take away from this is just how intentional we need to be about recruiting staff. What better time to start than when you have staff at camp NOW?Chris, Gabz, and Travis are joined by returning guest Neva Baltzell to share how thinking about recruitment now will not just benefit next year, but will have a profound impact on your current staff team.-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show (thanks, eh?)-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: BarKeeper’s Friend - https://amzn.to/3hpCewANeva: UNO Flip, Monopoly Deal, Monopoly BidGabz: NotionChris: Black Boys Documentary-Your Hosts:Chris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauTravis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProNeva Baltzell, Residential Manager at Florida United Methodist Children's Home-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/camphackerFree 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

Kate Taylor, Camp Director at the historic Camp YMCA Kanawana, joins for an honest discussion on summer self-care for camp directors. She emphasizes the need for boundaries and managing stress to serve staff better. The concept of 'brain play' is introduced for fostering creativity amidst chaos. Taylor shares how pets can lighten the camp atmosphere, along with amusing anecdotes about a 'cursing circle' as a stress relief outlet. Practical tools and routines are highlighted to help directors prioritize their well-being while juggling responsibilities.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/05/incentivizing-staff-beyond-the-paychequePay your staff more - AND - here are some other ways to appreciate and incentivize the camp experience.We should all be working to pay our staff more. Full stop.That being said, it may be impossible to pay staff for the sheer amount of joy, passion, blood, sweat and tears they put in to the work they do. So even WHEN we’re able to pay staff more, we should be doing everything we can to show staff how much we appreciate them and how valuable the camp experience is.Chris, Travis and Joe are joined by Go Camp Pro contributor Darby Dame to share their best practices on how to incentivize staff beyond just how we pay them.-How do you show staff they are valued? Let us know in the comments!-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: The Book with No Pictures - BJ Novak https://amzn.to/3wZbF6ZJoe: zip ties - organizations secret weapon - https://youtu.be/fhIts8zhn_A | The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zanderand Benjamin Zander https://amzn.to/2PXElwBDarby: HotJar websiteChris: Run of the mill Laminating Machine https://amzn.to/3e57kGF-Your Hosts:Chris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightTravis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsDarby Dame, Director of Marketing and Communications - Camp High Rocks-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/camphackerFree 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/2021/05/parent-perspective-pik-my-kidSPONSORED CONTENT - Thanks to PikMyKid for their support!Every single camp has its own way of managing pick-up and drop-off and the great camps put a lot of time and intention into both processes.Remember, those two times may be the only physical impressions of your camp that parents get, so a well-polished process will win you big points in their books.In this interview pod, Travis sits down with Pat Bhava, the founder and CEO of PikMyKid, to share why he saw the need to bring pick-up and drop-off into the technological era, and how his software will leave a professional, polished impression with families.Please note - PikMyKid is a sponsor of Go Camp Pro. We’re grateful for their support.-Want to share your camp brand’s story? Advertise with Go Camp Pro.-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProPat Bhava, CEO & Founder - PikMyKidRate 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/camphackerFree 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/2021/04/memorable-momentsIt’s going to happen. Here’s how to fire with compassion and dignity.We, as camp pros are all about stories.Stories about moments where we know that kids lives were changed. Where do those stories come from?There are so many intentional things that go into creating the type of environment where those moments flourish. Great camp pros know how to cultivate these type of moments, but it’s always great for a refresher.That’s why Gabz Chris, Joe and Travis are here to unpack some of their most memorable moments and the things that lead up to them.-What are some memorable moments from camp that come to mind? What went in to making them happen? Let us know in the comments!SNACK of the Week – Because why not?Travis: Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup on Ice CreamJoe: Wasabi PeanutsGabz: Bengal Spice TeaChris: Honey Nut Cheerios and Chocolate Chips - Straight Up-Your Hosts:Chris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauTravis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce Williams-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show-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/camphackerFree 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/2021/04/fire-someoneIt’s going to happen. Here’s how to fire with compassion and dignity.This is another thing that’s just “part of the job”.Firing someone is especially hard in a place that’s so connected with people’s emotions.Often, when someone is fired at camp, it’s not usually because they have anything against us, or even about camp. They’ve usually just made a choice that is against policy, or they aren’t at the level we need them to be.Travis, Joe and Chris are joined by Rachel Kent, camp pro and co-host of the podcast, Beyond Camp to discuss how they let staff go and do it with a great amount of tact and compassion.-What do you do when you have to let people go? Let us know in the comments!-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Get Together: How to build a community with your people - https://amzn.to/3rWSHLgJoe: UST Survival Playing Cards - https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01F393TYQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 & Pro Knot Outdoor Knot Cards - https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0922273227/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Rachel Kent: Visual Timer appChris: Sneaky Cards - https://sneakycards.com/ -Your Hosts:Chris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightTravis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsRachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada-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/camphackerFree 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/2021/04/all-at-onceYou know…when the chocolate pudding really hits the fan.We don’t wish it on you. But at some point in your camp career, it’s going to happen.Something will go wrong and you’ll say to yourself “crap, that’s not good”.Then you’ll get an urgent walkie call and you’ll say, “seriously?”Then, the power will go out, and you’ll be standing there in the dark saying to yourself, “well. damn. I’m really in it now”.You can prepare as much as you want, but there’s no way to prevent the dreaded domino of disaster. However, by hearing about how other camp pros made it through these hard times, you can at least rest assured that you can do it. You can get through the tidal wave of trouble relatively unscathed.Join Chris, Gabz, Travis and Joe as they share their perfect storms and the swim strokes that got them to the other side.-When it really hits the fan. What do you do? Let us know in the comments!Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Genesys RPG Dice - https://amzn.to/3sNwzD6Joe: A Library Card. Period. Full Stop.  Go get a library card and learn how to use it online.Gabz: https://www.anylist.com/Chris: Gather.town-Your Hosts:Chris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauTravis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce Williams-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/camphackerFree 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/day-camp-pod/you-can-do-itA Love Letter for Camps Considering Running in 2021 - from Go Camp ProReview us on iTunes!If you’re able to run camp this summer, we want to make sure you know you can do it.This special Go Camp Pro Podcast is for camps out there who are on the fence about running this summer. We support each other in this industry and we believe that it’s on all of us to help each other succeed. Here’s one of our contributions.Chris Hudson from Camp Highlight - who did no run in 2020 sits down with Andy Pritikin from Liberty Lake and Kelly Espinosa from Kennolyn Camps, who did run in 2020. Tune in to hear about why camp is more important than ever and learn about Andy and Kelly’s fears, tears and cheers when it comes to running camp during a pandemic.We don’t know many things right now, but we know that kids will need camp this summer more than ever. They NEED you.We are in the business of changing children’s lives and they’ve never needed a life-changing moment more than this one.-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampKelly Espinosa, Day Camp Director - Kennolyn CampsChris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp Highlight-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/camphackerFree 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