The CampHacker Podcast

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/03/stuck-and-unstuckNever ever ever ever ever ever say “We’ve always done it this way” again.How often do you feel stuck in a rut?Becuase of this year, because of the work, because of the stress, there are always reasons to get stuck, but being a true Camp Maverick means that you’re quick to recognize those moments, and quick to being the process of “unstucking” yourself.Chris, Gabz, Travis and Joe have felt this many times in their camping careers. They join together to share their favourite strategies and biggest learning moments when it comes to getting stuck, and unstuck.-What do you do when you’re stuck? Let us know in the comments!-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Yaktrax Pro Traction Cleats for Walking, Jogging, or Hiking on Snow and Ice, X-LargeJoe: The Align Right™ Sleeping Pillow - The Pillow that fits your head, not your bed. https://alignright.com/products/sleeping-pillowGabz: Blue Light Blocking GlassesChris: https://hootsuite.com/-Your Hosts:Chris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauTravis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsRate 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/2021/03/camp-director-careerThis episode is a loving punch in the gut.As we’ve said before, it’s our job as camp directors to think about the big things.And sometimes, those big things aren’t popular, or happy-go-lucky things, but that doesn’t make them any less important!Our podcast is no different. Back in April 2020, we broached the topic of “What if camp doesn’t run in 2020?”We can’t hide away from the hard things & this is a hard thing.As the COVID-19 pandemic rocks our industry for likely 2 (or more?) summers, will it be viable to be a full-time camp director?Join Chris, Gabz, Travis and Joe as they wade into these gross waters.It’s not all bad - trust us!-What do you think the camp industry will look like in 5 years? Let us know in the comments!-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Libro.fm: audiobooks that support local, independent bookstores. Joe: TechSoup - https://www.techsoup.global/ (Aug 2011 last time) & Happy sock Twitter @yoyojoer Gabz: Fabulous - Daily Self Care AppChris: Humans by Brandon Stanton https://www.allbookstores.com/Humans-Stanton-Brandon/9781250114297Your 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(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!CampHacker: Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/02/eye-of-eagle-2021Our job is to look forward. But when you feel like you don’t have time, allow the CampHacker crew to help!Have you heard the expression “in uncharted waters?”. Of course, you have.Well, right now, in February 2021, we’re in the uncharted river paddling towards the uncharted waterfall, which descends into the uncharted wading pool.Even for camps that ran last summer, the COVID-19 pandemic saga is far from over.Chris, Gabz, Travis and Joe are here to dig into the obvious, and the not-so-obvious things that directors should be thinking about with a few months of time to spare.This isn’t an easy conversation, but as directors, it’s our job to have them.What’s on your mind for 2021? Let us know in the comments!-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Amazon Basics (or DeWalt - which ever is cheaper) Safety Goggles for All (including Glasses wearers) https://amzn.to/2LRELSuJoe: The Big Book of Maker Skills https://amzn.to/3nL92jtGabz: Rode VideoMicro https://amzn.to/2N5Bv6S or Shure mic for androids https://amzn.to/3nIp5hWChris: Amusing Ourselves To Death - Neil Postman https://amzn.to/2XHQrKk-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(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/2021/02/blm-at-campA follow-up conversation with the organizers of the Black Lives Matter at Summer Camp Movementhttps://blacklivesmatteratcamp.com/Summer camp is built on the idea of giving young people fuller lives through recreation, enrichment, and community. Our industry centers on the well-being of youth and was created to better their life outcomes, experiences, and personal growth. This is why we are camp professionals and why we believe in the power of camp.Therefore, it is a fundamental and necessary step for us to affirm that Black Lives Matter. As camps and camp professionals, this statement lies at the core of our identity and values within this industry.On the day of action for Black Lives Matter at Summer Camp, professionals affirmed that right here and right now, while we know our work is for all campers, staff, and families, we must focus on the ones calling for help. We must focus on the members of our broader community asking for and demanding change and justice. We must extend our hearts, our values, and the power of the experience we create to those who have been left behind.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Inbo Remote Meeting Cards https://www.inbo.ca/remotely-store Doug: America The Dream: https://americathedream.org/videos Lily: Rise Up Singing book. https://amzn.to/3mM561j Scott: Creative Quest https://amzn.to/3nIfNTP -Your Hosts:Doug Sutherland, Executive Director, Brantwood CampLily Mercogliano Easton, Camp Director, Camp Wa Wa SegoweaScott Arizala, Founder & Chairman of Camp Tall Tree, Consultant & TrainerTravis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show-Thanks to this episode’s 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 show notes and more at: https://www.camphacker.tv/podcast/2020/08/racism-in-recreationA repost of an important conversation around how to make the camp and recreation industries a more welcoming place for a wider range of people. In this special summer bonus episode, Travis is joined by Dr. Daniel Theriault to discuss racism, power and privilege in the recreation industry. Dr. Theriault and Travis dig into some of the work that’s needed to subvert these unhealthy systems within the rec and camp industry.It’s a great interview and we’re so grateful to Dr. Theriault for joining us.Some notes from this interview:Dr. Theriault proposes three things that all recreation professionals, camp professionals, and white people can do to start toWork to see power and privilege - the power systems that shape the way the world works (racism, classism, etc.).Take responsibility for our role in those systems.Take anti-racist actions.Drilling down into some specifics:Normalize the lack of comfort that will surely follow when we start to confront our involvement in systems power and privilegeRead what is painful - read and absorb information on the BIPOC history and experience so we are better equipped to serve our campers through that lens of understanding.Think about the media that we absorb and how BIPOC communities are represented in those shows and movies.Daniel and Travis come to some for the Summer Camp Industry as a whole:Be careful about the language we use and the messages it sense. For example, how might “Color War” be perceived in light of the racial conflict that has existed in communities over the last 200+ years.Look at policy - Who do we value? Who do we hire? Why do we hire them?Educate ourselves and others on the history of the land our camp is on and who occupied the land not just before the camp, but before settlement.Increasing representation of diverse staff at your camp. This can help your camp start to truly look like a camp where BIPOC campers can see themselves.First steps here include ensuring our pre-camp training includes topics of power, privilege and the contexts of racism.Building relationships of trust with community organizations, HBCUs and other places where you may look to hire BIPOC folks.Remember, these are bullet-points, not check-boxes. Undoing the systems of racism, power and privilege is going to be lifelong work.Thank you to those Camp Pros who are committed to continuing to do this continued work.-Links from this episodeDr. Theriault’s article: Vulnerable Teaching in Leisure Studies-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - CampHacker.TV, Founder at Go Camp ProDr. Daniel Theriault, Assistant Professor of Recreation Management at Appalachian State University - theriaultds@appstate.eduRate and Review 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!A special, timely interlude from our friends at the Day Camp Pod:Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/ppp-era-acaTimely info for American Camps - Jan/Feb 2021For many camps and small businesses in the United States, the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program was a lifesaver- enabling us to keep our best people employed which we navigated the uncharted waters of the covid-19 pandemic. Starting January 13, the second round of PPP has been made available to qualifying businesses, as well as other resources like the Employer Retention Credit. While most of us may be good at running a summer camp, this other stuff is both supremely important and pretty darn confusing- which is why we have called for an EMERGENCY Podcast with ACA National Chair Scott Brody and the great Steve Baskin - so that we can better grasp the options that can ensure our financial solvency as we enter the 2021 camp season.Tune in to hear about:What we need to know about the PPP situationThe issues of timing, and filing for forgivenessWhat’s coming down the pike.Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro-Important Links:Andrew Ziv’s thorough explanation of ERC & PPP - https://andrewziv.substack.com/p/breaking-down-the-employer-retentionSBA / PPP - https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-programIRS / ERC - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-employee-retention-credit-under-the-cares-act-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampGUESTS:Scott Brody, Owner & Director - Camps Kenwood & EvergreenSteve Baskin, Executive Director - Camp Champions, Camp Pinnacle, Partner - Everwood Day Camp-SPONSORS:Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:AM Skier Insurance    http://www.amskier.com/Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS)   https://crs4rec.com/-Please review and subscribe!If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.It’s so easy! Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp  Thanks, Camp Pro!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/2021/01/approachabilityThere’s an incredible power dynamic at play when it comes to you and the rest of the staff, here’s how to address that head-on, with approachability!If your staff haven’t told you that you’re intimidating, then they just haven’t told you YET.Gabz, Joe and Travis are here to share their best practices when it comes to toeing the line of approachability without being too attached or going the other direction and micro-managing.How do you show approachability with your team? Let us know in the comments!-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Monster Feelings - Laura Tyson & Michael Smith (Eyes book)  Gabz: Hero 911Joe: 50 bits of wisdom from someone who just turned 50 years old [that might surprise you…?]-Your Hosts:Chris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauTravis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsFree 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/2021/01/dont-be-that-bossYou all know what kind of boss we’re talking about.Marcus Buckingham says it best - “People leave managers, not companies”.Do you want to keep your best staff members?Do you want to have a strong culture built on trust and empathy?Do you want your camp to truly feel like a community?Then for all the bosses, managers and supervisors. Be better.Chris, Gabz and Joe are here to break down what makes a boss the type of boss that staff will work through adversity (like COVID-19!) or the ones staff will leave in the dust.(Without using names) what was something a boss did that made them that boss for you? Let us know in the comments!-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris: Circadian Optics - Light TherapyGabz: Get yourself a therapist - especially in the summer. If Gabz can make time for it, so can you.Joe: 5 Gallon Bucket of Possibilities - Fill a bucket with things that would entertain kids and always have it on you. Plus, you always have a seat!-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(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!The American Camp Association - New York & New JerseyFree 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!It’s our annual “Tool of the Week” show! All tools, all the time!There are too many links to cram into these show-notes, so find them all at https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2020/12/all-tools-2020New Tools Used In the last 4 monthsTravis: 3D Printed Mask BracketRocketBook Orbit (and Cloud Cards)Joe: Orient Your Screens To Be On Top of One AnotherFastcap Measuring Tape - Metric / ImperialChris: Padlet.com - online bulletin boardGabz:Apple PencilPhone AppsChrisChwazi App - Determine Who Goes First - Apple / GoogleGood News Network App - Apple / GoogleDNDify - Epic RPG Music - GoogleJoePocketFeedlySketchbook AutodeskTravisNanoTeleprompter - Google / Apple Other VersionAnyListYac - transcribed voice messages for your team. Works on SlackWebinarsGabzEmbodied Anti-RacismThe Fundraising LabGo Camp Pro’s 5-Minute FridaysComputer AppsJoeGoogle for Work Suite - It just keeps getting betterVideo Studio Pro Ultimate - Full Video Editor for $99Framer - Prototype Phone AppsChrisSnip & Sketch in Windows Windows Key + Shift + SOn Mac it’s cmd+shift+4AudacityPDANet for AndroidTravisCommand E - Universal Shortcut ToolStack BrowserNotion - Great note-taking interfaceGabz Bonus Items:Pocket CounsellorChalk Markers - Put Plexiglass in front of chalkboardsJunior Sized Football - A personal football that is special and to be thrown around by staffBooksJoeArt Matters - Neil GaimanChrisHow to Be an Anti-Racist - Ibram X. Kendi - Buy it from a black-owned bookstore, please!GabzWhite Fragility - Why It’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism - Robin DiAngeloTravisThe City We Became - N.K. JemisinBonus ItemsChris Toilet Paper roll chord organization systemJoePick Punch - Variety of SizesTravisWindow Scrolling Keyboard Shortcuts - cmd+tab on mac or alt+tab on windowsGabzWhite Christmas/Fairy Lights for you to own so they have as a back-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-(ThankFree 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 more at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2020/12/top-10-maintenance-skillsBecause you wear many hats as a Camp Pro - and one of them is often a hard-hat!As a Camp Pro, there will be a time when either you won’t have a maintenance team, or there will be too many things that need to be fixed.When that time comes, you can either pay for someone to come in OR roll up your sleeves and get to work.That being said, most Camp Pros don’t get into the industry with a background in maintenance. And while we’re not suggesting you take time off to do a bunch of apprenticeships, some basic maintenance will definitely go a long way!Gabz, Chris, Joe and Travis huddle up to bring you their most useful maintenance skills that will both save you money and leave you with that sense of satisfaction that comes from fixing something yourself.What is your most used maintenance skill at camp? Let us know in the comments!-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Franz AppChris:  Native Land app and websiteGabz: Chainsaw Joe: Picquic Screwdriver - “If Chuck Norris was a screwdriver, he would be a Picquic.”-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(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!The American Camp Association - New York & New JerseyFree 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