The Day Camp Pod - From Go Camp Pro

Send us a textFind full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/mark-transportWe’re always doing a bit of a turnaround at camp, so let’s hear from a Day Camp Pro who’s a…well…pro at it!Review us on iTunes!Being successful in the camp industry these days calls for strong, courageous leadership- and on Long Island, Mark Transport has made himself known amongst his camp peers, local and state government, and in the media.In this episode, we cover:Mark’s camp origin story, from dentist to resident camp to day campSleepaway Camp SpiritTransitioning school kids into camp kidsBeing a Turnaround ExpertFacilityNot seeing the problemsChange is essentialMark’s Experience Running Camp Summer 2020Using the MediaTalking in front of the cameraDo you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro-If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp-Day Camp Tip of the WeekAndy: A tip from Joanna Warren Smith - teach your staff to answer the phone intentionally - ex. “Liberty Lake, this is Andy speaking!”Sam: Use kernels of corn instead of live bait for fishing programs.Mark: 1. Your camp is evaluated by how nice your bathroom is           2. Directors- GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY- do frontline work, builds morale-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampTiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful PlaySam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park DistrictMark Transport, Owner/Director - Crestwood Country 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!

Send us a textFind full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/perseverance-in-day-campingWe will persist. Kids need camp too much for us to give up.Review us on iTunes!The last 8 months have been emotionally trying for all of us- Whether you opened in 2020, or chose not to open, this has been a rite of passage like none other- with no self-help books or TedTalks to lead the way. In these times of uncertainty, we must find it in ourselves to have the grit and resilience that we preach to our camp community each summer- Dalia Librus is an Israeli Day Camp director who has had to run camp through other kind of tough situations that can give us all a little perspective these days. Tune in to hear about:Dalia’s fascinating origin story - convincing her school to start a summer camp programWhat day camp is like in Israel- in times of war and civil unrestNot just rain clouds up in the sky!!!Perseverance and Grit- and learning to deal with tough situations, as they become normalized.Such parallels to Covid-19, summers 2020/2021Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro-If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampGUESTS:Dalia Librus, Director of External Programs - American International School in Israel-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!

Send us a textFind full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/sleepaway-spirit-pt3“The Mont-sters of Day Camp” are here for our annual episode on harnessing the spirit of overnight camp at your day camp!If YOU have experienced both day camp AND resident camp, agree that a great day camp captures the “Sleepaway Camp” Spirit- This episode, our third annual episode on this topic, attempts to solve the riddle of WHAT IS the Sleepaway Camp Spirit, and what can we do in our meager little day camp setting between the limited hours, staff going home every night, and kids ratting us out to their parents- The answer, we can do a whole lot.In this episode, we cover:What do people who don’t know day camp, not understand about the culture?What are we even talking about - sleepaway camp spirit?What concepts are we able to “bring over” from the overnight camp experience?What cool things our camps do to give that vibeChallenges to achieve this - Staff that go home at night, parents who interrogate their kids every afternoon, etc.Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro-If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp-Day Camp Tip of the WeekAndy: Games like capture the flag and other wide games that kids sometimes don’t get to do in a day camp experience.Sam T: Find a giant cardboard distributor - backdrops, cardboard regatta, photo boards, the possibilities are ENDLESS!Tiff: Run a New Years eve slumber party - ginger ale, ball drop, toast at noon, pyjamas, movies, popcorn, the whole 9-yards!Sam B: 6 Team Olympics in One Day - use stories to fuel the excitementYOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampTiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful PlaySam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park DistrictSam Borek, Camp Owner/Director - Woodmont Day CampGordon Josey, Owner/Director - Breezemont 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!

Send us a textHere are some art projects that teens will actually enjoy!Review us on iTunes!On this mini-pod, Sam sits down with Cricket to tell you about some of their favourite art projects that are winners with teens!And since it’s hard to do an audio-only show of crafts, here is a write-up of the crafts!Thanks, Sam and Cricket!-Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro-If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp-YOUR HOST:Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District, Vice president ACA IllinoisGUEST:Cricket Snearing, 30 years as Administrative Director and Rockwood Adventures Teen Travel Director at Sesame, Current Summer Ceramics Teacher at Camp Walden, NY-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!

Send us a textFind full notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/2021-staff-recruitment-and-retentionWe’re not exactly sure what the summer of 2021 will look like, but we know we’ll need a great team of staff! Here’s how to get them on board, and keep them around!As we navigate the pandemic waters, the staffing landscape has skewed a bit. Some might say that potential staff are more available than ever. But are they willing to work at camp? Are their parents willing to allow them to work at camp? And how has the proposition of working at day camp changed.We have tremendous benefits over most any other summer jobs, and our challenge continues to be figuring out how to translate the camp experience into a language that neophytes can understand and appreciate.We welcome Kim Aycock and Jolly Corley to the Pod to help share some best practices with our listeners.In this episode, we cover:Recruitment: what advantages do we have within/coming out of a pandemic?Internships and travel abroad cancelled or limitedUtilizing alumni connectionsHow to get people back to your camp in 2021, when your camp didn’t run in 2020?Staff Culture = Camp CulturePanic & being “stuck”  is realSo many questions, so few answersImportance of communication/transparencyBe a Stress DetectiveReturn to Your Values (before, current, ideal)Why reinvent the wheel - look to great leaders in times of crisis  (Winston Churchill) for guidance “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” — Winston ChurchillFrame the Summer, Invoke Destiny, Define Victory/Success, Redefine HardshipDo you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro-Day Camp Tip of the WeekAndy: Intentional Staff Bonding - Tie Dye NightSam: Mafia GameTiff: Survey staff what victory/success looks like at the end of this summer (goals). Cool tool Opinion X helps with surveys: https://www.opinionx.co/Kim: Disruptus Game (great for ideation, innovation...Disruptus revolves around new ways to create, transform, or improve ideas or objects)Jolly: Pool Noodle Games for Social Distancing-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampTiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful PlaySam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park DistrictJolly Corley, Speaker and Director - Camp RobindelKim Aycock, Speaker, Trainer, Teacher and Go Camp Pro Contributor - www.kimaycock.com-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) 

Send us a textFind more at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/eleanor-eellsCelebrating a foundational Camp Professional. Tune in to learn about Eleanor Eells and her legacy in camping in part, through Title XX funding.Review us on iTunes!Eleanor P. Eells was a leader and inspiration within the field of camp throughout her life. She was an active participant in the Settlement House and Social Service Agency camp movements and a pioneer in therapeutic camping. She was one of the founders of the Fund for Advancement of Camping and served as its director through FAC's formative years.Eleanor Eells had an equally important influence on the American Camp Association. She worked with FAC to support programs such as ACA's 1970s standards research and rewrite; the pilot Camp Director Certification Institute; the Camping Unlimited/Intergrouping Project; ACA's last reorganization; and securing government funding for campership use. Her greatest contribution was helping individuals and camps start new programs. When these programs were operating, she shared results with countless others.Eleanor Eells' life was an example for the camp professional. The first recipient of ACA's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, Eleanor Eells passed away in her 94th year in Calgary, Alberta.We’re so excited to welcome Gordie Kaplan to this mini-pod to discuss an extremely important figure in the camping industry, Eleanor Eells!Tune in to hear about:1. How did you end up working with Eleanor?2. What was the societal problem that the two of you were trying to remedy that led to Title XX?3. Describe Tittle XX?4. Title XX in the COVID year, how we adapted program’s to still serve campers.-Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.proIf you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcpYOUR HOST:Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District, Vice president ACA IllinoisGUESTS:Gordie Kaplan, Camping Industry Veteran - ACA-IL-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!

Send us a textFind full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/blog/women-of-gcp-podcastWhat do you call it when you gather a bunch of female camp and podcasting pros in a room? You call it AWESOME.In today’s special crossover episode, Beth Allison from Camp Code hosts a conversation with several of the women who podcast with Go Camp Pro. Today’s episode features Rachel Kent and Cassie Bloy from Beyond Camp, Sam Thompson from the Day Camp Pod, Kelly Schuna from The Camp Owner’s Podcast, and Ruby Compton from Camp Code and Gabrielle Raill from CampHacker and Camp Code. Listen in as these women discuss their mentors who inspired them in the industry, challenges women face working at camp and advice for new camp pros. Interestingly, all of these women have also attended the Women in Camp Summit in previous years. During the episode, they discuss some of their biggest takeaways from the event as well as what they are most looking forward to for this year’s Live Virtual Summit taking place December 2-3. Find out more about the Women in Camp Summit Live Virtual event at https://www.womenincampsummit.com.Gabrielle announced this year’s Summit will also feature the first of the “Becoming Allies” series with an event titled “Becoming Allies: Supporting Women in Camp” on December 4. Folks who want to participate in the Allies event can register through this link: https://acai.wildapricot.org/event-4051965-The Women in Camp Summit needs your support! The planning team for the Summit has set a $7,500 fundraising goal to offer scholarships to attendees and off-set the costs of hosting this unique professional development event. Every dollar counts. Donate today and donate again on the Day of Giving for the Women in Camp Summit on November 24. Donate here: https://acai.wildapricot.org/allies/-Love this episode?Find more Podcast goodness at gocamp.pro/podcast. Also, if you want to support the work that we do, please consider subscribing to the shows, and leaving us a rating in your favourite Podcast app.-On This Episode:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant and Co-Owner - Go Camp ProGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauRuby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby OutdoorsSam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park DistrictKelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines RanchCassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada

Send us a textFind show notes and links at - https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/day-camp-from-scratchPost-COVID, the world is going to be in need of more connection than ever. What better way is there to connect than at camp? Here’s how to start your own!Review us on iTunes!If only one out of every six American children attends summer camp programs, there’s a whole lot of potential campers out there, just waiting for YOU to create a day camp closeby to their neighborhood. So now what? How do you go from that great little idea to a fully functioning day camp that’s signing up campers, hiring staff, and getting ready for opening day? Stay tuned- and we’ll let you know.In this episode, we cover:Location location location!Business, marketing and branding plansQuick and easy camper registration.Set up open house- “Meet the Director” events- Zoom, in-person, etc.Create YouTube/Facebook/Instagram videos- Tell them who you are, why you’re doing this, and how awesome it’s going to be!How do you ingratiate yourself with the local community and become a partnerHow do you position your proposition? What does the local community need? Who is the oversight in your area? DCFS, Health Department, ACA?And much much more!Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.proIf you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcpDay Camp Tip of the WeekAndy: Portable Ga-Ga Court- Inflatable, wooden, plastic- whatever. Create “camp” anywhere!Sam: T-Shirts for winter that say “Ask me about my awesome camp” or follow me to…Tiff: Google-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampTiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful PlaySam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District-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!

Send us a textFind full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/day-camp-kitchenHappy Kitchen - Happy Camp. Here are some best practices for camp kitchens of all kinds!Review us on iTunes!Running a food service at your day camp is not typical, and it certainly isn’t in the talent wheelhouse of most camp directors. But for those who can pull it off, it can be an awesome perk for your camp families- while hopefully not being a huge financial or managerial burden upon you. We’re joined today by Sam Borek, who honed his kitchen skills at resident camp, and who actually enjoys managing the ins and outs of the day camp kitchen.Tune in to hear about:Determining MenuChoosing food vendorsHow do the kids ORDER their meal each day?How is it served, non-pandemic, during pandemic (next summer)DessertsAllergiesHealthyNot Healthy- Snacks, Ice Cream/Ice PopsDo you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro-If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampGUESTS:Sam Borek, Camp Owner/Director - Woodmont 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!

Send us a textFind full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/mental-health-2020Mental Health needs to stay front-of-mind. Now more than ever. Welcome the wonderful Linda Erceg to this episode of The Day Camp Pod!Review us on iTunes!Mental Health has become one of the biggest issues facing camp professionals - and that was before covid-19 came into our lives. For summer 2021, we need to be as prepared as possible for the wide array of Mental, Emotional and Social Health issues that will be coming through our doors.There’s nobody better to discuss this topic with than the wise-woman of camp nursing, and former executive director of the Association of Camp Nurses, the one and only Linda Erceg-Tune in to this episode to hear about:  Linda’s many years of experience in camp nursing and working with the ACA on studies regarding healthy camps.How and why the study is now focusing on MESH (mental, emotional, social health),How did summer 2020 in particular affected both campers and staff?How do we best prepare mentally for summer 2021?Much, much more!Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro-If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp-Day Camp Tip of the WeekAndy: Formal in-takes for campers (load resources onto show notes)Sam: Self-care slipper socksTiff: Feelings Board - Clip “how you’re feeling” each kid in the mornings, kid to kidLinda: Tips on self-care.-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampTiffany McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful PlaySam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park DistrictGUESTS:Linda Ebner Erceg, RN, MS, PHN-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!