The Day Camp Pod - From Go Camp Pro

Send us a textIt can be done. If you’re running an indoor camp during the COVID-19 pandemic, have no fear, the Day Camp Pod and Melanie Zak Curry are here!Review us on iTunes!Tune in to this mini-pod to hear about Melanies’s experience and strategies for running camp inside:INDOOR CAMP SUCCESS STORY- How they made it happen!Militant Staff (paid minimum wage) and cleaning regimentSupport from executive directors (tell us what you need)Created their own protocols early on- which ended up being very similar to what the governor mandatedQuickly got upgraded filters for AC system, masks, cleaning stuffExamined and modified all protocols60% new campers- As most originally signed up campers withdrew, and 40% signed back up.COMMUNICATION!We were very open and honest with our parents for months leading up to camp. We actually held weekly FACEBOOK LIVE Meetings in our FB camp parent group. This gave parents the opportunity to ask questions in a group setting. We also spent months calling everyone to “answer any questions they may have”. These calls were 15 mins to 2 hours each! Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro-Bonus ResourcesGeneral Camp Pages:https://e-sportimeny.com/p/18SJ-HX9/school-break-kings-parkhttps://e-sportimeny.com/p/18SJ-H0J/sportime-kings-park-summer-camp-2020Global Sportime Guidelines:https://www.sportimeny.com/covid19_guide-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:Melanie Zak Curry, Camp Director - Sportime of Kings Park, 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 more at http://daycamppodcast.comWhen’s the right time to think about reenrollment? How do you know they’re ready to come back? Well, it’s at least time to start thinking about it, so let’s get to it.Review us on iTunes!As Day Camp Professionals, we can come up with the greatest camp programs and initiatives in the world, but it don’t mean a thang, if you don’t have the campers enrolled to fund your warm and fuzzy amazingness. It’s basic business that it’s way easier and cheaper to enroll LAST YEAR’s families, than it is to find, tour, schmooze and procure totally new campers. So let’s discuss what camps are doing to retain last year’s campers, and for camps that didn’t open last summer, or camp families that chose not to attend- how to turn 2019 campers into 2021 campers.Tune in to this episode to hear about:  Welcoming our guest Andrew “Juice Boy” Yankowitz and hearing about his resilient rise through the ranks to his current role.What are the challenges to enrollment after a summer with no camp?How do we get families to trust that the summer will go on when the world is in chaos?Some great ideas for enrollment in a normal season!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 WeekTiff - Bring a Friend to Camp ProgramSam - A Utility Belt with Cleaning SuppliesAndy - CRS Wave Siren Alert SystemAndrew - Visiting Day Free Shirt or Something!YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampTiffany McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful PlaySam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park DistrictGUESTS:Andrew Yankowitz - Owner & Director - Tall Pines Picnics and Retreats-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 textNothing says financial wake-up call like a global pandemic! Andy welcomes back Jonathan M. Gold to the show to help us grasp the things we need to be thinking about in preparing for a tough financial road ahead. Review us on iTunes!Whether you ran in 2020 or not - we've all got a tough road ahead. We need to be prepared with every scenario, every tip and trick, and every bit of help we can get.Enter friend of the Pod Jonathan M. Gold - our financial correspondent and climate-watcher.We welcome Jonathan back to this mini-pod with Andy as they discuss what it's going to take to be able to not only survive 2021, but to thrive long-term.-Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro-Bonus ResourcesJonathan’s Cashflow Chart Video:https://vimeo.com/465802814-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampGUESTS:Jonathan M. Gold, MBA, PhD, Camp Owner/Director - the Arbor Group of CampsSPONSORS: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 at https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-podWhat was it like for Day Camps who DIDN’T RUN this summer? Tune in to this episode of The Day Camp Pod with Kelly Schuna and Ben Esposito to find out more!Review us on iTunes!Summer 2020 was challenging for all, especially for those of us who chose to NOT TO OPEN for a traditional summer of camp. While we have the utmost respect for those camps that found a way to make it happen, today’s podcast is dedicated to our colleagues who had to make a choice they never thought they’d have to make.This episode, we’re featuring the stories of two terrific camp programs and their thoughtful directors- one from the north, and one from the east.Tune in to this episode to hear about:  Welcoming our guests Kelly Schuna and Ben Esposito and learning a bit more about what the Summer of 2020 looked like for them. What did the decision-making process look like for Kelly and Ben that lead to them not running this summer?How did they communicate their hard decision to their staff and camping community? How were they able to make it work? What did staffing, program development and financing look like?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 WeekTiff - Big Life Journal - Free tips every day on InstagramSam - Mask accessories - ribbons, fancy things for their masks- beads, lanyardsAndy - Extra Waterbottle Filling StationsBen - Keep connected to the PROPERTY- “everybody is on the facility crew”Kelly - The Ministers of Fun- give responsibility to staff, to keep things fun!-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampTiffany McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful PlaySam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park DistrictGUESTS:Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines RanchBen Esposito, Director - Camp Alvernia-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/

Send us a textHow two camps embraced the eLearning Camp model during the COIVD-19 pandemic. Review us on iTunes!Welcome to another Day Camp Mini-Pod!We’re so glad to be bringing you new content every week on the Day Camp Pod.As a reminder, there will be a full episode every two weeks with some Mini-Pods in-between. A HUGE thanks to our hosts, Sam, Andy and Tiff for this extra push this seasonsOn mini-pod, Sam and Sabrina Hinkens share how their camp programs have pivoted to eLearning models in response to the push of virtual schooling.This is a great conversation not only because of the nuggets about how to run an eLearning camp, but to re-assure camp pros out there that no matter how many years you’ve been in the game, you can make brave shifts into unknown territories in the name of serving your facility and your families.What do you think of the mini-pod? Please let us know by commenting here and leaving us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/dcpYOUR HOSTS:Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District, Vice president ACA IllinoisSabrina Hinkens, Youth Program Supervisor - Gurnee Park District

Send us a textWhat was it like for Day Camps who ran this summer? Find out on our first episode of season 3 of the Day Camp Pod!Review us on iTunes!Summer 2020 was a whirlwind for us all, especially for those of us who were able to OPEN our doors to the public. We had to use every ounce of leadership, creativity, perseverance and resilience that we could muster. While we support our comrades who did not open this past summer, and we will have a podcast just for you - this episode is about how three completely different camp programs were able to find a way to make it happen successfully, in this crazy, historic summer of 2020.  Tune in to this episode to hear about:  Welcoming our new host, Tiffany McDuffie!  How Andy, Sam and Tiff turned on the jets when it came to communication with their families and staff teams. Some of the various precautions they took to make the summer happen safely  How did they manage the fear, uncertainty and duty to remain socially responsible that was present this summer?  What were some of the silver linings of running camp this summer?  Much, much more!Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro-Day Camp Tip of the WeekTiff - Blending in-person and virtual learning for staff training and using Kahoot to keep it interactive and lightSam - Using rope and pool noodles to help kids understand social distancingAndy - Running new/returning parent orientations on Zoom and putting them on Youtube -Bonus Content - Thanks for reading the show notes!Liberty Lake’s COVID-19 Safety PlaybookProducer’s Note: Andy, you ROCK for sharing this so openly with the industry.-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampTiffany 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 textCrafts that are both in-person and virtual-camp friendly! Thanks, Sam and Diana!Review us on iTunes!As we truly dig-in to one of the weirdest summers of our time, we wanted to equip you with some crafts and program ideas that will help you run the best program you can, whether it’s virtual or in-person.And when it comes to incredible Day Camp Programs, who do we turn to? Sam Thompson of course!Tune in to this mini-pod to hear about some of the best fidget and sensory-friendly crafts that Sam and her co-worker Diana Vroman have found!HERE’S A PDF WITH SOME OF THE CRAFTS - THANKS FOR THIS, SAM!-What do you think of the mini-pod? Please let us know by commenting here and leaving us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp-YOUR HOSTS:Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District, Vice president ACA IllinoisDiana Vroman, Elementary Schools Site Director - Crystal Lake Park District-SPONSORS:Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:American Camp Association, NY & NJ   http://www.acanynj.org/AM Skier Insurance    http://www.amskier.com/Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS)   https://crs4rec.com/

Send us a textThanks for the season, Day Camp friends! Here are our favourite episodes and some goals for your next summer!Review us on iTunes!It’s been a wonderfully full second season for the Day Camp Pod! 19 full episodes, 5 mini-pods (2 more on the way, still!) and over 10,000 downloads, we’ve certainly come a long way!On behalf of the team at Go Camp Pro, we’re so grateful for Andy, Sam and Ehren for their radical openness and dedication to sharing the tips and best practices that will make everyone’s Day Camp better.As well, to our incredible guests, thank you for joining in on the fun! We’re grateful to all of you not only for what you did for us, but in general for making our industry as great as it is.To wrap this season, our hosts share their favourite episodes and takeaways from Season 2 followed by some goals for the next summer season their camp will be running.Thanks for the season, friends!Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro-Our Favorite Episodes From Season 2EhrenLeveraging Your Brand and Knowledge with Audrey MonkeStaff Meetings at Day CampSamEven More Inclusion - with Lucia Thoensen and Terri SoutherlandSpecialists and Activity Leaders Working Effectively with Day Camp Staff - with Michael BrandweinAndyTreating Your Day Camp Like A Business - With Jonathan GoldDebriefing Your Summer Season-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampEhren Gluckstein, Assistant Director - Camp Robin Hood - Robin HoodSam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District, Vice president ACA Illinois-SPONSORS:Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:American Camp Association, NY & NJ   http://www.acanynj.org/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 textCamp should be for every child. Here’s how to ensure your Day Camp is inclusive for children of all abilities.A lot of camp professionals operate under the belief that every child deserves a week at summer camp. However, when it comes to the execution of that “every” child, we can sometimes fall short when there is a camper who’s needs we feel like we don’t have the means to serve.What we need to do is shift our paradigm of thinking that inclusion programs at camp are “more work” and think of them as “work worth doing”.As you’ll hear on this episode, the benefits of an inclusion program stretch far beyond just the individual. From fellow campers, to staff, even directors, everyone has a ton to gain from welcoming campers and adults with differing abilities into your program.To learn some of the best practices when it comes to inclusive programs, Andy, Sam and Ehren are joined by Lucia Thoensen from Tamarak Day Camp and Country School and Terri Southerland from Liberty Lake.Tune in to learn:Why do inclusion? What are the benefits to your other campers?Having conversations with the parents about additional needs before, during, with the child present. What key questions should we ask?What information do you share with the other campers/parents?Training the whole staff about InclusionWhat happens if we can't serve a child(he isn't making progress)?What happens when they “age out”? What opportunities can we give them?-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-THE DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEKTerri: Harmony Hut - A calming place for campers who need some time and space.Lucia: Envelope system for camper behaviourEhren: Sensory overload staff training exercise to help build empathySam: Craft for children with fine motor issues. Use egg cartons, plaster of Paris, water and paint and you’ve got some big chunks of paint!Bonus Resource:Andy’s ACA Presentation with lots of great Liberty Lake intake and scheduling resources:https://libertylakedaycamp.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Day-Camp-Inclusion.pdf -YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampEhren Gluckstein, Assistant Director - Camp Robin Hood - Robin Hood Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park DistrictLucia Thoensen, Director - Tamarak Day Camp and Country SchoolTerri Southerland, Inclusion Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp-SPONSORS:Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:American Camp Association, NY & NJ   http://www.acanynj.org/AM Skier Insurance    http://www.amskier.com/Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS)   

Send us a textA glimpse into how things are going to change in the Day Camp world, post-pandemic. Dr. G is back again!A more logistical follow-up to last mini-pod’s conversation with Dr. G.If you make the decision to run camp in 2020, OR if we’re still here for 2021 (heaven forbid), there’s going to be a lot to think about as we’re preparing to welcome people to our sites.It’s going to take time, but you definitely want to start with a medical perspective, and that’s why Dr. G is back!These logistics is definitely one of those “easier said than done” types of things. To help, Dr. Debi Gilboa (yes, THE Dr. G!) talks to Andy about how to authentically remind your staff that they are cared for beyond just their employment status with you.If you listen to this and feel that you need some more help, Dr. G is offering her help to consult with directors and leadership staff to meet with parents, staff, and families and help foster cultures of emotional resilience. Find out more at askdrg.com.-What do you think of the mini-pod? Please let us know by commenting here and leaving us a review at http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp, past president ACA NY/NJ, partner/founder Everwood Day Camp, founder/past president NJ Camps Government Affairs ProjectDr. Deborah Gilboa, “Dr. G”, Parenting & Youth Development Expert - www.askdoctorg.com-Sponsors:Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:American Camp Association, NY & NJ   http://www.acanynj.org/AM Skier Insurance    http://www.amskier.com/Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS)   https://crs4rec.com/