The Day Camp Pod - From Go Camp Pro

Send us a textFind full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/preschool-program-2021They’re the most fun, the most magical, the most squirmy and they’re the future of camp. Here’s how to rock your preschool camp programming!Pre-Schoolers are the little saplings of day camp. Show them and their families a good time, and you have an annuity that can last a decade. That said, they are completely different on so many levels, compared to elementary and middle schoolers. Today we’ll deep dive into the world of the littlest people in our campsTune in to this episode to hear about camp programming, the arts, games, special events, facilitation tricks and MORE - all for the wee ones!Enjoy!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: Skip’s Rubber Duckie idea: Give every kid a rubber duckie, put them in the shallow part of the pool, and tell the kids to go and get them! It will get them right in the pool!Sam: Perspective training - Line staff up, and every other one kneels down to give the staff the perspective of a pre-schooler looking up with their counsellors. That’s why we get down on one knee!Tiff: Taking your current curriculum and make it age-appropriate for every level to make sure everyone feels seen and related to.-YOUR HOSTS:Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day CampTiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful PlaySam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park DistrictDiana Vroman, Elementary Schools Site Director - Crystal Lake Park District-Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible: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!-Sam’s Mega-List of Preschool Programming!Found at https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/preschool-program-2021

Send us a textFind full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/dei-at-day-camp-pt2Here’s part 2 of this important conversation with Dr. Perry and Dr. Ozier.One of the silver linings 2020 has been the awakening of many camp professionals to the glaring lack of diversity in the camp industry. Besides camps that cater to children living in the inner-city, Summer camp- like many American institutions, has historically been a white proposition. Today we will discuss what we can do within our organizations, to help make change. Thank you for joining us for this important discussionIn this second part of a two-part episode, we cover:Goal is uplifting ALL humanityStaff training, and ongoing staff stuff through the season (when you see it, say it- see what? say what?)How to talk to campers about it- proactively (like on Mondays when laying down the rules), and when kids slip up- how to address it. Communicating racism, diversity, tolerance with little kids vs. big kidsParent Communications- Website, Parent Resource Guides, what to “say” on a tour-Episode ResourcesFind all resources: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/dei-at-day-camp-pt1Positive White Racial Identity Development.pdfAli Michael piece: What White Children Need to Know about RaceThe Racial Healing Handbook-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 CampTiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful PlaySam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park DistrictDr. Chanika Perry, Director of Education Programs - Hands On AtlantaDr. Lance Ozier, Senior Educational Consultant - Teaching Matters-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  

Send us a textFind full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/dei-at-day-camp-pt1The Day Camp world is being reborn after the summer of 2020. Let’s rebuild it into a world of diversity, equity and inclusion.One of the silver linings 2020 has been the awakening of many camp professionals to the glaring lack of diversity in the camp industry. Besides camps that cater to children living in the inner-city, Summer camp- like many American institutions, has historically been a white proposition. Today we will discuss what we can do within our organizations, to help make change. Thank you for joining us for this important discussionIn this first part of a two-part episode, we cover:Developmental appropriateness- inappropriate, but age-appropriate- use as teachable moments- don’t dismiss.“Got it from parents”NAMING defensiveness- “Not seeing race”Avoiding the topicHow do we show off- How do we represent camp validity to all peopleNot avoiding… accepting, knowing what the community values.Step 1- Hiring diverse staff-Episode ResourcesFind all resources: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/dei-at-day-camp-pt1Positive White Racial Identity Development.pdfAli Michael piece: What White Children Need to Know about RaceThe Racial Healing Handbook-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 CampTiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful PlaySam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park DistrictDr. Chanika Perry, Director of Education Programs - Hands On AtlantaDr. Lance Ozier, Senior Educational Consultant - Teaching Matters-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://ratethisp

Send us a textFind full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/essence-of-campWhen you take away all of your camp’s window-dressing, what’s left? Andy and Liz Kimmelman dig into it on this Mini-Pod.Every camp we’ve spoken to that opened during Summer 2020 quickly realized that all the bells and whistles they’ve accumulated over the years were insignificant, as their downscaled, back-to-basics programming was embraced and enjoyed by the campers and staff in ways like we’ve never seen before. For camp directors like Liz and Andy Kimmelman, and myself to a degree, this was a welcome awakening for the future of our camps. THIS, is the Day Camp Pod!Tune in to hear about:Nicknames...Summer 2020 reckoningWhy do you think this happened?Opportunities for Autonomy, mastery and connection!Do you think that people (including parents) will remain content to keep it simple?Changes we made that we will keepWebsite revisionsAdvice to our day camp colleaguesUnplug, outdoor, explore, play moreDo 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:Liz Kimmelman - Owner/Director - Camp Tumbleweed-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/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!