Camp Code - Leadership & Staff Training Podcast for Camp Directors

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/getting-myself-in-the-right-head-space-right-nowGetting Myself in the Right Head Space Right NowWe all know the excitement, anticipation, stress, anxiety, joy, eagerness, and all the other range of emotions that directors feel this time of year.  As we head into the wrap up of our podcast season, we wanted to be sure to include, as one of our last few episodes, a few ideas to get all of you in the right head and heart space, so listen in today to help prepare for the adventure ahead. - We hope you love this episode of Camp Code! If you do, please consider subscribing to the show, and leaving us a rating in your Podcast app. It’s SO easy, just head to https://ratethispodcast.com/campcode-Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Gabrielle-A friend of mine made me a care package last summer that was something I could carry with me all summer long. This fanny pack was curated with my favourite pens and notebooks. Then my friend filled the fanny pack with “other stuff”, which my friend described to me as to be used when campers or staff need something from you. This “other stuff” included cheap pens, hair elastics, band aids, hand sanitizer, friendship bracelets and cue cards. This kit of supplies that I could use to help staff or campers, it makes you feel good for helping people and it helps manage your own stress levels when you know you have what you need to help make camp successful!-Your Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProRuby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby OutdoorsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-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 ultracampmanagement.com/campcode/Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/what-if-my-staff-hate-meWhat If My Staff Hate Me?We spend our entire careers caring for people, building community with our staff, and working incredibly closely with a wide variety of personalities.  We do all that we can to make everyone feel welcome and a part of our team but what happens if you begin to feel that someone just doesn’t like you?  We know it seems ridiculous since you are all amazing camp folks but…it happens.  What can we do about it? Listen in to find out!-We hope you love this episode of Camp Code! If you do, please consider subscribing to the show, and leaving us a rating in your Podcast app. It’s SO easy, just head to https://ratethispodcast.com/campcode-Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Ruby-Be the best boss that your staff have ever had. How hard can that be? Be honest and upfront with your team that there are times throughout the summer that your staff may be upset or angry with you and that is okay. Describe to your staff that every decision you make is for their wellbeing and the wellbeing of camp as a business. Sometimes that means your staff will have to do stuff that they don’t necessarily want to do, because you are the boss. -Your Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProRuby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby OutdoorsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-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 ultracampmanagement.com/campcode/Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/staffaccountabilityAccountability For Your Camp ExperienceBeing accountable for our words and actions is a life skill, and it’s ongoing. How do we best prepare and mentor our staff to be accountable for all they do throughout the summer? We all know the basics: setting expectations and setting boundaries. In this episode we dive in to help you to have tools (or enable YOU to be accountable) for teaching accountability.Episode ResourcesFish PhilosophyAlliance for Camp Health-We hope you love this episode of Camp Code! If you do, please consider subscribing to the show, and leaving us a rating in your Podcast app. It’s SO easy, just head to https://ratethispodcast.com/campcode-Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Beth-After teaching camp staff a topic, ask for their input. Then, ask them what happens when folks don’t practice <insert the topic/skill that was taught during the session here>. For example, Beth ran a session with staff called “Wherever you are, be all there.” During that session, Beth wrote the following phrase on a whiteboard and asked staff to fill in the blank:Own your own ________.Staff responded with answers like mistakes, space, attitude, health, drama, conflict, laundry. After, I put groups in to small discussion groups and asked “What happens when you don’t own your _______.”After some time, bring the group back together and ask “What falls apart when people don’t own their stuff.” Finally, I asked “How does this make you feel” and ask staff to reflect on issues and discuss how to avoid the pitfalls that the groups came up with. -Your Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProRuby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby OutdoorsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-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 ultracampmanagement.com/campcode/Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/staffstaminaStaff Stamina - Camp Code #120We have been hearing across the industry that summer staff don’t seem to be quite as “in-shape” as they used to be – that is that perhaps they don’t have the stamina to make it through the physical and emotional labor of the summer. Let’s talk about the training they need to get pumped to do their personal best.Resourceful ReadsChris Bailey - The Productivity ProjectGretchen Ruben - The Four Tendencies-We hope you love this episode of Camp Code! If you do, please consider subscribing to the show, and leaving us a rating in your Podcast app. It’s SO easy, just head to https://ratethispodcast.com/campcode-Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Ruby-With Ruby’s experience in outdoors training, often they speak about the five ways that a body loses heat. There’s a simple metaphor when translating body heat to employee stamina. For today’s best practice, we’re going to explore the metaphor of a body losing heat with a body losing energy. How do we lose heat/energy?-Radiation – Heat lost from exposed skin - Exposure from vulnerabilityConvection – Heat lost from wind displacing a layer of warm air near your skin  - Camp and community environments are draining and will pull energy from you. Evaporation – Heat lost when the body loses water from sweating - Working hardConduction – Heat lost though contact with a colder object such as cold floors or ground - giving & maintaining other people’s energyRespiration – Heat lost from breathing cold air - lost energy through maintaining the status quo. Once discussed and shared with the team, have your staff discuss how to insulate their energy loss. Your Hosts:Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauBeth Allison, Camp Consultant - GoCamp.ProRuby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby OutdoorsThanks 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 ultracampmanagement.com/campcode/Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

This engaging discussion dives into the critical role of middle management in the camp community. It emphasizes nurturing leadership skills and creating supportive environments for staff training. A unique approach using Lego is introduced to inspire creativity and engagement among team members. The hosts explore the importance of dedicated spaces for managers to rejuvenate and reflect, highlighting techniques that enhance team dynamics. With practical tools and playful strategies, the episode showcases how passion can transform camp leadership.

Discover innovative strategies for training middle management in camp settings. Emphasizing trust, communication, and empowering leadership, the discussion reveals how to cultivate commitment among staff. Learn about 'stay interviews' to enhance employee retention and engagement. Key insights into creating end-of-season reports are shared, highlighting their role in future planning and staff development. This conversation is packed with actionable ideas for fostering a culture of support and growth within camp operations.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/training-middle-mgmt-pt1Training Middle Management Part 1Middle managers are at the heart of any camp, driving everything from bottom-line performance to culture to development of future staff. Because of their unique position, research shows that developing middle managers can improve your entire organization’s health and set a positive tone in your culture.  But how do we develop and train them well?  Let’s talk about it.-We hope you love this episode of Camp Code! If you do, please consider subscribing to the show, and leaving us a rating in your Podcast app. It’s SO easy, just head to https://ratethispodcast.com/campcode-Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Beth-Middle managers face a constant barrage of opposing agendas. Therefore, your middle managers must be skilled at leading up, leading down, and leading across. Take the time to teach your staff about the importance of connection. Teach middle management about servant leadership. You are not “above” you are “below” providing care for your people. -Your Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProRuby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby OutdoorsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-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 ultracampmanagement.com/campcode/Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find links and full show notes at: https://gocamp.pro/campcode/improving-initiative-in-staffImproving Initiative in StaffCan you teach your staff to take initiative? Is it even something they can learn or are you just born with it or without it? One of the stressors for Directors we hear most often is the lack of initiative some of their staff seem to have.  It can become a big frustration so let’s discuss how we tackle a lack of initiative in staff.-We hope you love this episode of Camp Code! If you do, please consider subscribing to the show, and leaving us a rating in your Podcast app. It’s SO easy, just head to https://ratethispodcast.com/campcode-Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Ruby-Saying responses such as “thank you for bringing that up!” and “thank you for asking that!” when staff ask us questions or bring up concerns, let them know that we appreciate them reflecting on whatever is going on. Most importantly, it helps demonstrate that we appreciate feedback/questions in our culture. As long as it feels genuine, your enthusiasm to teach and responses will encourage others to do the same. -Your Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProRuby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby OutdoorsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-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 ultracampmanagement.com/campcode/Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Discover how to spark creativity in camp staff as they transition from a digital to an in-person setting. Explore playful activities and training techniques designed to reconnect them with their imaginative sides. Learn about bridging generational gaps to foster genuine connections with campers. The hosts share innovative ideas to integrate nostalgia into training, enhancing staff engagement. Plus, uncover strategies for creating an empowering environment that promotes creativity and spontaneity in real-world camp experiences.

Exploring how to build a positive camp culture, the hosts discuss practical strategies for staff engagement and retention. They suggest asking staff to identify signs of a toxic workplace and addressing these concerns collaboratively. Using LEGO as a metaphor, they emphasize the importance of teamwork and individuality. Daily check-ins on toxic behaviors foster a nurturing environment. Leadership's role in creating accountability and a supportive atmosphere is highlighted, encouraging open communication for a thriving camp experience.