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First Class Counselors

First Class Counsellors - from Go Camp Pro

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Société & Culture

Fréquence : 1 épisode/31j. Total Éps: 88

Camp counselors have the most important job at summer camp. Period. A great camp staff will have kids wanting to come back to camp year after year. First Class Counsellors is here to make great camp staff. Each week, we’ll cover practical and accessible tips that will level up your camp counselor skills. Our two hosts, Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell and Matt Honsberger from Go Camp Pro are excited to be able to provide this resource to camp counselors.

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Using Stats To Master Counseling - First Class Counselors #81

Épisode 81

jeudi 29 janvier 2026 • Durée 01:02:37

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/using-stats-to-master-counseling

How You Can Become A Data-Driven Leader

This episode dives into the numbers behind great counseling, from safety ratios to camper retention. By treating camp as a measurable social business, staff can identify their strengths, improve their safety efficiency, and track their personal growth throughout the summer. They discuss how to turn qualitative experiences into quantitative success to help every staff member become a first class counselor.

Key Takeaways:

The Behavioral Closing Rate: Professionalism is measured by how effectively a counselor can resolve behavioral issues and communicate them through proper reporting channels.
Conversions and Friendships: Success can be measured through camper return rates and the intentional fostering of friendships that last beyond the summer.
Personal Special Powers: Every first class counselor has a unique magic factor, whether it is a specific skill like ceramics or a jack of all trades ability to facilitate any program on the fly.

E.G.E.L – Ever Growing, Ever Learning:

Oliver: Sorting Hat-Type Ceremony

Matt: G.M.I.C (Great Moments In Camping!)

Sponsors:

Ultracamp
Camp is about changing lives, not chasing paperwork. Ultracamp builds tools that make camp smoother for today's camp counselor and tomorrow's camp leader. Learn more at https://ultracampmanagement.com/firstclass

Host Links:

Matt Wilfrid, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro
Oliver Gregan, Executive Director at YMCA Camp Winona

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Should We Send Them Home? - First Class Counselors #80

Épisode 80

jeudi 11 décembre 2025 • Durée 52:30

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/should-we-send-them-home

Finding Connection When You Are Frustrated

We’ve all been there. It’s week four, the coffee machine is broken, you are trying to get the cabin to the flagpole on time, and that camper is dragging their feet, making fart noises, and holding the broom upside down during cleanup. You don't necessarily want them sent home, but they are absolutely testing your patience. In this "high empathy" episode, Oliver and Matt validate those feelings of frustration while offering a roadmap to get back on track. They discuss the difference between behavior that is annoying versus behavior that requires a director's intervention, and how checking your own ego can de-escalate the situation.

Key Takeaways:

Identifying Your Triggers: Frustration often stems from specific stressors like lateness, perceived "weaponized incompetence" (like using a push broom incorrectly), or a camper's disinterest in planned activities. Recognizing these triggers is the first step to patience.
Conformity vs. Leadership: Matt challenges counselors to ask why a behavior is frustrating. Is it disrupting the camp experience, or does it simply make you feel like you are losing control or "looking bad" as a leader?
Connection Over Correction: You don't have to like every camper, but you do need to find a connection. Oliver shares a story about using Magic: The Gathering cards to bridge the gap with a disconnected camper.

E.G.E.L – Ever Growing, Ever Learning:

Oliver: Survival Tag, The Game

Matt: Find a water bottle that you love drinking from.

Sponsors:

AMSkier is a leading insurance and strategic partner for many of the finest camps in America. AMSkier partners with camps to provide public relations, legal, medical, behavior support and more - Experience the AMSkier difference. Learn more at .

Host Links:

Generation A - Our Campers - First Class Counselors #71

Épisode 71

jeudi 18 janvier 2024 • Durée 01:13:53

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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/gen-a

Generation-A are our campers - how can we effectively work with them at camp?

Generation-A, or Gen-A are kids that are born between 2010 and 2024. Born the same year as the release of the iPad, most socially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the generation that is currently almost 100% of the summer camp population.

It seems like the post-pandemic camper population is a bit of a beast these days. Camps hiring social workers and doubling down on social skills to respond, but are these solutions seem to be missing what’s important about the day to day interactions with campers - you know - the things that camp counsellors do every day with kids.

Counselors have always had an extremely unique relationship with campers. Not seen as an adult (but an adult figure), not quite a teacher (but definitely leads) - this dynamic sets up an important developmental coaching opportunity that counselors can leverage.

The first step? Let’s meet Gen A where they’re at and think about what we can do to make camp the best experience we can for them!

So join us this episode as we unpack:

Let’s meet Gen A - who are they and what makes them unique
What is different about Gen A than the previous generations (Gen Z and the Millenials)
Why it’s important that we focus on relationship building with Gen A
What camp counselors can do to help Gen A have a great time at camp.

Links from this episode:

E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever LearningThanks to our sponsor!

Water Safety and Water Programs - First Class Counselors #70

Épisode 70

jeudi 4 janvier 2024 • Durée 59:42

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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/water-safety

Water safety (and fun!) starts with Camp Counselors

Many camps sport a waterfront, a pool or even host a wet and wild Wednesday! Today we want to talk about programming at these water-based activities to make sure campers are safe and having a blast.

You may be thinking “wait a minute, I’m not a lifeguard, so why should I listen? While you may not have the official qualifications to be a lifeguard, camp counsellors are the best front-line support for the lifeguard team and are essential for keeping the fun going. Anything involving water has that extra level of danger, so remember that everyone has a part to play in safety.

So join us this episode as we unpack:

Start with safety - what are the water safety measures that camp counselors are responsible for
What about when it comes to boating and all of the other water toys at camp?
And if you don’t have access to a lake or pool? No problem, Oliver’s got you covered.

E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning

Level up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!

Oliver: Have to stay water themed - The game I am going to teach you is called Every drop. This is a rainy day activity but can be done on a sunny day. On rainy days campers simply are given a tarp and have to use it to gather water from the rain. On non rainy days you give them a big blue bucket. These guys are maybe 30 gallons. You can change base off the size of camper. You then hide random basins, water balloons all over camp. Random objects that hold water. They have to fill their bucket and return to you.
Matt: Water Games - https://ultimatecampresource.com/camp-games/water-games/ &

Thanks to our sponsor!

Are They A Terrible Staff Member...Or Is It Me? - First Class Counselors #69

Épisode 69

jeudi 21 décembre 2023 • Durée 01:05:45

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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/terrible-staff

You may not like them, you may not counsel like them, but that doesn’t mean they suck.

It can happen to even the most First Class Counselor. For reasons that may seem perfectly valid and logical, a staff member gets it in their head that one of their co-workers is a terrible staff member. What ensues is drama, hurt feelings and escalations that can take away from the camp experience for others.

In this episode, we’re not talking about the staff members who break policy or in a legal sense deserve to be fired.

Frankly, you aren’t going to like everyone - let’s get real. But you have to a) respect them as a fellow staff member and b) remember that it’s not about that “like” - it’s about the camper experience.

So join us this episode as we unpack:

What does it actually mean to be a good staff member, and is it even your place to judge others?
Different traits of camp counselors that you may struggle with, and why that is
What to do about it. How to move forward in a way that is fair to everyone involved

E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning

Level up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!

Oliver: Using a standard deck of card for different parts of the day (who goes first, what happens next, etc.)
Matt: Attention getters from Ultimate Camp Resource - https://ultimatecampresource.com/camp-staff-resources/top-five-lists/large-group-attention-getters/

Thanks to our sponsor!

Wait...Is This a Cult? - Ceremonies and Traditions at Summer Camp - First Class Counselors #68

Épisode 68

jeudi 7 décembre 2023 • Durée 50:37

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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/camp-is-a-cult

Summer camp is culty - but in a good way, we swear!

If you are new to summer camp and reading this, you may not get the whole “cult” angle.

It’s a common joke amongst experienced camp staff and directors that camp is essentially a cult. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is how intentional we are with the ceremonies and traditions we have at camp.

This ranges from as basic as gathering as a camp in the morning to share an inspirational thought, to literal chanting and burning of the camp logo on a lake. Yes, seriously.

Every camp is different, but what makes them the same is that each of them are creating their own immersive “world” for people to live in. These “worlds” have rules, norms, traditions and ceremonies that are integral to helping people feel welcome and wanting to stay a part of it.

Tune into this episode to hear Oliver and Matt break down:

An overview of ceremonies and tradition at camp. What are they and Why do camps use and have these?
How do these translate to camp being “culty”?
What is your role as a Camp Counselor in this - what happens if you aren’t fully bought in? What if you are?

E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning

Level up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!

Oliver: Peak a Who or Magic Wall
https://ultimatecampresource.com/ice-breakers/name-games/#Magic-wall-or-peak-a-who
Matt: Jim Cain Books

Thanks to our sponsor!

Meet Your Camp Director - Part 1 - First Class Counselors #67

Épisode 67

jeudi 23 novembre 2023 • Durée 01:02:38

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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/meet-your-camp-director-1

Part 1 - What we got wrong…

Just who is that person walking around with a clipboard all day?

To most Camp Counselors, the Camp Director is a strange and mythical creature. They’re like a teacher…but completely different. They’re like a boss…but definitely not in the traditional sense.

So who are they?

In this first of a series of episodes, we break down some of the assumptions we had about our Camp Directors growing up, and now, 15(ish) years later, what was (and mostly wasn’t) correct about those assumptions.

Here are some of the assumptions we cover:

Is my Director judging every singly thing I do? Are they going to fire me for messing up?
I bet they are too busy to help me.
All they think about is camp. They definitely don’t have a life outside of camp.
All they care about is money!
They are the WORST communicators

Have you ever had any of those thoughts about your Camp Director? Then this episode is for you!

E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning

Level up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!

Oliver: 3 tips for all camp schedule making -
1. Timely- give it out early
2. 1-page story
3. Delivery dress up
Matt: Trust Tube from Ultimate Camp Resource https://ultimatecampresource.com/team-building-activities/trust-activities/trust-tube/

Thanks to our sponsor!

How to Talk to Adults - First Class Counselors #66

Épisode 66

jeudi 9 novembre 2023 • Durée 57:46

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/how-to-talk-to-adults

You didn’t sign up to be a camp counsellor because you loved talking to adults…right?

In the world of a camp counselor, there is no other part of the job that is simultaneously as short and as important as the interactions you have with the adults that find their way on site.

Whether it’s parents, caregivers, alumni or your camp management, being able to navigate these interactions is essential. A counselor that can make and hold a great conversation with these folks will not only give a great impression of themselves but of the camp they represent.

This definitely takes practice, but we’re here to give you the insider tips and give you a head start on this all-important skill.

In this episode, we cover:

How to Choose Your Audience - Why we have to adjust the way we speak.
How to talk to Parents
- The F.O.R.D method. family, occupation, recreation, dreams
How to Talk to Your Camp Director / Other Adult Supervisor

This is required listening for every camp counselor.

E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning

Oliver: Monarch - from Ultimate Camp Resource
Matt: Online Outdoor Gear Retail Stores
- https://www.thelasthunt.com/ (Canadian)
- https://www.outdooroutlet.com/ (American)
- (American)

Thanks to our sponsor!

Putting Campers First - Why It's Hard and Why It's Necessary - First Class Counselors #65

Épisode 65

jeudi 26 octobre 2023 • Durée 56:12

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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/campers-first
-

It’s not that you come second…well…it kind of is...

Camp counselors are special. Not just because of all the incredible skills you learn and teach, but because it’s one of the only jobs that requires you to prioritize the health and experience of kids in your care - all day. This isn’t easy. It takes a special type of person to do the job.

People call it different things. Putting Campers First, The “Why” of Summer Camp, FTK or “For the Kids” - but whatever you call it, it’s the core of not only what we do, but why we do it.

In this episode, we cover:

The mindset that directors have when they give the “Campers First” expectation
What you need to have prepared before you commit to the Camper First mindset
Is it inherently a personal sacrifice to put campers first?
What does putting campers first actually look like in practice?

This is required listening for every camp counselor.

-

E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning

Oliver: Tower topper - Stand in a circle a little more than arms width from each other. Each person gets a cone; there should be one extra cone in the circle. One person stands in the middle of the circle. Campers chop their feet. When they feel ready they need to run to another cone. It can be any open cone. If they get to that cone they get a point. If the cone is knocked over by the person in the middle gets 5pts or you can just switch the people.
Matt: Double Dice! From Ultimate Camp Resource

Thanks to our sponsor!

Campers and Staff These Days (are we boomers?) - First Class Counselors #64

Épisode 64

jeudi 12 octobre 2023 • Durée 50:59

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/campers-and-staff-these-days

Welcome back! How was your summer?

We’re so grateful to have you folks join us for another season of First Class Counselors. In this episode, Oliver and Matt share a bit about their summers, and what they’re thinking about going into the 2024 season.

Topics:

How would you describe your summer in 3 words?
Share a favourite story from the summer
What are some of the trends and interesting things we noticed about campers and staff this summer?
What are some of the episodes we’re thinking about for season 6 of First Class Counselors?

E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning

Oliver: Blind Taste Test Trend at Camp
Matt: Get a headlamp + digital watch - tools of the trade!

Thanks to our sponsor!

Ultimate Camp Resource

Visit UltimateCampResource.com for 1,000+ free camp games, songs, skits, activities, and more! Follow us on social at fb: ulticamp | IG: ultimatecampresource | TT: ultimatecampresource | YT: ultimatecampresource.

Download a free games e-book here:

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