The Day Camp Pod - From Go Camp Pro – Details, episodes & analysis

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/arrival-dismissal

Mastering Day Camp Chaos: Arrival & Dismissal Secrets Revealed

How we start our days at camp sets the machine in motion, in regard to intentionality and building community. How we end is what they remember each day, and is just as important! Today, we’ve got Jordanna from Camp Robin Hood, Ontario, and Phil from the mighty Ramaquois of Rockland County NY - and we’re going to deep dive into what each of our camps do, and why- This is a thick, dense podcast, so get ready to absorb- because BIG camps that can pull this off with precision are amazing to hear about!

Highlights:

• 04:13 Transportation Logistics and Challenges
• 08:15 Morning Hype and Community Building
• 13:33 Arrival Procedures at Ramaquois, Liberty Lake, Robin Hood and Crystal Lake
• 34:18 Dismissal Procedures and Logistics

Links from this Episode:

• Find these at https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/arrival-dismissal

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Your Hosts:

• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
• Jordanna Grossinger, Director - Camp Robin Hood
• Phil Rainone, Director, Camp Ramaquois

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Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

• AMSkier
  • 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 amskier.com.
• Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) 
  • Looking to elevate your camp experience? For over 25 years, Commercial Recreation Specialists has been transforming camps with water inflatables, Splashpads, playgrounds, and more! Boost your programming, drive registrations, and attract more campers. Our team of Recreation Specialists is here to help you design the ultimate space. Let’s take your camp to the next level – because we’re serious about FUN! Find out more at https://crs4rec.com/
• CampMinder
  • Campminder has the most robust offerings of features out there. But more importantly, every feature works together to create a full, seamless system that helps camps run more efficiently. Visit them today at campminder.com

Send us a text

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/sunrise-camps

The Sunrise Association: Transforming Lives of kids affected by Childhood Cancer

The Sunrise Day Camps started as an optimistic idea less than 20 years ago- and has grown into an unbelievably wonderful reality in which 2500 children- cancer patients, survivors, and their siblings- attended day camps last summer for no charge, with no wait lists- ever! Overall, they serve over 60,000 children each year through their day camps, year-round hospital programs and virtual programs. No organization has ever done anything like this in the camp space, their story is super-inspiring, and we can’t wait to share it with you all.

Highlights:

• 02:21 The Genesis of Sunrise Association
• 05:05 First Camp and Recruitment Challenges
• 16:50 Eligibility and Long-Term Impact
• 22:46 Hospital Programs and Expansion
• 31:10 Flexible Attendance for Campers
• 34:13 Data Analysis and Communication Strategies
• 39:23 Communication and Enrollment Process
• 41:34 Expanding Camp Locations and Services
• 44:35 Impact of the Pandemic on Camp Operations
• 45:31 Virtual Programming and Hospital Outreach
• 50:44 Fundraising Strategies and Community Support

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Links from this Episode:

• www.sunriseassociation.org
• Sunrise Association Intro Video - https://www.youtube.com/c/SunriseAssociation

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Your Hosts:

• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
• Aileen Hoffman, Senior Vice President - Strategic Expansion, Sunrise Association
• Deanna Slade, Vice President of Camping and Related Services, Sunrise Association

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Sponsors:

• AMSkier
  • 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 amskier.com.
• Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) 
  • Looking to elevate your camp experience? For over 25 years, Commercial Recreation Specialists has been transforming camps with water inflatables, Splashpads, playgrounds, and more! Boost your programming, drive registrations, and attract more campers. Our team of Recreation Specialists is here to help you design the ultimate space. Let’s take your camp to the next level – because we’re serious about FUN! Find out more at https://crs4rec.com/
• CampMinder
  • Campminder has the most robust offerings of features out there. But more importantly, every feature works together to create a full, seamless system that helps camps run more efficiently. Visit them today at campminder.com

Send us a text

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/trust-2025

Navigating Parenting and Camp Management Post-Pandemic

In this episode of the Day Camp Pod, hosted by Andy Pritikin, Sam Thompson, Jaime Pickles, and Kelly Jones, the panel tackles the evolving challenges of parenting and camp management post-pandemic. They discuss the increasing anxieties parents face today, their heightened expectations, and how these impact their trust and communication with camp professionals. The experts share valuable insights and strategies for improving communication, balancing customer service with boundary setting, and ensuring transparency. Kelly provides exceptional tips for handling first-day jitters, while Jaime highlights the importance of a proactive, empathetic approach to parent relations. This episode is a must-listen for camp directors looking to enhance their parent engagement and provide a better camp experience amid today's challenges.

Highlights:

• 05:50 Parental Expectations and Camp Communication
• 09:45 Handling Difficult Parent Situations
• 13:32 Effective Communication Strategies
• 16:50 Balancing Information Overload
• 19:57 The Modern Parent's Dilemma
• 30:09 The Pressure of Social Media on Parenting
• 31:53 Distress Tolerance and Unrealistic Expectations
• 40:24 Importance of Consistency and Policies
• 45:42 Handling Difficult Conversations and Transparency
• 49:17 Proactive Communication and Parent Orientation
• 55:23 Investing in Parent Relations

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Your Hosts:

• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
• Jaime Pickles, Director - Everwood Day Camp
• Kelly Jones - Executive Director and Day Camp Director - Outpost Summer Camps

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Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

• Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) 
  • Looking to elevate your camp experience? For over 25 years, Commercial Recreation Specialists has been transforming camps with water inflatables, Splashpads, playgrounds, and more! Boost your programming, drive registrations, and attract more campers. Our team of Recreation Specialists is here to help you design the ultimate space. Let’s take your camp to the next level – because we’re serious about FUN! Find out more at https://crs4rec.com/
• Camptivities
  • Scheduling shouldn’t be so difficult and take as much time as it does! Come check out Camptivities to learn about all of our scheduling tools, specifically designed for camps by camp people. Save time, get rid of the mistakes, and get back to enjoying your summer! Find out more at camptivities.com
• CampMinder
  • Campminder has the most robust offerings of features out there. But more importantly, every feature works together to create a full, seamless system that helps camps run more efficiently. Visit them today at

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It 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!

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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 regiment
• Support from executive directors (tell us what you need)
• Created their own protocols early on- which ended up being very similar to what the governor mandated
• Quickly got upgraded filters for AC system, masks, cleaning stuff
• Examined and modified all protocols
• 60% 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

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Bonus Resources

General Camp Pages:

https://e-sportimeny.com/p/18SJ-HX9/school-break-kings-park

https://e-sportimeny.com/p/18SJ-H0J/sportime-kings-park-summer-camp-2020

Global Sportime Guidelines:

https://www.sportimeny.com/covid19_guide

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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

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YOUR HOSTS:

• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp

GUESTS:

• Melanie Zak Curry, Camp Director - Sportime of Kings Park, NY

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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/

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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 text

Find more at http://daycamppodcast.com

When’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.

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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.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 Week

Tiff - Bring a Friend to Camp Program

Sam - A Utility Belt with Cleaning Supplies

Andy - CRS Wave Siren Alert System

Andrew - Visiting Day Free Shirt or Something!

YOUR HOSTS:

• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
• Tiffany McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District

GUESTS:

• Andrew Yankowitz - Owner & Director - Tall Pines Picnics and Retreats

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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/

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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 text

Nothing 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. 

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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.

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Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

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Bonus Resources

Jonathan’s Cashflow Chart Video:

https://vimeo.com/465802814

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YOUR HOSTS:

• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp

GUESTS:

• Jonathan M. Gold, MBA, PhD, Camp Owner/Director - the Arbor Group of Camps

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 text

Find full show notes at https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod

What 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!

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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

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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

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Day Camp Tip of the Week

Tiff - Big Life Journal - Free tips every day on Instagram

Sam - Mask accessories - ribbons, fancy things for their masks- beads, lanyards

Andy - Extra Waterbottle Filling Stations

Ben - Keep connected to the PROPERTY- “everybody is on the facility crew”

Kelly - The Ministers of Fun- give responsibility to staff, to keep things fun!

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YOUR HOSTS:

• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
• Tiffany McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District

GUESTS:

• Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
• Ben Esposito, Director - Camp Alvernia

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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 text

How two camps embraced the eLearning Camp model during the COIVD-19 pandemic. 

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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 seasons

On 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/dcp

YOUR HOSTS:

• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District, Vice president ACA Illinois
• Sabrina Hinkens, Youth Program Supervisor - Gurnee Park District

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What was it like for Day Camps who ran this summer? Find out on our first episode of season 3 of the Day Camp Pod!

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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

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Day Camp Tip of the Week

Tiff - Blending in-person and virtual learning for staff training and using Kahoot to keep it interactive and light

Sam - Using rope and pool noodles to help kids understand social distancing

Andy - Running new/returning parent orientations on Zoom and putting them on Youtube 

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Bonus Content - Thanks for reading the show notes!

Liberty Lake’s COVID-19 Safety Playbook

Producer’s Note: Andy, you ROCK for sharing this so openly with the industry.

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YOUR HOSTS:

• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
• Tiffany McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District

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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 text

Crafts that are both in-person and virtual-camp friendly! Thanks, Sam and Diana!

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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!

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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

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YOUR HOSTS:

• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District, Vice president ACA Illinois
• Diana Vroman, Elementary Schools Site Director - Crystal Lake Park District

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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/