Explore every episode of the podcast The Day Camp Pod - From Go Camp Pro
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| Turn Around Strategies: Managing Leadership Transitions - with Heath Levine and Jonathan Gold - The Day Camp Pod #127 | 12 Nov 2025 | 01:04:52 | |
Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/turn-around-strategies When a day camp starts to lose its spark, what does it take to bring it back to life? In this episode of the Day Camp Pod, the hosts sit down with Heath Levine from Shibley Day Camp and turnaround expert Jonathan Gold to unpack what really goes into reviving an underperforming camp. From rebuilding a positive culture and engaging the community to tackling staff retention and marketing hurdles, they share real stories and strategies that have helped transform struggling programs into thriving ones. Highlights:
- Episode Links:Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change Your Hosts:
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| Capturing the Sleepaway Spirit Vol. 8 - with Dan Johnson and Dan Weir - The Day Camp Pod #126 | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:57:09 | |
Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/sleepaway-spirit What makes sleepaway camp feel so special and how can day camps capture that same magic? In this episode of the Day Camp Pod, hosts Andy Pritikin, Sam Thompson, and Jordanna Grossinger are joined by camp pros Dan Johnson and Dan Weir to unpack exactly that. Together, they explore creative ways to bring community, connection, and spontaneous fun into the day camp environment. Episode Links:Camp Robin Hood’s Hands are Strong Sing-a-Long Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life Center for Nonviolent Communication Your Hosts:
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| The Journey of a New Owner - with Jason Samuel - The Day Camp Pod #117 | 04 Mar 2025 | 00:57:22 | |
Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/new-owner-jason Want to own your own camp? Here is the perfect case study from Jason Samuel!We've had a series of awesome podcasts this season with inspiring stories about making the jump to being a director or even an owner operator. Since we shared the Jonathan Gold podcast with our friends Howie and Kelly on the Camp Owners Pod, they're sharing back another great podcast with Andy’s former camp sidekick Jason Samuel, who recently found his way to becoming a camp owner operator himself. We're proud of you, Jason! This is the Day Camp Pod. Highlights:
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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! | |||
| The Sleepaway Camp Spirit - pt. 3 - with Sam Borek and Gordon Josey - Day Camp Pod #43 | 08 Dec 2020 | 01:00:05 | |
Find 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:
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 excitement
- Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
- 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! | |||
| Mini-Pod - Teen Camp Art Projects - with Cricket Snearing - The Day Camp Pod | 01 Dec 2020 | 00:24:09 | |
Here are some art projects that teens will actually enjoy! 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:
- SPONSORS: Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
- 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! | |||
| 2021 Staff Recruitment and Retention - with Kim Aycock and Jolly Corley - Day Camp Pod #42 | 24 Nov 2020 | 01:02:42 | |
Find full notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/2021-staff-recruitment-and-retention We’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:
Do 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 Night Sam: Mafia Game Tiff: 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:
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| Mini-Pod - A Historical Woman in Camping - Eleanor Eells and the 50 Year Anniversary of Title Twenty - with Gordie Kaplan - The Day Camp Pod | 17 Nov 2020 | 00:14:44 | |
Find more at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/eleanor-eells Celebrating a foundational Camp Professional. Tune in to learn about Eleanor Eells and her legacy in camping in part, through Title XX funding.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. 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.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
- Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
- 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! | |||
| Bonus Episode - The Women of Go Camp Pro Podcasts | 16 Nov 2020 | 00:34:24 | |
Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/blog/women-of-gcp-podcast What do you call it when you gather a bunch of female camp and podcasting pros in a room? You call it AWESOME.In today’s special crossover episode, Beth Allison from Camp Code hosts a conversation with several of the women who podcast with Go Camp Pro. Today’s episode features Rachel Kent and Cassie Bloy from Beyond Camp, Sam Thompson from the Day Camp Pod, Kelly Schuna from The Camp Owner’s Podcast, and Ruby Compton from Camp Code and Gabrielle Raill from CampHacker and Camp Code. Listen in as these women discuss their mentors who inspired them in the industry, challenges women face working at camp and advice for new camp pros. Interestingly, all of these women have also attended the Women in Camp Summit in previous years. During the episode, they discuss some of their biggest takeaways from the event as well as what they are most looking forward to for this year’s Live Virtual Summit taking place December 2-3. Find out more about the Women in Camp Summit Live Virtual event at https://www.womenincampsummit.com. Gabrielle announced this year’s Summit will also feature the first of the “Becoming Allies” series with an event titled “Becoming Allies: Supporting Women in Camp” on December 4. Folks who want to participate in the Allies event can register through this link: https://acai.wildapricot.org/event-4051965 - The Women in Camp Summit needs your support!The planning team for the Summit has set a $7,500 fundraising goal to offer scholarships to attendees and off-set the costs of hosting this unique professional development event. Every dollar counts. Donate today and donate again on the Day of Giving for the Women in Camp Summit on November 24. Donate here: https://acai.wildapricot.org/allies/ - Love this episode?Find more Podcast goodness at gocamp.pro/podcast. Also, if you want to support the work that we do, please consider subscribing to the shows, and leaving us a rating in your favourite Podcast app. - On This Episode:
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| Creating a Day Camp from Scratch - The Day Camp Pod #41 | 10 Nov 2020 | 00:48:14 | |
Find show notes and links at - https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/day-camp-from-scratch Post-COVID, the world is going to be in need of more connection than ever. What better way is there to connect than at camp? Here’s how to start your own!If only one out of every six American children attends summer camp programs, there’s a whole lot of potential campers out there, just waiting for YOU to create a day camp closeby to their neighborhood. So now what? How do you go from that great little idea to a fully functioning day camp that’s signing up campers, hiring staff, and getting ready for opening day? Stay tuned- and we’ll let you know. In this episode, we cover:
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 Andy: Portable Ga-Ga Court- Inflatable, wooden, plastic- whatever. Create “camp” anywhere! Sam: T-Shirts for winter that say “Ask me about my awesome camp” or follow me to… Tiff: Google - YOUR HOSTS:
- Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
- 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! | |||
| Mini-Pod - Day Camp Kitchen - with Sam Borek - The Day Camp Pod | 03 Nov 2020 | 00:30:47 | |
Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/day-camp-kitchen Happy Kitchen - Happy Camp. Here are some best practices for camp kitchens of all kinds!Running a food service at your day camp is not typical, and it certainly isn’t in the talent wheelhouse of most camp directors. But for those who can pull it off, it can be an awesome perk for your camp families- while hopefully not being a huge financial or managerial burden upon you. We’re joined today by Sam Borek, who honed his kitchen skills at resident camp, and who actually enjoys managing the ins and outs of the day camp kitchen. Tune in to hear about:
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 HOSTS:
- SPONSORS: Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
- 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! | |||
| Mental Health - with Linda Erceg - The Day Camp Pod #40 | 27 Oct 2020 | 00:55:46 | |
Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/mental-health-2020 Mental Health needs to stay front-of-mind. Now more than ever. Welcome the wonderful Linda Erceg to this episode of The Day Camp Pod!Mental Health has become one of the biggest issues facing camp professionals - and that was before covid-19 came into our lives. For summer 2021, we need to be as prepared as possible for the wide array of Mental, Emotional and Social Health issues that will be coming through our doors. There’s nobody better to discuss this topic with than the wise-woman of camp nursing, and former executive director of the Association of Camp Nurses, the one and only Linda Erceg- Tune in to this episode to hear about:
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: Formal in-takes for campers (load resources onto show notes) Sam: Self-care slipper socks Tiff: Feelings Board - Clip “how you’re feeling” each kid in the mornings, kid to kid Linda: Tips on self-care. - YOUR HOSTS:
- SPONSORS: Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
- 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! | |||
| Mini-Pod - Indoor Pandemic Camp - with Melanie Zak Curry - The Day Camp Pod | 20 Oct 2020 | 00:22:31 | |
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! Tune in to this mini-pod to hear about Melanies’s experience and strategies for running camp inside:
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-park https://e-sportimeny.com/p/18SJ-H0J/sportime-kings-park-summer-camp-2020 Global 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:
- SPONSORS: Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
- 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! | |||
| Reenrollment - The Day Camp Pod #39 | 13 Oct 2020 | 00:55:56 | |
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.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:
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 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!
- SPONSORS: Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
- 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! | |||
| The Intentional Camp - with Michael Brandwein - The Day Camp Pod #116 | 18 Feb 2025 | 01:00:19 | |
Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/intentional-camp Let’s welcome our friend Michael from Chicago back to the Day Camp Pod!Character and Youth Development are snappy little catchphrases that camp pros love to use. Mostly in their marketing pitches, brochures, and websites. And for at least three decades, Michael Brandwein has been spoonfeeding camp professionals how to not just talk the talk, but how to walk the walk. Yes, I am a convert, and an advocate for what Michael preaches- teaching our campers and staff the skills of life, and doing it in an engaging, upbeat, fun way. He’s the high exalted grandmaster of camp consulting, he’s OUR Fred Rodgers, and he’s back again- THIS, is the Day Camp Pod! - Links from this Episode:
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| Mini-Pod - Grasping the Financial Reality of COVID-19 - with Jonathan M. Gold - The Day Camp Pod | 06 Oct 2020 | 00:37:59 | |
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. Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro - Bonus ResourcesJonathan’s Cashflow Chart Video:
Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
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! | |||
| Summer 2020 Debrief pt. 2 - Camps That Didn't Run in 2020 - The Day Camp Pod #38 | 29 Sep 2020 | 01:05:29 | |
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!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:
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 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! - YOUR HOSTS:
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| Mini Pod - eLearning Camps - with Sabrina Hinkens - Day Camp Pod | 22 Sep 2020 | 00:20:00 | |
How two camps embraced the eLearning Camp model during the COIVD-19 pandemic. 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
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| Summer 2020 Debrief pt. 1 - Camps That Ran - Day Camp Pod #37 | 15 Sep 2020 | 00:57:38 | |
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! 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:
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 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 - 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. - YOUR HOSTS:
- Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
- 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! | |||
| Mini-Pod - Fidgets and Sensory Crafts - with Diana Vroman - The Day Camp Pod | 17 Jun 2020 | 00:23:53 | |
Crafts that are both in-person and virtual-camp friendly! Thanks, Sam and Diana! 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:
- SPONSORS: Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
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| Season 2 Wrap-Up - Day Camp Pod #36 | 26 May 2020 | 00:43:45 | |
Thanks for the season, Day Camp friends! Here are our favourite episodes and some goals for your next summer! 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 2Ehren Leveraging Your Brand and Knowledge with Audrey Monke Sam Even More Inclusion - with Lucia Thoensen and Terri Southerland Specialists and Activity Leaders Working Effectively with Day Camp Staff - with Michael Brandwein Andy Treating Your Day Camp Like A Business - With Jonathan Gold - YOUR HOSTS:
- SPONSORS: Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
- 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! | |||
| Even More Inclusion - with Lucia Thoensen and Terri Southerland - The Day Camp Pod #35 | 12 May 2020 | 00:55:00 | |
Camp 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:
- 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 WEEK Terri: Harmony Hut - A calming place for campers who need some time and space. Lucia: Envelope system for camper behaviour Ehren: Sensory overload staff training exercise to help build empathy Sam: 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! Andy’s ACA Presentation with lots of great Liberty Lake intake and scheduling resources: - YOUR HOSTS:
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| Mini-Pod - Post-Pandemic Medical Logistics - with Dr. G - The Day Camp Pod | 05 May 2020 | 00:20:14 | |
A 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.
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| Teen Leadership Programs - with Ryan Rosen and Brandi Carnivale - Day Camp Pod #34 | 28 Apr 2020 | 00:58:39 | |
LITs, CITs, CILTs, Interns, Future Leaders - whatever you call them, they are the keys to your camp’s future! Here’s how to give them the best day camp experience ever. One of the most difficult parts of directing camp is that it can be hard to really be “in the moment” at camp. After all, it’s our job to have long term vision. If we’re not thinking a week, month or year ahead of where we are now, we may miss an opportunity, or end up having to scramble down the road. One of the things that can often be a long term stressor is staffing. If we aren’t putting in a consistent recruiting effort, we could be missing out on a potential all-start candidate. What if there was a way to find that all-star 4 years in advance? Better yet, what if 4 years down the road, that all-star will know your program like the back of their sweaty, ga-ga ball playing hand? An effective teen leadership program is like a staffing crystal ball. Not only does it create a successful staff team down the road, but it also gives teens the 21st-century skills that are going to help them for the rest of their lives. Teen leadership programs are really the best of both worlds - but only if you do them right. To help you get them right, Andy, Sam and Ehren are joined by Ryan Rosen from Camp Kinneret and Liberty Lake Director, Brandi Carnivale. Tune in to this episode to hear about:
- 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 WEEK Sam: Make your own sidewalk chalk Ehren: Instagram party just for teen campers Brandi: Board breaking ceremony Ryan: At the end of every summer, look at what your staff are struggling with, and look back to re-design the leadership program to start emphasizing those skills now. YOUR HOSTS:
SPONSORS: Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
- Please review and subscribe!If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if yo | |||
| Mini-Pod - Preparing Your Staff for Camp, Post-Pandemic - The Day Camp Pod | 21 Apr 2020 | 00:18:12 | |
Whether it’s this summer or next, we’re going to have to prepare our staff for the opening of Post-Pandemic Day Camp. Dr. G is here to help! The first summer after the 2020 pandemic is going to be a weird one. Logistics, health procedures, insurance, programming, it will all look different. One thing that we absolutely can’t miss is how we address the staff that we’re going to be working with this summer. How we address them, how we listen with them and how we empathize with what they’re going through now, will show your true colours as a camp leader. We don’t know what their current pandemic normal is and we can’t assume. We have to remember that no matter their age, our staff need to know that you are there for them and that you have their best interest in mind. This is definitely one of those “easier said than done” types of things. To help, Dr. Deborah 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.
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| Every Camper Counts: The Power of Inclusion - with Sari Grossinger and Sabrina Hinkens - The Day Camp Pod #115 | 04 Feb 2025 | 01:02:38 | |
Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/inclusion2025 Inclusion Best Practices for Summer CampsAre you looking to create a truly inclusive camp environment where every child feels welcome and supported? In this episode of the Day Camp Pod, we dive deep into the world of inclusion for special needs campers with expert guests Sabrina Hinkens and Sari Grossinger. Sabrina and Sari share invaluable insights on intake processes, staff training, communication strategies, and the importance of collaboration with families and support agencies. Discover how to navigate the challenges of inclusion, from managing expectations to adapting activities and creating a sense of belonging for all campers. This episode is a must-listen for any camp professional seeking to improve their inclusion practices and create a positive and enriching experience for every child. Tune in to gain practical advice, inspiring stories, and a renewed passion for making your camp a place where everyone shines! - Links from this Episode:Find them at Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/inclusion2025 - Your Hosts:
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| Staff Training - 2020 and Beyond! - with Gabrielle Raill and Ruby Compton - The Day Camp Pod #33 | 14 Apr 2020 | 01:08:47 | |
Is your staff training as good as it can be? We’ve brought in the Camp Code pros to help you get it there! We’re releasing this episode in April 2020. Aka one of the most unsettling points in our industry’s history. Right now, we don’t know if camp will happen. What we do know is that if (and when) it does, we need our staff to be ready to give kids the most amazing, outdoor, socially non-distanced experience of their lives. The quality of your staff is the key to camper retention and the quality of the intention that you put into your training is the key to the quality of your staff. Get it? So whenever you’re ready to think about your next staff training, this is the episode for you. We’re so excited to welcome Gabrielle Raill and Ruby Compton from the Camp Code Podcast from Go Camp Pro - a podcast entirely dedicated to staff training and leadership development in camp staff. Tune in to hear about:
Did we miss something? Please let us know in the comments or 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 to! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp - THE DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEK Andy: Orientation Leaders Sam: Closing Ceremonies by using the Camp Counsellor Manifesto by Joe Richards Ehren: Fast-paced pre-camp training with lots of variety in terms of speakers, space, timing and location. Ruby: We don’t have enough time! Setting staff training objectives clearly and then sticking to them relentlessly Gabz: Give your Sr. Staff who will lead sessions this session format: Lecture -> Do -> Lecture -> Do -> Review. You can even gather your staff team’s skills to lead some of the “Do” (interactive) parts of the training. - YOUR HOSTS:
- SPONSORS: Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
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| Mini-Pod - Virtual Staff Training - with Evan Heltay - The Day Camp Pod | 08 Apr 2020 | 00:29:57 | |
How do get virtual training right? Because we may have to be a little “socially distanced” this staff training. A mini-pod from the Day Camp Pod! Hey Day Camp Pod fans! We’ve received a lot of emails this season about wanting more Day Camp Pod goodness. We’ve heard your cries and are here to deliver! We’re going to be experimenting with the “mini-pod” a few times before the end of this season. These short (~20min) episodes will appear every other week in between our usual full-length episodes. In our first mini-pod, Andy is joined by Evan Heltay from Expert Online Training to talk about a subject that is (potentially) more relevant than ever as we work through the COVID-19 era. Whether you are relying on it, or choosing to do it, virtual training is a great way to give staff some of the information that you may not have time to cover in orientation. Thanks to Evan for joining us!
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| Marketing to Families Who Don't Understand Camp - with Eric and Allison Wittenberg - Day Camp Pod #32 | 31 Mar 2020 | 01:12:16 | |
Find full show notes, bonus resources and program tips of the week at http://daycamppod.com Did you know that 5/6 kids in the US don’t go to summer camp? Let’s change that ratio and get those kids to your camp.Did that stat blow you away? For us camp folk, it’s almost unbelievable that we are part of the mere 17% of people that really understand the transformative, wonderful, magical power of a week, month or summer at camp. What this means, is that unless you have a 100% return rate (you wish!), then this is a prime audience! The thing is, we are really GOOD at talking to the 17%, but really BAD at talking to the 83%. We make so many assumptions that people already know what the benefits of camp are. We also assume that they are looking for the type of experience that our core camp families say that they love about our program. To help us all access that mystical 83%, Sam, Ehren and Andy are joined by Eric and Allison Wittenberg. Eric comes from the Berkshire Soccer Academy and an incredible camp marketing business, CamperMachine. Allison is a longtime membership director and trainer at the American Camp Association, NY/NJ and now working as a consultant herself. Tune in to hear about:
Did we miss something? Please let us know in the comments or by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro
- Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
- 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! | |||
| COVID-19 and Summer Camps - As of March 20th, 2020 - The Day Camp Pod | 21 Mar 2020 | 01:01:13 | |
What we know about COVID-19 and how it is affecting summer camps as of March 20th, 2020.
Andy, Sam and Ehren are joined by Joel Bennett, a camp veteran and consultant who recently led an excellent ACA “crucial conversation” webinar about the coronavirus situation. We also have with us Colette Marquardt, the Executive Director of ACA Illinois, and Travis Allison the curator of the Summer Camp Professionals Facebook Page, co-owner of Go Camp Pro and the curator of the Go Camp Pro Coronavirus Slack Group. In this emergency episode, we discuss:
Did we miss something? Please let us know in the comments or by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro This is not legal advice, nor does it act as a substitute for keeping yourself up to code with your governmental health regulations. Please act with an informed and current perspective. - Resources
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| Day Camp Trends - with Roz and Jed Buck - Day Camp Pod #31 | 17 Mar 2020 | 01:01:49 | |
What Day Camp Directors need to know about the major trends in the industry. Part of the job of every great Camp Director should be time set aside for big picture thinking. In that time, directors should not only be thinking widely about their organization but the landscape of the industry as a whole. In many cases, if you are up to date on the latest trends in the industry, there are many things that you can proactively do NOW to set your self up for success LATER. Your staff, families and campers will thank you for the deep-thinking you did 2 years ago. On the Day Camp Pod, we usually focus on a specific topic that Day Camps need to know about. For this episode, we are zooming out to give Day Camp Pros some time and space to look broadly at the industry. To help with that, Sam, Andy and Ehren are joined by some incredible Day Camp Pros that have an incredible vantage-point on the industry. As former staff, directors, owners and now consultants, Jed and Roz Buck (https://www.rozandjed.com) are here to add to a discussion on the hot-topics that you should know about as you prepare for the upcoming season. Tune in to hear about:
Did we miss something? Please let us know in the comments or 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 Andy: Doggie Dive Sam: Handshake - for jobs/internships (https://www.joinhandshake.com) + games laminated on a keyring for staff! Ehren: Staff scavenger hunt teaming old and new staff, incorporating camp songs and other camp cultural pieces. Roz: Making the downtime FUN-time! Giving them games intentionality. Jed: BEFORE orientation actually starts - give the staff something to do- games, anything- make it fun!!! - YOUR HOSTS:
SPONSORS: Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
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| Mission-Driven Camps - with Tiffany McDuffie and Yoni Stadlin - Day Camp Pod #30 | 03 Mar 2020 | 01:02:18 | |
Summer camps thrive when they are relentlessly driven to serve their mission. Do you have a belief about how the world should be for kids? Do you feel strongly about the types of environments the kids and youth of today should be growing up in? Do you ever wish there was an intentional place that gives kids the space to express their true selves in a welcoming community? Well, hello!? That place is Summer Camp! No matter what type of camp we are a part of, we all believe in the common cause of creating a great place for kids to spend their summer. This episode is for those camps who want to take that universal belief to the next level. In this episode, we are going to focus in on two mission-driven camps that are so incredibly intentional about carrying out their “why”. Sam and Andy are joined by Tiffany McDuffie from Purposeful Play and Yoni Stadlin from Eden Villiage Camp. Both Tiffany and Yoni are doing some amazing things to serve their mission. This is definitely not an episode to miss! Tune in to hear about:
What do you think? Please let us know in the comments or 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 THE DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEK Andy: Star Points Sam: Program Assessment Tool - to determine the validity of a program for your mission Ehren: Facilitator Blueprint Tiffany: Kobe Bryant Quote: “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they do.” Yoni: Angel Walk YOUR HOSTS:
SPONSORS: Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
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| Staff Recruitment - Day Camp Pod #29 | 18 Feb 2020 | 00:58:59 | |
There are less fish in the camp staff applicant pool than ever, so you need to step up your fishing game Many reports have shown that over the next 10 years, fewer and fewer youth 16-24 will be entering the workforce. This rate has already been in decline for the past 20 years and it seems that more and more, Day Camps across North America are feeling the staffing squeeze as the summer creeps ever closer. The worry of being under-staffed can be utterly consuming for camp directors, especially those who are hiring 400+ staff each season. Like all things in our industry, we need to adapt to circumstances in order for our camps to thrive and be full of the leaders of tomorrow. That means that this recruiting season, you need to get creative. To help you find the best ever, Sam and Andy are joined by Mark Hemmerdinger from Crestwood Country Day Camp in Long Island, Ryan Rosen from Camp Kinneret just north of Los Angeles and Jonathan Nyquist, the founder and current CEO of Camp Canada Inc. Tune in to hear about:
Please let us know in the comments or 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 to! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcpTHE DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEKAndy: Mid-Season Staff Training
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| Gender and Day Camp - Day Camp Pod #28 | 04 Feb 2020 | 01:16:25 | |
Ensuring our Day Camps are inclusive for campers, staff and families of all genders. We know the power of a week at camp. A child’s life can be changed for the better simply by spending 5 days at our day camps. Now that we’re firmly planted in times where most people value inclusion, camp directors know that we need to keep being leaders and a bastion of inclusion in the world. In a lot of cases, camps have done a fairly good job evolving to reflect those inclusive values, but that doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the conversation. Part of being inclusive is to be constantly be reflecting and re-evaluating our programs, hiring & facilities to ensure that we aren’t creating barriers for people to feel included and welcome at camp. When it comes to gender, we need to recognize that being inclusive means going just beyond not limiting the programs that boys and girls can take part in. We need to look deeper into things like what programs we are offering, what language we are using every day and even how our staff hiring practices can have some biases in them. What about campers and staff who identify as transgender? How are you evaluating your camp beyond just male and female? This kind of thing is tricky! It can be hard to navigate, but that’s why you’re here with us on the Pod! To help us all learn, joining Sam, Ehren and Andy on this episode are Leslie Keller from TIC Camps in Maryland, DC & Virginia, and Genna Singer from Camp Settoga and the JCC of Manhattan to discuss with us the ins and outs of gender issues in Day Camp programming and operations. We know that this isn’t the end of the conversation about Gender and Day Camps. What did we miss? What would you like to hear more about? Please let us know in the comments or 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/dcpTHE DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEKAndy: “Camp-Paign” 2020 Sam: Negative Space Tye Dye Ehren: Question Cards Leslie: Stereotypes vs. Statistics Genna: Time Capsule/Settoga Moments YOUR HOSTS:
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| Specialists and Activity Leaders Working Effectively with Day Camp Staff - with Michael Brandwein - Day Camp Pod #27 | 21 Jan 2020 | 01:00:41 | |
Welcome back, Michael Brandwein! Your staff being able to work together may be one of the biggest keys to the success of your camp program. You can have the coolest activities and the best classes around, but if the staff running those areas don’t work well with your camp counsellors, you’re missing out on the full potential of those programs. It’s understandable why this can be a problem. Your specialists (activity leaders, program staff, etc.) are usually older and may not have as much camp-kid-experience. Your counsellors (group leaders, unit leaders, etc.) are younger and may not understand how they can jump in and properly assist when they don’t have the skills in those programs. When differing experiences and differing expectations meet, you know that it can be a recipe for trouble. It may manifest in the counsellors not taking the initiative the specialists are looking for, or the specialists treating the counsellors as a glorified babysitter. In any case, communications break down, people get bitter and it causes a big headache for Day Camp directors everywhere. However, like all staff conflict, it’s often something that we can get ahead of and address in your staff training before the summer even starts! Staff conflict? Intentional training? Hyper-specific camp problems that seem unsolvable? Are you thinking about who we’re thinking about? That’s right! He’s back, friends! Joining Sam, Andy and Ehren is the great Michael Brandwein! Tune in to this episode to hear some of Michael and our host’s best tips, tools and secrets that have helped them teach staff the benefits of truly valuing each other and using their combined skills to make camp programs the best they can be. Any questions? Ideas for shows? Topics? Guests? Please send them to daycampquestions@gocamp.pro THE DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEK Andy: Glow and Grow cards, with specialists Sam: Marble painting, but with toy trucks! Ehren: Specialty Activity Board Michael: Follow Sam’s Advice! YOUR HOSTS:
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| Bonus Episode! - Live from The Women In Camp Summit 2019 - The Day Camp Pod | 17 Jan 2020 | 00:38:09 | |
Live from the Women In Camp Summit - 2019! The Women in Camp Summit was held in November of 2019. Female identifying camp professionals from across the industry joined together for three days of networking, discussion, and professional development designed specifically for those who identify as women working in or in support of summer camp. Our Day Camp Pod host, Sam Thompson put the call out and gathered some incredible women together for some interviews. Listen in to hear stories, words of wisdom and more from Peg Smith, Cat Curry, Jane Sanborn, Peggy Brothers and Lauren Somogyi. We'll be back with our regular episodes next Tuesday! - YOUR HOSTS:
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| The Best Day Camp Assemblies - with Stacy Schwartz Kotelov & Dylan Wade - The Day Camp Pod #114 | 21 Jan 2025 | 01:01:57 | |
Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/assemblies Camp Assemblies - The Secret Sauce of Camp SpiritJoin us for an exciting episode of The Day Camp Pod where we discover how to bring the magic of sleepaway camp to your day camp. Hosts Andy Pritikin and Sam Thompson welcome two experienced camp directors: Stacey Kotelov from Banner Day Camp and Dylan Wade from Emerald Cove. Stacey discusses Banner's beloved traditions like the 'Bannerama,' a lively morning and afternoon assembly filled with songs, moments of gratitude, and community-building activities. Dylan shares how Emerald Cove uses 'Amp Up' and 'Amp Down' assemblies to create a strong community through music, skits, and recognizing campers' character. Learn how to involve your staff, make the most of your existing traditions, and create a camp culture where everyone feels included. Listen for advice and examples to help make your day camp experience unforgettable. Tune in now! - 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 - Links from this Episode:Find them at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/assemblies - Your Hosts:
- Sponsors:Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
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| Staff Meetings at Day Camp - Day Camp Pod #26 | 07 Jan 2020 | 01:13:58 | |
Meetings are important, and they don’t have to be painful! You may have read a ton of material about why meetings are killing businesses or are the worst thing since un-sliced bread. They’re useless, they’re boring, they’re a waste of time and they kill productivity. That’s not completely, wrong. Meetings CAN be that way, but they don’t have to be. When we have to have meetings, like we do at Day Camp, we should strive to make our meetings the best they can be. We don’t have staff constantly on email, slack or other digital communication tools. Things come up that can’t be covered in an email round-up at the beginning or end of the day. You may indeed need to cut down your amount of meetings, but for the ones that you need to keep, you should do it right. We’ve brought some big guns to help you make your meetings more memorable. Andy, Sam and Ehren are joined by THE Chris Thurber and THE Steve Maguire. Yeah, that’s right. Could you imagine a more stellar crew? Tune in to this episode to find out why meetings should…
Do your meetings suck? Do they rock? Tell us about them! Let us know in the comments or send us an email to daycampquestions@gocamp.pro Any questions? Ideas for shows? Topics? Guests? Please send them to daycampquestions@gocamp.proTHE DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEKAndy - Perfect attendance award for your staff - $10 convenience store gift card. Chance to win $100 at the end of the summer Sam - Scatterball - Tune in to this episode to hear the rules Ehren - Supervisors sharing moments about how the other staff have made camp better - $10 Coffee Card as a Reward Chris - Getting campers to help out with admin work! You can make it fun and also optional! Steve - Shout out to Dan O'Neil- A camp mascot for pick-up and drop-off! YOUR HOSTS:
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| Non-Traditional Day Camps - Day Camp Pod #25 | 24 Dec 2019 | 01:09:27 | |
An insider look into 3 Non-Traditional Day Camps How great are camp tours? Getting the inside scoop on how a fellow camp pro does their “thing” is an absolute blast. (Ps. there are tons of opportunities to be a volunteer accreditor for your local camping organization. Do tours AND help the industry! Getting to see “under the hood” isn’t just fun too, it helps us be our best. Even though all of our goals are the same, the nuances of how we get to those goals can always use some outside inspiration. Even more, when we look outside of the “traditional” way of doing things. To help you find some outside inspiration, Sam, Andy and Ehren are joined by 3 camp pros who are running some unique and awesome day camps. Tune into this episode to learn from Jeff Poole from Second City Improv, Chicago, from Annie Labus, Chicago Botanical Gardens and Scarlett Shankles, Honolulu Zoo Society Zoo Camp. Tune in to learn about:
Do you know any awesome camp programs that we should feature in a follow-up episode? Let us know in the comments or send us an email to daycampquestions@gocamp.pro Any questions? Ideas for shows? Topics? Guests? Please send them to daycampquestions@gocamp.proTHE DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEKAndy: Drumming Programs at your camp - use Home Depot buckets for a low-budget option Ehren: Visual summaries of the day so that kids can remember and communicate what they did at camp that day Sam: A “user-guide” for your leadership style. Give this to your leadership staff to fast track them getting to know you. (Thanks for this, Sam!) Jeff: Using popular or funny names to name kids groups or locations at your camp (ex. the kids at Second City are grouped into Second City alumni (the Colbert’s, the Martins, etc.) Annie: “Photographer” - Kids go in pairs and observe a nature activity quickly (like a camera), and then share it. Scarlett: “There’s always tomorrow” reminding staff that they can’t control what happens to them today but to start tomorrow with a clean slate. | |||
| Day Camp Transportation - Day Camp Pod #24 | 10 Dec 2019 | 01:14:25 | |
Camp begins when kids get on the bus! There are a lot of reasons why Sleepaway and Day camps are the same and 95% of our podcasts are chalked full of ideas that ANY camp director can take to improve their camp. However, this one is a shout out to every Day Camp Director’s biggest and most unique logistical headache: THE BUSSESWhether it’s 10 or 100 busses, Day Camp Pros know how much work goes into effectively getting to and from your camp. When you add the prefix bus- to any common camp term like staffing, logistics, hiring, training, programming, it opens up a WORLD of unique and wonderful challenges to address. Joining Ehren and Andy to get those bums on the bus effectively is Howard Thall from Banner Day Camp, Adam Wallach from Camp Mohawk, and a very special guest - Larry Bell from Camp Robin Hood. Tune in to hear more about:
Do you have a question that we didn’t cover in this episode? Let us know in the comments or send us an email to daycampquestions@gocamp.pro Any questions? Ideas for shows? Topics? Guests? Please send them to daycampquestions@gocamp.proTHE DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEKThe DCPTOFW (for short) will be back next week! YOUR HOSTS:
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| Treating Your Day Camp Like a Business - With Jonathan Gold - Day Camp Pod #23 | 26 Nov 2019 | 01:03:20 | |
…Because it IS a business!
Don’t get us wrong, camp is the best, most fun, amazing, happy-go-lucky place there is. It has to be that for the staff for the campers, but as a director, if you want your camp to be around of the long run, there’s a more serious side that you need to consider, and that’s the reality of the fact that your camp is a business. Let’s be clear, we’re not here to tell you that spreadsheets, budgets and financial statements are fun, but they are necessary. As our guest, Jonathan Gold says, “you don’t love putting gas in your car, but you sure need it!” Along with Jonathan are our regular hosts, Andy, Sam and Ehren to dive deep into taking care of business at your day camp. Tune into this episode to hear more about:
Do you have a financial tip or question that we didn’t cover in this episode? Let us know in the comments or send us an email to daycampquestions@gocamp.pro Any questions? Ideas for shows? Topics? Guests? Please send them to daycampquestions@gocamp.pro THE DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEK Andy - Homebase App for hourly employees. Tracking hours, reminders, notes for absences, and transferring it to payroll. Sam - “Funraising” game - Penny Wars. (You’ll have to listen to this episode to get it) Ehren - Giving out “fake” money to the staff for shout-outs, buying special snacks or privileges. You can also use them to purchase some program equipment. You can call them “Gluck Bucks” if you want. YOUR HOSTS:
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| The 6th Week Slump - Day Camp Pod #22 | 12 Nov 2019 | 00:59:43 | |
Conquering the dreaded 6th Week Slump “HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED”. That’s a little bit like how we treat that time mid-way through the summer when things start to drag. You know it when you see it though. The staff start to feel the long days, you are getting tired of the same issue coming up over and over, grumpiness can prevail and the magic of camp loses a little bit of that shine. You know what, JUST SAY IT! It’s the 6th Week Slump! It happens, people! If we don’t talk about it, how will we ever address the underlying causes, the effect that it has on morale and how it can burn even the best camp staff out? After all, the campers deserve your best all summer long. They need your staff to always be at their best and that means you as a director need to effectively prepare for the potential (inevitability) that this mid-summer-blues will rear it’s ugly head. Now, on a quest to conquer something HUGE like this, you need a team of companions on your side - and we brought out the big guns on this episode! Ehren, Sam and Andy are joined by the brilliant and legendary Steve Magure from Go Turnstone. Tune in to hear more about:
Any questions? Ideas for shows? Topics? Guests? Please send them to daycampquestions@gocamp.pro THE DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEK WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK! YOUR HOSTS:
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| The Sleepaway Spirit pt. 2 - The Day Camp Pod #21 | 29 Oct 2019 | 00:49:41 | |
The Spirit of Overnight Camp…at Day Camp! (Again!) You asked for it and it’s here! We’re throwing it all the way back to episode 1 of the Day Camp Pod to re-hash one of our most popular topics from the first season. Our friends from the sleep away camp industry have an amazing thing going for them. Having a kid stay overnight and be fully immersed into the culture and rituals makes it so much easier to get them to buy in and love camp. We may not have the overnight privilege, but it’s no excuse for making the camp experience anything less than magical for your day campers. Well… it’s a good thing our industry is built on sharing because within the traditional overnight camp experience are things that your Day Camp can implement very easily! To give you some inspiration, Ehren, Sam and Andy are joined by 3, Sleep Away Camp turned Day Camp Pros! We’re excited to have Jaime and Dane Pickles from Everwood Day Camp and Eric “Shendy” Shendelman from Shendy’s Swim School join us and share their many years of both overnight and day camp knowledge. Tune in to hear more about:
Any questions? Ideas for shows? Topics? Guests? Please send them to daycampquestions@gocamp.pro DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEK! Andy: Moustache Day! Sam: Pinterest - For crafts, program ideas and wayyyyy more! Ehren: Gottcha game at staff training The Pickles: Minute to Win It Games Shendy: Milk Carton Bowling YOUR HOSTS:
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| Leveraging Your Brand and Knowledge with Audrey Monke - Day Camp Pod #20 | 15 Oct 2019 | 00:52:47 | |
A Day Camp Pod Interview with Audrey Monke
Sometimes, when comes to selling our camp, we shoot ourselves in the foot. We’re just a little bit too humble. We either don’t want to be too “pushy” or aggressive and we end up undervaluing what we do. Hello!? We change lives! We give kids the type of community experience that they don’t get ANYWHERE ELSE. You are great, we are great and we need to get those 80% of kids who don’t go to camp, to camp! You should be shouting it from a milk-crate on the street corner. Except this is 2019 and there are many virtual street corners that you need to be on. To help you find, and speak from your milk-crate, The Day Camp Pod is joined by Chief Visionary Officer and Gold Arrow Camp, Author, Blogger, Brand Manager and mom, Audrey Monke. Audrey Monke is the brains behind Sunshine Parenting and the author of Happy Campers: 9 Summer Camp Secrets from Raising Kids Who Become Thriving Adults. She joins Andy, Sam and Ehren to talk about:
Any questions? Ideas for shows? Topics? Guests? Please send them to daycampquestions@gocamp.pro DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEK! Andy: Teaching American Sign Language (ASL) to your campers, as young at 5 years old! Sam: Cheese Ball Relay (see pictures below) Ehren: Playmeo Audrey: 5 Things Game & Home-made question ball - All you need is a marker, questions, and a beach ball! YOUR HOSTS:
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| Debriefing Your Summer Season - Day Camp Pod #19 | 01 Oct 2019 | 00:51:31 | |
Bring up the bad, bring up the good, make next summer better.
No matter what time of year it is, if you haven’t intentionally looked back on your past summer season, you need to. There’s nothing worse than a problem that keeps coming up, summer after summer. You say to yourself, “didn’t we talk about this!?”. Well, did you? This type of review can be something that can be looked on lightly, or dismissed for putting more effort into marketing for the following season. However, in your marketing, you’re promising this this upcoming summer is going to be the best one yet, right? Well then what better way to commit to improving your program than to hash it out while it’s fresh in your mind? Whether it’s a CPR (Complete Program Review), Glitch List Review, Better Board, summer reports, or Go Camp Pro’s Back on TRACK review, a tried and true system for making the bad good and the good better, is essential for making things better for the future of your program. For hashing out the best review systems, Andy and Sam are joined by Will Pierce from Pierce County Day Camps and Howie Grossinger from Camp Robinhood. Tune in to hear more about:
How do you effectively debrief your summer? Let us know in the comments! And, if you have any questions, send us an email at daycampquestions@gocamp.pro
DAY CAMP PROGRAM TIP OF THE WEEK! Andy: Giant Slide Sam: Electric Current Contest Howie: Running the campers around site to give high 5’s to all staff (ESPECIALLY the office & maintenance staff) Will: Colour Run
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| Summer 2019 Check-In - The Day Camp Pod #18 | 17 Sep 2019 | 01:06:40 | |
Welcome back to the Day Camp Pod! How was your summer? It’s season 2! We are so excited to get back to another year of the Day Camp Pod! Before we begin, have you filled out our 2019 listener survey? We’d be super-grateful if you would! As we start the season, we’re looking back on the summer of 2019. The good, the bad, the ugly and the issues that our hosts noticed at their Day Camps this year. Some of these topics will form our line-up of shows for 2019/2020 and some of them are things that you can start thinking about now! Join our hosts, Andy, Ehren and Sam and hear more about their experiences with...
What did you face this summer? What are some things that came up that you would like us to talk about this summer? Let us know in the comments, or send us an email to daycampquestions@gocamp.pro
DAY CAMP TIP OF THE WEEK! Andy: Colour War For Life! Sam: Look alike contest Ehren: Certificates for staff
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| Day Camp Social Media - Day Camp Pod #17 | 11 Jun 2019 | 00:58:10 | |
The best social media strategies for your day camp If you’re reading this in mid-June, we know you’re busy, so we’ll get right to it. Social media is here to stay, at least for now. No matter what you personally believe about social media, it’s one of the easiest ways to reach out and directly engage both parents and campers. It’s not that you should ditch your other marketing efforts, but if you aren’t putting some intentional time into your social media, you are potentially missing out on both new acquisitions and on keeping your current clients excited about next summer. To help you start, continue or revitalize your social media presence, Andy, Ehren and Sam are joined by Adam Baranker from Jeff Lake Camp and two day camp social media coordinators, Blair from Camp Robin Hood and Shelby from Liberty Lake Day Camp. They are here to give you the e-kick in the pants that you may need to get started now on your strategy for this summer and next off-season. Tune in to hear about:
What are you doing to engage your parents and campers on social media now, and during the summer? Let us know in the comments below!
Day Camp Tip of the Week! Andy: Staff Weekly Reports - Get the inside scoop on what’s going on at camp. (check out this example from Crystal Lake - Thanks, Sam!) Sam: Statue Tag Ehren: Weekly summary sheets that go out to parents to tell them what their kids did while at camp. Adam: Switching up just the name of some camp favourite activities to keep things fresh! YOUR HOSTS:
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| Camping “In the City” - with Eileen Price - The Day Camp Pod #113 | 07 Jan 2025 | 00:49:24 | |
Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/in-the-city From Idea to 750 Campers: Eileen Price's Inspiring Experience with In the City CampsJoin the hosts of the Day Camp Pod from Go Camp Pro as they sit down with Eileen Price, the visionary behind In the City Camps in Atlanta, Georgia. Discover how Eileen's journey began with an idea for a day camp in downtown Atlanta and has grown to serve 750 campers daily. Learn about the unique aspects of In the City Camps, the focus on camper choice, and the integration of cultural values. Eileen shares her challenges, successes, and future plans for expanding the camp, making this episode a must-listen for anyone in the day camp industry. Plus, get insights into the strategies and community-building efforts that have propelled In the City Camps forward. Highlights:
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- Sponsors:Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:
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| Staff Anxiety and Mental Health - Day Camp Pod #16 | 21 May 2019 | 01:02:47 | |
Mental Health and YOUR Day Camp Staff As you prepare for your staff training, you no doubt have heard everyone and their aunt talking about mental health and maybe even mental health issues with camp staff. If you haven’t, one stat should perk your ears up. About 32 percent of American teens between the ages of 13 and 18 have an anxiety disorder at some point. Our Gen Z staff are growing up in an anxiety-driven world, with not many coping skills and then are put in to a hugely stressful environment at camp. We need to help our staff this summer and the Day Camp Pod is here to help you, help your staff have the best summer they can. We’re bringing out the big guns for this episode. The man, the legend, Bob Ditter, and the woman behind the mentally well staff at Liberty Lake, Cathi Fischer are here alongside Ehren, Sam and Andy to bring you the some very practical tips and training ideas. Tune in to hear about:
What are you doing this summer to help your staff be the mentally best they can be? Want more ideas and inspiration on how to handle staff and mental health? - Dr. G is here to help!
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| Day Camp Staff Training - Day Camp Pod #15 | 07 May 2019 | 00:54:41 | |
Getting the best out of your Day Camp staff during staff training.
It’s May and that means that it’s time to start thinking about staff training! When it comes to staff training at day camp, we all know that time is precious. You have basically the same amount of training to cover as our overnight camping colleagues, but with maybe half the time! On top of that, we are training staff members that are one or two generations away from us that learn, grow and bond much differently than you did back when you were a first year 16 year old counsellor. It’s hugely challenging, but hugely important and the Day Camp Pod wants to help! Joining Andy, Sam and Ehren is the brilliant “Professor Dave” Dave Malter who brings his vast camp, training and consulting experience to the pod to give you the inside scoop on how to level up your staff training. Tune in to hear about:
Our industry is all about sharing, so let’s share! What is your #1 tip for selling your Day Camp? Let us know in the comments!
DCP - DAY CAMP PROGRAM IDEA OF THE WEEK - LEVEL UP YOUR DAY CAMP!
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| Day Camp Staffing Part 2 - Day Camp Pod #14 | 23 Apr 2019 | 01:01:02 | |
Retaining, Engaging and Training Your Day Camp Staff Like A Pro So, we did one episode on Day Camp Staffing, and we said we were going to another one. Let’s get real, the more Kim Aycock the better, right? How could it be any better? How about we add in a little DR. G to the mix! Oh YES! WE DID THAT. As we inch (leap) closer and closer to the summer, staffing is surely starting to eclipse many of our other responsibilities. Consequently, this can be a little stressful because we may be balancing still filling staff spots while intentionally starting to create and foster community with your new hires. To help YOU navigate this staff season, The Day Camp Pod’s triumphant trio (Andy, Sam and Ehren) are joined by the brilliant Kim Aycock and the one and only Dr. G! Listen in to find out about:
What are you doing this year to be intentional about retaining quality staff this summer? Let us know in the comments below! BONUS RESOURCES AND ARTICLES - Because Dr G and Kim are great and they think you’re pretty neat.Kim Aycock’s Resources:
Find out more here DCP - DAY CAMP PROGRAM IDEA OF THE WEEK - LEVEL UP YOUR DAY CAMP!
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