Simple Science Lessons for Summer Camp

Travis Allison February 3, 2011

Metal that melts in your palm? Check.

Fruit extract that makes Tobasco taste like glazed donuts? Check.

Purple frikkin' Lasers?!? Check.

One of our best Nature Directors at summer camp was actually science major (she now has her Doctorate and lectures around the world on epidemiology). She ran a very creative program and she spent a bit of her budget on cool science education toys. The kids loved her program.

If you would like to add a little zip to teaching science at camp you should check out this cool article: 11 Cheap Gifts Guaranteed To Impress Science Geeks

Find the (Camp) Revolution Before It Finds You

Travis Allison February 2, 2011

Ray Davis, president and CEO of Umpqua Holdings, is one of my favorite CEOs. That's not because he's brash, colorful, or combative — he's none of those things. But over the last 16 years, he's done something few leaders ever do. He's figured out how to stay ahead of the transformations in technology, markets, and culture that have shaken his competitors in the financial-services world, and built a brand that stands for something special, hopeful, even meaningful in an industry that is profoundly broken.

The core challenge of leadership, Davis argues, is to "find the revolution before it finds you." In their search for that revolution, he and his colleagues have created a one-of-a-kind brand in a world of me-too thinking. In the process, they have also created a case study in how to deliver long-lasting results in fast-changing times — a case study from which all of us can learn.

Read the rest of the article.

Is there a summer camp revolution on the horizon?

In this great article from Bill Taylor in the Harvard Business Review, Taylor takes a look at a bank that's actually cool.

By creating a community focussed atmosphere and concentrating on delivering a complete experience for customers, the Umpqua bank in the North Eastern US is thriving where others are dying.

How can we use this as a lesson for summer camp? What would you do if you could seriously re-design your camp program.

Your Camp Can Rule Facebook

Travis Allison February 2, 2011

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In this CampHacker newsletter: The Most Important Camp Lesson and 10 Things Every Camp Should Be Doing On Facebook. Plus the podcast: Why Go To Camp Fairs?

CampHacker Newsletter - 8/2/11

Hello <<First Name>>,

Good Day and Welcome to Our Newsletter: It is a busy time of year for Camp Directors. We have been working hard preparing sessions for camp conferences and gathering some great interviews for the CampHacker Podcast. We hope you enjoy the CampHacker newsletter and that you'll let us know what you would like us to cover when the next issue comes out in 2 weeks.

Beth & Travis Allison
Walking Maverick Consulting
CampHacker.org

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Building Bridges at Camp

Our Most Important Camp Lesson

Community is INTENTIONAL

You should think about it in every aspect of every program that you offer during summer camp and in all contact you have with your campers and staff outside of the summer months.

This is a difficult task. We hope we can make it easier for you. Here is one of the best things we ever developed at camp... (

)

10 Things Every Camp Should Do on Facebook

Use Facebook for efficient online marketing:
There are a few simple things that summer camps can do to make the most of marketing themselves on their Facebook Fan Page.

Include a Welcome video - preferably from the campers
Allow Fans to sign up for your newsletter directly on your Page
Post and tag alumni photos weekly
Ask a question twice a week
...
(
Read more
)

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Why "Hacker"?

Aren't Hackers bad?:

"Hacking means exploring the limits of what is possible, in a spirit of playful cleverness.", says famous hacker Richard Stallman. Wikipedia

defines hacker as a computer expert with detailed knowledge of "

cleverly circumventing limits

Circumventing limits

... that's practically

our middle name

Why Camp Fairs?

CampHacker 8:

Are they worth your time? Each of us has had a different experience with camp fairs. In this episode of the CampHacker Podcast, we hear about each of our hosts' preferences. Guest host Paul Sheridan's camp (Four Winds * Westward Ho) uses slideshows as their in-person marketing tool.

Listen to CampHacker Episode 8.

CampHacker Podcasts

Camp Director Discussions Twice a Month:

We produce a free audio show for summer camp leaders every two weeks. Our discussion focuses on one topic specific to the camping industry each show.

Listen Online

Add to iTunes

Awesome Camps!
Summer Camp Consulting Services:
Walking Maverick
can help you create great camp communities (staff development, marketing strategy or build up your campers),
please contact us
.

Camp Blogs

What the other folks are saying:
- Trail Heads Book: free book with essays from summer camp pros.
- The Perfect Online Ad: Dan Weir tells us how to write it.
- Leadership Secrets of Superheroes: The Connecticut Camp Guys on CampLeadership.org

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Tool of the Week - Jamie Oliver Healthy 2 week meal plan - CampHacker #8

Travis Allison February 1, 2011

Jamie Oliver's food revolution healthy 2 week meal plan for large groups.

Tool of the Week - Ultimate Camp Resource - CampHacker #8

Travis Allison February 1, 2011

Ultimate Camp Resource is the wikipedia for summer camp before the end of the summer.

I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Pallatto, one of the creators of the Ultimate Camp Resource at the Northeast YMCA Camp Conference. Chris spoke on the innovation that is happening in the camp field.

Chris and his co-creator Ron have had created literally the ultimate camp resource for professionals. Camp songs, games, skits - it's all there.

Dan Weir
Director of Camp Services at Frost Valley YMCA

camp: http://www.FrostValley.org
blog: http://danlovescamp.com/
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/danlovescamp

Tool of the Week - Standing Desk - CampHacker #8

Travis Allison February 1, 2011

So my tool of the week is a Standing Desk.

I have been using once for the past few months. Research shows that standing desks are healthier, and can expand your life expectance. If you have some basic woodworking skills they are easy to build.

I bought mine - an old post master desk. Here is a link to a photo of my set up in the camp office. Notice I also have a ball to sit on - not a chair - I haven't used the ball in a while. Eventually might lose the other desk...