Do Kids Need a Summer Camp Technology Vacation? CampHacker #10

Unplug at Summer Camp

We talked this week about technology.   It's probably pretty obvious that we believe that modern technology is a boost to summer camps, however, our question this week: Is technology always good for our campers?  Should camp be the "place apart" where children can learn to use their imagination with out computers?

Dan was gracious enough to share with us a bit of information from his Masters thesis, which is on this very topic. He has written and spoken on this topic at many camp conferences.

It was great to have with us this week Rebecca Jess from Cairn, the camp that Beth and I used to Direct.  Thanks for joining us, Palais!

What do you think?  Is there a NEED for a place like camp for kids to unplug?

Tool of the Week – Something that you use to make yourself a better Camp Director

• Joe - Brother P-Touch Label maker
• Dan - S'More: Fundraising Resource for Summer Camps
• Rebecca - MadMimi - email newsletter service
• Travis - Petzl MYO-XP headlamp (Black Diamond headlamp with night-vision preserving red LEDs)

(please note: Amazon products are affiliate links)

Your Hosts:

• Joe Richards, Executive Director at Pearce Williams Christian Centre
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Leadership and Marketing Consultant at Walking Maverick
• Dan Weir, Director of Camping Services at Frost Valley YMCA
• Rebecca Jess, Director at Cairn Presbyterian Camping & Retreat Centres

Thanks for the evening, friends.

Welcome to Our Staff - CampHacker #9

On this episode, entitled Welcome to Our Staff, Gab, Joe, and Travis explore what camps can do to help staff understand their responsibilities perfectly.

The staff Welcome Package is a great place to develop a deeper understanding of your camp's culture.

What do you include in your staff Welcome Package to help your staff get a feel for what their summer will be like?

Tool of the Week - Something that you use to make yourself a better Camp Director

• Joe - Rhode Island Novelty catalogue
• Gab - CraftZine for great how-to's and craft ideas
• Travis - Stock.xchng + shooting your own stock photos

(please note: Amazon products are affiliate links)

UPDATE:

Former 5th Chair Nathan Brant's free e-book about summer camp is out!  The book is full of thoughtful essays on summer camp's past & present.   It includes articles from CampHacker hosts Travis Allison and Dan Weir, plus another 5th Chair guest - Dave Bell, Co-founder of CampLeadership.org.

Download Trail Heads - Thoughts from the Camping Profession

Your Hosts:

• Joe Richards, Executive Director at Pearce Williams Christian Centre
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Leadership and Marketing Consultant at Walking Maverick
• Dan Weir, Director of Camping Services at Frost Valley YMCA
• Gabrielle Rail, Director at Camp Ouareau

Why Go To Camp Fairs? - CampHacker #8

In this week's podcast we talk about the Why's and How's of summer camp fairs.

Joining us on the show this week: Paul Sheridan, Director at Four Winds * Westward Ho camp on Orcas Island in the San Juans in Washington state.

It seems that each of us have had a different experience with camp fairs and it was really interesting to hear about each person's preference.  At Paul's camp they prefer Slideshows in families' homes as their major promotional tool.

Does your camp go to camp fairs?  Do they work for you?

Tool  of the Week - Something that you use to make yourself a better Camp Director

• Dan - Ultimate Camp Resource
• Joe - Standing Desk
• Gab - Jamie Oliver's Healthy Two Week Meal Plan
• Travis - The CampHacker Newsletter
• Paul - Remember The Milk

(please note: Amazon products are affiliate links)

UPDATE:

Former 5th Chair Nathan Brant's free e-book about summer camp is out!  The book is full of thoughtful essays on summer camp's past & present.   It includes articles from CampHacker podcast hosts Travis Allison and Dan Weir, plus another 5th Chair guest - Dave Bell, Co-founder of CampLeadership.org.

Download Trail Heads - Thoughts from the Camping Profession.

Your Hosts:

• Joe Richards, Executive Director at Pearce Williams Christian Centre
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Leadership and Marketing Consultant at Walking Maverick
• Dan Weir, Director at Frost Valley YMCA
• Gabrielle Raill, Director at Camp Ouareau
• Paul Sheridan, Director at Four Winds * Westward Ho camp

Parents are People, Too - CampHacker #7

In this week's podcast we talk about developing a positive attitude in your staff (and yourself!) when dealing with parents.

This week we are excited to have with us Nathan Brant from the South Mountain Y in Pennsylvania.   Nathan runs a residential camp and a day camp there as well as outdoor education and family programs.   Nathan is just about to release a free book of essays on the state of the summer camp called Trail Heads.  Dan and I both have essays in the book and I have had a chance to read the proof - it's awesome.  We'll post a link to the book when it has it's official release.  You should also check out Nathan's Summer Camp Source blog - he wrote a great piece about our discussion here today.

Have you seen staff members roll their eyes when they get a call from a camper's parents? What do you do to train your staff to understand the parent's side of things?

Tool  of the Week - Something that you use to make yourself a better Camp Director

• Dan - Globe-Wies Expanding File Organizer
• Joe - Buckeye Leadership Workshop
• Gab - Shoebox Photo organizer
• Travis - Bit.ly Pro URL shortener
• Nathan - Delivering Happiness Book

(please note: Amazon products are affiliate links)

Your Hosts:

• Joe Richards, Executive Director at Pearce Williams Christian Centre
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Leadership and Marketing Consultant at Walking Maverick
• Dan Weir, Director at Frost Valley YMCA
• Gabrielle Raill, Director at Camp Ouareau
• Nathan Brant, Executive Director at South Mountain YMCA

And plus...

• For the best source of summer camp information on Facebook become a fan of CampHacker.
• If you are interested in more educational information about running a summer camp join our free email newsletter for summer camp leaders.
• Come join the discussion with your peers: Summer Camp Professionals group on Facebook

Thanks for the evening, friends.