Movin' On Up - CampHacker #22

Helping your camp counsellors become leaders

The best things a camp leader can do is spot the potential in a young person and tell him or her about it.

One of the most influential people in my camp life was my counsellor named Ian at Camp Kintail. When I was 11 years old he talked to me in a quiet moment and said "Travis, you will make a great CIT". I think that 5 seconds set me on the path for the next 25 years.

How do you talk to your budding All-Stars about taking on a bigger role next summer?

Tool of the Week – make yourself a better Camp Director

• Gab - Simon Stamp
• Joe - Battle Stilts (build your own adjustable stilts)
• Theresa - CampBrain
• Travis - MudWatt Microbial Fuel Cell Kit

(please note: Amazon products are affiliate links)

Your Hosts:

• Gabrielle Raill, Director at Camp Ouareau
• Joe Richards, Executive Director at Pearce Williams Christian Centre
• Theresa McDonald-Lee, Executive Director at Camp Kintail
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Leadership and Marketing Consultant at Walking Maverick

Thanks for the evening, friends. 

ReIntegrating Your Camp People To The Mundane World: CampHacker #21

Helping staff move back to school

During this week's show we talked about ways that we can make sure that our camp people do well when they move home from camp.

Speaking personally, I always struggled with the transition back home after a summer of adventures and responsibilities.   It was important to me, therefore, to be really conscientious about helping our staff transition back in to their home life.

I'd also like to thank Jill Tipograph, from Everything Summer, for writing the article that inspired this topic.  Jill is a consultant who helps families find the right camp for their children.  You can read her article, Summer Camp Decompression, by clicking the link.  I recommend you file it away for next August!

We are pleased to introduce a new co-host: Ryne Witt from the San Antonio YMCA Camp Flaming Arrow.

What do you do to make moving home a smooth experience for your camp people?

Tool of the Week – make yourself a better Camp Director

• Gab - SendOutCards
• Joe - LifeHacker
• Ryne - Shirt Pocket Briefcase
• Travis - Laptop Laidback

(please note: Amazon products are affiliate links)

Your Hosts:

• Gabrielle Raill, Director at Camp Ouareau
• Joe Richards, Executive Director at Pearce Williams Christian Centre
• Ryne Witt, Summer Camp Program Director at YMCA Camp Flaming Arrow
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Leadership and Marketing Consultant at Walking Maverick

Thanks for the evening, friends.

Writing Great End-of-Summer Reports - CampHacker #20

Passing on information from one staff to the next

In a seasonal business like summer camp we have to work hard to make sure that we manage the transitions between seasons well.   One of the most important things are end-of-summer reports.

In this CampHacker podcast we discuss ways to make sure staff are writing excellent reports so that the person who does their job next summer can hit the ground running.

How do you make sure that your staff passes on the best information possible to next person to do their job?

Tool of the Week – make yourself a better Camp Director

• Dan - camping resources from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• Joe - Techsoup
• Rebecca - Picnik
• Travis - make your own muppets

(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 Richards, Chair of the Board at Kenneserie Camp
• Rebecca Jess, Co-Director at Cairn Presbyterian Camping & Retreat Centres

Thanks for the evening, friends.

Great Evaluations Mean Great Staff - CampHacker #19

Staff evaluations for summer camp

Now that camp is underway it's time to think about how you're going to keep the growth going over the season. Creating great opportunities for feedback and evaluations can make a great summer camp staff.

Jennifer and Joe have different methods for  regular evaluations to the people that work for them.   I really like Jennifer's 360 eval and Joe's weekly check-ins with each counsellor.

How will you evaluate your camp staff this summer??

Tool of the Week – make yourself a better Camp Director

• Joe - Legible Bookcase
• Jennifer - Pure Hydration water bottle
• Travis - the Games Box

(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
• Jennifer Selke, TheCampDirector.com

Thanks for the evening, friends.