Balancing Family Life & Camp – CampHacker #36

Summer Camp Directors can find the chance to enjoy camp and family

As we get ready for a super busy summer at camp the four original CampHackers take time out to discuss the thing that makes it all worth while – family.  For some of us camp is something that unites us as a family and for others the camp life is a strain on our personal relationships.

I can think of no greater place to raise a family than camp but I know that it can be hard to set aside the time to make that place special for everyone in a family.

Listen in as we share with you how we all have learned to succeed in our personal relationships while excelling at our jobs.

How do you find the healthiest balance between camp life and family life during the busy summer months?

Tool of the Week – make yourself a better Camp Director

• Dan – Ning social networking site
• Joe – Pick Punch: make your own guitar pick
• Gab – Gas Buddy smartphone application
• Travis – Google Sketchup 3D sketching program

(please note: Amazon products are affiliate links)

Your Hosts:

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - CampHacker.org
• Dan Weir, Director of Camping Services – Frost Valley YMCA
• Joe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce Williams Christian Centre
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau

Thanks for the evening, friends.

Premium Programming at Summer Camp – CampHacker #35

Do It Differently at Your Summer Camp

We are so lucky to have two great summer camp program specialists with us this week on CampHacker.  Curt runs the great Summer Camp Program Director blog and Adam brings drumming lessons to camps. We talked this week about bringing in program specialists from outside your staff to add some energy and uniqueness to your camp programs.

Have you ever brought in someone from the outside to run a special program at your camp?

Tool of the Week – make yourself a better Camp Director

• Adam: Ear plugs made by Westone
• Curt: Aqua Notes http://www.myaquanotes.com/
• Travis: Free Magazine: Communicating VIA Imagery from Georgetown University Center for Social Development Communication

(please note: Amazon products are affiliate links)

Your Hosts:

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - CampHacker.org
• Adam Issadore, Owner/Musician – Path to Rhythm
• Curt “Moose” Jackson – Summer Camp Program Director

Thanks for the evening, friends.

Happy Kitchen, Happy Camp – CampHacker #34

Keeping Your Summer Camp Happy From the Kitchen Out

We all know that the kitchen is the heart of camp.  In this CampHacker podcast we shared our experiences and ideas for making the kitchen a wonderful place to work and to visit.

It was a real treat to have Jacqui Raill with us this week – we’ve heard so much about her from Gab (and me, too, probably – I look up to Jacqui a lot).

If you get a chance you should check out what Marc does outside of his camp job – he’s an artist.   Look at his Marc Cooper Art.

How do you keep your summer camp kitchen running smoothly?

Tool of the Week – make yourself a better Camp Director

• Dan: Teaching Archery to Kids
• Jacqui: 101 Cookbook for Vegetarians
• Marc: Facebook Questions
• Travis: Little Bits – snap together electronic kits

(please note: Amazon products are affiliate links)

Your Hosts:

• Dan Weir, Director of Camping Services at Frost Valley
• Jacqui Raill, Director/Owner at Camp Ouareau
• Marc Cooper, Director at Camp Tamarack
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Leadership and Marketing Consultant at Walking Maverick

International Staff Part II - Camphacker #33

Matt Buzeck joined us on the CampHacker Podcast to continue our discussion on having international staff at your summer camp.

Tool of the Week – Make yourself a better Camp Director

• Joe: Adjustable Height Desk: http://www.beyondtheofficedoor.com/MAY-2X11XL.php update to the standing desk talked about from feb 8, 2011
• Travis: RODE mic
• Matt:  I saw this shared on a Summer Camp Facebook Group just yesterday for looking up retention rates and values.....http://www.vk.org/wpsite/retention/
• Dan: “Clear” App

Your Hosts:

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - CampHacker.org
• Joe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce Williams Christian Centre
• Dan Weir, Director of Camping Services - Frost Valley YMCA
• Matt Buzcek from 3Adventures

Thanks for the evening, friends.