Environmental Sustainability at Camp – CampHacker #38

Focusing on environmental sustainability at your camp

Do you believe in your role as an environmental educator?  On this week’s CampHacker podcast we bring together a panel of camp leaders at camps committed to being green and SUPER-green.

As hosts of intentional communities we take our roles very seriously – we look to purchase sustainably, reduce our waste and inspire kids and staff to understand their impact on the planet.

Listen for some great ideas for greening your summer camp.

Here are some photos Dan sent through of the Dining Hall food separation system at Frost Valley.

What do you do at your camp to be green?

Tool of the Week – make yourself a better Camp Director

• Dan: Tent & Trails Songs from American Camp Association
• Joe: Director’s Camp
• Travis: 60-Minute Spring Loaded Wall Timer, White
• David: Phillip Gulley devotion books - Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales

(please note: Amazon products are affiliate links)

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
• David Gill, Executive Director – Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center. Check out Solar Under The Sun – Ferncliff’s solar energy training program.

Thanks for the evening, friends.

Retaining Staff Training - CampHacker #37

Helping summer camp staff understand their responsibilities perfectly.

How do you help your staff retain all they need to know to do their jobs?

Tool of the Week – make yourself a better Camp Director

• Dan: Tent & Trails Songs from American Camp Association
• Joe: Director’s Camp
• Travis: 60-Minute Spring Loaded Wall Timer, White
• David: Phillip Gulley devotion books - Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales

(please note: Amazon products are affiliate links)

Your Hosts:

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - CampHacker.org
• Joe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce Williams Christian Centre
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau

Thanks for the evening, friends.

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.