Volumes of Volunteers - Advancing Your Program and Site - CampHacker #82

Give your culture of volunteerism a facelift

“Could I come up to camp and volunteer?"

Music to a camp director’s ears.

We all know that volunteers really are the life-blood of our organizations. If you have a good list of volunteers with a variety of skills, and a good list of tasks for them, then you will undoubtedly have a program that is always looking spiffy and have some awesome, hand-made stuff.

When looking at the ethos of volunteerism at your camp, the following questions likely come up:

  • How do we reach out and recruit more volunteers?
  • What happens if we have too many volunteers to do the jobs we have around camp?
    • (AKA - Happy Problems)
  • What are the implications when it comes to the liability of having volunteers versus professionals or hired staff doing the work?
  • And maybe the most important question - How do we show the volunteers that we do have, that they are valued?

Between CampHackers Travis, Joe and returning guest-host David Gill from Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, they will not only answer the above questions, but fill your notebook with incredible new ways to approach volunteerism in your organization. 

If you have any more great ideas to share, please feel free to share them in the comment section below. Thanks!

Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

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Teach Your Staff to Welcome and Talk to Parents - CampHacker #81

Help your front-line staff make a positive impact on camp parents

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Stitcher App

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Stitcher App

As seasoned camping professionals, you know how to greet your camp families well. You always know their name, greet them with a firm handshake and know how to make good, intentional conversation. But what happens on opening day when you too occupied with running camp to meet and talk with every-single parent on site?

Have you set the rest of your staff up for success?

As we all know, first impressions are a big part of the lasting impact you, or in this case camp, will have on someone. On this episode of the CampHacker Podcast, Chantal "Match" Jackson joins Travis, Joe and Gab to talk about teaching everyone at your camp to make a great first impression on parents.

This episode is full of great tips and tricks, but if you feel like we've missed any, please let us know in the comment section below.

BONUS MATERIAL!


Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

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Video Marketing Your Summer Camp - CampHacker #80

Tell Your Camp's Story With Awesome Videos

                      Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Stitcher App

                      Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Stitcher App

The prospect of shooting your own marketing videos may be daunting, but it really is one of the best ways to show AND tell the world about your camp. 

If you've never shot a video before, you may have questions like:

  • How long should my videos be?
  • Who should I feature in the videos? Staff? Campers? The Director?
  • What do parents really want to see in these videos?
  • What should I shoot first?

All great questions. 

Coincidentally (ok, it's not really a coincidence), these are all questions that the CampHackers have answered here on this episode of the podcast. Video marketing doesn't have to be something that drains both your fiscal and time budget. Using your camp's message and some tips found here in this podcast, you will be on your way to showing the world what your camp is really about.

As always, if we've left anything unanswered, or if you have any more thoughts you'd like to share, please leave us a comment in the section below. Thanks!

Links from the Show:

James Wedmore - The Perfect Youtube Video Template

Camp Laurel South's great video on their food and dining hall experience - Here

Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

  • Travis - Petzl Zipka - A compact, portable and sturdy headlamp

  • Gab - Nutshell - A new and creative video/photo creation app from the creators of Prezi

Your Hosts:

Rate and Review the CampHacker Show in iTunes 

(Thank you!)

Thanks for the evening, friends.

In The Gloaming: Planning the Perfect Campfire - CampHacker #79

Making The Last Part Of The Day, The Best Part Of The Day

   Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Stitcher App

   Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Stitcher App

"Fire's burning, fire's burning, draw nearer, draw nearer, in the gloaming, in the gloaming, come sing and be merry." 

That's right. It's GLOAMING - but glowing works too.

I love the picture that this old Girl Guide song paints. Huddled friends, a warm fire, the twilight after a great day and singing in harmony. The campfire is a special time where we get to reflect, sing, dance, and act all together. It is one of the pinnacle moments of the day where the entire camp (directors included!) can be together. It's powerful it has the potential to shape the camp experience for both campers and staff.

This episode, CampHackers Gab, Joe and Dan get together to share not only some awesome ideas that can be included in your campfires, but how the philosophy of your campfires can, and should, reflect the culture of your camp.

BONUS MATERIAL!

Dan's notes from his Tri-State campfire presentation - Here

Dan Weir's incredible campfire performance - Here

Thanks, Dan!

Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

Your Hosts:

Rate and Review the CampHacker Show in iTunes 

(Thank you!)

Thanks for the evening, friends.