The Eye of the Eagle: What to Watch for in 2021 - CampHacker #140

Our job is to look forward. But when you feel like you don’t have time, allow the CampHacker crew to help!

Have you heard the expression “in uncharted waters?”. Of course, you have.

Well, right now, in February 2021, we’re in the uncharted river paddling towards the uncharted waterfall, which descends into the uncharted wading pool.

Even for camps that ran last summer, the COVID-19 pandemic saga is far from over.

Chris, Gabz, Travis and Joe are here to dig into the obvious, and the not-so-obvious things that directors should be thinking about with a few months of time to spare.

This isn’t an easy conversation, but as directors, it’s our job to have them.

What’s on your mind for 2021? Let us know in the comments!

Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

Travis: Amazon Basics (or DeWalt - which ever is cheaper) Safety Goggles for All (including Glasses wearers) https://amzn.to/2LRELSu

Joe: The Big Book of Maker Skills https://amzn.to/3nL92jt

Gabz: Rode VideoMicro https://amzn.to/2N5Bv6S or Shure mic for androids https://amzn.to/3nIp5hW

Chris: Amusing Ourselves To Death - Neil Postman https://amzn.to/2XHQrKk

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Thanks to our sponsor!

UltraCamp

Wouldn’t it be refreshing if your registration software gave you MORE time? With UltraCamp, you can track attendance, manage staff applications, streamline registration, and much more. Get back the time you need to focus on what is really important: CAMP! Find out more at summercampsoftware.com/camphacker

Black Lives Matter at Summer Camp - CampHacker #139

A follow-up conversation with the organizers of the Black Lives Matter at Summer Camp Movement

https://blacklivesmatteratcamp.com/

Summer camp is built on the idea of giving young people fuller lives through recreation, enrichment, and community. Our industry centers on the well-being of youth and was created to better their life outcomes, experiences, and personal growth. This is why we are camp professionals and why we believe in the power of camp.

Therefore, it is a fundamental and necessary step for us to affirm that Black Lives Matter. As camps and camp professionals, this statement lies at the core of our identity and values within this industry.

On the day of action for Black Lives Matter at Summer Camp, professionals affirmed that right here and right now, while we know our work is for all campers, staff, and families, we must focus on the ones calling for help. We must focus on the members of our broader community asking for and demanding change and justice. We must extend our hearts, our values, and the power of the experience we create to those who have been left behind.

Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

Travis: Inbo Remote Meeting Cards https://www.inbo.ca/remotely-store

Doug: America The Dream: https://americathedream.org/videos

Lily: Rise Up Singing book. https://amzn.to/3mM561j

Scott: Creative Quest https://amzn.to/3nIfNTP

Your Hosts:

Thanks to this episode’s sponsor!

UltraCamp

Wouldn’t it be refreshing if your registration software gave you MORE time? With UltraCamp, you can track attendance, manage staff applications, streamline registration, and much more. Get back the time you need to focus on what is really important: CAMP! Find out more at summercampsoftware.com/camphacker

Making Yourself "Approachable" - CampHacker #138

There’s an incredible power dynamic at play when it comes to you and the rest of the staff, here’s how to address that head-on, with approachability!

If your staff haven’t told you that you’re intimidating, then they just haven’t told you YET.

Gabz, Joe and Travis are here to share their best practices when it comes to toeing the line of approachability without being too attached or going the other direction and micro-managing.

How do you show approachability with your team? Let us know in the comments!

Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

Travis: Monster Feelings - Laura Tyson & Michael Smith (Eyes book) 
Gabz: Hero 911
Joe: 50 bits of wisdom from someone who just turned 50 years old [that might surprise you…?]

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How To Not Be *THAT* Boss - CampHacker #137

You all know what kind of boss we’re talking about.

Marcus Buckingham says it best - “People leave managers, not companies”.

Do you want to keep your best staff members?

Do you want to have a strong culture built on trust and empathy?

Do you want your camp to truly feel like a community?

Then for all the bosses, managers and supervisors.

Be better.

Chris, Gabz and Joe are here to break down what makes a boss the type of boss that staff will work through adversity (like COVID-19!) or the ones staff will leave in the dust.

(Without using names) what was something a boss did that made them that boss for you? Let us know in the comments!

Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

Chris: Circadian Optics - Light Therapy

Gabz: Get yourself a therapist - especially in the summer. If Gabz can make time for it, so can you.

Joe: 5 Gallon Bucket of Possibilities - Fill a bucket with things that would entertain kids and always have it on you. Plus, you always have a seat!

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