Spicy Wings, Spicy Questions - Live from OCA 2025 - CampHacker #210

Matt Wilfrid March 4, 2025

Are these questions about the camp industry too hot to handle?

In this special live recording from OCA Connects 2025, Travis is joined by Go Camp Pro podcast hosts Howie Grossinger (The Camp Owners Podcast), Rachel Kent (Beyond Camp), and Matt Wilfrid (First Class Counselors) on a panel discussion like no other.

The group answered spicy questions while eating progressively hotter wings - much to the delight of the audience and the pain of the panelists.

Here are the questions:

What is the biggest waste of time you see or think many year-round camp professionals engage in?
Has the camp industry abandoned environmentalism?
Given the changing attitude about social media. If a camp who has a belief system that is opposed to what they feel social media and companies like meta and x specifically have become or what they represent, how realistic is it for them to de-couple themselves, knowing that families still use it?
Many camp professionals and the industry at large seems to understand that it's a good goal to welcome more diverse campers and staff into camps. What are some ways you see our industry succeeding and/or falling short of that?
What is the ultimate camp footwear (so spicy!)

Tool of the Week - Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

Back next episode!

Your Hosts

Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
Rachel Kent, Non-Profit Professional - Host - Beyond Camp
Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps - Host - The Camp Owners Podcast
Matt Wilfrid, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro - Host - First Class Counselors

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UltraCamp

Remember what sparked your passion for camp? UltraCamp knows it’s about the people, not the paperwork. That’s why they built a platform to simplify your camp management. Learn more at ultracampmanagement.com/camphacker

Bowline HQ

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Confessions of a Camp Pro with ADHD - with Kelie Cook and Shauna Guglielmo - CampHacker #209

Matt Wilfrid February 19, 2025

Please review us! - Click here!

Is Summer Camp the Right Profession for Someone with ADHD?

"I thought it was just me." This is the sentiment shared by many camp professionals with ADHD. On this episode of Camp Hacker, Travis, Kelie, and Shauna open up about their personal experiences with ADHD, sharing the struggles, the "aha" moments, and the unique strengths that come with neurodiversity. They discuss the challenges of masking, the importance of self-advocacy, and the power of finding community. Tune in for an honest and relatable conversation about ADHD and camp leadership. This is part one of a two-part series; hear more on Scamp Life: The Other Side.

Tool of the Week - Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

Kelie - Factile (Jeopardy Maker) https://www.playfactile.com/
Shauna - Goblin Tools - https://goblin.tools/
Travis - The Way of Play - Dr. Tina Payne Bryson - https://www.tinabryson.com/the-way-of-play

Your Hosts

Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
Kelie Cook, Camp Director, Pine Ridge Day Camp
Shauna Guglielmo, Camp Programs Coordinator - Lincoln Park Zoo
Check out Kelie and Shauna’s Podcast - Scamp Life - The Other Side

Rate and Review the CampHacker Show

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Thanks to our sponsors!

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Bowline HQ

Can (Should) Camp Directors Have Fun? - with Ariella Skoczylas - CampHacker #208

Matt Wilfrid February 11, 2025

Please review us! - Click here!

Is it even possible to have fun while being a camp director?

This week on CampHacker, we're tackling a big question: Should camp directors have fun? It might seem obvious, but we dig deeper than just surface-level enjoyment. We explore what "fun" really means in the context of the demanding world of summer camp. Our guest, Ariella Skoczylas, joins Travis and Chris to share her insights on balancing the hard work with the joy of making a difference. We talk about where we find our own fun in the camp experience, from planning and leading to those spontaneous moments of connection. We also discuss how to communicate the realities of the job to young staff, making sure they understand the balance between fun and responsibility.

Tool of the Week - Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

Travis - Lego Bontanicals
Chris - Behind the Overlay
Ariella Skoczylas - The Carrot Principle

Your Hosts

Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
Chris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight
Ariella Skoczylas, Educator and Trainer - Leadership Lioness

Rate and Review the CampHacker Show

(Thank you!)

Thanks to our sponsors!

UltraCamp

Camptivities

Activity schedules are the backbone of every camper’s experience. If there’s a staffing change, it’s really hard to find a person that knows your camp and the nuance your schedule takes. Come check out Camptivities to learn more about our scheduling tools, designed for camps by camp people. Find out more at camptivities.com

So You Want to Hire a Camp Director... - with Esther Eisenhard & Dan Weir - CampHacker #207

Matt Wilfrid January 15, 2025

Please review us! - Click here!

Expectations vs. Reality: The Camp Director Job Market

Join Travis Allison, Chris Hudson, Dan Weir, and Esther Eisenhard for another fantastic episode of the CampHacker podcast! This episode dives into key challenges and emerging trends in recruiting and retaining camp staff. Learn about tools and strategies to manage camp operations more effectively, improve the candidate experience, and set up your camp for success. Plus, find out about specific job openings and practical tips on hiring superstars for your camp.

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