Incentivizing Staff Beyond the Paycheque - CampHacker #146

Pay your staff more - AND - here are some other ways to appreciate and incentivize the camp experience.

We should all be working to pay our staff more. Full stop.

That being said, it may be impossible to pay staff for the sheer amount of joy, passion, blood, sweat and tears they put in to the work they do. So even WHEN we’re able to pay staff more, we should be doing everything we can to show staff how much we appreciate them and how valuable the camp experience is.

Chris, Travis and Joe are joined by Go Camp Pro contributor Darby Dame to share their best practices on how to incentivize staff beyond just how we pay them.

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How do you show staff they are valued? Let us know in the comments!

Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

Travis: The Book with No Pictures - BJ Novak https://amzn.to/3wZbF6Z

Joe: zip ties - organizations secret weapon - https://youtu.be/fhIts8zhn_A | The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zanderand Benjamin Zander https://amzn.to/2PXElwB

Darby: HotJar website

Chris: Run of the mill Laminating Machine https://amzn.to/3e57kGF

Your Hosts:

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

Drop Off and Pick Up - The Parent Perspective - Sponsored by PikMyKid - CampHacker

SPONSORED CONTENT - Thanks to PikMyKid for their support!

Every single camp has its own way of managing pick-up and drop-off and the great camps put a lot of time and intention into both processes.

Remember, those two times may be the only physical impressions of your camp that parents get, so a well-polished process will win you big points in their books.

In this interview pod, Travis sits down with Pat Bhava, the founder and CEO of PikMyKid, to share why he saw the need to bring pick-up and drop-off into the technological era, and how his software will leave a professional, polished impression with families.

Please note - PikMyKid is a sponsor of Go Camp Pro. We’re grateful for their support.

Want to share your brand’s story? Advertise with Go Camp Pro.

Your Hosts:

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

Multiple Memorable Moments Mandatory - CampHacker #145

It’s going to happen. Here’s how to fire with compassion and dignity.

We, as camp pros are all about stories.

Stories about moments where we know that kids lives were changed.

Where do those stories come from?

There are so many intentional things that go into creating the type of environment where those moments flourish. Great camp pros know how to cultivate these type of moments, but it’s always great for a refresher.

That’s why Gabz Chris, Joe and Travis are here to unpack some of their most memorable moments and the things that lead up to them.

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What are some memorable moments from camp that come to mind? What went in to making them happen? Let us know in the comments!

SNACK of the Week – Because why not?

Travis: Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup on Ice Cream

Joe: Wasabi Peanuts

Gabz: Bengal Spice Tea

Chris: Honey Nut Cheerios and Chocolate Chips - Straight Up

Your Hosts:

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

When You Have No Choice but to FIRE Someone - With Rachel Kent - CampHacker #144

It’s going to happen. Here’s how to fire with compassion and dignity.

This is another thing that’s just “part of the job”.

Firing someone is especially hard in a place that’s so connected with people’s emotions.

Often, when someone is fired at camp, it’s not usually because they have anything against us, or even about camp. They’ve usually just made a choice that is against policy, or they aren’t at the level we need them to be.

Travis, Joe and Chris are joined by Rachel Kent, camp pro and co-host of the podcast, Beyond Camp to discuss how they let staff go and do it with a great amount of tact and compassion.

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What do you do when you have to let people go? Let us know in the comments!

Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

Travis: Get Together: How to build a community with your people - https://amzn.to/3rWSHLg

Joe: UST Survival Playing Cards - https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01F393TYQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 & Pro Knot Outdoor Knot Cards - https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0922273227/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

Rachel Kent: Visual Timer app

Chris: Sneaky Cards - https://sneakycards.com/

Your Hosts:

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