Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/in-between-moments Blocks are good, but it’s the grout that holds everything together. At Day Camp, we spend the majority of our planning time working on our militaristic program grids of athletics, arts, swim, etc. But the day camp day ALSO includes the “in-between moments.” These can be boring wastes of time, or create exciting and memorable CAMPY opportunities that kids will remember far longer than the ball they hit, or the bracelet they wove. Let’s ask Michael Brandwein how HE feels about this - because I’m sure he’s got ..read more

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/the-staff-experience What’s the best way to ensure our staff keep coming back? Since the staff revolution of summer 2021, most camps have put more focus on the staff experience than ever before. If we’re being honest SOME focus, as opposed to hardly any, as most of us realize that we’ve been taking our workforce for granted. So, less stress, less burden, less responsibilities, with more pay, more support, more attention - AND STILL… It often doesn’t feel like enough. Gen Z Justin and Millenial Jack join us today to reframe the ..read more

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/crisis-management  When it comes to crisis, prepare and prevent, don’t repair and repent. With all the crazy stuff going on in our country and the world, camp directors often have to become crisis managers.  One of our friends, Dave Thoenson from Tamarack Day Camp outside of Chicago, joins us to debrief his experience from the Highland Park parade shooting in the Summer of 2022.  We also welcome Joel Bennett who was at the parade with his family and saw the situation from the perspective as a camp parent and an A ..read more

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/summer-2023-debrief What lessons can we learn from summer 2023? Summer 2023 is in the books, and we not only survived, but we thrived - very much like it’s 2019 again…  Our super-thoughtful friend from the West Coast, Kelly Jones, joins us to talk about last summer, and we’ll try hard not to just talk about staff stuff, but that seems to be what people want to hear… THIS, is the Day Camp Pod. - Do you read the show notes? Let us know - click the following link to receive 10% off a lifetime subscription of Go Camp Pro's 5 ..read more

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/remembering-doug-pierce “Whoever needed help, Doug was there with his sleeves rolled up.” - Jay Jacobs Doug Pierce was a larger than life camp director and industry leader who set the standard for Day Camping, ACA volunteerism, positivity, and sharing. Doug passed away last April, to the shock of his friends and colleagues - as his omnipresent personality made him seem immortal.  Now that we’ve had a few months to gather our thoughts, I wanted to have one of his friends and contemporaries - Jay Jacobs, come onto the pod ..read more

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/staff-training-2023 As you gear up for another year of staff training, tune in for some expert advice from the experts, Roz and Jed! It’s just about time to get our staff together, get them energized, and get them trained up as much as we can for the arrival of our campers. Who better to discuss the ins and outs of staff training 2023, than Roz & Jed Buck. THIS is the Day Camp Pod! Do you read the show notes? Let us know - click the following link to receive 10% off a lifetime subscription of Go Camp Pro's 5-Minute Fridays ..read more

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/variety-show Staff training is on the minds of camp pros nationwide. Dave and Dave are here to share their two cents on the hottest topics of the year! At the past ACA National Conference in February, I had the pleasure of experiencing both Dave Malter and David Phillips both in session rooms and informally in the hallways - Of which I learned lots and was greatly entertained from these smart, and sarcastically funny men.  As I embark on creating my own 2023 staff orientation training, I figured that I would bring the tw ..read more

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/boss-convos Even if you’ve known your boss for years, interacting with them can still be nerve-wracking! Dan is here today to share his experience navigating this tricky power dynamic. Managing up, quiet quitting - most people have a pretty dysfunctional relationship with their supervisors. While it may be the norm, it’s far from optimal and we shouldn’t accept it as such. Dan Weir is the consummate camp professional, and a great staff trainer who gave a session at ACA National and Tri-State about how to work with your boss, w ..read more

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/genz-hacks Staffing emergencies call for emergency podcasts! Are we really in a “hiring crisis,” or do we just need to change the hiring process? Justin is back to share the inside scoop on how to appeal to Gen Z applicants. I just got back from Tri-State, where I’ve been attending for close to 30 years, and the generational divide has never been more apparent to me. That said, these Camp conferences are terrific environments for old heads and young heads to learn from each other and appreciate each other’s talents, AND learn ..read more

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/public-relations-2023  Sometimes building public relations requires a bit of creativity, or at least some planning ahead. Tune in to hear Michael’s tips and tricks! Delivering a great summer camp program is paramount to the success of our camps. But what often gets overlooked is the importance of public relations - how we are perceived by the outside world, by the other folks who DON’T attend our camps and don’t really understand what it is that we do. Because those folks determine our reputation and ability to succeed, o ..read more