The CampHacker Podcast

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2022/02/the-next-100-daysWhen it’s crunch time, you need to make sure all systems are GO. Here are the 10 most vital tips to make the most of the summer camp home stretch.Not only did we get some great feedback on our last episode with Ari and Abi, they realized that as they were preparing for their upcoming summers, they were relying on some tried and true strategies that their years in the “camp ops” world has taught them.Like the incredibly generous camp pros that they are, they are back on the CampHacker podcast to share these tips with Travis and all our listeners.Welcome back, Ari and Abi!-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorAri: Adam Grant’s InstagramAbbie: Gozen - newsletterTravis:The UpRooter (thanks, Ruby)-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. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProAbigail Stuart, Director of Operations - Doxazo MinistriesAri Polsky, Program Manager, Client Services - JCamp 180 (a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation)-Thanks to our sponsors!Crazy CreekCrazy Creek Products has been perfecting Just Sit There for campers and staff alike since 1987.  Mention this ad when you email or call in and receive 10% off your entire order and free single-colour logo on your Crazy Creek’s!  No tool is more vital at camp than a Crazy Creek!  Call 800-446-3446 or email Chelsea  chill@crazycreek.com to guarantee your chairs for the 2022 season!UltraCampWouldn’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/camphackerOur free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2022/02/building-trust-with-parentsRegaining and building trust is one of our top post-pandemic priorities.We know, we know. You have a million other “post-pandemic priorities”, but this is one you can’t let slip!After 2 years of a pandemic that had us in a consistent tornado of fear AND for some, 2 years of no camp, we have some trust to build with families! But, like many things about the pandemic, there’s a silver lining here.2022 is your opportunity to completely revamp your communication and family onboarding strategy. It’s time to bust out all of the stops - but where to start?Gabz, Travis and Joe are joined by camp pro and Beyond Camp podcaster Rachel Kent to give you some of their best trust-building philosophies and strategies that you can implement RIGHT NOW.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Ulanzi Cute Cube Lite https://amzn.to/3mVmiUS | TinyCam (Android) for Keeping Wyze Cams on a portable screen http://tinycammonitor.com/Gabz: Vegan Treats for EveryoneJoe: 100 Questions Conversation Toolkit Rachel: Coffee Subscription - https://www.muskokaroastery.com/-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. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauRachel Kent, Coordinator, Outdoor Experiences - Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario CouncilRate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’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/camphackerOur free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2022/01/how-can-we-be-more-motivatedCheck-in with yourself. What do you need? Here’s how to make it happen.Motivation isn’t innate. There are times that, for whatever reason, we need a boost.Either it’s a project that we find difficult, or we aren’t getting the support or rest we need, or any number of things that can get us feeling down and distracted.It happens to everyone, including Joe, Travis and Gabz! So when it happens to you, and them, this episode is dedicated to what you can do to dig yourself out. Tune in to hear our host’s favourite motivation and relaxation strategies to get them back on the horse. We hope it helps!-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Google Pixel Buds Series-AGabz: Thronmax Mic Joe: Multcloud | Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life-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. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauRate and Review the CampHacker Show-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’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/camphackerOur free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/01/marketing-when-you-dont-want-toIt’s not about selling people on camp. It’s about telling your stories.Do you like every single part of being a camp director? Come on, be honest.There’s something that is every camp director’s kryptonite - something that you KNOW you need to do, and you probably do it, but just the thought of it makes you feel gross.For many directors out there, marketing is that thing.Social media, newsletters, podcasts, word of mouth, ads…yeesh. If it doesn’t come natural to you, it’s hard, but there’s hope.This episode will take you through all of the emotions through our hosts for today. Travis, the marketing expert, Gabz the enthusiastic marketing camp director, and Chris…on the opposite end of that spectrum. Give this great conversation a listen.And it’s not just the mushy stuff, there are a lot of great practical tips, so get excited!-Links from this show:Find them at https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/01/marketing-when-you-dont-want-to-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis: Zapp Padd https://powerbx.com/discount/GoCampGabz: Multi Device Keyboard Logitech K380 https://amzn.to/32sk7RrChris: Spot It (https://amzn.to/3nKxGnj) - And the story behind Spot-It-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. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’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/camphackerOur free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/12/operations-directorIt’s time for Camp Directors to stop trying to do everything. Invest in operations.Ari Polsky, the smartie that he is, posed this question in the COVID-19 + Camp Slack last June:“Based off the texts I have received from a few camp colleagues, and the current setup work I am doing I have some thoughts/questions:Are we (as a field) investing enough in operations and systems staff?How are we looking to cultivate/train/improve/retain people who keep the trains running on time?I am talking about the people who can rattle of database queries in their sleep and solve any operations, logistics, camp chessboard problems. It seems like in this time it’s, especially in need.”The conversation sparked from there and it was clear this was something we needed to zoom in on.Join Travis, Ari and Abigail Stuart (3/5 of The Brief Newsletter Team!) as they share what their roles have looked like as operational directors and why every camp should consider investing in the position.-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorTravis - Dawn Powerwash - https://amzn.to/3C4EwrJAbi - iGen by Jean Twenge - https://amzn.to/30pQ6kpAri - Bring Your Human to Work: 10 Surefire Ways to Design a Workplace That Is Good for People, Great for Business, and Just Might Change the World by Erica Kesman https://amzn.to/3C9VPHQMilk Crate https://amzn.to/3F56aqwMiss Excel on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/miss.excel/-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. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProAbigail Stuart, Director of Operations - Doxazo MinistriesAri Polsky, Marketing, Fundraising and Data Analysis Consultant, AriPolsky.com-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’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/camphackerOur free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/12/all-tow-2021Cue the trombone music, it's ALL TOOLS ALL THE TIME!Back by popular demand, back again is our annual All TOWs show!This year, a focus on gifts for camp directors that promote positive mental health.Chris, Gabz, Travis and Joe all share…2 tools that positively affect your mental health2 books you read JUST FOR FUN2 gifts you’d recommend for every camp directorThere are WAY too many links for these tools to put in these show notes - check them out here: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/12/all-tow-2021-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. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’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/camphackerOur free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/12/be-a-better-delegatorWho’s the best delegator you’ve ever met?The working title of this episode is “delegate like your life depends on it”.A bit dramatic? Yes. Kind of true? Also yes!If you can’t delegate - if everything at camp needs to run by you before it happens - if you need to facilitate every hard conversation - then you (and your camp) may not last very long.So we know that - but why can’t we do it? There are a multitude of reasons/excuses why we don’t, but there are even more reasons why it’s absolutely necessary.So let’s dig in. Gabz, Chris, Travis and Joe join forces to share their perspectives on how they became better delegators and how it’s shaped their camp experiences.-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. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris: Once Upon a TimeGabz:  Smart PlugJoe: Non Slip Furniture Pads X-Protector - Bed Bottoms - future proofTravis: Serious Work: How to Facilitate Meetings & Workshops Using the LEGO Serious Play Method - https://amzn.to/31eLP3m-Your Hosts:Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProChris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’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/camphackerOur free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/11/do-this-right-nowDon’t just make it survivable, make it AWESOME.We’re releasing this podcast at the time where the previous summer is still “going” and next summer isn’t quite “coming” yet.However, if you haven’t run since 2019, the summer of 2022 feels like it’s coming fast and furious.This is the time for deep thinking, planning and rest. It’s possible to make policy revisions on the fly, but it’s better to make them now. It’s possible to think of innovative programming on the fly, but it’s better to do it now.This episode, Gabz, Chris and Joe talk about what they, and you can do right now to set yourself up for a successful summer.-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. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris: TV TimeGabz: Instagram Feeds to Follow: PrideCamping, The Summer Camp Society , S’more Melanin, Oaaars, TransPlaningJoe: Jabra Speak 510 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker-Your Hosts:Chris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’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/camphackerOur free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/11/these-are-the-staff-you-needNo more warm-body syndrome. Hire great staff and make it work with the number you have.This isn’t the first Go Camp Pro Podcast about staffing, and it certainly won’t be the last.This year all of our shows are going to cover many topics on staffing - where to find them, how to interview them, how to keep them, etc.But when you get down to it, we need to take a step back from the current staffing crisis and remember that if we hire the absolute best staff team we can, it is more likely to make the absolute best experience for the campers.This episode, Gabz, Chris and Joe pick apart the DNA of what makes an incredible camp staff member and why it’s important that you are relentless in your pursuit of looking for those qualities at hiring time.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. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris: Yeti MicrophoneGabz: Shift App - DesktopJoe: Adjustable Light Stand/Tripod-Your Hosts:Chris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’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/camphackerOur free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/10/what-to-do-about-itPart 2 of our conversation about the big changes needed in the Camp World.To listen to part 1: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2021/10/future-of-camp-pt-1 Last episode, we gave a laundry list of what’s NOT going well in the industry. Here, we shake off the doom and gloom start to unpack what it might look like to fix some of these changes that seem big and foreboding.A big thanks to Ruby and Jolly for joining us for these two episodes! Make sure you check out all of the great things that they are up to: https://rubyoutdoors.com  & https://gocamp.pro/jolly -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. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)-Tool of the Week – Make Yourself a Better Camp DirectorChris: Characteristics of White Supremacy CultureJoe: Festool TSC 55 KEBI-F Plus Cordless Track SawRuby: Roll of TyvexJolly: Pre-postaged postcardsTravis: https://app.jqbx.fm/-Your Hosts:Chris Hudson, Camp Director - Camp HighlightJoe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce WilliamsTravis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProJolly Corley - Camp Director and Trainer - www.jollycorley.comRuby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors-Rate and Review the CampHacker Show(Thank you!)-Thanks to our sponsor!UltraCampWouldn’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/camphackerOur free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis