Cabin Chat with Jack Schott

Pizza parties = out. Staff lounge = in.

On this episode, host Allison is joined by Jessa Greuter, Shauna Joseph, and Baylee Van Doran, Allison's former CIT! They are sharing their experiences as summer camp  staff in the present day. Jessa, Shauna and Baylee talk what they actually want while working all summer: staff lounges, good snacks, p̶i̶z̶z̶a̶ ̶p̶a̶r̶t̶i̶e̶s̶, and real time feedback!

Get ready to hear the perspective of several staff who believe real time feedback is better than a sit down and maybe "room and board" isn't the marketing perk you think it is.

If you're looking for a fresh and honest perspective on being a counselor this day and age, this is the pod for you. 

Producer EmJ’s takeaways:

1. It's me, hi, my age ground is the problem (with phones), it's me. 
2. Room and board isn't a benefit, it's part of the job.
3. Clear is kind when it comes to being upfront with staff and what they should expect over the summer. Don't lure summer staff in with promises and standards you can't keep.

Show Notes:

• Beyond the Pizza Party: Incentives to Improve Staff Quality of Life

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[Hello! You are invited to listen to our mini-sode about the "Art of Gathering" by Priya Parker. It is approximately 42 minutes long and you can do what you'd like as you listen. EmJ and Allison Klee discuss and brainstorm ways to be more explicit in order to be more inclusive. More detail is below.]

Ever been to a gathering that left you feeling... well, left out? EmJ and Klee have! In this episode we discuss the lessons from Priya Parker's book, "The Art of Gathering" and navigate the art of crafting experiences that matter, whether you're at a summer camp or a barcade.

We deep dive into what "generous exclusivity" is and explore ways to guard the guest list, ensuring that the purpose of the gathering is met and the right expectations are set. Klee and EmJ recount personal experiences that make us think about icebreakers and how those who aren't in positions of power can adapt to new situations by leading with curiosity and questions. 

If you're looking to better your ability to bring people together, this is the pod for you. 

Where do we go from here according to Producer EmJ:

• Rename things! How can you change the name of your current gatherings so it clearly states the goal? 
• Send this to someone in your space that plans events
• Make a social rule for your next gathering!

Producer Note: We recognize the phrase "totem pole" was used inappropriately on this episode after publishing. A better phrase is "least significant" or "bottom of the food chain", according to KOJO Institute. 

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

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Stay strapped in. Jack is joined by Nelson Strickland and Quarius Lucas for PART 2.

This episode is all about understanding the language of your peers and creating a workspace that cherishes diversity. Nelson and Quarius talk more about creating spaces that encourage individuals to express themselves, and the detrimental effects of policing language.

They delve into how you can foster an environment working with young people that doesn’t force people to change their language or way of being but instead appreciates and celebrates it. (We're looking at you "Whoopty" by CJ.) Quarius and Nelson talk about how to foster a sense of community within the camp that makes people want to return and what leadership needs to do to make that happen.

If you're looking for a fresh perspective on why it's important to let people speak their authentic language, without the pressure to change, this is the pod for you.

1. "If you don't understand us, we're probably not talking to you."
2.  Pass the aux!
3. How do YOU make it so that staff can be themselves and let their guard down? (White folks have to do some work, have to take the risks.)

Producer Note: From the start Nelson shares that "code-switching" may not be the best term for what they discuss. As someone working to create more visibility through SEO, I am 100% using it to capture more listeners. #ThatsMarketingBaby 

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

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Buckle up. Jack is joined by Nelson Strickland and Quarius Lucas to talk staff retention!
They throw out ideas and strategies that you can do right now, including but not limited to video game nights, listening to Drake's new album and bar-cades.

They discuss the role of technology in building relationships and the importance of staying ~hip~ with culture and technology. Nelson and Jack look at how understanding and bridging the generational gap can foster a more inclusive and creative work environment. Plus, they touch on the vital role of trust in the delegation process. 

Jack, Nelson and Quarius don't stop there, but the episode does.  Stay tuned for more insights in our next episode where they tackle the topic of code switching at camp.

Producer EmJ’s takeaways:

1. Y'ALL. We have GOT to get better at delegating. Its said time and time again on the podcast. Here's resource from The Management Center that can help you conceptualize how to delegate. 
2. Camp in a compilation of skills, camp is not a skill.
3. Put your money (read: budget) where your mouth (read: ideas) is. Are we going to talk about paying staff to do what they're good at or be about it and plan for it?

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

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Get your shovel, we're digging deeper into Parenting at Camp!

Host EmJ Juszczyk is joined by Allison Krabill and TSCS's Research Lead, Sami Eron, on our first ever mini-sode! The team is shedding light on our recent parenting at camp survey findings. Get ready to hear about the response rate, the skewness of the data, and major takeaways from the findings. 

As we dig deeper into parenting at camp responses, we piece together the experiences of the parents and caregivers who participated in our survey. We discuss the "low bar" expectations from the camp organizations, the vital need for change, and the different forms of support from camp.

Where do we go from here according to Producer EmJ:

• Keep talking about it! The ball is rolling and in order to keep it moving, we have to keep pushing. Here are some people to:
  • You organization! Ask questions, ask your organization what the policies are and what can you start doing now to help future parents on your staff.
  • Former camp professionals with children. What do they wish was different? The same?
  • Professionals outside of camps. What benefits and support did they have that could translate into camp? An "expecting mother" parking space, safe space to pump (that isn't a closet), blocked off time on the schedule, etc.?

If you're trying to wrap your mind around 177 people's takes on parenting at camp, this is the pod for you.

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

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Year one: ✔️ This week Allison is joined by Tony Wong, Chris Gibbons and Jesus Castaño, all first-year camp directors! The group shares candid insights on their unique paths to becoming camp directors as they recount their first summer as the shot callers.

The conversation takes off as they share the big takeaways from the last few months, what they didn't see coming, and who they had on their teams that lightened the load. The discussion extends further to their proudest moments, including high-performing health centers, customer service, and successful diversity initiatives.

If you're  looking to learn more about the experiences of new leaders (and maybe have a few moments of nostalgia), this is the pod for you.

Producer EmJ's Takeaways:

1. You are the only person in this position when you’re in it, even if your boss was once in your shoes. You're wearing the shoes now. 
2. It is lonely at the top. Make sure you have your support team built and ready!
3. Give yourself grace, you are holding so much on your shoulders.

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

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What would it look like to raise your children in a camp setting? Join host Allison Krabill in an engaging discussion where she, alongside our guests, Megan Lynch , Carolyn Harari, and Katrina Dearden, delve into the intricacies of juggling parenthood and camp life. 

Unpacking the realities of being parents and camp professionals, the crew brings you personal stories that illustrate the delicate balance between camp duties and parenting. They recount the challenges they've faced, such as lack of childcare facilities and the complexities of transitioning back to 'normal' life post-summer. Fear not, they also highlight the joy of seeing camp life through our children's eyes, and celebrate the support that camp community can provide.

If you're keen to explore the intersection of parenting and camp life and broaden your perspective, this is the pod for you. 

Producer EmJ’s takeaways:

1. No two parenting experiences and needs are going to be the same. Even if your camp does have a paternity plan, it may not be the best for you. Take the time to think about what you need and listen to yourself.
2. The African proverb, "it takes a village" rings true here. I loved hearing about Katrina's chef being a safe space.
3. Camp would be a really cool place to grow up. Bonus points to those parents & caretakers.

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

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Are you ready to garner fresh insights from the seasoned restorative practitioner?? Angelica Matias joins host, Allison Klee to share the transformative power of restorative justice in her teaching journey. The episode takes us through Angelica's restorative justice origin story, highlighting not just its reactive benefits, but also its proactive role in building community.

They also discuss the ins and outs of implementing restorative justice in the classroom, which goes beyond just holding circles to fostering understanding among students.  The two emphasize the healing potential of these practices and strategies on how to navigate resistance and onboard people into this transformative practice

If you're looking for an enlightening conversation that decodes the profound impact of restorative justice, this is the pod for you.

Producer EmJ's takeaways:

1. Greeting students by name and learning how to pronounce their names correctly can be restorative practices. 
2. There is an interesting and intriguing shift when you think about asking a smaller group of people to opt into learning about restorative justice rather than having a whole class/cabin learn about it. 
3. Angelica leaves no room for excuses on why "this doesn't work for my kids"!

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music

31 | Exploring Restorative Justice with Tamara Sheppard

In this podcast we are talking big ideas, actual and actionable takeaways, and lots of fun with the camp community and professionals!

Challenging traditional punitive measures, host Klee explores restorative justice with guest Tamara Sheppard. They embark on a journey that breaks down how restorative justice creates a transformative platform for those affected by harm. By encouraging accountability in place of punishment, they highlight the power of this approach and its potential to reshape re-entry into classrooms, summer camps, and numerous other contexts.

But they don't stop there, Klee and Tamara discuss the pivotal role of trust and the unique opportunities restorative justice circles offer to the youth to witness the impact of their actions. As Tamara Sheppard enlightens us on how these circles can cultivate a comfortable atmosphere promoting trust, you'll also see how they can be employed to advance communication and collaboration in the workplace.

If you’ve been curious about how restorative justice can support youth, this is the podcast for you.

PRODUCER EMJ’S TAKEAWAYS:

1. Pre-work is just as important as the circle itself. 
2. Doing circles doesn't negate consequences for the person who did the harm. 
3. Everyone involved should be opting into the circle and have that choice, otherwise it could worsen the situation.

Show Notes:

• Join Klee and Tamara Sheppard at the Restorative Justice Conference!
• New Mindset New Outcomes

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music