20 | The People in the Arena

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

On this episode, Jack Schott is joined by Kelly Schuna and they talk owning camps, the power of vulnerability and how to lead as someone who doesn’t have all the answers. They talk Brené Brown and how to rumble! Jack introduces something called “Wildcards”and asks what she’s thinking that’s a little off the walls and doesn’t fit yet in the “spinning circles”.

If you’re looking for a podcast that shares how to lead with empathy and shares in fun stories about making mistakes, this is the pod for you. 

PRODUCER EMJ’S TAKEAWAYS:

1. I wonder if Kelly is onto something about behavior arising when campers don’t have the autonomy and choice during their activities. 
2. Having hard conversations is also saying that you’re invested in that person and what’s the best for them. WHAT.
3. There’s authenticity and transparency in being a “talk-out-louder” so the people you’re with don’t have to do any guesswork. 
4. Bonus: I do love Brené Brown. Here is “The Man in the Arena/It’s Not the Critique That Counts” that Kelly mentions. 

SHOW NOTES:

• The Camp Owners Podcast
• Interlude Music That We Don’t Own the Rights To
• EmJ's Camper Clubs Blog

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

On this episode Allison Krabill is joined by Michael “Knuckles” Vasquez, Caitlin Carroll and EmJ Juszczyk. They’re discussing medical camps and being inclusive for all campers! This crew shares their experiences with “patients” and “well-camper” siblings, how you work with the families, and how you make camp the most for every single person—even parents and caretakers!

If you’re looking for perspectives on inclusion and community that centers around letting kids be kid this is the pod for you . 

Producer EmJ’s takeaways:

1. Camp allows your campers to become individuals and that’s so cool! How can we keep capitalizing on this when making cabin decisions? 
2. It can be so powerful when you don’t have siblings comfort the other when they miss home. 
3. A medical diagnosis is more than just the patient. 

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18 | Springboard

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

On this episode, Jack Schott and Howie Grossinger are talking “old heads” and embracing change of leadership and mentorship. They discuss the importance of gaining trust from constituents like your staff’s parents and support system and how to navigate your boss being in on all team meetings when you’re leading them.

 If you’re looking for a podcast that shares a great perspective about growth mindset and camp mentorship, this is the pod for you. 

Producer EmJ’s takeaways:

1. The “Staff, not stuff” mindset is one to keep front of mind when budgeting for higher salaries over the fun of new toys. 
2.  I like the idea of setting expectations when a boss/ leader comes into a meeting as an equal member. Reminding each other that they’re there as a part of the system, not the end-all-be-all with ideas. 
3. TWO-HUNDRED AND EIGHTY STAFF??

Show Notes:

• The Camp Owners Podcast

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17 | The Essence of Camp

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

On this episode, Jack Schott is joined by Andy Pritikin. They’re talking the nitty gritty of taking initiative and being an “old head” in the camp industry. Andy talks about the differences of camps (day, overnight, specialty) and creative ways to get ahead in your professional career. 

 If you’re looking for a podcast that gets you thinking and giving new perspective, this is the pod for you. 

Producer EmJ’s takeaways:

1. Camps are going to come in all shapes and sizes. When you think about your camp, what is the essence of your camp and how can you do that really well? 
2.  Take initiative for what you want and what experiences you want to have. Whether that’s a conference outing or learning more about your neighboring camp, take the initiative to get it done. It will show. 
3. This is a Klee fan club episode. 

______
WANT MORE FROM TSCS?

HEADING TO TRISTATE? — FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM TO FIND THE TSCS CREW. 

WHAT TO LEARN MORE FROM CAMP PROFESSIONAL PEERS? — BECOME A MEMBER
______

Show Notes:

• The Day Camp Pod
• Star Search
• Liberty Lake Foundation 
• Justin’s Episode, “Selling Fun”

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16 | 80% Connection, 20% Content 

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

Imagine going down a waterslide where you can’t see where it’s going… that is this episode. EmJ Juszczyk takes the reins here and welcomes Allison Krabill and Jack Schott back from the ACA National Conference!

They recap the conference with major takeaways, social outings and sessions, including who you should put on your radar as camp profession resources! Then the group jumps into several discussions regarding conference planning, problem solving, and even working with different generations of camp professionals. 

If you’re looking for conference tips and questioning the status quo while maintaining it, this is the pod for you. 

Producer EmJ’s takeaways:

1. Find your social safety net for conferences! 
2. The camp community is filled with SO many people from so many demographics. We each know a lot about something and have cool ideas. (Now, how do we collaborate and learn from each other through different experiences we may have had?)
3. We’re always looking for podcast ideas— let us know yours. 

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15 | Continuing to Belong

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

This episode brings together Allison Krabill, Alice Hospitel, Melk Kowalkowski, and Mike O'Brien to talk teen programs at camp! They discuss different ways to make older campers feel like they belong, how to incorporate leadership in the sessions, and so much more. If you’re looking for great ways to level up your teen programs, this is the podcast for you. 

Producer EmJ’s takeaways:

1. Your CITs don’t have to be your staff later. 
2. Not everyone is going to fit the traditional camp counselor role— maybe we shouldn’t be asking that of all our CITs!
3. Someone can change so much in a year. That’s a large percent of a young person’s life!

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14 | International Staff

Did you know there aren’t many summer camps in Ireland? That’s where we got this week’s guests! Allison Krabill is joined by Erin Stewart and Megan Lynch (both from Northern Ireland) to talk international staffing at camps! 

They share how they got to American camps and their experiences. Both share the importance of front loading what to expect and emphasis the costs and equal pay for international staff. 

If you’re looking for perspective on what your international staff need, this is the pod for you. 

Producer EmJ’s takeaways:

1. The overloading and oversharing is helpful for all staff, and even more so for international staff coming into an unknown area. (What are American customs and culture that we need to explicitly explain?)
2. There is balance between making sure international staff have a unique experience and feeling like they’re a part of the whole staff. That being said, bring everyone cheese curds. 
3. “Cultural Stipend”

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13 : Customer Service: Choosing Kindness

Allison Krabill is joined by Abbot Pittman and Carolyn Harari to talk customer service at camp and the off-season. They share what they’ve done to stay in touch with families, and pose the question, how do you advocate for communication boundaries during camp? This group dives into big wins and big lessons that cultivate ideas and plans for year-round touch points. 

If you’re looking for ways to think about customer service on and off the campsite, this is the pod for you. 

Producer EmJ’s takeaways:

1. It’s cool to tell caregivers when things are going well too. Is over-communication is the new normal?
2. Text your families, not from your personal phone number*. Who is picking up the phone these days? *When you use a secondary number (zoom, GoogleVoice, etc.) it helps create a work/life boundary and you know when it’s a work call coming in. 
3. Snail-mail goes a long way. 

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12 | Conferences: Takes Notes, Make Crafts

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

IT’S CONFERENCE SEASON, BABY. Substitute host, Allison Krabill is on the conference circuit and joined on the podcast by Alice Haefeli and EmJ Juszczyk to get the deets on what to expect. Not all conferences are going to be the same, but here they discuss how to plan your sessions, when to join in on the fun, and random tips and tricks to make it great. 

If you’re looking for the camp conference lowdown (& great ways to make friends) this is the pod for you. 

Producer EmJ’s takeaways:

1. The cheesy community programs are supposed to be cheesy. Go to them.
2. Ask the speaker for their notes & slides— they (probably) WANT to share it 
3. Alice is hosting TSCS Happy Hour at Tri-State, reach out to her to learn more! 

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11 | Culture of Belonging

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

Jack is joined by TSCS’s very own Allison Krabill & Alice Hospitel to talk the culture of belonging for your staff at camp. We’ve all been there, our first day of a new job, school, or group. The make or break moments of first impressions and what to expect upon arrival. On the podcast, these three talk ideas and plans for how to make your staff feel connected and have a sense that they belong there. 

If you’re looking for real ways to plan staff arrival and camp culture (WITH ways to delegate these plans) , this is the pod for you.
 
Producer EmJ's Takeaways:

1. Without relationships at camp, not much else can happen.
2. Is Taylor Swift a camp director?
3. Seeing things for the first time is a superpower.

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Listen on Spotify | Apple Music