Camp Code - Leadership & Staff Training Podcast for Camp Directors

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Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/whydoihavetotellyou

In the high-stakes environment of summer camp, directors often find themselves asking, "Why do I have to tell you to do that?" This frustration usually stems from a belief that staff either lack initiative or simply don’t care. However, as explored in this episode of Camp Code, the real issue is often that we haven’t treated initiative as a teachable skill. By reframing initiative not as an inherent personality trait but as a competency that can be developed, leadership teams can move away from "announcing" expectations in a slideshow and toward "teaching" them through intentional practice.

To bridge this gap, the episode introduces a four-step framework: Notice, Think, Act, and Communicate. Teaching staff to "Notice" involves developing "camp radar" to see what is out of place or who is struggling. "Thinking" requires developing the judgment to ask, "Is this mine to solve?" "Acting" involves empowering staff to take small, immediate steps without waiting for permission, while "Communicating" ensures that initiative doesn’t lead to chaos by keeping supervisors in the loop. By breaking initiative down into these steps, directors can provide staff with the tools to transition from passive bystanders to active problem-solvers.

Furthermore, directors must be mindful of how they respond to staff efforts. If every attempt at initiative is met with a correction because it wasn’t done "the director’s way," staff will quickly become passive to avoid making mistakes. Creating a culture that allows for "imperfect initiative" is essential for growth. When staff feel safe to exercise judgment—knowing the boundaries between what they can handle (green light), what requires assistance (yellow light), and what requires immediate escalation (red light)—they become the capable leaders campers need.

From Beth,

The key takeaway for camp leaders is to resist the urge to be the "Answer Key" for every staff member’s problem. To build independent thinkers, directors should implement a simple language shift. The next time a staff member approaches you with a problem, instead of providing the solution, ask: "What do you think we should do?" or "What have you tried already?"

If they are unsure, use the opportunity to teach the boundaries of their authority rather than just giving an instruction. This challenge moves the needle from accountability-only conversations to developmental ones.

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• Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau

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Camptivities

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Check out Camptivities.com and get back outside with your campers.

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On this Camp Code episode, our hosts Gabz and Beth explore one of the most overlooked parts of staff training: the in-between moments.While most camps spend time preparing staff for emergencies, conflict, and big activities, this conversation focuses on the small interactions that quietly shape camp culture every day. From transitions and mealtimes to walking between activities and waiting in line, Beth and Gabz explain how these ordinary moments are often where campers decide whether they feel safe, included, and connected. They challenge leaders to stop treating downtime as “empty space” and instead recognize it as some of the most important leadership time at camp.

Throughout the episode, they share practical ways to help staff lead these moments intentionally. The conversation highlights the importance of learning and using campers’ names, noticing group dynamics early, initiating connection, including campers who may be drifting socially, and helping regulate the emotional energy of a group. Beth and Gabz also offer experiential staff training ideas like mapping transitions around camp, role-playing awkward social moments, and teaching counselors how to turn simple walks across camp into opportunities for connection and fun. The episode is a reminder that camp magic is rarely built only in the big events. More often, it grows through small repeated moments where campers feel noticed, welcomed, and like they truly belong.

From Beth,

Beth closes this season of Camp Code by reminding leaders that some of the most important moments at camp will never feel dramatic. The way staff greet campers, respond to awkwardness, include someone in a conversation, or guide a transition can shape the emotional tone of camp more than any large program. Strong camp cultures are built through intentional small moments, not just big events. When camps train staff to pay attention to those everyday interactions, they create spaces that feel calmer, safer, more connected, and more inclusive for everyone.

• Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau

UltraCamp

Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode.

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On this Camp Code episode, our host Gabz and Beth dig into one of the most important staff training topics at camp: what happens after someone makes a mistake. They talk about how many staff members are not struggling because they fail, but because they do not know how to recover well. Young staff often become defensive, avoid hard conversations, shut down after feedback, or spiral with embarrassment. Beth and Gabz explain that camp leaders can shift this culture by teaching staff that mistakes are normal, repair is expected, and growth matters more than perfection.

From Beth,

Beth closes the episode with a reminder that strong staff teams are not built on perfection. They are built on honesty, accountability, and growth. Staff need to hear clearly that mistakes will happen and that what matters most is how they respond afterward. Can they be honest, repair relationships, stay teachable, and keep going? When leaders normalize mistakes and focus on growth instead of shame, they create a camp culture where staff feel supported enough to learn, improve, and build trust all summer long.

• Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau

UltraCamp

Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode.

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On this episode of camp code our hosts Gabrielle and Beth talk about what it really means to teach professionalism in a camp setting where fun and silliness are part of the culture but responsibility is always present. They explore how camp is often one of the most meaningful first jobs young people will ever have, and why it still needs clear expectations around safety, communication, reliability and respect. Rather than treating professionalism as something stiff or corporate, they reframe it as trust. Staff are not just showing up to have a good time, they are being trusted by families with children, and that shifts everything about how we train, support, and lead them.

From Gabz,

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The Ontel Battery Daddy is a simple but surprisingly powerful camp hack that helps keep all your batteries organized in one portable case, while also including a built-in tester so you can quickly see which ones still work. Instead of digging through drawers or dealing with dead batteries mid-program, camp teams can store and access everything in one place, which is especially helpful for maintenance, healthcare, and program areas that rely on batteries daily. It also becomes a shared resource across departments and reduces small but constant interruptions. Even better, it can double as a helpful engagement tool, like when a homesick camper got involved in testing batteries while staff were supporting families, showing how a practical tool can also create moments of connection during busy camp days..

• Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau

UltraCamp

Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode.

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Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/coolheaded

On this episode of camp code our hosts Gabrielle and Beth get real about a moment every camp leader has seen. A camper is crying, two kids are arguing, the plan is falling apart, and the counselor just freezes. Instead of treating that as a failure, they unpack what is actually going on. Most staff have never been taught how to think under pressure. So when things get intense, their brains do exactly what brains do. They panic, shut down, or rush in too fast. This episode focuses on how to change that by teaching simple, practical skills like pausing for a few seconds, noticing what is really happening, and choosing one small helpful action instead of trying to fix everything at once.

What makes this conversation land is how grounded it is in real training. Gabrielle and Beth share hands-on activities and simple frameworks like stopping, approaching appropriately, and speaking kindly, all designed to build confidence through practice. The goal is not perfection. It is helping staff feel steady enough to act, ask good questions, and know when to call for help. When counselors practice these skills ahead of time, they are far more likely to stay calm and capable when camp life gets messy, which it always does.

From Beth,

Normalize asking for help by teaching staff that strong leadership is not about handling everything alone, but about knowing when to involve others. Many new counselors see asking for help as failure, but in reality, it is a sign of good judgment. During training, you can bring this to life with a simple “helpline” exercise by creating three zones: handle it yourself, ask a peer for support, or call a supervisor immediately. As staff place themselves along the line in response to different scenarios, they begin to understand how others assess risk and responsibility, and it opens up meaningful discussion. 

The bigger goal is to reinforce a clear thinking process that staff can rely on: pause, notice what is happening, take a small helpful action, ask questions, make a thoughtful decision, and get support when needed. When staff have the chance to practice this in real scenarios, they build confidence and are far less likely to freeze when challenging moments come up.

• Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau
• Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors

UltraCamp

Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/lesstalkingmoredoing

In this episode of Camp Code, Beth Allison, Gabrielle Rail, and Shoshi Rothchild challenge a common trap in staff training: too much talking, not enough doing. They make a compelling case that leadership isn’t learned through lectures; it’s built through practice. From marshmallow tower challenges to role playing homesick campers, the episode is packed with hands-on strategies that turn passive sessions into active learning. These experiential approaches don’t just improve retention; they build confidence, strengthen relationships, and mirror the real-life unpredictability of camp. The core idea is simple but powerful: if staff are expected to lead in dynamic, human-centered environments, their training should reflect that same energy.

The conversation goes further by showing how small shifts—like adding movement, using quick decision-making scenarios, or turning feedback into a game can dramatically increase engagement and impact. Activities like “try-teach-talk,” themed training days, and even creative projects like staff-made videos help embed learning in ways that stick. But the real magic lies in reflection. Each activity is paired with intentional debriefs that help staff connect what they did to how they’ll lead. The result is training that feels less like school and more like camp itself: interactive, meaningful, and rooted in community. If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: memorable training isn’t about covering more content, it’s about creating moments where staff actually experience what great leadership feels like.

From Gabz,

One of the most effective and often overlooked ways to strengthen staff training is through intentional recall, not just repetition. Drawing on insights from Neuroplasticity, this approach emphasizes that learning sticks when people actively retrieve information rather than passively review it. In practice, that means closing the “book” and asking staff to remember, apply, and use what they’ve learned instead of simply hearing it once and moving on.

A simple but powerful way to build this into camp training is through “capsules.” After introducing a concept such as handling camper behavior or problem solving, staff revisit it 48 hours later through new, scenario-based challenges that require them to recall and apply what they learned. These quick touchpoints can be woven into existing moments like meals or by slightly shortening sessions to make space. The result is stronger retention, more confident staff, and skills that actually show up when it matters most during the summer.

• Shoshi Rothschild, Founder and Principal - in.tent Consulting and Facilitation

• Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau
• Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors

UltraCamp

Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/teaching-staff-how-to-notice-things

On this episode of Camp Code, Beth and Gabz dig into one of the most overlooked and most essential skills in camp leadership: teaching staff how to notice. Not just supervising for safety, but observing with purpose. It’s the difference between running an activity and truly understanding the campers within it. From spotting the quiet camper who’s pulling away to recognizing moments of connection, joy, or leadership, noticing is what allows great counselors to step in early, build relationships, and shape meaningful experiences.

The challenge? Noticing isn’t instinctive, it’s learned. Many younger staff haven’t had the chance to develop observational awareness, often due to structured environments, screen-focused attention, and a growing fear of being judged themselves. That inward focus makes it harder to read the room. The solution is intentional practice. Beth and Gabs share simple, practical ways to build this skill into training: using observers in scenarios, breaking down cues like facial expressions, body language, and group dynamics, and asking predictive questions like “What might happen next?” to help staff think ahead instead of just reacting.

By embedding noticing into everyday moments, whether through reflection, shared observations, or guided practice leaders can help staff shift how they see their role and the campers in front of them.

From Beth,

Instead of simply telling staff to “pay attention,” build noticing into a daily habit. A simple question like “What did you notice today?” encourages reflection, sharpens awareness, and helps staff connect their observations to action. Over time, this consistent practice strengthens empathy, improves decision-making, and helps staff feel more confident and prepared in the moment.

• Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau
• Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors

UltraCamp

Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/the-best-and-most-effective-staff-training-schedule

On this episode of Camp Code, Beth and Gabz sit down with consultant and former camp director Shoshi Rothschild to explore how to design a staff training schedule that truly prepares people for the realities of camp. Instead of cramming information into a packed week of lectures, Shoshi encourages leaders to think intentionally about the staff experience; building a sequence that develops confidence, relationships, and practical skills. Great training, she argues, should leave staff energized and empowered, not overwhelmed.

The conversation dives into practical strategies: structuring training around either the individual or the community, balancing session types (interactive, peer-led, recreational, and lecture), and prioritizing experiential learning wherever possible. From creative simulations like a “day-in-the-life” relay to thoughtful scheduling that accounts for energy levels and returning staff experience, the message is clear—learning sticks when staff are actively involved. By designing training that emphasizes shared experiences, reflection, and clear expectations, camp leaders can build teams that feel confident, connected, and ready to create an incredible summer for campers.

From Shoshi,

One of the most effective ways to improve staff training is to ask your staff what they actually need. Shoshi recommends surveying staff twice: once before training begins and once near the end of training week. Sending a short survey after contracts are signed allows leaders to understand what staff are excited about, what they’re nervous about, and what skills they hope to build. That insight can help shape a training schedule that speaks directly to their needs—and shows staff their voices matter.

She also suggests surveying staff a day or two before training ends rather than on the final day. This timing gives leadership teams the chance to adjust or reinforce topics if staff are still feeling unsure about something. Instead of discovering gaps after training is over, leaders can course-correct in real time—helping ensure staff leave training feeling confident, supported, and ready for the summer.

• Shoshi Rothschild, Founder and Principal - in.tent Consulting and Facilitation

• Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau
• Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors

UltraCamp

Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/howtobeaboss

On this episode of Camp Code, Gabs and Kate unpack what it really means to be a good boss. The throughline? Trust. Through transparency about decisions, honest follow-through, and prioritizing their own mental health, leaders model the kind of steadiness they hope to see in their staff. They explore tools like 360-degree feedback, empathetic language (“the story I’m telling myself…”), and giving credit generously—simple practices that build credibility and confidence across a team.

The conversation also challenges leaders to take off their “admin goggles,” remembering that frontline staff don’t see the full picture. By holding high standards, communicating the why, and leading with empathy instead of ego, supervisors don’t just manage people—they develop them.

From Carrie Lawson - Camp C,

At the Women in Camp Summit, Carrie Lawson from Camp C shared that their team has shifted from using the term “inclusion” to “camper support.” The change helps remove stigma that can label certain campers as different and instead recognizes that every child has unique needs. At Camp C, the camper support team acts as project managers for problem-solving and support across camp—serving all campers, not just those with a diagnosis or identified difference.

• Kate Taylor, Consultant - Stephane Richard Development Consulting

• Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau
• Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors

UltraCamp

Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/ourfavouritebeth

When Beth “Topaz” Allison isn’t in the room, you feel it. So this week on Camp Code, we did what made the most sense: we turned the episode into a tribute—surfacing the Beth practices that have quietly (and not so quietly) shaped how so many of us lead.

Emerging is a clear picture of Beth’s core philosophy: start with people, lead with intention, and build everything from the end backward. From empowering staff to develop judgment rather than dependence, to using tools like the Four S’s to filter decisions through safety, stewardship, self-esteem, and service, Beth’s influence shows up in how camps think—not just what they do. Her insistence on front loading learning, naming the “why” before the “what,” and reverse-engineering training from the final feeling or outcome makes learning stick and gives staff confidence in the moment, not just during training.

Just as powerful is how Beth leads behind the scenes. Whether it’s building metaphor-rich training experiences, creating shared language through personality frameworks, or choosing presence over perfection by sitting down at meals and genuinely connecting, her leadership is rooted in relationship. She models clarity without cruelty (“let me be perfectly clear”), care without coddling, and consistency without rigidity. At her core, Beth is a connector—someone who sees people, names what matters, and reminds us that when leadership is intentional, the impact lasts far beyond the season.

From Ruby (and Beth of course),

This Beth practice centers on clarity as an act of care. By intentionally using the phrase “let me be perfectly clear,” Beth signals to staff that what follows is the true takeaway—the headline they need to remember. It’s a teaching tool that reduces confusion, reinforces expectations, and protects both people and camp, especially when stakes are high. Whether clarifying safety boundaries or consequences, Beth models that being direct isn’t about being harsh; it’s about preventing misunderstandings that can cost someone their job or put others at risk. Paired with warmth, restraint, and a well-timed stern face, this approach shows how clear communication—used sparingly and intentionally—builds trust and accountability.

• Kate Taylor, Consultant - Stephane Richard Development Consulting

• Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau
• Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors

UltraCamp

Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode.