Campfire Conversation

Yes, yes, camp is incredible for our campers, just as Dr. Laurie Browne explained in last week's Campfire Conversation. But did you know that camp is just as important and useful for parents? It's true! Susie Lupert, the head of the ACA New York New Jersey office works with 500+ camp directors and thousands of parents each year. Even more, she's a new 'camp parent' herself! Susie gives us great insight into how camp helps parents become….

As a camp director, I've always believed the summer camp experience to be impactful for our campers and staff members. A wide-ranging conversation with the insightful Dr. Laurie Browne, the American Camp Association's Head of Research, drives home just how transformative summer camp can be for young people. The distinct and transferable skills gained at camp are unique, powerful, and lasting. Even more, they are outcomes that we can keep going back home!

If there was a human jack-knife of summer camp professionals, Kim Aycock would be it! We spend a few moments around the Campfire talking about Gen Z and how summer camp helps prepare them for the world. Employers are scrambling for people with top soft skills – creative thinking, problem solving, leadership, empathy, and more. Summer camp may be the best place in the world for Gen Z to develop these soft skills. And, by being a part of the best 'soft skills internship' going, they'll become a part of something larger than themselves while making a positive impact of the life of another.

We all want our children prepared for the challenges life will present. Summer camp provides a unique environment in which kids create narratives that can lead to an anti-fragile approach to living.

Around the campfire, Bob and I talk about something we see a lot in our society: the rise of anxiety in our children, young people, and adults.

Did you know that 25% of 13 to 18-year-olds have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in the US? And, it's not just affecting middle schoolers. One out of every eight college student have reported elevated levels of anxiety.

Raising great kids takes intention, patient, and courage. Roz and Jed Buck, the former owners and directors of one of the country's great day camps, speak with me about what they learned about raising great kids while running day camp, lawnmower parents, letting our kids fail, and so much more. I hope you enjoy tonight's Campfire Conversation.

Today, we are speaking with Jeff Leiken, an internationally recognized expert in the field of helping teens. He is one of the top thought-leaders in the summer camp world. We talk about all the good things that summer camp can draw out of kids (and staff) and how we can help create similar outcomes in our lives back home.

The stories, lessons, and magic of summer camp change campers (and staff) for the better every year. Speaking with people who spend their lives planning for and running summer camps around the country, the Campfire Conversation podcast will give parents, teachers, coaches and mentors a unique perspective on raising, teaching and leading children. Pull up a log, get your marshmallows ready, and let's chat!