Campy Hour

On this episode, Shane Tang (Chief Creative Officer) and Lauren Henry (Art Director) of The James Agency join Michael for a deep dive into what makes a brand memorable.

The James Agency (a Scottsdale-based integrated marketing, advertising, and public relations firm) has helped shape and evolve brands across hospitality and beyond, including a longtime partnership with Hotel Valley Ho. Shane and Lauren unpack why branding is so much bigger than a logo, how story and experience work together, and why the smallest details can have an outsized impact on how people feel about a brand.

The conversation explores brand activations, emotional reactions, consistency versus surprise, the courage to stand out, and the importance of creating experiences people want to remember, share, and even take home with them. There’s also a behind-the-scenes look at the work surrounding Hotel Valley Ho, from major campaigns and website design to key cards, signage, and other guest touchpoints.

This episode also serves as a companion to "The Valley Ho Vibe: Designing Energy, Identity, and Connection at Camp," the 2026 SPARC National Conference deep dive session presented by Katie Peterson and Michael Carmody.

For anyone interested in making a camp brand more intentional, more distinctive, and more memorable, this episode is for you!

Cheers!

Sophie Paris, Director of Auxiliary Programs and Porter’s Center for Global Leadership at Miss Porter’s School, joins Michael and Katie to share the winding path that took her from packing up a car and heading west to photographing world leaders and conflict zones, teaching photography, building global education programs, and eventually finding her way into the world of auxiliary programs.

We dig into the culture of belonging that makes Porter’s special, Sophie’s vision for creating a summer journey from kindergarten through adulthood, the evolution of Camp Ivy, and the launch of Camp 1843, a camp experience designed to bring Porter’s “Ancients” (alumnae) back home.

We also chat about competitive streaks, very specific coffee orders, road-trip Combos, the proper way to eat a bag of Skittles, and what Sophie would tell her younger self when she was loading the car to move out west.

There’s an incredible level of care, commitment, and follow-through in everything Sophie and her team do. They don’t just come up with big ideas; they put in the work to make them real, keep pushing to make them better, and stay relentlessly focused on creating something meaningful for the families they serve. If you are part of an auxiliary programs department, the team at Porter’s is one to pay attention to (and to emulate!). 

Cheers!

On this week's episode of Campy Hour, Michael and Katie are joined by Bob Rojee, Senior Advisor at SPARC and longtime leader in camps, auxiliary programs, and independent schools.

Bob reflects on his first summer in more than three decades without directly running a program and takes us inside his work helping build the summer program at St. Mark’s School. We talk about creating energy in a growing camp, making smart early investments, and why the right people matter more than just about anything else.

We also dig into staff culture, including why Bob believes it starts during the hiring process, what he would prioritize if he had only three hours to train a staff, and why morale isn't something you can fix with donuts in Week Six.

Later, we take a deep dive into the upcoming SPARC National Conference, including what makes the experience feel so different from a traditional conference, why the community around it is so special, and Bob’s advice for getting the most out of your time in Scottsdale: jump in the puddle, get outside your comfort zone, and engage, engage, engage.

In our "Off The Clock" segment, we talk about Bob’s ideal fall Saturday, life as “Grand Bob,” his love of Disney, which Disney characters are best suited for camp and auxiliary roles, and the very important Dunkin’ vs. Starbucks debate.

Bob is a true titan of the auxiliary and camp world, and this conversation is a great reminder of why: decades of experience, a sharp eye for what makes programs work, and an enduring passion for the people at the center of it all. Cheers!

This week on Campy Hour, Michael sits down for a one-on-one interview with Laurie Berkner, the “Queen of Kindie Rock," to talk about the surprisingly campy path behind a career that has helped shape childhood for millions of kids.

Laurie shares how her early experience as a camp counselor and music teacher helped influence the participatory, community-driven approach that would eventually become a hallmark of her music. From there, the conversation digs into writing for kids without driving their parents crazy, creating songs that children can feel ownership over, building a visual world around your brand, navigating creative blocks, and figuring out how to evolve without losing the things that make your work unmistakably yours.

We also talk about the unexpected success of “Chipmunk at the Gas Pump,” the creation of her newest album, Walking with the Penguins, why deadlines can sometimes summon the muse, and the extraordinary feeling of hearing from adults who return to Laurie’s music decades later because it reminds them of a time when they felt happy and safe.

It’s a conversation about music, creativity, world-building, nostalgia, and the little things we create for kids that can stay with them much longer than we ever imagined. Cheers!

This week, Campy Hour is taking a brief pause from our regular conversations for a quick programming update.

In this short episode, Michael reflects on Campy Hour's first season and shares what's ahead for the podcast, including a new release schedule and an expanded lineup of camp-adjacent guests.

Special thanks to everyone who's listened, shared an episode, or been part of this journey so far. We'll see you back here on September 1, 2026, for the premiere of Season 2. Cheers!

On this week's episode of Campy Hour, we're joined by Hugh Squire, Director of Auxiliary Services at Burgundy Farm Country Day School in Alexandria, Virginia.

Hugh shares the journey that took him from children's museums and environmental education to leading one of the country's most innovative school-based summer camp programs. We explore Burgundy's unique approach to camp, including a paid stipend-based CIT program that's become a staff pipeline, the wildly popular Burgundy Derby, and the magic of letterboxing.

In our "Off The Clock" segment, we share stories about our favorite Halloween costumes (and the awkward experience of having serious conversations while wearing costumes at camp). We also do a deep dive into everyone’s peanut butter and jelly preferences, and we learn about Hugh’s love for hot sauce.

Hugh brings equal parts creativity, intentionality, and fun to everything he does. If you're looking for fresh ideas to elevate your camp while staying grounded in what kids love most, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Cheers!

On this week's episode of Campy Hour, we're joined by Whitney Ennis, Director of Summer Programs at The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia.

Before leading one of the premier summer programs in the Washington D.C. area, Whitney was a dedicated dancer with dreams of performing professionally. When an injury redirected her path, it led her into auxiliary leadership, where she's spent the past two decades building programs, creating traditions, and helping independent schools thrive.

During our conversation, we talk about designing unforgettable camp experiences, embracing the next chapter in your career, and building traditions that outlast the people who started them. We also dive into the benefits of yoga, the challenge of naming a new puppy, our Peloton preferences, and the different ways we all spent our time during quarantine.

When you listen to Whitney, one thing becomes clear almost immediately: She loves this work! Her enthusiasm, warmth, and belief in the power of camp are woven throughout every story she shares, making this conversation as uplifting as it is insightful. Cheers!

On this week's episode, we’re joined by T.J. Coogan, Director of Auxiliary and Summer Programs at Derby Academy in Hingham, Massachusetts. Although he's relatively new to the auxiliary world, T.J. brings decades of experience as a middle school teacher, YMCA camp director, tutor, and Boys & Girls Club leader, creating a unique perspective on what it takes to build exceptional programs.

During our conversation, we explore the winding path that led T.J. to Derby Academy, how a five-year strategic plan helped him land the job, and the thoughtful changes he's making to transform Derby Summer Programs while honoring its rich traditions. Beyond camp, we learn what T.J. was like as a high school student, why Sean Astin is his cinematic counterpart, what makes a great karaoke song, and how grabbing the mic can help can help open new doors.

So settle in, and get inspired by T.J.'s thoughtful approach to leadership and innovation. Cheers!

On this week's episode, we're joined by Brittneigh McAvey, Director of Co-Curricular, Summer Programs, and Student Services at Congressional School in Falls Church, Virginia. Brittneigh's path to camp leadership has been anything but conventional. Before leading one of the country's premier independent school summer programs, she taught English in Japan, coached basketball, managed a liquor store, worked for Nike, and helped elevate after-school programs in New York City.

During our conversation, we explore the challenges of taking over an already exceptional camp program, using a camp mascot to strengthen a branded experience, and the differences between "Coach Brittneigh" and "Director Brittneigh." We also dive into the lessons she learned living in Japan during COVID, and her passion for photography.

Brittneigh brings an awesome mix of competitive fire, thoughtful leadership, and genuine care for the people around her. If you're looking for fresh ideas on leading teams, building culture, and creating experiences people can't stop talking about, you’ll love this conversation. Cheers!

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Drew Upchurch, Director of Auxiliary Programs at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. Drew shares his journey from middle school teacher and basketball coach to leading an expansive auxiliary program profile that includes day camp, specialty camps, and an internationally recognized elite swim program. Along the way, Drew shares the lessons he's picked up through earning an MBA and doctorate while running world-class auxiliary programs.

We dive into the business of auxiliary programs, building a camp that has become a rite of passage for generations of families, creating experiences that still thrive in a screen-filled world, and the unique challenge of managing programs that serve thousands of campers each summer. We also hear about Drew's jaw-dropping jury duty experience, and we swap a few ghost stories.

Drew is a lifelong learner in every sense of the phrase, and this conversation is a great reminder that the best leaders never stop growing. So get inspired by Drew’s work ethic, enjoy the episode, and cheers!