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By First Class Counsellors - from Go Camp Pro
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The podcast currently has 75 episodes available.
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/staff-training-expect
Congratulations! You’re having a wild, wonderful bundle of CAMP!Staff training season is upon us (that is, if you’re listening to this episode in May) and while camp staff around the world are finishing up the school year, camp directors are putting the final touches on staff training.
If you’ve never been, or are newer to staff training before it’s this entirely different world, within an entirely different world. It’s school, but way better, and way more tiring.
But this is an extremely important time for you to prepare for the wonderful work ahead so this episode is dedicated to not just what to expect at staff training, but Oliver and my pro-tips on how to thrive in staff training.
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E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever LearningLevel up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!
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Thanks to our sponsor!Ultimate Camp Resource
Visit UltimateCampResource.com for 1,000+ free camp games, songs, skits, activities, and more! Follow us on social at fb: ulticamp | IG: ultimatecampresource | TT: ultimatecampresource | YT: ultimatecampresource.
Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!
Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/stories
Today is not a topic but a feel. A vibe if you will.
We’ve been in camping for some time now and that means we have collected a few stories to share. Not a campfire story but just personal stories of our time as camp people. You might have run into an old camp friend and feel like a moment has never passed. Sometimes you can run into another person who has done camp and can swap stories.
This is one of the things camp does, brings us together.
Enjoy our short and special stories:
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E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever LearningLevel up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!
Ultimate Camp Resource
Visit UltimateCampResource.com for 1,000+ free camp games, songs, skits, activities, and more! Follow us on social at fb: ulticamp | IG: ultimatecampresource | TT: ultimatecampresource | YT: ultimatecampresource.
Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!
Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/gen-a
Generation-A are our campers - how can we effectively work with them at camp?Generation-A, or Gen-A are kids that are born between 2010 and 2024. Born the same year as the release of the iPad, most socially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the generation that is currently almost 100% of the summer camp population.
It seems like the post-pandemic camper population is a bit of a beast these days. Camps hiring social workers and doubling down on social skills to respond, but are these solutions seem to be missing what’s important about the day to day interactions with campers - you know - the things that camp counsellors do every day with kids.
Counselors have always had an extremely unique relationship with campers. Not seen as an adult (but an adult figure), not quite a teacher (but definitely leads) - this dynamic sets up an important developmental coaching opportunity that counselors can leverage.
The first step? Let’s meet Gen A where they’re at and think about what we can do to make camp the best experience we can for them!
So join us this episode as we unpack:
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Links from this episode:-
E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever LearningLevel up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!
Ultimate Camp Resource
Visit UltimateCampResource.com for 1,000+ free camp games, songs, skits, activities, and more! Follow us on social at fb: ulticamp | IG: ultimatecampresource | TT: ultimatecampresource | YT: ultimatecampresource.
Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!
Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/water-safety
Water safety (and fun!) starts with Camp CounselorsMany camps sport a waterfront, a pool or even host a wet and wild Wednesday! Today we want to talk about programming at these water-based activities to make sure campers are safe and having a blast.
You may be thinking “wait a minute, I’m not a lifeguard, so why should I listen? While you may not have the official qualifications to be a lifeguard, camp counsellors are the best front-line support for the lifeguard team and are essential for keeping the fun going. Anything involving water has that extra level of danger, so remember that everyone has a part to play in safety.
So join us this episode as we unpack:
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E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever LearningLevel up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!
Ultimate Camp Resource
Visit UltimateCampResource.com for 1,000+ free camp games, songs, skits, activities, and more! Follow us on social at fb: ulticamp | IG: ultimatecampresource | TT: ultimatecampresource | YT: ultimatecampresource.
Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf
This is free professional development for your counsellors! We would love your feedback. Please leave your comments below, or, send Matt an email! Thank you!
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!
Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/terrible-staff
You may not like them, you may not counsel like them, but that doesn’t mean they suck.It can happen to even the most First Class Counselor. For reasons that may seem perfectly valid and logical, a staff member gets it in their head that one of their co-workers is a terrible staff member. What ensues is drama, hurt feelings and escalations that can take away from the camp experience for others.
In this episode, we’re not talking about the staff members who break policy or in a legal sense deserve to be fired.
Frankly, you aren’t going to like everyone - let’s get real. But you have to a) respect them as a fellow staff member and b) remember that it’s not about that “like” - it’s about the camper experience.
So join us this episode as we unpack:
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E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever LearningLevel up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!
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Thanks to our sponsor!Ultimate Camp Resource
Visit UltimateCampResource.com for 1,000+ free camp games, songs, skits, activities, and more! Follow us on social at fb: ulticamp | IG: ultimatecampresource | TT: ultimatecampresource | YT: ultimatecampresource.
Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!
Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/camp-is-a-cult
Summer camp is culty - but in a good way, we swear!If you are new to summer camp and reading this, you may not get the whole “cult” angle.
It’s a common joke amongst experienced camp staff and directors that camp is essentially a cult. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is how intentional we are with the ceremonies and traditions we have at camp.
This ranges from as basic as gathering as a camp in the morning to share an inspirational thought, to literal chanting and burning of the camp logo on a lake. Yes, seriously.
Every camp is different, but what makes them the same is that each of them are creating their own immersive “world” for people to live in. These “worlds” have rules, norms, traditions and ceremonies that are integral to helping people feel welcome and wanting to stay a part of it.
Tune into this episode to hear Oliver and Matt break down:
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E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever LearningLevel up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!
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Thanks to our sponsor!Ultimate Camp Resource
Visit UltimateCampResource.com for 1,000+ free camp games, songs, skits, activities, and more! Follow us on social at fb: ulticamp | IG: ultimatecampresource | TT: ultimatecampresource | YT: ultimatecampresource.
Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!
Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/meet-your-camp-director-1
Part 1 - What we got wrong…Just who is that person walking around with a clipboard all day?
To most Camp Counselors, the Camp Director is a strange and mythical creature. They’re like a teacher…but completely different. They’re like a boss…but definitely not in the traditional sense.
So who are they?
In this first of a series of episodes, we break down some of the assumptions we had about our Camp Directors growing up, and now, 15(ish) years later, what was (and mostly wasn’t) correct about those assumptions.
Here are some of the assumptions we cover:
Have you ever had any of those thoughts about your Camp Director? Then this episode is for you!
E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever LearningLevel up your Camp Counselor skills with these resources!
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Thanks to our sponsor!Ultimate Camp Resource
Visit UltimateCampResource.com for 1,000+ free camp games, songs, skits, activities, and more! Follow us on social at fb: ulticamp | IG: ultimatecampresource | TT: ultimatecampresource | YT: ultimatecampresource.
Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!
Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/how-to-talk-to-adults
In the world of a camp counselor, there is no other part of the job that is simultaneously as short and as important as the interactions you have with the adults that find their way on site.
Whether it’s parents, caregivers, alumni or your camp management, being able to navigate these interactions is essential. A counselor that can make and hold a great conversation with these folks will not only give a great impression of themselves but of the camp they represent.
This definitely takes practice, but we’re here to give you the insider tips and give you a head start on this all-important skill.
In this episode, we cover:
This is required listening for every camp counselor.
E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning-
Thanks to our sponsor!Ultimate Camp Resource
Visit UltimateCampResource.com for 1,000+ free camp games, songs, skits, activities, and more! Follow us on social at fb: ulticamp | IG: ultimatecampresource | TT: ultimatecampresource | YT: ultimatecampresource.
Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!
Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/campers-first
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Camp counselors are special. Not just because of all the incredible skills you learn and teach, but because it’s one of the only jobs that requires you to prioritize the health and experience of kids in your care - all day. This isn’t easy. It takes a special type of person to do the job.
People call it different things. Putting Campers First, The “Why” of Summer Camp, FTK or “For the Kids” - but whatever you call it, it’s the core of not only what we do, but why we do it.
In this episode, we cover:
This is required listening for every camp counselor.
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Thanks to our sponsor!Ultimate Camp Resource
Visit UltimateCampResource.com for 1,000+ free camp games, songs, skits, activities, and more! Follow us on social at fb: ulticamp | IG: ultimatecampresource | TT: ultimatecampresource | YT: ultimatecampresource.
Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!
Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/campers-and-staff-these-days
Welcome back! How was your summer?We’re so grateful to have you folks join us for another season of First Class Counselors. In this episode, Oliver and Matt share a bit about their summers, and what they’re thinking about going into the 2024 season.
Topics:
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E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning-
Thanks to our sponsor!Ultimate Camp Resource
Visit UltimateCampResource.com for 1,000+ free camp games, songs, skits, activities, and more! Follow us on social at fb: ulticamp | IG: ultimatecampresource | TT: ultimatecampresource | YT: ultimatecampresource.
Download a free games e-book here: https://itsacampthing.com/collections/e-books/products/40-camp-games-pdf
The podcast currently has 75 episodes available.
2,576 Listeners