First Class Counselors

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:

• How to Choose Your Audience - Why we have to adjust the way we speak.
• How to talk to Parents
  • The F.O.R.D method. family, occupation, recreation, dreams
• How to Talk to Your Camp Director / Other Adult Supervisor

This is required listening for every camp counselor.

• Oliver: Monarch - from Ultimate Camp Resource 
• Matt: Online Outdoor Gear Retail Stores
  • https://www.thelasthunt.com/ (Canadian)
  • https://www.outdooroutlet.com/ (American)
  • https://www.northwestoutlet.com/brands/carhartt/ (American)

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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:

• The mindset that directors have when they give the “Campers First” expectation
• What you need to have prepared before you commit to the Camper First mindset
• Is it inherently a personal sacrifice to put campers first?
• What does putting campers first actually look like in practice?

This is required listening for every camp counselor.

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• Oliver: Tower topper - Stand in a circle a little more than arms width from each other. Each person gets a cone; there should be one extra cone in the circle. One person stands in the middle of the circle. Campers chop their feet. When they feel ready they need to run to another cone. It can be any open cone. If they get to that cone they get a point. If the cone is knocked over by the person in the middle gets 5pts or you can just switch the people. 
• Matt: Double Dice! From Ultimate Camp Resource

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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

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:

• How would you describe your summer in 3 words?
• Share a favourite story from the summer
• What are some of the trends and interesting things we noticed about campers and staff this summer?
• What are some of the episodes we’re thinking about for season 6 of First Class Counselors?

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• Oliver: Blind Taste Test Trend at Camp
• Matt: Get a headlamp + digital watch - tools of the trade!

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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/interview-skills-to-land-the-camp-job-of-your-dreams

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It's the most wanted summer job in the world. Honestly, with the recent pay increases, workplace experience and the amazingness of camp it truly is a job people from around the world seek. So how do you stand out in your interview? Today we are going to cover the application process and some of the important parts of the interview. 

We recorded this in January so you’re getting Matt and Oliver who have been sitting through interviews for the last month. So take it from these camp directors who have seen over a hundred applications - these are truly insider tricks.

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• https://www.campratingz.com/ 
• Campstaff.com - https://www.campamerica.com/ 
• IENA - https://www.iena.org/ 
• CCUSA - https://www.ccusa.com/ 
• Camp America - https://www.campamerica.com/ 
• Camp Canada - https://www.campcanada.ca/
• Campgig - https://campgig.com/

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• Oliver: Downy wrinkle release - https://downy.com/en-us/fabric-softener/wrinkle-spray/wrinkle-releaser 
• Matt: AnyList App

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Camp Directors, this Podcast isn’t for you. It’s time to delegate! First Class Counsellors is for your counselling staff, the ones who are on the ground, playing with kids and changing lives.

Each week, we’ll cover practical and accessible tips that will level up your camp counsellor skills. These are things every counsellor should know, but that you may not have time to teach in staff training.

Our two hosts, Oliver Gregan and Matt Wilfrd from Go Camp Pro are excited to be able to provide this resource to camp counsellors and up and coming staff, who they believe, have the most important job at camp.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/eat-like-royalty
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In the hierarchy of things we love, food reigns supreme.

But, let’s be honest, camp food can be…well camp food. Sometimes, it’s a step above high school lunch but also not as great as your typical college food hall. It serves the purpose of caloric intake and satisfying the picky eating of a 10-year-old who only likes chicken nuggets in the shapes of dinosaurs. But it becomes repetitive or lacks the flavour and complexity of your young adult's heightened taste.

So as someone that’s going to be at camp all summer, how will not just survive on camp food, but thrive on it!

This episode, we cover:

• What to expect at a camp dining hall
• Top #foodhacks in the dining hall
• Camp snacks and all things secret
• Eating out on time off

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• Yum Yum Sauce
• Magical Meals - First Class Counselors Episode

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• Oliver: Groupchat + Paired App - or conversationstartersworld.com 
• Matt: Goodbudget App

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Camp Directors, this Podcast isn’t for you. It’s time to delegate! First Class Counsellors is for your counselling staff, the ones who are on the ground, playing with kids and changing lives.

Each week, we’ll cover practical and accessible tips that will level up your camp counsellor skills. These are things every counsellor should know, but that you may not have time to teach in staff training.

Our two hosts, Oliver Gregan and Matt Wilfrd from Go Camp Pro are excited to be able to provide this resource to camp counsellors and up and coming staff, who they believe, have the most important job at camp.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/first-impressions-campers
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It’s arguably the most stressful time in a camp counsellor’s life. It’s the first day of camp, the caregivers have just left and it’s now just you and the campers. As 10 sets of eyes stare in anticipation, it dawns on you that what you do and say next really matters. 

How you spend that first little bit with your campers will set the tone for the session. If you don’t treat it intentionally, it’s going to be something that you, and likely the rest of camp is going to have to work on for the rest of the session.

This episode, we’ll cover:

• Why be intentional
• What to do in the first 5 minutes of being alone
• Things after that
• What doesn’t work

Pretty intense, right? So intense that Oliver and I couldn’t take on this one alone. We’re joined by Robynne Howard from the Cairn Family of Camps - a camp who does this first impression thing REALLY well.

So tune in to this “longy, but a goodie”!

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• Robynne: Carry a garbage bag around with you. When kids inevitably hand you garbage or need a bandaid, you have space to put your garbage. Plus then you can help pick up garbage that you find around camp
• Oliver: Balloon buddy
• Matt: Look at your camera during zoom interviews - makes it look like you’re making eye contact with the interviewer

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• Matt Wilfrid, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro
• Oliver Gregan, Executive Director at YMCA Camp Winona
• Robynne Howard, Camp Director at The Cairn Family of Camps

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Camp Directors, this Podcast isn’t for you. It’s time to delegate! First Class Counsellors is for your counselling staff, the ones who are on the ground, playing with kids and changing lives.

Each week, we’ll cover practical and accessible tips that will level up your camp counsellor skills. These are things every counsellor should know, but that you may not have time to teach in staff training.

Our two hosts, Oliver Gregan and Matt Wilfrd from Go Camp Pro are excited to be able to provide this resource to camp counsellors and up and coming staff, who they believe, have the most important job at camp.

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/60-second-games

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Do you need a minute? 

How about a short quick way to play a game that makes a “meh” moment a “Yay!” Moment. It’s episode 60, so we’re talking 60 seconds or less to play a game or add an element to make your moments the moments!

To explain each game Matt and I have 60 seconds on the clock to explain and provide an example. So strap in, because this one will move quickly!

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• Oliver: Bug Bite Prevention Ideas
• Matt: Tubular Webbing and Raccoon Circles Resource from Jim Cain

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• Matt Wilfrid, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro
• Oliver Gregan, Executive Director at YMCA Camp Winona

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Camp Directors, this Podcast isn’t for you. It’s time to delegate! First Class Counsellors is for your counselling staff, the ones who are on the ground, playing with kids and changing lives.

Each week, we’ll cover practical and accessible tips that will level up your camp counsellor skills. These are things every counsellor should know, but that you may not have time to teach in staff training.

Our two hosts, Oliver Gregan and Matt Wilfrd from Go Camp Pro are excited to be able to provide this resource to camp counsellors and up and coming staff, who they believe, have the most important job at camp.

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/you-and-your-phone-at-summer-camp-
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The modern world has always tried to make its way into camp. That’s because camp is meant to be a refuge from the world’s pressures.  

In the 90s and early 2000s, many camps even introduced coding. But the invention of the smartphone changed the story, not just for camp but the world. The connection the phone provides means fostering connection off of it has become harder. 

A person can only be in so many places at once. So how do we as staff do it? In a world that may only allow us to look away from our phones for an hour, how do we do it for 6 to 10 weeks? That is what we will dive into today.

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• Oliver:  Career fairs, go for the free stuff
• Matt: Bracket Software - https://challonge.com/tournament/bracket_generator

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• Matt Wilfrid, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro
• Oliver Gregan, Executive Director at YMCA Camp Winona

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Camp Directors, this Podcast isn’t for you. It’s time to delegate! First Class Counsellors is for your counselling staff, the ones who are on the ground, playing with kids and changing lives.

Each week, we’ll cover practical and accessible tips that will level up your camp counsellor skills. These are things every counsellor should know, but that you may not have time to teach in staff training.

Our two hosts, Oliver Gregan and Matt Wilfrd from Go Camp Pro are excited to be able to provide this resource to camp counsellors and up and coming staff, who they believe, have the most important job at camp.

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/how-to-kindly-raise-gritty-campers

Perhaps you have heard of Angela Ducksworth’s book  “Grit: the power of passion and perseverance” Or if you have been in the camp conference circuit awhile and the opportunity to listen to Dr. Deborah Gilboa speak about resilience. 

Or maybe you’ve heard of Jimmy Donaldson, or Mr. Beast speak about the subject of grit, it seems to be found in all successful people. 

This idea of overcoming obstacles and pushing through tough situations is part of camp. While camp may be fun and full of games it is also a learning opportunity for your campers. This episode, we want to identify areas where grit building can be found on camp and what you as a counselor can do to help in its development.

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Links from this episode:

• HALT - Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired

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• Oliver: Swaps - Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere. Little craft giveaways. They are made typically on bobby pins and you make them in large quantities as memorabilia. Girls scouts to thank for this one.
• Matt: Space Team - App & Board Game

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• Matt Wilfrid, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro
• Oliver Gregan, Executive Director at YMCA Camp Winona

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Camp Directors, this Podcast isn’t for you. It’s time to delegate! First Class Counsellors is for your counselling staff, the ones who are on the ground, playing with kids and changing lives.

Each week, we’ll cover practical and accessible tips that will level up your camp counsellor skills. These are things every counsellor should know, but that you may not have time to teach in staff training.

Our two hosts, Oliver Gregan and Matt Wilfrd from Go Camp Pro are excited to be able to provide this resource to camp counsellors and up and coming staff, who they believe, have the most important job at camp.

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/our-biggest-baddest-blunders

We all make mistakes, but the best part about making them at camp is that you are in one of the most supportive work environments ever. Making mistakes is how you know that you’ve pushed your comfort zone, so if you’re lucky enough to make a bunch, you’re going to learn a bunch, too!

Matt and Oliver share some stories of bad decisions, lapses of judgement, or just plain absent-mindedness they made back in the day as summer staff. Then, they’ll share some perspectives on why they made the mistake and how that mistake made them better camp professionals.

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Links from this episode:

• First Class Counsellor Episode - Camp Relationships

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• Oliver - Go to goodwill after Halloween and Christmas, There is always the best stuff.
• Matt - Glow in the dark bowling

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• Matt Wilfrid, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro
• Oliver Gregan, Executive Director at YMCA Camp Winona

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Camp Directors, this Podcast isn’t for you. It’s time to delegate! First Class Counsellors is for your counselling staff, the ones who are on the ground, playing with kids and changing lives.

Each week, we’ll cover practical and accessible tips that will level up your camp counsellor skills. These are things every counsellor should know, but that you may not have time to teach in staff training.

Our two hosts, Oliver Gregan and Matt Wilfrd from Go Camp Pro are excited to be able to provide this resource to camp counsellors and up and coming staff, who they believe, have the most important job at camp.

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!