First Class Counselors

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find more at https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/camp-counselor-financials

This one has been a bee in our bonnet for a long time. Camp counselors make so little money, but often spend so much of it on things they use at camp and we’re here to stand on our soapbox and say NO MORE!

Granted, there are some times to invest in gear, games or self-care, but at the end of the day you should never have to spend big bucks to be a First Class Counselor!

Tune in to this episode to learn about: 

• How does pay work in the summer camp world and why is it generally so low?
• What are some of the benefits of working at camp beyond the pay?
• What should you NOT spend your hard-earned pay on? When may it be okay?
• Hear about Matt and Oliver’s most shameful camp purchases so you don’t have to make their mistake!

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If you have any feedback, or a suggestion for a future FCC show, send Matt an email at [email protected]

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• Ubuntu Cards
• Matt as Captain Planet: (check the show notes!)

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Games, songs, and other super-practical tips that you can use at camp next summer.

Oliver: 

Put it on a graph, chart, infographic

• Is cereal a soup
• Is water wet
• Most popular questions google is asked
• Most common thoughts of dogs 

Matt: 

DIY Disc Golf Course

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• Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell
• Matt Honsberger, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro

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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, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell and Matt Honsberger 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://gocamp.pro/blog/women-of-gcp-podcast

In today’s special crossover episode, Beth Allison from Camp Code hosts a conversation with several of the women who podcast with Go Camp Pro. Today’s episode features Rachel Kent and Cassie Bloy from Beyond Camp, Sam Thompson from the Day Camp Pod, Kelly Schuna from The Camp Owner’s Podcast, and Ruby Compton from Camp Code and Gabrielle Raill from CampHacker and Camp Code. 

Listen in as these women discuss their mentors who inspired them in the industry, challenges women face working at camp and advice for new camp pros. Interestingly, all of these women have also attended the Women in Camp Summit in previous years. During the episode, they discuss some of their biggest takeaways from the event as well as what they are most looking forward to for this year’s Live Virtual Summit taking place December 2-3. Find out more about the Women in Camp Summit Live Virtual event at https://www.womenincampsummit.com.

Gabrielle announced this year’s Summit will also feature the first of the “Becoming Allies” series with an event titled “Becoming Allies: Supporting Women in Camp” on December 4. Folks who want to participate in the Allies event can register through this link: https://acai.wildapricot.org/event-4051965

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The planning team for the Summit has set a $7,500 fundraising goal to offer scholarships to attendees and off-set the costs of hosting this unique professional development event. Every dollar counts. Donate today and donate again on the Day of Giving for the Women in Camp Summit on November 24. Donate here: https://acai.wildapricot.org/allies/

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Find more Podcast goodness at gocamp.pro/podcast. Also, if you want to support the work that we do, please consider subscribing to the shows, and leaving us a rating in your favourite Podcast app.

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• Beth Allison, Camp Consultant and Co-Owner - Go Camp Pro
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau
• Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors
• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
• Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
• Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting 
• Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/sensational-stories

Telling a great story is much more than sitting down on a stump, shining a flashlight under your chin and telling a story that you’ve memorized.

If you want your stories to draw campers in, transport them to another world and hang on your every word, it takes a lot!. As with any hard-skill like this, it’s going to take both knowledge and practice to get it right. So First Class Counselors is here to give you a great start on the knowledge piece. 

Joining Oliver and Matt is Joe Richards, Executive Director at Pearce Williams and co-host of the CampHacker Podcast. Joe’s experience in storytelling is deep and wide, beginning from his time as a counselor and carrying through a University thesis on the subject and now in his work teaching other staff at Pearce Williams.

Tune in to this episode to learn about: 

• Are scary stories okay at camp?
• Why are stories so connected to the camp experience?
• Where do you start if you think you have no storytelling skills?
• What tricks do you use to capture attention?
• What resources do you use when trying to find or even make a great story?
• Hear a great example of a story from Joe!

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If you have any feedback, or a suggestion for a future FCC show, send Matt an email at [email protected]

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• Joe’s Canadian Camping Magazine Archive Project
• The Cremation of Sam Mcgee
• The 5-Rules of Storytelling:-

Games, songs, and other super-practical tips that you can use at camp next summer.

Matt: Never-Can-Tell: Snaps

Oliver: Rory’s Story Cubes

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• Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell
• Matt Honsberger, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro

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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, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell and Matt Honsberger 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/6-essential-skills

Let's cut to the chase. These 6 skills are absolutely essential for a camp counselor to have.

In this episode, Oliver and Matt break down the skills and how you can work on them.

Here are the skills:

1. Saying Yes
2. Asking Questions and Listening Properly
3. Be Prepared, but Be Flexible
4. Sight on Safety
5. Support on the Sideline
6. Practice Positivity

Tune in to this episode to learn about these skills and how to develop them before next summer.

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If you have any feedback, or a suggestion for a future FCC show, send Matt an email at [email protected]

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• SMEAT - The ultimate safety acronym
  • S - Sharp & Dangerous Objects
  • M - Mass, anything heavy or that will be affected by weight
  • E - Energy - what is the energy level required to participate safely
  • A - Area - is the activity area well defined and clear of hazards, distractions or other dangers
  • T - Temperature - Is the material hot or are the weather conditions acceptable to participate
• Beyond Camp: Toxic Positivity

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Games, songs, and other super-practical tips that you can use at camp next summer.

Matt: Dragons and Knights (also known as Grilled Cheese)

Oliver: 3 Blind Card Game (heads up, there’s a curse word in the actual title)

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• Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell
• Matt Honsberger, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro

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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, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell and Matt Honsberger 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/wonder-and-magic

Do you ever wonder why some counselors are next level, you could almost say first class? 

• How do they create wondrous moments and stories that campers remember for years to come?
• How do they make star gazing incredible? 
• Cabin cleaning an event to look forward to? Or themed days completely immersive? 

In the industry, we call it camp magic. 

In this episode, Oliver and Matt define and share ways to be magical. 

We like to say we are in the memory-making business. What can you do to make sure campers remember their inexperience at camp?

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

• What does “camp magic” even mean?
• What does camp magic look like? Why do some people say it’s invisible?
• 14+ tips on how to create wonder and magic for your campers this summer
• How to make these magical moments actually happen?
• Much, much more!

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If you have any feedback, or a suggestion for a future FCC show, send Matt an email at [email protected]

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• The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
  • Summary here
• Story Archetypes

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Games, songs, and other super-practical tips that you can use at camp next summer.

Matt: Camp Song - Ticky Tack (give this episode a listen to hear it!)

Oliver: Improv Game - Questions Only

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• Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell
• Matt Honsberger, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro

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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, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell and Matt Honsberger 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 links and show notes at https://gocamp.pro/fcc

It’s so great to be back.

Now we’re excited to be back to the podcast…but you may not be so excited about being back to school. We get it and we hear you.

So in our mission to keep talking about the things that matter most to camp counselors, we’re here to talk about how the skills that camp teaches can help during tough transitions like back to school.

To help us unpack this we welcome Thomas Dewar, a staff member at The Cairn Family of Camps in Ontario. Thomas is a music student at Western University in London, Ontario.  He was a virtual camp staff during the summer of 2020, and is now in full back to school mode.

We’re so grateful to get Thomas’ perspective on how camp has given him the skills to manage back a normal, and this not so normal, transition.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

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If you have any feedback, or a suggestion for a future FCC show, send Matt an email at [email protected]

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Games, songs, and other super-practical tips that you can use at camp next summer.

Thomas: The Dinosaur Song (video coming soon!)

Matt: Game: Change 3 Things Game

Oliver: Write a letter to foster some of your social circles.

Funny letter prompts:

• “A podcast I listen to told me to do this…”
• “Wanted to let you know I want to hang out more often”
• “I found this restaurant that is a nice place to meet up” 
• “I always wanted to skydive but I need you buddy”
• “If school sucks send me a letter back and I will rescue you when you least need it”
• “Here is a list of transcribed pick up lines so you can make new friends. I know you are lost without me”
• “I am not desperate. But i did write this by hand, find an envelope, relearn how to address a letter, purchase a stamp and drop this in a mailbox to talk to you when I could have sent a text.”

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• Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell
• Matt Honsberger, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro

• Thomas Dewar, Music Student - Trombone Performance - Camp Staff at The Cairn Family of Camps

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What is First Class Counsellors?

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, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell and Matt Honsberger 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!

Welcome to the season finale of season 2 of First Class Counsellors! 

At the end of every summer, it’s important that you, as a counselor take some time to reflect on the many lessons that you learned from the summer. 

It’s equally important to think about those lessons in the context of whatever is next.

That was the plan for this episode. We wanted to reflect on our entire season of episodes and think about what stood out as some important lessons or trends as we talked.

Then we planned on using those lessons and trends to help you set goals for the summer of 2020 at camp.

Then - COVID happened. Both Oliver and Matt’s camp communities have been directed to close overnight programs for the summer.

So, as any First Class Counselor would, they adapted and thought about goals that would apply in 2020 whether or not camp was running in 2020 and then how to think ahead to 2021.

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

• Matt and Oliver’s favourite episodes from Season 2 of First Class Counselors
• Some of the most practical skills for counselors in camp and as they think about what’s next
• Some of the biggest trends they spotted in the process of producing this season
• Thoughts on how COVID is going to impact this summer for camp staff
• Goal setting for 2020 and 2021
• News on Season 3 of First Class Counsellors and how to stay in touch over the summer.

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If you have any feedback, or a suggestion for a future FCC show, send Matt an email at [email protected]

Goals for 2020 and 2021

2020 - If camp is open

Matt: If camp is open, be the best team-player. Camp is going to look different this summer, but it’s your job to have the most fun, ever in the process.

Oliver: You are front-line safety supervisors. You have an incredible amount of responsibility to keep kids safe while still bringing the camp spirit. Treat that responsibility seriously. We thank you for this role you are taking on.

2020 - If camp is closed

Matt and Oliver: Treat this summer as a sabbatical. Work hard to grow your skills and learn more so you can come back without missing a step in 2021.

2021

Matt and Oliver: Come back. Do everything you can to not lose that camp spirit and come back in 2021. Camp, and the kids, will need you.

Visit https://www.camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors

• Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell
• Matt Honsberger, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Welcome to episode 20 of First Class Counsellors! 

Feedback. As a counselor you get a lot of feedback. Most of it is typically tough to hear or difficult to adapt to. 

You are ultimately responsible for your behaviour and there are some things you may need to change. 

How you receive that feedback and interpret it is important. 

We are mostly going to talk about the tough conversations today but we want everyone to know that feedback is all positive because it is all aimed to get better. If you keep that growth mindset these conversations will not only be productive but a lot easier.

On this episode of First Class Counselors, we give you the tools to both receive and give feedback in the most productive was possible.

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

• What’s it like for the person giving feedback?
• Tips for listening to feedback so you get the most out of it
• How to make the change that the feedback is asking you to make
• What changes when it comes to evaluations?
• How to give feedback to a co-counselor?
• What about positive feedback? How do we give and receive it?

We hope you enjoy this episode, and most importantly, find it useful!

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If you have any feedback, or a suggestion for a future FCC show, send Matt an email at [email protected]

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Oliver: Draw a picture of your favorite camp song, send it to your director
Matt: The Crisis Text Line offers text-based support in Canada, Ireland, the UK, and the US. Services can also be accessed via Facebook Messenger. This service was just expanded to Canada and Ireland so your stakeholders may not be aware of it.

Check out the access numbers here https://www.crisistextline.org/.

Please note that it appears that parts of the website indicate that service hasn't launched in Ireland yet. But there is a contact number for Ireland on the landing page, so it looks like service is available but not fully ramped up yet.

Crisis Text Line is also looking for volunteers in all the countries they service and this could be a great opportunity for your staff and volunteers to support their communities at this time.

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• Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell
• Matt Honsberger, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro

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What is First Class Counsellors?

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, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell and Matt Honsberger 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.

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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!

Welcome to episode 19 of First Class Counsellors! 

One of the best parts about camp is that we get to live and work with people that can become our nearest and dearest friends. 

However, to get to that point, you have to understand that it takes work, and it’s not always easy.

The camp job can be hard. Working and living with the same people is sometimes HARDER. This isn’t a group project. You may have 2 whole months with these people and even when it gets hard, it’s still your job to be good to each other. 

A good co-counseling relationship will inevitably mean that the campers have a good week, and of course, that’s what we want.

On this episode of First Class Counselors, we give you the tools to not only be an incredible co-worker at camp, but a great co-worker for the rest of your lives.

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

• How to support the mental, emotional and physical health of your Co 
• How to support your Co in their big moments to step up and take leadership
• Tips for keeping each other accountable for doing the best possible job you can
• What do you do if you don’t like your Co? What if you HATE them?
• How to support the rest of your co-workers in the everyday places at camp

We hope you enjoy this episode, and most importantly, find it useful!

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If you have any feedback, or a suggestion for a future FCC show, send Matt an email at [email protected]

Oliver: 100 Humans on Netflix
Matt: Discover your Love Language! Take this simple quiz!

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Welcome to episode 18 of First Class Counselors! 

When you hear the word “supervise” it may conjure up a picture of a parent sitting on a park bench watching their kid play on a jungle gym.

Let’s get this straight. That is NOT what we’re talking about here.

When a “First Class” camp counselor is “supervising” campers, it’s almost like they are using a superpower. They can spot problems before they even happen. They are connecting with kids. They are supporting their colleagues. Is this amazing skill something counsellors just KNOW?

No! But it’s one of those things that usually has to come with a bit of experience.

On this episode of First Class Counselors, we hack the supervision superpower and give even brand new counsellors the keys to unlock their inner supervision superhero.

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

• What are the different levels of supervision? What’s the difference between “zone” and “person” coverage?
• The DARLING supervision framework (h/t to James Davis and the Summer Camp Society for this idea)
• Where are the most important areas for stellar supervision at camp?
• How to make supervision engaging for both you and the campers you are caring for?

We hope you enjoy this episode, and most importantly, find it useful!

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If you have any feedback, or a suggestion for a future FCC show, send Matt an email at [email protected]

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Oliver: Mark Rober, a Youtuber who makes learning STEM activities extremely engaging! -  (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY1kMZp36IQSyNx_9h4mpCg)

Matt: Pick up a new instrument NOW! You won’t learn when you’re at camp unless someone offers staff lessons (which there likely won’t be time for) and if you know the basic chords, and have a capo, you can play most camp songs and go from there.

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• Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell
• Matt Honsberger, Executive Producer of Podcasting at Go Camp Pro

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What is First Class Counselors?

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, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell and Matt Honsberger 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.