Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/ownerspod/team-building-virtually

As we approach the final stages of summer prep, staff training is an integral piece of our summer success. Many camps are planning for virtual training, in-person training or a hybrid of both. Our guest today has been an expert in our industry on in-person team building and has now established herself as a virtual team-building resource as a result of our need to shift to an online space over the past year.  

We’re excited to have Michelle Cummings, of Training Wheels share with us her best practices for team building both in person and virtually as well as ideas we can all implement with our staff this summer.

Tune in to this episode to hear about

• In your opinion, what are the founding principles of team building that must be there for success?
• Talk to us about shifting to virtual team building and what can you share with camp directors and owners attempting their own virtual trainings this year? Virtual Scavenger Hunts/Escape Rooms.
• What are your go to training activities for camps that our listeners could consider adding this summer?
• Where do signed waivers fit into the relationship? For on-site testing, contracting COVID or activity participation in general.
• Where do we stand on COVID waivers?

-

Find these in our show notes: https://gocamp.pro/ownerspod/team-building-virtually

-

Find these in our show notes: https://gocamp.pro/ownerspod/team-building-virtually

-

• Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
• Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps 
• Michelle Cummings - Big Wheel & Founder - Training Wheels

-

CampBrain provides management and registration software to camps and conference centers. Serving 1300+ camps since 1994, with a dedicated staff of 45+ providing personal, caring support and building beautiful, intuitive software.
For more information visit them at https://www.campbrain.com/

In a year where you’re juggling so many changes, let’s take activity scheduling off that list. Camptivities is specifically designed for camps by camp people. Save

Want easier hiring and stronger teams? Set up intentional systems to retain your best people and consistently recruit passionate, high‑fit staff—then watch results compound.

Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Can your camp take another year of staff strain, long days, and parent communication headaches? Put systems in place now to retain returners and recruit high‑fit staff so the season bends, not breaks.

Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/ownerspod/legal-considerations-2021

As we approach the final stages of summer prep, we thought we would turn our attention to issues that all camp owners should be thinking about. Is the language we are using in staff contracts and communication with families up to speed with current legal practice. Whether it be codes of conduct, camper waiver forms, and especially COVID-related clauses related to testing vaccination and cancellation we thought it would be good to get a legal perspective. 

We have two great people from both sides of the border to help us with US and Canadian viewpoints on some of the issues. Rachel Fendel Satinsky is with Littler, an employment and labour law firm based in Philadelphia and Robin Squires from Borden, Ladner, Gervais a law firm in Toronto. We really thought this was a timely topic as many of us are contracting staff or considering COVID-related addendums to their contracts.

-

Tune-in to this episode to hear about

• What do you think are some of the top staff contractual issues camp operators should be thinking about for 2021?
• When it comes to communicating with families about camp this summer, what do you want camp owners to think about?
• Where do signed waivers fit into the relationship? For on-site testing, contracting COVID or activity participation in general.
• Where do we stand on COVID waivers?

-

Things that inspire our hosts and guests to be the best Camp Owners they can be.

• Kelly: Emmanuel Acho “Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man” - quote: “Prejudice is an emotional commitment to ignorance”
• Robin: book by Leigh Bardugo “Ninth House”
• Howie: Volunteers and the great work of camp advocates in Ontario and their work to get resident camps open this summer
• Rachel: Camp professionals, in all roles who are making camp happen for children this summer, especially as a camp parent.  

-

• Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
• Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps 
• Rachel Fendell Satinsky - Partner - Littler Mendelson P.C.
• Robin Squires - Partner - BLG

-

CampBrain provides management and registration software to camps and conference centers. Serving 1300+ camps since 1994, with a de

Want easier hiring and stronger teams? Set up intentional systems to retain your best people and consistently recruit passionate, high‑fit staff—then watch results compound.

Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Can your camp take another year of staff strain, long days, and parent communication headaches? Put systems in place now to retain returners and recruit high‑fit staff so the season bends, not breaks.

Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/ownerspod/talking-resiliency

What a treat today. 

We have the one and only Dr. G! Deb Gilboa with us. 

Dr. G is an incredible friend to the camp industry and has provided all of us with a wonderful insight into all aspects of camp. From helping staff manage stress, changing camper behaviour to being a resource to camp parents, Dr. G’s work helps all of us “Do Stress Better”. 

Her current work on resilience and the insight she will provide today is an important discussion given the year that we have all had. Whether it’s our own ability to be more resilient or our team resilience as we gear up for this summer, Dr. G is the right person to help us along this journey.

Tune-in to this episode to hear about

• How did you land on resilience being such a focus of your work?
• Can you tell us about the resiliency cycle and how you have seen this play out during the past year?
• What are some of the important opportunities camp owners have to address this topic this summer?

-

If you have a suggestion or guest you’d like to hear on an upcoming show, please email our producer, Matt at [email protected].

-

Things that inspire our hosts and guests to be the best Camp Owners they can be.

• Kelly: Brene’ Brown Unlocking Us Podcast Episode with Melinda Gates on her new book “The Moment of Lift”
• Howie: https://jamboard.google.com/ & current media on the return to camp
• Dr. G: Dreamworks Interview, all stories have a similar format: Act 1: Set up the hero and problem Act 2: Every hero attempts to solve the problem the easy way but learn what it will take to solve the problem Act 3: They get vulnerable and it’s hard and most of the time they figure it out - but we have to go through the 2nd act to get through the 3rd act. Creates empathy for kids and young people trying to do it the easy way 1st

-

• Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
• Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps 
• Dr. Deborah Gilboa, “Dr. G”, Parenting & Youth Development Expert - www.askdoctorg.com

-

CampBrain provides management and registration software to camps and conference centers. Serving 1300+ camps since 1994, with a dedicated staff of 45+ providing personal, caring support and building beautiful, intuitive software.
For more information visit them at https://www.campbrain.com/

Want easier hiring and stronger teams? Set up intentional systems to retain your best people and consistently recruit passionate, high‑fit staff—then watch results compound.

Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Can your camp take another year of staff strain, long days, and parent communication headaches? Put systems in place now to retain returners and recruit high‑fit staff so the season bends, not breaks.

Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/ownerspod/talking-resiliency

What a treat today. 

We have the one and only Dr. G! Deb Gilboa with us. 

Dr. G is an incredible friend to the camp industry and has provided all of us with a wonderful insight into all aspects of camp. From helping staff manage stress, changing camper behaviour to being a resource to camp parents, Dr. G’s work helps all of us “Do Stress Better”. 

Her current work on resilience and the insight she will provide today is an important discussion given the year that we have all had. Whether it’s our own ability to be more resilient or our team resilience as we gear up for this summer, Dr. G is the right person to help us along this journey.

Tune-in to this episode to hear about

• How did you land on resilience being such a focus of your work?
• Can you tell us about the resiliency cycle and how you have seen this play out during the past year?
• What are some of the important opportunities camp owners have to address this topic this summer?

-

If you have a suggestion or guest you’d like to hear on an upcoming show, please email our producer, Matt at [email protected].

-

Things that inspire our hosts and guests to be the best Camp Owners they can be.

• Kelly: Brene’ Brown Unlocking Us Podcast Episode with Melinda Gates on her new book “The Moment of Lift”
• Howie: https://jamboard.google.com/ & current media on the return to camp
• Dr. G: Dreamworks Interview, all stories have a similar format: Act 1: Set up the hero and problem Act 2: Every hero attempts to solve the problem the easy way but learn what it will take to solve the problem Act 3: They get vulnerable and it’s hard and most of the time they figure it out - but we have to go through the 2nd act to get through the 3rd act. Creates empathy for kids and young people trying to do it the easy way 1st

-

• Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
• Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps 
• Dr. Deborah Gilboa, “Dr. G”, Parenting & Youth Development Expert - www.askdoctorg.com

-

CampBrain provides management and registration software to camps and conference centers. Serving 1300+ camps since 1994, with a dedicated staff of 45+ providing personal, caring support and building beautiful, intuitive software.
For more information visit them at https://www.campbrain.com/

In a year where you’re juggling so many changes, let’s take activity scheduling off that list. Camptivities is specifically designed for camps by camp people. Save time, money and resources to create your best activity schedule yet! Find out more at camptivities.com

----
5-Minute Fridays! To find out more and register, head over to http://gocamp.pro/5mf

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/ownerspod/radical-empathy

We are really excited to be talking with Jack Schott, of Camp Stomping Ground on our show today. Jack is an active, passionate member of the camp community. His grassroots efforts with Camp Stomping Grounds and their mission to build radical empathy in their campers is really impressive. 

Jack shares about Radical Empathy and how its philosophy can be applied to campers, staff and how it is good for business and the entire camp industry.

Tune-in to this episode to hear about

• What is Radical Empathy?
• How has it been applied in the creation of Camp Stomping Ground? 
• In what ways can it be applied to private camp ownership? Is it good for business?
• Any particular considerations in light of COVID and a return to camp for most campers and staff in 2 years?

-

If you have a suggestion or guest you’d like to hear on an upcoming show, please email our producer, Matt at [email protected].

-

Things that inspire our hosts and guests to be the best Camp Owners they can be.

• Howie: “How to keep your cool in high stress situations” from the Harvard Business Review
• Jack: 
  • Agile Sprints - We are calling it a Get Shit Done Week 
  • https://www.atlassian.com/agile/scrum/sprints
  • Doing Agile Right Book
    • https://www.amazon.com/Doing-Agile-Right-Transformation-Without/dp/163369870X 
  • Illuminating the Hidden Curriculum for New Staff
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uGsaj2HLpo 
• Kelly: The Four Winds

-

• Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
• Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps 
• Jack Schott, Co-Founder and Executive Director - Camp Stomping Ground

-

CampBrain provides management and registration software to camps and conference centers. Serving 1300+ camps since 1994, with a dedicated staff of 45+ providing personal, caring support and building beautiful, intuitive software.
For more information visit them at

Want easier hiring and stronger teams? Set up intentional systems to retain your best people and consistently recruit passionate, high‑fit staff—then watch results compound.

Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Can your camp take another year of staff strain, long days, and parent communication headaches? Put systems in place now to retain returners and recruit high‑fit staff so the season bends, not breaks.

Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/ownerspod/radical-empathy

We are really excited to be talking with Jack Schott, of Camp Stomping Ground on our show today. Jack is an active, passionate member of the camp community. His grassroots efforts with Camp Stomping Grounds and their mission to build radical empathy in their campers is really impressive. 

Jack shares about Radical Empathy and how its philosophy can be applied to campers, staff and how it is good for business and the entire camp industry.

Tune-in to this episode to hear about

• What is Radical Empathy?
• How has it been applied in the creation of Camp Stomping Ground? 
• In what ways can it be applied to private camp ownership? Is it good for business?
• Any particular considerations in light of COVID and a return to camp for most campers and staff in 2 years?

-

If you have a suggestion or guest you’d like to hear on an upcoming show, please email our producer, Matt at [email protected].

-

Things that inspire our hosts and guests to be the best Camp Owners they can be.

• Howie: “How to keep your cool in high stress situations” from the Harvard Business Review
• Jack: 
  • Agile Sprints - We are calling it a Get Shit Done Week 
  • https://www.atlassian.com/agile/scrum/sprints
  • Doing Agile Right Book
    • https://www.amazon.com/Doing-Agile-Right-Transformation-Without/dp/163369870X 
  • Illuminating the Hidden Curriculum for New Staff
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uGsaj2HLpo 
• Kelly: The Four Winds

-

• Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
• Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps 
• Jack Schott, Co-Founder and Executive Director - Camp Stomping Ground

-

CampBrain provides management and registration software to camps and conference centers. Serving 1300+ camps since 1994, with a dedicated staff of 45+ providing personal, caring support and building beautiful, intuitive software.
For more information visit them at https://www.campbrain.com/

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/ownerspod/be-a-better-boss

We are really excited to be talking about how to be a better boss with the one and only, podcaster/trainer extraordinaire Ruby Compton, of Ruby Outdoors and Go Camp Pro. Ruby is a co-host of Camp Code, where they focus on best practices for training staff, but she also has been zooming in on what it means to be a great boss to our high-school and college-aged staff.

We’d not only like to talk about how we can become better bosses but also how we can train our leadership teams to be better bosses to those they supervise. 

Tune-in to this episode to hear about

• Why do you think this is such an important topic for camp owners and directors to be discussing?
• How has your view on being a camp boss different than being a boss in other settings or workplaces - common challenges and potential opportunities? 
• Has COVID changed our role as a boss at camp?
• In what ways can we train our leadership team members to create a culture of effective supervision  - to be a good boss but not bossy?

-

If you have a suggestion or guest you’d like to hear on an upcoming show, please email our producer, Matt at [email protected].

-

Things that inspire our hosts and guests to be the best Camp Owners they can be.

• Kelly: “You Win Some, You Learn Some” from the book “You Are Awesome”
• Ruby: Onward ever, backward never - Big Magic (Liz Gilbert) - Marie Thieme 2004 book → actually “Forward ever, backward never” is a phrase that used by West Indians. It was coined by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first prime minister and president
• Howie: Think Again by Adam Grant - The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know

• Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
• Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps 
• Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors

CampBrain provides management and registration software to camps and conference centers. Serving 1300+ camps since 1994, with a dedicated staff of 45+ providing personal, caring support and building beautiful, intuitive software.
For more information visit them at https://www.campbrain.com/

Want easier hiring and stronger teams? Set up intentional systems to retain your best people and consistently recruit passionate, high‑fit staff—then watch results compound.

Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Can your camp take another year of staff strain, long days, and parent communication headaches? Put systems in place now to retain returners and recruit high‑fit staff so the season bends, not breaks.

Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/ownerspod/be-a-better-boss

We are really excited to be talking about how to be a better boss with the one and only, podcaster/trainer extraordinaire Ruby Compton, of Ruby Outdoors and Go Camp Pro. Ruby is a co-host of Camp Code, where they focus on best practices for training staff, but she also has been zooming in on what it means to be a great boss to our high-school and college-aged staff.

We’d not only like to talk about how we can become better bosses but also how we can train our leadership teams to be better bosses to those they supervise. 

Tune-in to this episode to hear about

• Why do you think this is such an important topic for camp owners and directors to be discussing?
• How has your view on being a camp boss different than being a boss in other settings or workplaces - common challenges and potential opportunities? 
• Has COVID changed our role as a boss at camp?
• In what ways can we train our leadership team members to create a culture of effective supervision  - to be a good boss but not bossy?

-

If you have a suggestion or guest you’d like to hear on an upcoming show, please email our producer, Matt at [email protected].

-

Things that inspire our hosts and guests to be the best Camp Owners they can be.

• Kelly: “You Win Some, You Learn Some” from the book “You Are Awesome”
• Ruby: Onward ever, backward never - Big Magic (Liz Gilbert) - Marie Thieme 2004 book → actually “Forward ever, backward never” is a phrase that used by West Indians. It was coined by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first prime minister and president
• Howie: Think Again by Adam Grant - The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know

• Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
• Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps 
• Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors

CampBrain provides management and registration software to camps and conference centers. Serving 1300+ camps since 1994, with a dedicated staff of 45+ providing personal, caring support and building beautiful, intuitive software.
For more information visit them at https://www.campbrain.com/

----
5-Minute Fridays! To find out more and register, head over to http://gocamp.pro/5mf

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/ownerspod/2021-staffing-trends

We are really excited to be talking about staffing for 2021 with Jolly Corley (Jolly Corley LLC and Camp Robindel) and Kim Aycock (Kim Aycock, Kimspiration LLC, Camp Consulting and Staff Training). 

Jolly and Kim have spent the past 10 months diving into what staffing will look like for this summer, taking the time to listen to potential camp staff, hear their concerns about returning to camp along with why camp is exactly what they need this summer.  

We’re curious to hear from their perspective the trends they are seeing in staffing for camps across the country, strategies for recruiting new staff, commitments from returning staff (whether you ran in 2020 or not) and “buy in” from all staff for a summer of unknowns.

Tune-in to this episode to hear about

• What recruitment strategies are new staff responding to right now?
• What do you think is one of the most important things that camps can do right now to set themselves up for successful recruitment?  
• What are your thoughts on how staff training will change for this summer?
• and much much more!

-

If you have a suggestion or guest for a show, please email our producer, Matt at [email protected].

-

Things that inspire our hosts and guests to be the best Camp Owners they can be.

• Howie: “Why Your Most Important Relationship Is With Your Inner Voice” in the Guardian 
• Jolly: Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate: her journey, acknowledgement of mentorship, coaching, interest in the growth zone.  What’s possible.
• Kim’s “Kimspiration”: When I’m out running or walking my dog, I like to think about what’s going to come across my path.  The other day, a sign said “no strollers” but underneath there was a “why” underneath. Always explaining the why. Also, the idea of dropping an anchor, so we have something to hang on to as we decide where we are headed.

-

• Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
• Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps 
• Kim Aycock  - Camp Consultant and Trainer - www.kimaycock.com - TikTok - @workatcamp
• Jolly Corley - Camp Director and Trainer -

Want easier hiring and stronger teams? Set up intentional systems to retain your best people and consistently recruit passionate, high‑fit staff—then watch results compound.

Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Can your camp take another year of staff strain, long days, and parent communication headaches? Put systems in place now to retain returners and recruit high‑fit staff so the season bends, not breaks.

Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/ownerspod/2021-staffing-trends

We are really excited to be talking about staffing for 2021 with Jolly Corley (Jolly Corley LLC and Camp Robindel) and Kim Aycock (Kim Aycock, Kimspiration LLC, Camp Consulting and Staff Training). 

Jolly and Kim have spent the past 10 months diving into what staffing will look like for this summer, taking the time to listen to potential camp staff, hear their concerns about returning to camp along with why camp is exactly what they need this summer.  

We’re curious to hear from their perspective the trends they are seeing in staffing for camps across the country, strategies for recruiting new staff, commitments from returning staff (whether you ran in 2020 or not) and “buy in” from all staff for a summer of unknowns.

Tune-in to this episode to hear about

• What recruitment strategies are new staff responding to right now?
• What do you think is one of the most important things that camps can do right now to set themselves up for successful recruitment?  
• What are your thoughts on how staff training will change for this summer?
• and much much more!

-

If you have a suggestion or guest for a show, please email our producer, Matt at [email protected].

-

Things that inspire our hosts and guests to be the best Camp Owners they can be.

• Howie: “Why Your Most Important Relationship Is With Your Inner Voice” in the Guardian 
• Jolly: Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate: her journey, acknowledgement of mentorship, coaching, interest in the growth zone.  What’s possible.
• Kim’s “Kimspiration”: When I’m out running or walking my dog, I like to think about what’s going to come across my path.  The other day, a sign said “no strollers” but underneath there was a “why” underneath. Always explaining the why. Also, the idea of dropping an anchor, so we have something to hang on to as we decide where we are headed.

-

• Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
• Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps 
• Kim Aycock  - Camp Consultant and Trainer - www.kimaycock.com - TikTok - @workatcamp
• Jolly Corley - Camp Director and Trainer - www.jollycorley.com

-

CampBrain provides management and registration software to camps and conference centers. Serving 1300+ camps since 1994, with a dedicated staff of 45+ providing personal, caring support and building beautiful, intuitive software.
For more information visit them at https://www.campbrain.com/

----
5-Minute Fridays! To find out more and register, head over to http://gocamp.pro/5mf