The Camp Program Lab

Could digging holes become your campers’ favorite activity? Chris and Curt explore that possibility alongside quick camp games, staff recognition, memorable traditions, and cardboard boats where crossing the finish line first doesn’t guarantee a win.

Plus, a lucky rock gets an unforgettable origin story, a mystery box builds anticipation, and Curt takes another turn in the trivia hot seat.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - Welcome to the Camp Program Lab

02:15 - Behind the scenes of camp leadership

05:42 - Programming idea: Fastest Color Twister

08:41 - Staff idea: Merit badge banners

12:02 - Theme idea: Staff costume photos

13:28 - Outdoor education idea: Vacuum pump cannon

19:09 - Trivia: By the Numbers

23:46 - Wow moment: A family camp luau

26:35 - Wow moment: The surprise box

28:41 - Camp traditions: What makes an idea stick?

33:30 - The lucky rock—and the seagull

37:15 - Would You Run This? Camp bears

39:47 - Would You Run This? Digging holes

42:49 - Another possibility: Street art

43:44 - Takeaways from past episodes

44:11 - Bring overnight camp magic to day camp

45:50 - Cardboard boat races with a twist

53:50 - Wrap-up

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Coloque a Cor (Place the Color) - https://www.facebook.com/reel/1554135766192311
• Vacuum Canon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DKWSXstXuc
• The Kaiser Boys - https://www.youtube.com/@Thekaiserboys/videos
• 10 Ways to Bring that "Campy" Feel to Your Day Camp - https://www.summercamppro.com/10-ways-bring-campy-feel-day-camp
• Carboard Boat Race Rubric -
• https://www.summercamppro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/1.png
• https://www.summercamppro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2.png

SHOW NOTES

Fresh camp programming doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. This week, Kurt and Chris share ways to remix familiar games, bring camp history into staff training, and turn downtime into something campers look forward to.

They explore a Time Warp theme, a leaf-blower hovercraft, and a board game rotation where campers inherit their teammates’ progress. Plus, the Shark Tank segment brings two very different pitches: hidden golden tickets that unlock a special experience and an air-powered launching activity.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 — Welcome to the Camp Program Lab

02:01 — Programming idea: The Big Switch

03:48 — Staff training: Legacy Tours

05:54 — Theme idea: Time Warp

07:20 — Outdoor education: Leaf-blower hovercraft

09:39 — Trivia: Name That Team

17:22 — Rainy Day Rescue: Minute to Win It

18:44 — Team board game rotation

21:35 — Downtime Killer: Stump the Counselor

22:53 — Human Bop It

24:10 — Camp Shark Tank

24:50 — Golden Tickets pitch

29:21 — Air-powered launcher pitch

35:36 — Takeaways from past episodes

36:23 — Episode 11: Playing in the rain

37:58 — Episode 9: Rethinking camper wristbands

41:40 — Wrap-up

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Hovercraft Project Video - https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CY3VFnR8u/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Vevor Tire Bead Sealer Video - https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTf6VgVP9/
• Vevor Tire Bead Sealer - https://link.amazon/B01CQnj3Y

If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with another camp professional.

Curt and Chris head back into the Camp Program Lab with another rapid-fire collection of ideas for camp professionals. They explore a new spin on the classic human-knot challenge, a collectible staff-recognition system, a low-cost Mardi Gras bead craft, and ways to encourage campers to participate in theme days.

Chris tests Curt's knowledge in lesser-known Disney movie songs, use dice to invent two brand-new activities in real time, debate paintball versus blaster ball and camper favorites versus new events, and borrow inspiration from the Savannah Bananas and Hollywood Game Night. They close by revisiting two ideas from Episode 8: Boom Blasters and end-of-activity Boss Battles.

00:00 — Welcome to the Camp Program Lab

01:23— Programming idea: Foot Knots

04:02 — Staff idea: Achievement pins

06:03— Craft idea: Mardi Gras bead balloon dogs

08:01— Theme idea: Camper costumes

11:07— Trivia intermission: Lesser-known Disney songs

18:08— Roll for Camp

26:43 — This or That: Paintball or blaster ball?

30:23 — This or That: Camper favorite or new event?

33:40 — Three things to steal from the Savannah Bananas

37:59 — Three things to steal from Hollywood Game Night

42:48 — Takeaways from Episode 8: Spicing Up Activities

46:06 — Closing

Resources mentioned:

• Shoe Knots Video - https://www.facebook.com/reel/2436295080527040
• Mardi Gras bead-dog tutorial - https://thenotsoblog.com/2018/02/how-to-make-mardi-gras-bead-dog/
• Dice - https://link.amazon/B08vswbkf
• Poly Spots - https://link.amazon/B03SHaIVo
• Savannah Bananas - https://thesavannahbananas.com/
• Hollywood Game Night - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0rWWdN9foU
• Boom Blaster Caps - https://link.amazon/B07KLFUVS
• The King of Random Boom Blaster - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rDRFFSUrPI
• Episode 8 of the podcast - https://www.summercamppro.com/episode-8/

If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with another camp professional.

Curt and Chris are back around the campfire!

After catching up on the past two years, including a million-dollar camp grant, construction and inspection headaches, and the adventure of buying and selling an escape-room business, they introduce a new rapid-fire format focused on practical ideas for camp professionals.

This episode features creative programming concepts, staff-training activities, theme and craft ideas, a fictional-locations trivia break, and a $100 programming challenge. Curt and Chris also debate staff social time after lights-out and whether campers should ever be "required" to participate.

They close by revisiting two classic ideas from earlier episodes: camp-name ceremonies and counselor bags filled with ready-to-use activities.

00:00 – Introduction

00:21 – Curt and Chris return

02:37 – Camp updates and the million-dollar grant

05:20 – Buying and selling an escape-room business

08:39 – The new rapid-ideas format

10:15 – Program idea: Roll for It

13:48 – Staff idea: The Doodle Table

15:58 – Theme idea: Around the World

17:27 – Craft idea: Leaf Roses

20:31 – Trivia intermission: Fictional locations

26:09 – The $100 programming challenge

32:12 – Ideas from outside the camp bubble

34:56 – Keep It or Kill It: Staff time after lights-out

40:25 – Keep It or Kill It: Forced participation

45:37 – Classic takeaway: Camp names

50:34 – Classic takeaway: Counselor bags

53:18 – Closing

• Summer Camp Pro
• EDGIE Designs — challenge-course design, construction, training, and inspection
• Roll For Soda
• Dice Set
• Cafe Bags Episode - Episode 191
• Pop Darts
• Tenzy
• StealThisStuff.com - Chris' Steal This Shop
• How to Hold a Camp-Name Ceremony
• More Than 500 Camp Names for Staff
• Camp Names - Episode 3
• Counselor Bags - Episode 2

If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with another camp professional and let them know that Curt and Chris are back!

In this farewell episode of 'SCamp Life: The Programming Side,' Curt and Chris reminisce about the podcast's journey since 2019. They recount key moments, favorite episodes, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from over the years. Highlights include the origin story, the introduction of themes and interviews, the impact of the pandemic, and special segments like 'question of the week' and escape room ideas. The hosts also share personal memories, challenges, and amusing tangents, such as experimenting with podcast formats and integrating a third co-host. Despite this being the final episode, Curt and Chris leave the door open for possible future updates, signing off with gratitude to their listeners.

In their second-to-last episode (?), Curt and Chris dive deep into their rich history of camping experiences. They share invaluable lessons learned from their diverse roles, from being camp counselors to directors, across various camp settings. Highlights include the importance of staff training, cultivating a sense of family among team members, and seamlessly integrating new ideas into traditional camp formats. Their lively exchange not only reflects on their past but also explores the future of camping and leadership within the community.

Full Show Notes with Links

In this episode, Curt and Chris offer up creative ways to invigorate the classic game of Capture the Flag, offering 20 (19?) unique variations aimed at enhancing gameplay for campers. Their ideas range from incorporating themes and adding special abilities to players, to modifying game mechanics with invisibility aspects or involving staff in gameplay. Throughout their discussion, they share stories from their experiences, emphasizing the potential of these adaptations to make Capture the Flag even more engaging for participants.

Curt and Chris explore engaging activities at camp after the sun sets. They share personal stories, offer practical tips for implementing classic nighttime activities like kitchen raids, night swims, and campfire cooking, and offer some more innovative and memorable ideas. 

In this episode, Curt and Chris discuss a wide variety of topics for summer camps. This is their 11th magazine edition. This episode includes a special event idea, program idea, staff idea, new AI tool, some trivia questions, theme ideas, and more. 

In the second installment of their discussion on specialty camp ideas, Curt and Chris share an array of unique camp themes, drawing from both their personal experiences and broader trends. They delve into a variety of specialized camp options, including cooking, survival, archery, scuba diving, music production, detective camp, and fitness camps, among others. This episode offers insights and inspiration for camp directors and planners looking to diversify their offerings and attract new campers with specialized interests.

Links:

• Archery Games