Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/campahead/scenario-planning-101

Exploring Camp Futures: Key Drivers and Scenario Planning

In this episode of Camp Ahead, hosts Joe, Jess, and KJ  expand on the idea of scenario planning as an essential tool for thinking about the future. They discuss key drivers such as climate change, economics, demographics, technological advancements, and social shifts that can shape the next decade of summer camps. Through imaginative scenario planning, they aim to prepare the industry for both positive and challenging futures. Tune in as they explore the potential impacts of AI, climate mitigation, and more on the world of summer camps.

• 01:46 Recap and Introduction to Scenario Planning
• 05:33 Key Drivers for the Future of Camps: Economic and Staff Considerations
• 07:55 Environmental and Technological Impacts on Camps
• 15:09 Social Drivers and Equity in Future Camps
• 20:33 Imagining Positive Futures: Pronoia vs. Paranoia
• 25:36 The Impact of Camp and Nature
• 26:04 Funding and Philanthropy in Camping
• 29:31 The Value of Experiential Learning
• 30:12 Community and Indigenous Relationships

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Episode Links:

• The Book: Imaginable by Jane McGonigal:
  • https://janemcgonigal.com/2021/12/17/imaginable-how-to-see-the-future-coming-and-feel-ready-for-anything-even-things-that-seem-impossible-today/
• https://poe.com/UOScenarioCreator
• https://urgentoptimists.org/

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Our Hosts:

Jess Elfring-Roberts - Executive Director, Episcopal Camps & Conference Centers

Joe Richards - Executive Director, Pearce Williams Summer Camp and Retreat Facility

KJ Williams -  Camp Director, Phantom Lake YMCA Camp

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Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors for making this possible.

Campify:

Is creating your camp schedule a headache? Does it limit the experience of campers or staff? Campify is software that does the heavy lifting for you - taking care of group, elective, and specialist scheduling based on your custom scheduling rules.

Interested in learning more? Visit campify.io/CampAhead to schedule a demo or create a free trial today.

Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts!

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/noticing

Use noticing to build a culture of inclusivity and intention.

In this episode of the CampHacker podcast, Travis and Chris discuss the vital skill of 'noticing' at camp. The duo share how camp leaders can foster awareness among staff and campers, ensuring dynamic and inclusive programs. They share practical tips, including the importance of diverse staff hiring, continuous feedback, and re-evaluating programs based on the feedback that comes from your “noticing” data. Additionally, they emphasize the necessity of noticing who is left out and the impact of thoughtful communication. Tune in for insightful strategies that can enhance your camp’s environment and overall experience.

Hear more about:

• 01:59 Introducing Noticing Skills
• 05:36 Challenging Traditions for Better Camps
• 08:24 Empowering Staff to Notice
• 17:24 Tips and Tricks for Noticing
• 22:03 Common Camp Challenges and Solutions
• 24:17 Hiring the Right Camp Counselors
• 34:55 Effective Communication with Parents
• 39:51 Tool of the Week

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Tool of the Week - Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

• Chris - Bluesky https://bsky.app/
• Travis - The Art of Noticing - Rob Walker https://bookshop.org/a/84130/9780525521242  https://amzn.to/4isdrFq

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Your Hosts

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Chris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight

-

Rate and Review the CampHacker Show

(Thank you!)

-

Thanks to our sponsors!

UltraCamp

Remember what sparked your passion for camp? UltraCamp knows it’s about the people, not the paperwork. That’s why they built a platform to simplify your camp management. Learn more at ultracampmanagement.com/camphacker

Camptivities

Activity schedules are the backbone of every camper’s experience. If there’s a staffing change, it’s really hard to find a person that knows your camp and the nuance your schedule takes. Come check out Camptivities to learn more about our scheduling tools,  designed for camps by camp people. Find out more at camptivities.com

Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts!

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

A new show from Go Camp Pro!

Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts!

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/campahead/intro-to-mental-time-travel

Welcome to Camp Ahead: The Futurology of the Summer Camp Industry

In this inaugural episode of the Camp Ahead podcast, Joe Richards, KJ Williams, and Jess Elfring-Roberts dive into the concept of future-proofing the summer camp industry. They discuss the importance of mental time travel, scenario planning, and preparing for larger global issues like climate change, financial instability, demographics, and migration. The hosts share their personal experiences and outline the goals for the podcast, emphasizing the need for proactive thinking to ensure the long-term success of camps. 

This episode sets the stage for exploring how the camp community can adapt and thrive amidst uncertainties.

• 00:58 Meet the Hosts
• 01:51 The Concept of Future Scenarios
• 03:46 Pandemic Reflections
• 06:43 Proactive vs. Reactive Planning
• 30:08 Thinking Big: Managing Smaller Challenges
• 31:10 Climate Migration and Its Impacts
• 33:12 Demographic Shifts in Camping
• 38:09 The Importance of Collaboration

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Episode Links:

• The Book: Imaginable by Jane McGonigal:
  • https://janemcgonigal.com/2021/12/17/imaginable-how-to-see-the-future-coming-and-feel-ready-for-anything-even-things-that-seem-impossible-today/
• https://poe.com/UOScenarioCreator
• https://urgentoptimists.org/

-

Our Hosts:

Jess Elfring-Roberts - Executive Director, Episcopal Camps & Conference Centers

Joe Richards - Executive Director, Pearce Williams Summer Camp and Retreat Facility

KJ Williams -  Camp Director, Phantom Lake YMCA Camp

-

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors for making this possible.

Campify:

Is creating your camp schedule a headache? Does it limit the experience of campers or staff? Campify is software that does the heavy lifting for you - taking care of group, elective, and specialist scheduling based on your custom scheduling rules.

Interested in learning more? Visit campify.io/CampAhead to schedule a demo or create a free trial today.

Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts!

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/gender-equity

Do you notice that gender equity is something we are better at talking about than doing?

In this episode, Travis and Chris welcome back Gabrielle Raill to explore the persistent issue of gender equity in camps. Chris leads a discussion on how camps often roll out the red carpet for male staff due to a shortage of male applicants, sometimes at the expense of gender equity. Gabz shares her experiences from all-girls camp, highlighting the implicit gender norms that surface even in such environments. The team examines the importance of addressing these disparities through intentional staff training and mission-driven leadership. The episode also includes practical tools and resources for camp professionals to incorporate gender equity into their daily operations.

Hear more about:

• 00:00 Introduction to Gender Equity in Camps
• 01:58 Observations on Gender Equity
• 07:27 Challenges and Solutions
• 13:34 The Importance of Mission-Driven Gender Equity
• 19:52 Promoting Gender Equity Through Staff Training
• 24:25 The Importance of Clear Communication
• 28:05 Microaggressions and Staff Training
• 28:59 Safety and Inclusion as Non-Negotiables

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Tool of the Week - Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

• Chris -  The Book of Shadows (Amazon is cheaper but funds evil conglomerates - https://amzn.to/4hY3vTR) 
• Travis - Fixable Podcast with Anne & Francis - Neurodivergent book/interview https://www.ted.com/podcasts/fixable 
• Gabz - HiDock https://www.hidock.com/products/hidock-h1e 

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Your Hosts

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Chris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau

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Thanks to our sponsors!

UltraCamp

Remember what sparked your passion for camp? UltraCamp knows it’s about the people, not the paperwork. That’s why they built a platform to simplify your camp management. Learn more at ultracampmanagement.com/camphacker

Camptivities

Activity schedules are the backbone of every camper’s experience. If there’s a staffing change, it’s really hard to find a person that knows your camp and the nuance your schedule takes. Come check out Camptivities to learn more about our scheduling tools,  designed for camps by camp people. Find out more at camptivities.com

Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts!

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/delegate

Do you keep saying, “It would be faster if I just did it?”

Are you a camp professional struggling with delegation? Travis and Chris sit down and discuss the intricacies of effective delegation, sharing personal experiences, strategies, and tools to help camp directors empower their team and improve camp operations. From understanding the importance of communication to leveraging AI tools and overcoming ego, this podcast episode is packed with valuable insights for every camp manager looking to create a more efficient, stress-free environment. This episode will equip you with the knowledge to make a lasting impact on your camp community.

Hear more about:

• 01:31 The Importance of Delegation
• 02:42 Challenges in Delegation
• 05:58 Effective Communication for Delegation
• 07:23 Understanding the Value of Your Time
• 09:28 Planning for Succession
• 13:21 Overcoming Ego in Delegation
• 20:47 Building Confidence Through Delegation
• 26:11 Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement

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Tool of the Week - Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

• Chris -  Magnesium Citrate - https://amzn.to/4fIIvhR
• Travis - Ellie Middleton - I love her LinkedIn post from today talking about this framework and explaining why it's important. She also has a new book out that I haven't had a chance to look at yet. She also has a new PDF guide available that I hope to check out soon. The important thing to look at is in this illustration: vague instructions and the anxiety and questions that arise from those vague instructions. If your brain only works literally, there are so many factors to consider when you're considering a vague instruction, making it almost impossible to follow through on that instruction.
  •  https://www.linkedin.com/posts/elliemidds_neurodivergent-accessibility-activity-7262019544062341121-7siE?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

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• Your Hosts
  • Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
  • Chris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight

-

Thanks to our sponsors!

• UltraCamp
  Remember what sparked your passion for camp? UltraCamp knows it’s about the people, not the paperwork. That’s why they built a platform to simplify your camp management. Learn more at ultracampmanagement.com/camphacker
  
  Camptivities
  Activity schedules are the backb

Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts!

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/digital-detox

Are we doing our staff and campers a disservice by not better managing the expectations around their phone time at camp?

Travis and Chris sit down with Max Claman to chat about effective digital detox and the psychological impacts of removing screens. They also discuss the role of AI in streamlining operations and provide practical tips for integrating technology while preserving the authentic camp experience. Packed with valuable insights and real-world examples, this discussion offers essential advice for camp directors and educators looking to enhance their camp programs.

Hear more about:

• 01:57 Max's Camp Journey
• 04:17 Technology and Phones at Camp
• 08:27 The Impact of Technology on Campers
• 11:23 Balancing Technology and Camp Life
• 20:42 Educating Campers on Technology Use
• 24:21 Generational Perspectives on Technology
• 29:27 Developing a Digital Detox Plan for Camps
• 31:43 Engaging Parents in the Digital Detox Process

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Tool of the Week - Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

• Chris - Brother printers
• Travis - unapologetically ADHD - podcast and book
• Max - Claude.ai

-

Your Hosts

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Chris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight
• Max Claman - Principal - VestEd Consulting

-

Rate and Review the CampHacker Show

(Thank you!)

-

Thanks to our sponsors!

UltraCamp

Remember what sparked your passion for camp? UltraCamp knows it’s about the people, not the paperwork. That’s why they built a platform to simplify your camp management. Learn more at ultracampmanagement.com/camphacker

Camptivities

Activity schedules are the backbone of every camper’s experience. If there’s a staffing change, it’s really hard to find a person that knows your camp and the nuance your schedule takes. Come check out Camptivities to learn more about our scheduling tools,  designed for camps by camp people. Find out more at camptivities.com

Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts!

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/ai-fall-2024

The State of AI and Camps: Fall 2024

In this episode of the CampHacker podcast, Travis and Chris explore the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence on summer camp management. They dive into AI's role in streamlining operations, automating tasks, and enhancing staff training and parent communication. Discover specific tools like Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Notebook LM, which improve efficiency while addressing privacy concerns. Learn how AI can transform everything from scheduling and communication to monetization and fundraising, making camps more effective and enjoyable.

Hear more about:

• 4:03 AI's Impact on Summer Camps
• 16:36 Staff Training and AI Scenarios
• 26:46 Understanding AI's Limitations
• 27:35 Career Coaching with AI
• 28:41 AI in the Gig Economy
• 29:27 AI in Camp Photography
• 31:54 AI's Role in Camp Administration
• 35:04 Addressing Privacy Concerns
• 37:54 Future of AI in Camps

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Resources from this Episode

Prompt-building link: https://mitenmit.github.io/gpt/https://account.aftershoot.com/referral-signup?referrer=V31CAJ02

Use this to append to prompts to get you better answers:

Ask me clarifying questions until you are 95% confident you can complete the task successfully. Take a deep breath and take it step by step. Remember to search the internet to retrieve up-to-date information.

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Tool of the Week - Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

• Chris - Game - Once Upon a Time - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1234/once-upon-time-storytelling-card-game 
• Travis - Match Puzzle Game

-

Your Hosts

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Chris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight

-

Rate and Review the CampHacker Show

(Thank you!)

-

Thanks to our sponsors!

UltraCamp

Remember what sparked your passion for camp? UltraCamp knows it’s about the people, not the paperwork. That’s why they built a platform to simplify your camp management. Learn more at ultracampmanagement.com/camphacker

Camptivities

Activity schedules are the backbone of every camper’s experience. If there’s a staffing change, it’s really hard to find a person that knows your camp and the nuance your schedule takes. Come check out Camptivities to learn more about our scheduling tools,  designed for camps by camp people. Find out more at camptivities.com

Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts!

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/over-programmed

 Are camps so packed with activities that it's actually detrimental? 

In this episode of the CampHacker podcast, hosts Travis Allison and Chris Hudson discuss the concept of overprogramming at camps, questioning if an abundance of scheduled activities could be detrimental. With insights from camp consultants, they explore balancing structured and unstructured time, considering the interests of children, parents, and staff. They also discuss generational changes in camp staff and touch on post-pandemic effects on camp programming.

• The Impact of COVID on Camp Structure
• Pros and Cons of Free Play
• Parental Concerns About Free-Play
• Balancing Structure and Free Time for Kids
• Understanding Children's Needs and Preferences

Tool of the Week - Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

• Chris -  Radical Candor by Kim Scott - https://www.radicalcandor.com/ 
• Travis - Hoverair X1 - drone - https://hoverair.com/ 

Your Hosts

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Chris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight

-

Rate and Review the CampHacker Show

(Thank you!)

-

Thanks to our sponsors!

UltraCamp

Remember what sparked your passion for camp? UltraCamp knows it’s about the people, not the paperwork. That’s why they built a platform to simplify your camp management. Learn more at ultracampmanagement.com/camphacker

Camptivities

Activity schedules are the backbone of every camper’s experience. If there’s a staffing change, it’s really hard to find a person that knows your camp and the nuance your schedule takes. Come check out Camptivities to learn more about our scheduling tools,  designed for camps by camp people. Find out more at camptivities.com

Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts!

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/05/start-camp-2025

If we were starting a summer camp from scratch, here’s what we can do!

200 episodes and over 14 years, the CampHacker Podcast has been around literally so long that we actually can’t find the first few episodes (seriously, if you find them, holler!).

After 200+ hours (that’s 1.5 weeks, people!), it’s time to put our money where our mouths are…hypothetically at least.

In this episode, Travis and Chris take their collective camp and education experience, alongside the realities of running summer camps today, and put it together to share how they would build and launch Camp Hudson (get it, Hudson + Allison?).

From site ownership (hint, they wouldn’t), to who they serve (hint, start local), to marketing (hint, often and BIG), this episode covers a lot of ground.

Join us in this hopeful and intentional thought experiment as a send-off for the summer of 2024.

Thanks for the season, friends!

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Tool of the Week - Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

• Chris - Game - Once Upon a Time - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1234/once-upon-time-storytelling-card-game 
• Travis - Finch app - https://app.befinch.com/share/TRJD

Your Hosts

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Chris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight

-

Rate and Review the CampHacker Show

(Thank you!)

-

Thanks to our sponsor!

UltraCamp

Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagement.com/camphacker

Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts!

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/05/camp-pro-adhd

You can be a camp professional and have ADHD - there are lots of us out there!

You probably wouldn’t be surprised to know that as we have gotten more comfortable talking about exceptionalities, disabilities or diversabilities, the rate of diagnoses for those exceptionalities, disabilities or diversabilities has gone up.

More and more people (kids, teens and adults are like) are discovering how their brains work best and are starting to understand their potential when the spaces that they are in work in their favour.

As with most things - the camp industry, by and large, is catching up on making sure that their spaces are using Universal Design Principals when thinking about how they create the day-to-day of staff training and summer camp.

Travis and Chris are joined by Lisa Drennan, founder of MERGE Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting and an absolute PRO when it comes to making spaces more inclusive for kids, teens, young adults and adults who identify as neurodivergent.

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Tool of the Week - Make Yourself a Better Camp Director

• Chris - The Book of Virtues - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25774.The_Book_of_Virtues 
• Travis - ConqueRing Fidget Ring -https://myconquering.com/ 
  • New Canva - Meet the NEW Canva | Canva Create 2024 Updates✨
• Lisa - https://thearcofmass.org/toolkit-organization/ 

Your Hosts

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Chris Hudson, Camp Consultant and Director - Camp Highlight
• Lisa Drennan, Founder of MERGE Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting

-

Rate and Review the CampHacker Show

(Thank you!)

-

Thanks to our sponsor!

UltraCamp

Imagine camp registration software that actually gives you MORE time for what you love - CAMP! With UltraCamp, you can effortlessly track attendance, manage staff, streamline registration, and more. Explore now at ultracampmanagement.com/camphacker

Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts!