The CampHacker Podcast

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In this special summer bonus episode, Travis is joined by Dr. Daniel Theriault to discuss racism, power and privilege in the recreation industry. Dr. Theriault and Travis dig into some of the work that’s needed to subvert these unhealthy systems within the rec and camp industry.

It’s a great interview and we’re so grateful to Dr. Theriault for joining us.

Some notes from this interview:

Dr. Theriault proposes three things that all recreation professionals, camp professionals, and white people can do to start to

1. Work to see power and privilege - the power systems that shape the way the world works (racism, classism, etc.).
2. Take responsibility for our role in those systems.
3. Take anti-racist actions.

Drilling down into some specifics:

• Normalize the lack of comfort that will surely follow when we start to confront our involvement in systems power and privilege
• Read what is painful - read and absorb information on the BIPOC history and experience so we are better equipped to serve our campers through that lens of understanding.
• Think about the media that we absorb and how BIPOC communities are represented in those shows and movies.

Daniel and Travis come to some for the Summer Camp Industry as a whole:

• Be careful about the language we use and the messages it sense. For example, how might “Color War” be perceived in light of the racial conflict that has existed in communities over the last 200+ years.
• Look at policy - Who do we value? Who do we hire? Why do we hire them?
• Educate ourselves and others on the history of the land our camp is on and who occupied the land not just before the camp, but before settlement.
• Increasing representation of diverse staff at your camp. This can help your camp start to truly look like a camp where BIPOC campers can see themselves.
  • First steps here include ensuring our pre-camp training includes topics of power, privilege and the contexts of racism.
  • Building relationships of trust with community organizations, HBCUs and other places where you may look to hire BIPOC folks.

Remember, these are bullet-points, not check-boxes. Undoing the systems of racism, power and privilege is going to be lifelong work.

Thank you to those Camp Pros who are committed to continuing to do this continued work.

• Dr. Theriault’s article: Vulnerable Teaching in Leisure Studies

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - CampHacker.TV, Founder at Go Camp Pro
• Dr. Daniel Theriault, Assistant Professor of Recreation Management at Appalachian State University - [email protected]

Rate and Review the CampHacker Show

(Thank you!)

Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Today we are speaking with Eva Peringer who has pivoted this summer to founding her own virtual theatre and arts youth program. 

Her view of the pandemic focuses on gratitude and adjusting our perspective. This is a new and exciting view that we dive deep into on this episode. She took the opportunity to recognize her power and choose what she wanted to do with it during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

• Eva’s journey through the Camp Industry
• How did Eva personally and professionally manage the uncertainty that came with starting her own camp in the midst of the COIVD-19 pandemic?
• What were some of the biggest stresses for her, camp and her family during this time?
• What kinds of things were unexpected about what it’s like to start a camp from scratch?
• What were some of the hidden silver linings and joys that came from this experience?

Thanks to Eva for joining us on this episode! Who else should join us on Beyond Camp? Share in the comments!

• The sleep challenge channel in the COVID-19 + Camp Slack group

We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.

Any feedback? Send Matt an email at [email protected]

Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting 

Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - [email protected]

Eva Peringer, Co-Founder, Youth Theatre Online

Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

This episode, we are excited to share a conversation with Jalisa Danhof, who took on the challenge of running in-person overnight camp during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Through her creative and innovative style, she lead her team to beat the odds and flourish. 

Even though there were challenges and pieces of the puzzle that were beyond her control, Jalisa and her team overcame them each day with success and pride. Jalisa thrives on confrontation and challenge: “I chew them up like a dragon and spit them out stronger and more resilient than ever before.” yeah - that’s right!

You won’t want to miss this conversation! 

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

• How Jalisa came to her full-time role at Camp Newaygo
• How did Jalisa personally and professionally manage the uncertainty that came with the pandemic looming?
• What were some of the biggest stresses for her, camp and her family during this time?
• What changed in her role and her approach to her job due to this different summer?
• What are some of the things that Jalisa is grateful for after the summer of 2020? What will she take away from it?

Thanks to Jalisa for joining us on this episode! Who else should join us on Beyond Camp? Share in the comments!

• Video: Simon Sinek - How Great Leaders Inspire Action (Start With Why)
• Jalisa’s Recharge Pick - The Office Ladies Podcast

We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.

Any feedback? Send Matt an email at [email protected]

Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting 

Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - [email protected]

Jalisa Danhof, Director, Camp Newaygo

Beyond Camp is a new summer Podcast brought to you by Go Camp Pro.

Cassie Bloy and Rachel Kent are here to explore the intersection of camp and our lives. As much as people like to talk about camp and ‘the real world’ as two separate entities, camp professionals know that this simply isn’t true. Beyond Camp dives into how different aspects of our lives affect our camp experience, effectively bursting the camp bubble and welcoming all parts of our lives into the conversation.

Go Camp Pro is excited to bring you this weekly podcast during the summer of 2020.

If you have any feedback, or would like to support the work of Go Camp Pro email our producer, Matt, at [email protected]

Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Do you ever find yourself thinking or saying “nothing can go right today”. Have you had some say “Just look on the bright side” or “think positive.” in response? When someone shares the sentiment of simply “remaining positive” through something as hard as a global pandemic, they may not realize the effect they are having on others. 

Do you find you struggle to share your emotions and put on your mask when having conversations with enthusiastically positive personalities? Beyond Camp is ready to dig into toxic positivity and how we can navigate the use of healthy positivity with those that surround us. 

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

• What is toxic positivity and where does it show up in and out of camp?
• What effect does it have on people who are genuinely struggling?
• How to handle a situation where someone is displaying some toxic positivity? How to have that hard conversation.
• How does toxic positivity get in the way of an empathetic response to hardship?
• What does positive and healthy self-talk look like during a crisis as big as this one?
• How do we help our staff understand toxic positivity in a way that encourages resilience, but doesn’t shame the naturally positive person, 

Have you had an experience with toxic positivity? Tell us about it in the comments!

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• Video: Brené Brown on Empathy
• Article: Positive Self-Talk
• HBR: Make a To-Don’t List

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We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.

Any feedback? Send Matt an email at [email protected]

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Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting 

Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - [email protected]

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Beyond Camp is a new summer Podcast brought to you by Go Camp Pro.

Cassie Bloy and Rachel Kent are here to explore the intersection of camp and our lives. As much as people like to talk about camp and ‘the real world’ as two separate entities, camp professionals know that this simply isn’t true. Beyond Camp dives into how different aspects of our lives affect our camp experience, effectively bursting the camp bubble and welcoming all parts of our lives into the conversation.

Go Camp Pro is excited to bring you this weekly podcast during the summer of 2020.

If you have any feedback, or would like to support the work of Go Camp Pro email our producer, Matt, at [email protected]

Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Full show notes at http://gocamp.pro/beyondcamp

With so many of our lives in turmoil right now in one way or another, some can see it as the perfect time to rebuild. The desire to do this can either come from a sense of “well, it’s already in shambles anyway” or, from a lens of “this is something that I can actually control amidst the chaos”.

Either way, it’s a brave decision to start aligning yourself with a new/different purpose. Hats off to you for even contemplating it.

So, what does it take to make the leap? How do you know it’s time? What will it actually be like?

Who better to answer these questions than someone who has, and is living that transformation? That’s why we called in the creme de la creme, the queen of the raft, Go Camp Pro Podcaster extraordinaire - Ruby Compton!  

We dive into this topic with Ruby as she shares with us how she’s building her business and career around her life - instead of the other way around. Join us as we discuss finding the courage to take a different path and how she stays true to herself and her values. 

Whether you’re planning on starting your own business or just want to explore the path less travelled, we are certain there’s something in this conversation for you. 

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

• Ruby’s camp “origin story”
• How Ruby moved into and out of full-time directing and camp work
• How growth needs to be a continuous part of our life’s work, no matter the role we are in
• Finding a way to consistently check-in to see if the work is matching your values
• Developing a healthier relationship with work-life balance
• Much, much more!

Who is another guest we should have on Beyond Camp? Let us know in the comments!

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We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.

Any feedback? Send Matt an email at [email protected]

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Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting 

Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - [email protected]

Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors

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Beyond Camp is a new summer Podcast brought to you by Go Camp Pro.

Cassie Bloy and Rachel Kent are here to explore the intersection of camp and our lives. As much as people like to talk about camp and ‘the real world’ as two separate entities, camp professionals know that this simply isn’t true. Beyond Camp dives into how different aspects of our lives affect our camp experience, effectively bursting the camp bubble and welcoming all parts of our lives into the conversation.

Go Camp Pro is excited to bring you this weekly podcast during the summer of 2020.

If you have any feedback, or would like to support the work of Go Camp Pro email our producer, Matt, at [email protected]

Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Things are changing at a dizzying pace and it can be hard to orient ourselves. Daily we are pulled in new directions, by the news, social media, our peers, friends and family. So come, grab your compass and dig into this conversation as we discuss how to find our bearings, what grounds us and how we are charting our path forwards. 

Join hosts Rachel and Cassie as they share some strategies, boundaries, routines and introspective practices to help you find your way through the foggy landscape that is Summer 2020. 

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

• Strategies and advice on cautious media, news and social media consumption
• Establishing routines to establish a sense of normalcy in your day and week
• Leaning into your values and traits to help you discover and use what you are truly gifted at
• Surrounding yourself with the right community to support you through the twists and turns
• Looking into bettering yourself and your skillset through education and professional development opportunities
• Much, much more!

What is something your compass points to? Let us know in the comments!

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• COVID-19 Visual Facts
• Book: Atomic Habits
• Gallups’s Clifton Strengths
• HBR: Reinventing Your Career
  • Subscribe to the HBR email digest here

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We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.

Any feedback? Send Matt an email at [email protected]

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Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting 

Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - [email protected]

Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Anyone else feel like they are strapped into a roller coaster they didn’t sign up for and can’t get off of? You’re not alone. Join us today as we talk about the highs and lows of the last few months. We talk boundaries, supporting ourselves and those who turn to us during challenging times. 

We are here to remind you that it’s okay to feel those feelings, to talk about them and to be kind to yourself. 

As camp pros, we give this advice to others all the time and often fail to take it ourselves. We are here to be that camp director for you, to remind yourself that it’s okay to feel a bit out of control, to not know what’s going on and to sometimes feel like you’ve just been flipped upside down. 

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

• Validation of the emotions you may be feeling - it’s okay to not be okay
• Recognizing your emotions - naming them and claiming them
• Some ways to cope during the peaks and valleys of emotions
• Moving past the guilty feelings of enjoying a summer without camp
• Working through the varying stages of grief that comes with this time
• How to set boundaries for when others want to offer you support

How are you managing the emotional roller coaster? Let us know in the comments!

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We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.

Any feedback? Send Matt an email at [email protected]

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Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting 

Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - [email protected]

Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

The pandemic has uprooted all of us, it’s unprecedented, caused us to pivot, turned our worlds upside down… you’ve heard it all by now. 

We’ve heard these words a million times. Listen in today as we chat about how we have are coping with what feels like losing a part of ourselves.

We often feel called to be a camp director and when that’s gone we feel like we’ve lost part of ourselves. Join us for the first episode of Beyond Camp where we explore what our identity meant to us, why it was so important and how we are slowly moving forward. This is hard stuff, but together we can do hard things.

Join hosts Rachel & Cassie as they dive deep into this tough, but necessary conversation.

Tune in to this episode to hear about:

• Why does the COVID-19 camp pandemic hurt camp professionals so personally?
• What words and language can we use to communicate both a sense of loss or solidarity with other camp professionals
• What are we actually missing? Why does this hurt so much for some of us?
• What if folks don’t get it? What if they still don’t understand what we really do/did as camp professionals?
• What things can we do re-charge and refill our bucket during this hard time?

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• Articles
  • HBR: What Happens When Your Career Becomes Your Whole Identity
  • The School of Life: How Your Job Shapes Your Identity
  • Psychology Today: You Are Not Your Work
  • HBR: Separate Who You Are From What You Do

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We’re grateful to those of you who shared their excitement for the show with us. If you enjoyed Beyond Camp, please pass it on to a Camp Director in your circle.

Any feedback? Send Matt an email at [email protected]

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Cassie Bloy, Consultant & Freelance Camp Director - Stephane Richard Development Consulting 

Rachel Kent, Coordinator, Member Risk - Girl Guides of Canada - [email protected]

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Beyond Camp is a new summer Podcast brought to you by Go Camp Pro.

Cassie Bloy and Rachel Kent are here to explore the intersection of camp and our lives. As much as people like to talk about camp and ‘the real world’ as two separate entities, camp professionals know that this simply isn’t true. Beyond Camp dives into how different aspects of our lives affect our camp experience, effectively bursting the camp bubble and welcoming all parts of our lives into the conversation.

Go Camp Pro is excited to bring you this weekly podcast during the summer of 2020.

If you have any feedback, or would like to support the work of Go Camp Pro email our producer, Matt, at [email protected]

Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

A Camp Podcast, in the Summer!?

Coming July 9th, 2020: Beyond Camp: Exploring the Intersection of Camp and Our Lives

As much as people like to talk about camp and ‘the real world’ as two separate entities, camp professionals know that this simply isn’t true. Beyond Camp dives into how different aspects of our lives affect our camp experience, effectively bursting the camp bubble and welcoming all parts of our lives into the conversation.

For the summer, stay tuned to the CampHacker Podcast feed. We're releasing a new show every week!

We hope you enjoy this preview! Episode one drops July 9th at 6 am.

If you have any feedback or ideas for future topics please get in touch! - [email protected].

Go well and safely friends, see you next week.

Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!

Things are hard now. It’s no doubt.

However, through hard things, comes the opportunity for big and beautiful changes.

It’s is the idea of weathering the storm and watching the flowers thrive.

Give yourself a break from the doom and gloom to think about what your camping program will look like in 5 years. 5 summers from now, what do you want to be proud of? How will we show the world the importance of camp after the possibility of a summer without it?

When it comes to thinking big, there’s no other crew you want in your corner. The whole gang is here, so sit back, relax for a second and dream alongside Gabz, Dan, Joe and Travis.

In what ways do you think camp will look different in 2025? Let us know in the comments!

Travis: Voice messaging Slack extension - https://talk-talk.me/

Dan: Joby GripTight GorillaPod Stand PRO -  https://amzn.to/35Xpo0V

Joe: Lee Valley Best-Ever Picture Screw - https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/hardware/picture-hanging-and-framing/anchors-and-screws/76382-lee-valley-best-ever-picture-screw

Gabz: TeamGantt Project Management Framework - https://www.teamgantt.com/google-sheets-gantt-chart-template

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - CampHacker.TV, Founder at Go Camp Pro
• Joe Richards, Executive Director - Pearce Williams Summer Camp & Retreat Facility
• Dan Weir, Sr. Director - Youth Development, Summer Camp, & Strategic Initiatives - YMCA of Long Island
• Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau

Rate and Review the CampHacker Show

(Thank you!)

Radtagz - Be and Be Known

Our free Resilient Camp Blueprint diagnostic is available at: https://camp.mba/travis