The Pudding

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/building-sustainable-camps

In this episode, Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison talk to Herschel Singer from JCamp 180 about the critical work being done by his organization in supporting Jewish camps across North America, focusing on organizational effectiveness and financial sustainability. Herschel shares his thoughts about the economic landscape of camping, the importance of data-driven yet context-aware decision-making, and the trends observed from their research, particularly regarding costs, revenue, and deferred investments. He offers a refreshing take on the importance of understanding parent dynamics in camping and hints at the broader impact of implementing a data culture among camp professionals.

Episode Guide

• 00:41 Meet the Hosts and Guest 
• 01:08 Herschel Singer's Journey into Research
• 03:27 Overview of JCamp 180
• 05:58 Research Methodologies and Applications
• 09:54 Economic Landscape and Financial Sustainability
• 12:27 Impact of Research on Camps
• 19:43 Trends and Challenges in Camp Staffing
• 21:37 Deferred Investments and Resilience
• 25:43 The Role of Parents in Camping
• 29:52 Conclusion and Contact Information

Your Hosts

• Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - [email protected]
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - [email protected]
• Herschel Singer, Consultant - JCamp 180 - [email protected]

The American Camp Association - Illinois

The American Camp Association of Illinois is made up of nearly 289,000 members, volunteers, campers, families, and professionals who believe in the power of camp. We work to disrupt the effects of poverty by providing fundamental services for children and families, and learning opportunities for camp professionals. Learn more about ACA Illinois by visiting acail.org.

Camptivities

You know the impact you want camp to make in a child’s life. But figuring out the day-to-day details can be overwhelming. Let Camptivities help you make that impact by streamlining the creation of your camp activity schedules. Schedule a demo at camptivities.com.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/a-question-of-value

On this episode of The Pudding, Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison dive into the economic impact study of the camp industry with researcher Eli McClain, of the Restorative Economics Group. They talk about his process of working with a team of researchers and students to collect data from over 20,000 camps across the United States, and how this $70 billion dollar industry ripples out into the wider community. Eli also touches on how “camp” is defined for the purposes of this study, and additional questions for future research that came up in the course of writing their report, including the question of how seasonal employment in the camping industry prepares you for full time careers in both camping and other industries.

Resources from this episode:

National Economic Impact Study of the Camp Industry

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Episode Guide

• 00:00 Meet the Hosts and Guest
• 00:36 Eli McClain's Journey into Research
• 08:31 Defining the Camp Industry
• 13:30 From Data Points to Camp Operator Data Collection
• 17:53 Key Findings and Insights from the Economic Impact Study
• 21:15 Future Research Directions with the Magic Wand of Camp Research
• 24:44 Recommended Researchers to Follow & Episode Wrap-up

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Your Hosts

• Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - [email protected]
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - [email protected]
• Eli McClain - Researcher, Restorative Economics Group

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The American Camp Association - Illinois
The American Camp Association of Illinois is made up of nearly 289,000 members, volunteers, campers, families, and professionals who believe in the power of camp. We work to disrupt the effects of poverty by providing fundamental services for children and families, and learning opportunities for camp professionals. Learn more about ACA Illinois by visiting acail.org.

Camptivities
You know the impact you want camp to make in a child’s life. But figuring out the day-to-day details can be overwhelming. Let Camptivities help you make that impact by streamlining the creation of your camp activity schedules. Schedule a demo at camptivities.com.

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

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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• 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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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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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.

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

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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• 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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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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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.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/make-impacts-welcome-diversity-with-camp-research

 
In this episode of 'The Pudding', hosts Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison are joined by Drs. Lisa Meerts-Brandsma and Jim Sibthorp to dive into groundbreaking research in the camp world. The discussion covers their journeys of becoming researchers, the link between the camping and outdoor education industries, and pivotal findings from recent studies. Lisa emphasizes increasing camp access and inclusion, while Jim highlights the complexities of understanding developmental impacts when researching in isolation. They also share thoughts on the evolution of camp research, potential future directions, and the importance of collaborating closely with practitioners.

Episode Guide

• 00:41 Meet the Hosts and Guests
• 01:07 Lisa & Jim’s Journeys to Camp Research
• 06:41 Jim’s Research:Maximizing Developmental Potential
• 08:53 Lisa’s Research: Increasing Access to Camps
• 11:15 Using Research to Market Camp to a More Diverse Population
• 17:25 The ACA’s Youth Impact Study and Diversifying the Narrative
• 21:50 The Evolution of Camp Research over Jim’s Career
• 28:42 The Missing Piece of the Camp Research Puzzle
• 33:21 Future Directions: Bridges Between Researchers & Practitioners
• 35:27 Future Directions: Experience Quality over Activity Base
• 40:39 Community Level Research & Identity Shaping Experience (ft. the Magic Funding Pot!)
• 43:28 Recommended Researchers to Follow & Episode Wrap-up

Your Hosts

• Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - [email protected]
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - [email protected]
• Dr. Lisa Meerts-Brandsma - Assistant Professor, University of Utah - [email protected]
• Dr. Jim Sibthorp - Professor, University of Utah - [email protected]

The American Camp Association - Illinois
The American Camp Association of Illinois is made up of nearly 289,000 members, volunteers, campers, families, and professionals who believe in the power of camp. We work to disrupt the effects of poverty by providing fundamental services for children and families, and learning opportunities for camp professionals. Learn more about ACA Illinois by visiting acail.org.

Camptivities
You know the impact you want camp to make in a child’s life. But figuring out the day-to-day details can be overwhelming. Let Camptivities help you make that impact by streamlining the creation of your camp activity schedules. Schedule a demo at camptivities.com.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/excel-doesnt-have-to-be-scary

Hosts Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison engage with Lee Biear, Business Development Director at Camptivities, to explore the transformative power of data in camp management. Lee shares her journey from public health research to camp data analysis, including stories of success in enhancing program quality, diversity, and staff retention rather than just focusing on the bottom line. Highlights the role of storytelling in marketing, how to build good data collection in your organization, and why you should pester your camp registration software company to offer you an API. This episode is a mini-masterclass in leveraging data for operational success and community building in camps.

Episode Guide

• 00:41 Meet the Hosts and Guest Introduction
• 02:14 Lee's Journey into Camp Data
• 05:41 Marketing Strategies for Camps
• 12:25 Importance of Storytelling in Camp Marketing
• 18:13 Are You Really Showing How Safe Your Camp is?
• 23:26 Diving into Megadata
• 26:41 Case Study of Value over Revenue
• 34:41 The Basics of Good Camp Data
• 40:02 Data Collection: Not Just for Nerds Like Us!
• 47:54 What Should be Studied Next?
• 49:01 Who Else Should We be Hanging Out With?

Your Hosts

• Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - [email protected]
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - [email protected]
• Lee Biear - Director of Business Development, Camptivities - [email protected]

The American Camp Association - Illinois

The American Camp Association of Illinois is made up of nearly 289,000 members, volunteers, campers, families, and professionals who believe in the power of camp. We work to disrupt the effects of poverty by providing fundamental services for children and families, and learning opportunities for camp professionals. Learn more about ACA Illinois by visiting acail.org.

Camptivities

You know the impact you want camp to make in a child’s life. But figuring out the day-to-day details can be overwhelming. Let Camptivities help you make that impact by streamlining the creation of your camp activity schedules. Schedule a demo at camptivities.com.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/camp-research-catalyzing-change

In this episode, hosts Travis Allison and Dr. Mandi Baker discuss the significant research efforts and initiatives undertaken by the American Camp Association to understand and improve summer camps. Special guest Laurie Brown, Ph.D, Senior Director of Innovation and Learning at the ACA, shares insights from her journey as a researcher, as well as some behind-the-scenes info about research grants and the innovative approaches the ACA is exploring to enhance camp programming and outcomes. The discussion also highlights ACA's collaborative projects and future ambitions in camp research, emphasizing the need for our industry as a whole to develop professional support for Camp Pros and recognize their expertise as creative problem solvers.

Episode Guide

• 00:41 Meet the Hosts and Guest Introduction
• 01:15 Laurie Brown's Research Journey
• 03:51 The Family Tree of Camp Researchers
• 08:18 Character Development Grant and Research Questions
• 14:13 New Approaches to Research
• 21:15 Being an “Expert Researcher” in Camping
• 30:17 Upcoming Research: Accessibility & Inclusion in Camps
• 35:28 Wellbeing in the Camp Workplace
• 40:16 How the Camp Industry can be Taken Seriously
• 45:48 Who Else Should We be Hanging Out With?
  
  

Your Hosts:

• Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - [email protected] 
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - [email protected]
• Laurie Browne, Ph.D, Sr. Director of Innovation and Learning - American Camp Association

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The American Camp Association - Illinois

The American Camp Association of Illinois is made up of nearly 289,000 members, volunteers, campers, families, and professionals who believe in the power of camp. We work to disrupt the effects of poverty by providing fundamental services for children and families, and learning opportunities for camp professionals. Learn more about ACA Illinois by visiting acail.org.

Camptivities

You know the impact you want camp to make in a child’s life. But figuring out the day-to-day details can be overwhelming. Let Camptivities help you make that impact by streamlining the creation of your camp activity schedules. Schedule a demo at camptivities.com.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/impact-of-research

In the first episode of the second season of 'The Pudding,' hosts Dr. Mandy Baker and Travis Allison invite Victoria Povilaitis, Director of Program Innovation at Tim Horton Foundation Camps, to discuss the exciting developments and research initiatives in camp programming. Victoria shares her insights on the program quality and artistic methods used to enhance camper experiences. She details the Impact 365 measurement approach and explains the importance of inclusivity and diverse perspectives in modern camp research. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of camps in fostering positive youth development, the significance of social and emotional learning, and the innovative project of bringing camp experiences directly to children in schools.

Episode Guide

• 00:00 Welcome to Season Two!
• 00:29 Meet Victoria Povilaitis
• 01:42 Inside Tim's Camps
• 02:34 New Programming Initiatives
• 03:38 Understanding Program Quality
• 05:09 The Five C's of Youth Development
• 11:31 Victoria's Journey into Camp Research
• 19:09 Current Research Projects at Tim's Camps
• 27:13 The Impact of Smartphones at Camp
• 30:41 Future Directions in Camp Research
• 33:59 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Your Hosts:

• Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - [email protected] 
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - [email protected]
• Victoria Povilaitis, Director, Program Innovation - Tim Hortons Foundation Camps

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The American Camp Association - Illinois

The American Camp Association of Illinois is made up of nearly 289,000 members, volunteers, campers, families, and professionals who believe in the power of camp. We work to disrupt the effects of poverty by providing fundamental services for children and families, and learning opportunities for camp professionals. Learn more about ACA Illinois by visiting acail.org.

Camptivities

You know the impact you want camp to make in a child’s life. But figuring out the day-to-day details can be overwhelming. Let Camptivities help you make that impact by streamlining the creation of your camp activity schedules. Schedule a demo at camptivities.com.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/camp-researchers

Our guests, Victoria Povilaitis, Lori Brown, and Jake Sorenson, are not your typical academics. They are the frontline champions of camp research, dedicated to unveiling the intricate ways camps contribute to community building, character building and emotional growth. From the playful yet practical enhancements at Tim Hortons Foundation Camps to the community-driven research of the American Camp Association and the spiritual connections at Christian summer camps through Sacred Playgrounds, each guest brings a wealth of knowledge and a shared passion for nurturing the next generation.

Tune in to hear more about:

• Our Camp Researchers Share Their Current Projects
• Understanding Character Development in Youth
• The Research’s Impact on the Wider Industry
• Exploring the Gaps and Future of Camp Research

• Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - [email protected] 
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - [email protected]
• Victoria Povilaitis, Director, Program Innovation - Tim Hortons Foundation Camps
• Laurie Browne, Sr. Director of Research and Education - American Camp Association
• Jacob Sorenson, Director and Lead Researcher - Sacred Playgrounds

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The American Camp Association - Illinois

The American Camp Association of Illinois is made up of nearly 289,000 members, volunteers, campers, families, and professionals who believe in the power of camp. We work to disrupt the effects of poverty by providing fundamental services for children and families, and learning opportunities for camp professionals. Learn more about ACA Illinois by visiting acail.org.

Camptivities

You know the impact you want camp to make in a child’s life. But figuring out the day-to-day details can be overwhelming. Let Camptivities help you make that impact by streamlining the creation of your camp activity schedules. Schedule a demo at camptivities.com.

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/ethics

Mandi gives us a mini-masterclass on all things research and how it applies to both the formal and informal research that we conduct at our camp.

In this episode, we cover:

• What are the common ethics terms and basic ethical practices that camp practices that camp pros should be aware of?
• What are the overarching values that form the foundation of ethical oversight?
• What ethical practices should we consider when conducting research (both formal and informal) at our camps?
• How does academic and research integrity come into play when it comes to research? What does that have to do with how we ideate, innovate and communicate our research in the camp world?

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• Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - [email protected] 
• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - [email protected]

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The American Camp Association - Illinois

The American Camp Association of Illinois is made up of nearly 289,000 members, volunteers, campers, families, and professionals who believe in the power of camp. We work to disrupt the effects of poverty by providing fundamental services for children and families, and learning opportunities for camp professionals. Learn more about ACA Illinois by visiting acail.org.

Camptivities

You know the impact you want camp to make in a child’s life. But figuring out the day-to-day details can be overwhelming. Let Camptivities help you make that impact by streamlining the creation of your camp activity schedules. Schedule a demo at camptivities.com.