The Pudding

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

Staffing continues to be one of the biggest thorns in the paws of our industry. It’s a challenge that isn’t likely to go away soon, so what can we do to ride this wave, rather than just letting it crash into us?

Travis and Mandi dig into this topic and share how an approach of curiosity is a Camp Pro’s best tool when working with this generation of camp staff.

In this episode, we cover:

• What do we need to know about this generation of camp staff? How will their worldview shape how they view their role this summer?
• How can we show this generation why the summer camp experience is not just worthwhile, but incredibly desirable?
• How we can help staff understand that camp is one of the best training grounds around for almost all future careers
• Is it possible to screen for the potential of great staff members? What can we do to identify the staff who are going to be super successful this summer?

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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.

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

We all know that even in the sunshine and butterflies that is summer camp, there is evil lurking about. An evil that affects people and communities from all over. It has a name, too.

Are you ready?

Power.

Okay, maybe a bit dramatic, but it’s something nonetheless that we need to talk about when it comes to the microcosm that is summer camp.

On this episode, Mandi and Travis discuss how the power structures of the summer camp world have consequential effects on not just the employees, but the entire culture and program.

You’ll hear about:

• How power is an ever-present entity, how everyone has it (to an extent) and how dynamic it can be
• The risk of harm that can be inherent in the systems that even the most well-intentioned camp leaders can create
• How the different spaces, and the unspoken rules of those spaces create a power-filled environment
• How camp directors can be aware of these systems of power and consider the good, the bad and the ugly in them

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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.

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

We intuitively know that camp is a good thing.

We can tell a million heart-filled stories about how camp changes lives.

But as you all know, the proof is certainly in the pudding - so for the discerning camp pros (or camp families we are trying to convince to come to camp!) this episode will be a great place to start!

Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis unpack some of the major findings over the last few years of research when it comes to the benefits of the summer camp experience for everyone involved.

You’ll hear about:

• Why being in nature is a foundational part of the benefits of the camp experience
• The psychosocial benefits of positive community and relationships
• How camp develops physical literacy and a healthy relationship to risk
• How camps are a developmental relationship super-charger
• Where to get your hands on this research

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UPLOADS - The Understanding and Preventing Led Outdoor Accidents Data Systems (UPLOADS) Project

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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.

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

Being in nature is good for us - we know this intuitively.

But did you know that science backs this up?

It is proven, beyond doubt, that being in nature decreases anxiety, decreases rumination, and alleviates low mood.

Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis unpack some of the major findings over the last few years of research when it comes to being outdoors and its effect on the individual.

You’ll hear about:

• The scientifically proven physical and emotional benefits of being in nature
• Why getting into nature is especially critical in this day and age
• How our bodies process emotions and how nature can be a way to shortcut that processing
• How can camp professionals explain the benefits and the research to camp families

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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.

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

Every camp professional, whether new or seasoned, knows what we mean when we say “camp magic”.

For most of us, we think of camp magic as this ethereal, indescribable, ever-present part of camp. This “magic” is what many of us feel sets camp apart from everywhere else.

To a camp researcher, this camp magic is something that is actually definable.

Tune in to this episode to hear Travis and Mandi unpack their vast experience living and researching this “insiders-only” concept.

You’ll hear about:

• What does camp “being a bubble” have to do with camp magic?
• How are the people at camp integral to creating that magic?
• What elements go into creating this “world apart”?
• At what point does “camp magic” become “camp cult?”
• How to support camp staff while they’re living and working in the “bubble”

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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.

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

We need to start here. 

Before we get into how to use research to empower our marketing and recruiting efforts, we need to unpack the basics of research.

So, whether you’re a research buff or not, this episode is meant to get everyone on the same page before we really dig deep.

You’ll hear about:

• What are the basics of research and the process behind it that we need to know?
• How do we know who the right people to talk to when selecting candidates for qualitative research?
• Why it’s important that we ask kids and gain their insights in the research process
• Why it’s important to consider the context when the research was conducted.
• How do you find research on camp? How do you know what is worth reading?
  • Pro-tip: Use Google Scholar - https://scholar.google.ca/ 
    • Pro-pro-tip - just email the researcher and they may just give you a copy!

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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.

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

Yes. It is!

In this new mini-series from Go Camp Pro, join Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison to focus in on prominent and emerging research in the summer camp world.

This episode will set up the rest of the season so tune in and get excited!

You’ll hear about:

• How Mandi found her passion for camp and where the research part of her journey came to be
• Where should we be starting our discussions when it comes to research and camp?
• How do we navigate the research that’s already out there?
• What topics will we cover in this mini-series?

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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]

-

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.