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Where Camp Meets Calling: A Century of Impact in Austin
Today’s guest is a powerhouse in the Austin nonprofit scene and someone whose personal story makes her leadership more powerful. Erica Blue is the CEO of Austin Sunshine Camps (ASC), a 100-year-old organization that provides free overnight camp experiences to Central Texas youth who wouldn't otherwise have access. Under her leadership, ASC has not only deepened its impact, but also earned major recognition, including the 2024 Ethics and Business Award.
But Erica's path to this kind of work didn't start in a boardroom. It started with lived experience. Raised in Alief, a neighborhood in Houston, she knows what it means to navigate financial hardship firsthand. That background fuels her passion for youth development, equity, and building real pathways to opportunity.
In this inspiring episode, Adam sits down with Erica to explore how a century-old organization is changing lives—one camper at a time. The conversation dives into the nonprofit’s impact, Austin’s evolving social fabric, and the importance of mentorship, equity, and shared leadership in a growing city. Erica also offers a look at the future: expanding access, breaking down silos, and inviting more Austinites into the story.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
☀️ The legacy and evolution of Austin Sunshine Camps
🌲 How camp unlocks resilience, confidence, and curiosity in youth
💡 Erica’s journey from financial hardship to nonprofit leadership
🔁 Building a camper-to-counselor pipeline and workforce equity
🌉 Bridging opportunity gaps for 40,000+ kids in Central Texas
Resources for this episode:
About our guest: Erica Blue is the CEO of Austin Sunshine Camps. After a six-year stint in the for-profit industry, she joined the non-profit world in 2008. Erica is passionate about supporting missions that positively affected the trajectory of her own life. When she's not at work, Erica can be found running on the trails around Central Texas or in South Austin, where she lives with her husband, Ray, and their two daughters, Ruby and Zoey.
Personal LinkedIn Profile URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-blue-566b695/
Company LinkedIn Profile URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunshinecamps/
Company Instagram Handle: https://www.instagram.com/austinsunshinecamps/
Company YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/austinsunshinecamps
Company Website: www.sunshinecamps.org
Get in touch with Adam & Collective Advisors
Website: https://www.collectiveadvisors.com/
Request an appointment: https://www.collectiveadvisors.com/#contact
Call: 512-467-1923
View all episodes
By Adam FlaggToday’s guest is a powerhouse in the Austin nonprofit scene and someone whose personal story makes her leadership more powerful. Erica Blue is the CEO of Austin Sunshine Camps (ASC), a 100-year-old organization that provides free overnight camp experiences to Central Texas youth who wouldn't otherwise have access. Under her leadership, ASC has not only deepened its impact, but also earned major recognition, including the 2024 Ethics and Business Award.
But Erica's path to this kind of work didn't start in a boardroom. It started with lived experience. Raised in Alief, a neighborhood in Houston, she knows what it means to navigate financial hardship firsthand. That background fuels her passion for youth development, equity, and building real pathways to opportunity.
In this inspiring episode, Adam sits down with Erica to explore how a century-old organization is changing lives—one camper at a time. The conversation dives into the nonprofit’s impact, Austin’s evolving social fabric, and the importance of mentorship, equity, and shared leadership in a growing city. Erica also offers a look at the future: expanding access, breaking down silos, and inviting more Austinites into the story.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
☀️ The legacy and evolution of Austin Sunshine Camps
🌲 How camp unlocks resilience, confidence, and curiosity in youth
💡 Erica’s journey from financial hardship to nonprofit leadership
🔁 Building a camper-to-counselor pipeline and workforce equity
🌉 Bridging opportunity gaps for 40,000+ kids in Central Texas
Resources for this episode:
About our guest: Erica Blue is the CEO of Austin Sunshine Camps. After a six-year stint in the for-profit industry, she joined the non-profit world in 2008. Erica is passionate about supporting missions that positively affected the trajectory of her own life. When she's not at work, Erica can be found running on the trails around Central Texas or in South Austin, where she lives with her husband, Ray, and their two daughters, Ruby and Zoey.
Personal LinkedIn Profile URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-blue-566b695/
Company LinkedIn Profile URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunshinecamps/
Company Instagram Handle: https://www.instagram.com/austinsunshinecamps/
Company YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/austinsunshinecamps
Company Website: www.sunshinecamps.org
Get in touch with Adam & Collective Advisors
Website: https://www.collectiveadvisors.com/
Request an appointment: https://www.collectiveadvisors.com/#contact
Call: 512-467-1923