Camp Code - Leadership & Staff Training Podcast for Camp Directors

Go Camp Pro & Beth Allison, Gabrielle Raill, Ruby Compton
  • 4.8 (58)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Camp Code helps resilient camp leaders hire, keep, and train staff better. Each episode gives practical tips that solve real problems and build strong teams. Our hosts understand camp staff and share useful ideas that work in everyday camp life. You’ll learn ways to make camps more welcoming, help staff feel confident, and prepare your team for anything. Find simple advice for recruiting, training, and supporting your camp staff from trusted experts. Listen to Camp Code and discover how to build a resilient camp staff where everyone feels like they belong and can grow. Featuring 3 of the top trainers in the summer camp industry: Beth Allison, Gabrielle Raill and Ruby Compton, Go Camp Pro is pleased to present Camp Code.

  1. 5D AGO

    Our Favourite Beth Practices - with Kate Taylor- Camp Code #164

    Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/ourfavouritebeth Let me be perfectly clear…When Beth “Topaz” Allison isn’t in the room, you feel it. So this week on Camp Code, we did what made the most sense: we turned the episode into a tribute—surfacing the Beth practices that have quietly (and not so quietly) shaped how so many of us lead. Emerging is a clear picture of Beth’s core philosophy: start with people, lead with intention, and build everything from the end backward. From empowering staff to develop judgment rather than dependence, to using tools like the Four S’s to filter decisions through safety, stewardship, self-esteem, and service, Beth’s influence shows up in how camps think—not just what they do. Her insistence on front loading learning, naming the “why” before the “what,” and reverse-engineering training from the final feeling or outcome makes learning stick and gives staff confidence in the moment, not just during training. Just as powerful is how Beth leads behind the scenes. Whether it’s building metaphor-rich training experiences, creating shared language through personality frameworks, or choosing presence over perfection by sitting down at meals and genuinely connecting, her leadership is rooted in relationship. She models clarity without cruelty (“let me be perfectly clear”), care without coddling, and consistency without rigidity. At her core, Beth is a connector—someone who sees people, names what matters, and reminds us that when leadership is intentional, the impact lasts far beyond the season. Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Ruby (and Beth of course), This Beth practice centers on clarity as an act of care. By intentionally using the phrase “let me be perfectly clear,” Beth signals to staff that what follows is the true takeaway—the headline they need to remember. It’s a teaching tool that reduces confusion, reinforces expectations, and protects both people and camp, especially when stakes are high. Whether clarifying safety boundaries or consequences, Beth models that being direct isn’t about being harsh; it’s about preventing misunderstandings that can cost someone their job or put others at risk. Paired with warmth, restraint, and a well-timed stern face, this approach shows how clear communication—used sparingly and intentionally—builds trust and accountability. Special Guest:Kate Taylor, Consultant - Stephane Richard Development ConsultingYour Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauRuby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby OutdoorsThanks 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 ultracampmanagemnen Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

    36 min

  2. JAN 20

    RE-RELEASE: Best Interview Practices - Camp Code #19

    Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/re-release-bestinterviewpractices Hiring with Intention: Spotting the Right Staff Before Training BeginsThough we often consider the first day of staff training the time when we begin absorbing our new team into the camp culture, the reality is that staff orientation starts during the application process. Is the person trainable? How will he or she work on the team that is assembled? Does the applicant "get it?" Join Gab, Beth, and Ruby for a discussion of their favorite interview questions and time-tested ways to figure out if an applicant is a good fit.  Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Beth, Training Your hiring process has to be what is best for camp. It is a hard job but you, as the director, are the one that has the big picture. You must put the effort in to make the hiring process be whatever the camp needs. It may involve re-interviewing return staff and asking some hard questions. These are the most important decisions you will make all year. If something feels off, trust your gut. Ask questions to your return staff about things that didn't follow your camp philosophy that happened the year before. You can say "I am offering you a job but here is my concern from last year and that cannot happen again." Hiring is not about being their friend. Make sure they understand that you must do what is best for camp. And never apologize for high expectations. Your Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauRuby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby OutdoorsThanks 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 ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode. Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

    58 min

  3. JAN 6

    Preparing Staff for the Reality of Today’s Campers - with Ruby Compton - Camp Code #163

    Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/preparingstafffortherealityoftodayscampers Training Staff for the Kids That Show up TodayThis Camp Code episode explores the realities children are facing today and how those realities must reshape the way camps train their staff. Beth, Gabrielle, and Ruby unpack how comparison culture, constant visibility through photos and video, heightened global awareness, anxiety, loneliness, sensory overload, and shortened attention spans are showing up in camper behavior. They emphasize that today’s campers arrive overwhelmed, not broken, and that many challenges labeled as “behavior issues” are actually signs of stress, disconnection, or unmet emotional needs. The hosts connect these challenges to concrete shifts needed in staff training: moving away from assumptions about campers’ skills, teaching counselors how to respond to big feelings with both validation and regulation, building predictable routines with flexibility, supporting attention and sensory needs, and proactively addressing loneliness and inclusion. They also highlight the importance of trust, intentional quiet, team-based problem-solving, daily camper check-ins, and giving staff language and practice for difficult moments. The core message: when staff are trained to understand today’s kids, their confidence grows, camper experiences improve, and camp becomes a place of belonging, growth, and meaningful connection. - Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Beth, Camp environments are loud, busy, and unpredictable—energizing for some kids but overwhelming for others. Sensory sensitivity is increasingly common, and overload can show up as meltdowns, withdrawal, or sudden emotional reactions that seem to come out of nowhere. These moments are not misbehavior; they are signals that a child’s nervous system is overwhelmed. Staff training should help counselors recognize early signs of sensory overload and intervene before campers hit their limit by offering quiet breaks and access to calm spaces. Creating designated low-stimulation areas allows kids to reset and return to activities when they’re ready. When staff understand sensory needs and are given tools to respond with empathy and intention, their confidence grows, camper experiences improve, and camp becomes a safer, more supportive place where kids feel seen, understood, and able to thrive. Special Guest:Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby OutdoorsYour Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauThanks 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 ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode. Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

    34 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    Anxiety in Young Adults - with Ruby Compton - Camp Code #162

    Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/anxietyinyoungstaff Anxiety in Young Staff—and How Camp Leaders Can RespondThis Camp Code episode explores how anxiety is increasingly shaping how 17–25-year-old staff show up at camp, even when they don’t name it directly. Beth, Gabrielle, and Ruby connect the rise in anxiety to global instability, declining trust, perfectionism, constant visibility, heavy phone use, and missed developmental “practice reps” during the pandemic. At camp, anxiety often appears as repeated reassurance-seeking, freezing on decisions, difficulty accepting positive feedback, irritability or aggression, withdrawal in groups, defensiveness (“no one told me that”), and projection that everything is “the worst ever.” Our hosts also call out how traditional staff training can unintentionally worsen anxiety—surprise scenarios, long lecture-heavy blocks, information overload, and public correction. Their solutions focus on predictable structure, clear expectations, normalizing learning over perfection, teaching simple problem-solving frameworks, building in low-stakes practice (with no surprises), doing corrections privately and praise publicly, creating regular check-ins, and using returning staff as emotional “regulators” who help others stay grounded. The core message: staff aren’t fragile—they’re overloaded—and intentional training can turn anxiety into confidence and leadership growth. - Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Ruby, A simple but powerful way to reduce staff anxiety is to think intentionally about the first face they encounter—both during hiring and when they arrive at camp. When the person who interviews or communicates with them disappears at arrival, it can feel unsettling and increase uncertainty. Anxiety drops when staff know who will greet them and what to expect, even if that person is just the handoff to someone else. Sharing a photo, name, or short video ahead of time—“This is who you’ll see at the welcome tent”—creates familiarity and trust. That early human connection helps staff feel grounded, welcomed, and more confident before their first day even begins. Special Guest:Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby OutdoorsYour Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauThanks 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 ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode. Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

    42 min

  5. 12/09/2025

    Navigating Difficult Conversations Part II - with Diane Slater - Camp Code #161

    Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/navigatinghardconvopt2 Hard Conversations, Real PracticeIn this second installment on having hard conversations, Beth and Gabrielle welcome back HR consultant and longtime camp person Diane Slater to do what staff training needs most: practice. Moving through real camp scenarios, they dig into how leaders can stay clear and kind when feedback gets messy. Diane starts with the “defensive star”—the beloved staff member who shuts down whenever coaching arrives—and reminds us to lead with safety, reflect specific behaviors (not assumed motives), and sometimes even give people time to process before they can really hear what’s being said. From there, they tackle gossip as camp’s unofficial currency, not by demonizing it, but by naming intent and impact: what’s the staff member trying to get from sharing, and how does it land on the people around them? The episode keeps building into tougher terrain: chronic excuse-makers, entitled veterans challenging new directors, emotionally flooded staff, and even outright denial or lying. Across each situation, Diane’s throughline is consistent—anchor on facts, ask what someone can control, use curiosity over confrontation, and prepare your key points ahead of time so you don’t get pulled off course by tears, anger, or a debate that isn’t actually up for debate.  - Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Diane, When a staff member has to be let go, the work isn’t over once they leave. Diane reminds leaders that the rest of the team is still living and working together, and everyone will react differently—some with relief, some with sadness, some with judgment, and some with gossip. Because of that, leaders need to follow three key steps: first, debrief with the leadership team to reflect on what was missed and how to catch or prevent similar issues earlier (even back at hiring). Second, support the remaining staff by addressing the departure at a high level—grounding it in camper safety and team wellbeing—while protecting the privacy and dignity of the person who left. Third, actively monitor morale, normalize mixed emotions, and invite staff to process with leadership if they need to. The goal is clarity without cruelty, and reassurance that feedback and consequences are communicated clearly, not sprung on people out of nowhere. Special Guest:Diane Slater, Camp HR ConsultantYour Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauThanks 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 ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode. Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

    48 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    How to Ask for Help - with Kelly Schuna - Camp Code #160

    Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/howtoaskforhelp The Art of Asking for HelpIn this episode of Camp Code, Beth and Gabrielle sit down with Kelly Schuna to unpack why asking for help has become such a critical leadership skill for camp staff. They explore the mix of pressures keeping people quiet—fear of looking incapable, low trust, and a generation used to solving problems through phones or having adults step in automatically. The point they keep returning to is that hesitation to ask isn’t stubbornness; it’s vulnerability and lack of practice, and camp culture has to respond to that intentionally. From there, they zoom out to what camps can do: leaders must model asking for help themselves, make it explicitly expected from day one, and build simple routines that invite questions before problems snowball. Whether it’s regular check-ins, clear frameworks for how to speak up, or structured moments like office hours and “parking lot” notes, the goal is the same—normalize support-seeking as smart, team-centered leadership. At camp, no one should have to figure it out alone. - Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Kelly, One thing I implemented this past summer was office hours. I’ve noticed that staff often don’t know when to ask for help, or they hold back because they don’t want to interrupt or feel like a burden. Having a predictable time when they know they can find me makes that step easier. At my day camp, I used the walk back from Final Circle toward the center of camp as a natural moment for staff to connect with me, whether they needed support, had a question, or just wanted to share something that went well. Another idea I tried was a parking lot system. I set out a clipboard in a central camp space where staff could leave notes for me when something wasn’t urgent but was still on their mind. It gave them a low-pressure way to flag questions or concerns they didn’t want to forget, and it helped surface small issues early before they had a chance to linger or grow. Between office hours and the parking lot, staff had more than one clear, simple path to reach out. Special Guest:Kelly Schuna, Owner and Executive at Hidden Pines RanchYour Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauThanks 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 ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode. Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

    44 min

  7. 11/11/2025

    Navigating Difficult Conversations - with Diane Slater - Camp Code #159

    Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/navigatingdifficultconversations2025 How to Have Tough Staff Conversations with Clarity and CompassionLet’s face it—having tough conversations with staff who aren’t meeting expectations can feel downright uncomfortable. At camp, where relationships and community are everything, addressing performance issues can seem at odds with the culture of care and belonging we work so hard to build. Too often, directors and leadership staff hesitate to give feedback because they fear defensiveness, gossip, or escalation. But avoiding those conversations can quietly erode team trust and weaken your camp culture. In this episode of Camp Code, Beth and Gabrielle sit down with HR consultant and lifelong camp enthusiast Diane Slater to explore how camp leaders can give clear, compassionate feedback that supports accountability without sacrificing empathy. Drawing on her extensive experience in human resources and her deep love of camp, Diane shares practical frameworks for how to approach difficult discussions, how to handle tears, anger, and denial, and how to prevent frustration from festering across your team. - Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Diane, Sometimes, despite coaching and multiple chances, a staff member doesn’t change. When you and your leadership team no longer believe improvement will happen, it’s time to part ways. Think of it like baseball: after three solid attempts, if behavior hasn’t changed, they’re out. Keeping someone who ignores feedback signals that the behavior is acceptable, invites others to copy it, and slowly poisons your culture. The exit itself can be clear and respectful because you’ve already documented expectations and tried to help. You can say, “Unfortunately, today will be your last day with our camp—the behavior hasn’t changed and it’s not working.” It’s hard, but you’ll often hear relief from others afterward; leaders rarely see the full iceberg until stories surface once action is taken. When you’ve set expectations in writing and offered real coaching, ending employment can be the healthiest choice for the team and the campers you serve. Special Guest:Diane Slater, Camp HR ConsultantYour Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauThanks 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 ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode. Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

    50 min

  8. 10/28/2025

    Phone Down and Leading with Presence - Camp Code #158

    Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://www.gocamp.pro/campcode/phonedownleadingpresence Breaking the Phone Habit: Leading with Presence at CampIn the latest episode of Camp Code, the hosts tackle a growing challenge for camp directors: managing cell phone use while fostering an unplugged, connected camp culture. They explore how to shift from enforcing strict no-phone rules to celebrating off-phone time as part of what makes camp special. Through creative ideas like “disconnect to reconnect” challenges, mindful moments, and intentional “third spaces” for connection, the hosts show how camps can replace digital distractions with meaningful, real-world engagement. Beth and Gabz offers practical strategies for integrating technology thoughtfully, such as clear expectations, designated camp phones, and staff training to understand and address phone addiction. By approaching phone use with empathy and structure, camp leaders can create environments where presence and connection thrive—proving that true leadership begins when we put the phone down and show up for each other. - Best Practice for Leadership TrainingFrom Gabz, This summer, I learned a powerful leadership lesson from one of my team members who showed up to camp with a flip phone. She’d intentionally swapped her smartphone for something simpler—no social media, no endless scrolling, just the essentials. Watching her made me realize how much of our phone use isn’t about communication, but about distraction. It inspired me to consider using a flip phone myself next season, not as a step backward, but as a way to model intentional leadership. By choosing presence over convenience, we can show our teams that leading well sometimes starts with putting limits on ourselves. Your Hosts:Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - Go Camp ProGabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp OuareauThanks 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 ultracampmanagemnent.com/campcode. Measure twice! Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis. Stop flying blind: Take your free Resilient Camp Blueprint Diagnostic at https://camp.mba/travis.

    43 min
See All (167)

4.8
out of 5
58 Ratings

About

Camp Code helps resilient camp leaders hire, keep, and train staff better. Each episode gives practical tips that solve real problems and build strong teams. Our hosts understand camp staff and share useful ideas that work in everyday camp life. You’ll learn ways to make camps more welcoming, help staff feel confident, and prepare your team for anything. Find simple advice for recruiting, training, and supporting your camp staff from trusted experts. Listen to Camp Code and discover how to build a resilient camp staff where everyone feels like they belong and can grow. Featuring 3 of the top trainers in the summer camp industry: Beth Allison, Gabrielle Raill and Ruby Compton, Go Camp Pro is pleased to present Camp Code.

Information

You Might Also Like