The Summer Camp Society Podcast The Summer Camp Society

WE'RE BACK BABBYY. After a little spring break, EmJ reclaims the mic and sits down with Simone Gamble, Jessica Tingle, and Sabrina Alvarado to talk different hair textures at camp. All three guests grew up going to camp and often found themselves left to their own devices when it came to maintaining their hair. The three share experiences that played a part in their hair journeys and cultivate a long list of reasons hair and hygiene affirming practices should be taught during your staff training, among so so much more.
If you're looking for a real conversation about what camps can get right with camper hair care and hygiene, this is for you. 
Producer EmJ's Takeaways:
We don't have enough time to get into how deep this conversation goes! Start with this podcast, and then call a friend and then talk more about and then do something about it. More mirrors at camp.It probably costs more to overnight combs to camp -- just order them now (: SHOW NOTES:
Check out these products  Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music

You don't know topic hopping until you've listened to this episode. Host EmJ is joined by Chris Hudson and Lolo Castro while at Tri-State. They touch quickly on how the conference is going and then jump IN on camper success when it comes to tech at camp, sending campers home early, and what the difference between "hard" and "challenging" is. 
It doesn't stop there. The three find a funny thing in common while discussing the word "camp" and questioning the professionalism behind it. There are touch points on partnering with schools, why costumes aren't as "goofy" as we think, and so much more. 
If you're looking for a bunch of hot takes and quick bites, this pod is for you. 
Producer EmJ's Takeaways:
Success at camp looks different for each camper. Maybe its passing the swim test or maybe its staying for 3 days. We as a collective have not truly processed the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic. (& it shows in our avoidance in this episode)I can officially cross "witness a spit-take in real life" off my bucket list.  
Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music

What if you didn't have to work the whole summer at camp? What if your staff could commit to the summer because they knew they'd get time off to squeeze in that family vacation, musical festival, reunion, etc. this summer?
On this episode Allison hosts a panel of camp pros made up of Carolyn Harari, Kyndra Luce and Cole Abdullah. All of their camps have one major staffing element in common: they don't make staff commit to the whole summer. The group covers how the manage to do this, why they know it works, and of course the challenges that come with it.
If you're looking for a successful twist in hiring, this pod is for you. 
Producer EmJ's Takeaways:
I like the idea of weekend hoppers or people who can come in to do short bursts to relieve long-term staff. I would like to get paid to help campers pack or help with check-out.Recently I've been on a big kick with the quote, "if you do not make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness" and I think this applies. If you do not make time for your breaks, you will be forced to take the breaks. Having built-in extended time-off could do wonders for staff.Hearing about the concerns with staff training makes me think more about how to do online, pre-camp trainings for staff, especially if its the mandatory things. It could help them learn the policies and procedures in a space and in a time where they may learn best.  Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music

We're talking welcoming staff and setting them up for success! When host EmJ sits down with Kelly Schuna and Sami Eron to talk what we're taking back from Tri-State, Kelly puts it best, "oh, this is, this is how my staff might feel day two of content." The group talk about what they can incorporate into their camps after experiencing the largest camp conference in the world for the first time!
If you're looking for the small ways we add safety, inclusion, and fun into staff training, this pod is for you. 
Producer EmJ's Takeaways:
More authors should bold the takeaways in their own books. How you feel after a conference can mirror how your staff feel after your trainings. This goes for social battery, energy, and mental capacity to learn. How can we celebrate our first time staff in the way that Tri-State "rang the bell" for their first-time attendees?----
Want more from Sami and EmJ?
They will be at the Spring Retreat AND leading a session! Join the learning and get a chance to talk Enneagrams with Sami, and stickers with EmJ. LEARN MORE HERE.
Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music

Being the new person can be intimidating and with over 3,300 people attending, you might want more than signs helping you get to where you're going.

Atlantic City is calling and EmJ must go! On this episode EmJ and Allison talk need-to-knows and "hiddy crics" for the upcoming ACA NY & NJ Tri-State CAMP Conference. They talk through lunch roundtables and what to wear, and get into why its important to put yourself out there, both in the sessions and at CampChella. 

If you're looking for a conference guide, this is the pod for you.

Producer EmJ's Takeaways:
We're getting those steps in this week! Make sure you pack layers and have the comfiest footwear to make the day last longer. You may have to put yourself out there to make connections. They're probably worth it. (You can ask me about my first conference in high school when I had ripped pants. See, I got the ball rolling.)Do what you need to do; if that's talking with a farm lead, its talking with a farm lead. (If that's you, please reach out.)Show Notes:
Tri-State EPICCampChella (:  Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music

Think about camp a year from now... Is it organized? Is it systemized? Is it neither of those and you're laughing those were even suggested? Well then do we have a treat for you!
Joining EmJ on the pod is Allison Krabill, Google Project Management Certified, and Paige Moffett, Masters in Project Management here to talk about ... project management! For some (read: EmJ) the idea of project management at camp seems overwhelming. Where do you even begin? This is hypothetical but its recommended to listen to the podcast as the first step. Learn from Paige and Allison practical tools and starting points to get yourself and camp into a more organized and well oiled system. 
If you're looking for ways to incorporate structure into your projects in and out of the summer season, this is the pod for you. 
Producer EmJ's Takeaways:
Paige shares a "fun" math game and I will give her credit, the idea of +1 -1 = is cool. Getting staff to be more bought in on learning and growing others. You may have to manage people as much as you're managing the process. It all comes down to good systems. Show Notes:
Google Project Management CourseRun Like Clockwork  Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music