It’s almost hiring season and to save future you some time, so Kelie and Shauna have staff on their mind. In this episode, our hosts share the ways they like to show appreciation to their staff and also share how it builds their staff culture. Kelie and Shauna also share how they implement these staff moments so they are easy to duplicate at your camp!Show Notes

In this fun and revealing episode, Kelie and Shauna dive into the hilarious and sometimes shocking, shared by listeners, "Counselor Confessions." From pranks gone wrong to heartwarming moments with campers, current and former counselors spill their best-kept camp secrets, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the antics of camp counselor life.LINKSBissli BBQBetter Camping for All Institute2024 ACA Staffing SummitTo Our Reddit Hater

Kelie and Shauna ARE BACK! In this episode, they recap their AMAZING summers and absolutely GUSH about their 2024 Staff. Shauna shares the celebrity children she had as campers and Kelie finally has a great summer after last year’s fiasco of a season.Full Show Notes

In this episode, Kelie and Shauna are joined by Emily Golinsky from Bright Moose Training to discuss the crucial differences between bullying and conflict in youth programs, camps, and schools. Emily shares insights on how to recognize the signs of both, strategies for prevention, and handling conflicts effectively. The conversation explores real-world applications of these strategies, the importance of educating staff and parents, and the role of restorative practices in resolving conflicts. The episode also touches on the unique social dynamics among children post-pandemic and addresses common scenarios faced by camp staff.Links:[email protected] Phantom Tollbooth book2024 May/June Camping Magazine - Staff Training IssueWant to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss?Email Us: [email protected]

This episode dives into the transformative approaches Kelie and Shauna are implementing for staff training at their respective camps. From reinventing traditional methods to integrating dynamic activities. The conversation reflects on past experiences, anticipates future challenges, and explores strategies to enhance the camp experience for both staff and campers, highlighting the importance of adaptability, engagement, and fun in staff development.Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss?Email Us: [email protected]

Kelie and Shauna explore the portrayal of camp in movies, TV shows, and documentaries, touching on both fiction and non-fiction. They discuss the accuracy and cultural impact of camp-themed media, sharing their personal experiences and critical perspectives as camp professionals. The episode highlights a variety of titles, including 'Camp Nowhere', 'Heavyweights', 'The Parent Trap', and 'Bug Juice', alongside discussions on the darker aspects of camp portrayals such as in 'Hell Camp'. Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss?Email Us: [email protected] 

Kelie and Shauna discuss their recent experiences and key takeaways from the ACA Tri-State Camp Conference. They touch on their busy travel schedules, staffing updates, and a variety of sessions attended at the conference. Highlights include discussions on staff recruitment, dealing with camper and staff behavior, the importance of respect over hierarchy, and innovative ideas for camp traditions and staff training. They also mention valuable resources like Project Real Job's TikTok and the Greetings of Gratitude app. Personal anecdotes and analogies like using the Kleenex box before the toolbox in conflict resolution provide practical advice for camp directors. The episode wraps up with thoughts on the closing keynote by Katie Sowers and the impact of conference takeaways on preparing for the upcoming camp season.Links:Project Real Job on TikTokGreetings of Gratitude AppStrong and Kind websiteWant to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss?Email Us: [email protected]

Hosts Kelie and Shauna, after a series of serious episodes, decide to lighten the mood by introducing a fun, rapid-fire segment focused on camp traditions. Utilizing a wheel to randomize selections, they explore their experiences and thoughts on a variety of camp traditions, such as the Apache Relay, family/parent days, awards for campers and staff, the use of indigenous names, special birthday acknowledgments, the transfer of ashes ceremony, and the iconic Color War. Each tradition prompts a discussion that touches on the fun, the problematic aspects, and potential improvements. This episodic journey through camp culture not only reminiscences about the hosts' camp experiences but also critically examines traditional practices within the camp setting.Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss?Email Us: [email protected]

In this episode, Kelie and Shauna, are joined by Shane Meserve, a consultant and trainer on mass violence and child abuse prevention, for a discussion on the topic of mass violence and its impact on children and camps. The episode focuses on ways in which programs like camps can aid in prevention, utilization of trauma-informed care, and maintaining a safe environment for the children. The hosts also discuss techniques to manage the aftermath of a mass violence event and look at how these incidents may leave trauma on younger children. Shane emphasizes the importance of having mental health resources and maintaining communication with parents. The discussion wraps up with helpful resources that are linked below. LinksShane's email and Linked InNational Mass Violence Resource Center www.nmvvrc.orgNational Child Traumatic Stress Network www.nctsn.orgSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Association www.samhsa.govBooksDisaster Planning and Preparedness in Early Childhood and School-Age Settings by Charlotte HendricksTrigger Points: Inside the Mission to Stop Mass Shootings In America by Mark FollmanAtlas of the Heart by Brene BrownThe Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya ParkerWant to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss?Email Us: [email protected]

Kelie and Shauna are joined by Claire Griffith, a recreation specialist working with cognitively impaired individuals. Claire addresses trauma informed care within a camp setting, stressing the importance of safety, trust, transparency, peer support, and collaboration, and acknowledging cultural, historical, and gender issues. They explore how trauma informed care can influence Gen Z, considered the first generation heavily into online and social media, and touches on how managers and older generations can often hinder progress with mindsets of 'it was hard for me, so it should be hard for you.' Claire also underlines the necessity of setting clear boundaries in management roles and models the evolution of trauma informed care moving forward with newer generations.Links:Clair's Instagram - @claire.griff17

In this episode, Shauna gives a detailed rundown of her experiences at the Women in Camp Summit 2023, also known as WICS. The episode includes discussions on several important topics including the significance of intersectionality in camping, the importance of transparency in job descriptions to accommodate neurodivergent individuals, trauma-informed management, and the impact of privilege. The conversation includes insightful discussions between Shauna and Kelie and highlights some inspirational presenters from the summit.Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss?Email Us: [email protected]

In this episode, Kelie and Shauna give a different take on the Summer Camp Society’s November 14th episode: Rethinking the Counselor Role.Links:Summer Camp Society Podcast: Season 2 Episode 13The Other Side: Episode 2 - Are We Asking Too Much of Our Staff?Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss?Email Us: [email protected]

In this episode, Shauna and Kelie get raw with Joel Van Egbert as they discuss ways camp directors can improve the mindset, conditions, and retention rates of camp counselors. #CampJesusJoel’s email: [email protected]

Kelie and Shauna discuss what they have seen in camper behavior over the last two summers, their experiences, and their ideas to begin combating it.

In this episode, Shauna and Kelie talk with Frost Valley CEO, Riel Peerbooms, about the rising childcare cost and how it affects camps. Links: Riel Contact:  [email protected] Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected]

This episode was recorded before the 2023 summer season. Shauna and Kelie share their plans for staff training and share some great resources.  Take a listen and get some cool ideas for your 2024 staff training. Links: Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers (book) How Long To Visiting Day?: Creative Role-Playing for Training Camp Counselors (book) AhaSlides.com (add polls and Quizzes to live presentations) Mintimeter.com M.E.S.H. Resources Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected]

Shauna and Kelie discuss a recent book they read, Sticking Points by Haydn Shaw about the 4-5 generations that are in the workplace and how it relates to camp!

Shauna and Kelie ARE BACK!  In this episode, they recap their VERY different summers.  Shauna had her best summer EVER, while Kelie had her hardest. Also, find out why we included a photo of a cactus in the show notes.

Kelie and Shauna discuss what constitutes acceptable reasons when to bring a staff member back after they’ve been fired.

Marijuana! Let’s start the conversation that is soon to be a reality in many camps across the country.

Shauna and Kelie talk discuss what the definition of camp should be, and who should be able to call themselves a camp. Want to add to our conversation? Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected]

Kelie and Shauna talk with CJ Greco about if pronouns should be something employers should ask on job applications. Links: CJ Greco's Instagram - @cj.greco TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected]

Kelie and Shauna talk about brain teasers and fun questions during the interview process.  Do you ask silly questions when interviewing staff? Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected]

This week Kelie & Natalie sit down with Carmella Montenegro to discuss the best ways to help support our summer staff through real life DEI conversations. Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected] Links: Here are Carmella Montenegro’s links Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmela-montenegro/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/chikychikycarm Podcast Information: https://notmadjustmisunderstood.podbean.com/ Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Kelie and Natalie reconnect with Jonathan and Sami to recount how their first summer as full time Directors went! Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected] Links: Jon’s email: jon@campkadesh Sami’s email: [email protected]

Natalie is away. So, Kelie brought in some friends, Curt Jackson and Chris Kallal from the SCamp Life: The Programming Side podcast. In this episode they discuss which is better, camper choice where the kids get to choose their activities, or group rotation where the kids are forced to go to each activity.

The new “Quiet Quitting” trend is all over social media.  Have you thought about how it will affect your hiring process this summer?  Natalie and Kelie start the conversation that you should start thinking about with your team.

Natalie interviews Kelie on her post camp “vacation”.  Kelie went back to her home camp to help out, and you’ll never guess what she offered to do! Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected]

Last episode was Day Camp, this week Overnight.  Natalie and Kelie speak with Jonathan DuHamel and Sami Eron as they prepare  for their first summer as Camp Directors for overnight camps. Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected] Links: Jon’s email: jon@campkadesh Sami's email: [email protected]

Kelie and Natalie interview a brand new Day Camp Director, Emily Suggs, as she prepares for her first summer as Camp Director. Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected] Links: Emily’s Email:  [email protected] Camp Shiawassee

Kelie & Natalie interview Adam Baranker from Jeff Lake Camp about his Gen Z panel he hosted during the ACA Tri-State Conference. Find out what Gen Z needs are when working at camp. Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected] Links: Adam's email: [email protected] Jeff Lake Camp Adam's Instagram

Natalie came up with a great survey for high school students in Alabama. In this episode Kelie and Natalie go over their results as to high school student’s perspectives on seasonal employment.  We then ask you to share the following survey with any high schools you know.  We will share the data via ScampLife in early May. Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected] Links: Survey Results (PDF) Nation Survey: National Seasonal Work Survey (google form)

Dr. Deborah Gilboa joins Natalie and Kelie to discuss how the 2020’s have affected our adults and the ripple effect to our youth. This is one episode you don’t want to miss!! Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected] Links: Dr. G’s website: askdoctorg.com StressedtoResilient.com

Natalie talks horse world restrictions of height, weight, and age, and Kelie talks about all the other specialized program areas.  The two then go into how to empower your staff to stick to your policies. Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected]

In this episode Natalie and Kelie discuss if how we treat our staff is truly preparing them for work in the “real world”.  From the start of the interview process through holding them  accountable… are we doing enough? Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected]

Looking for ways to increase your staff salaries?  Aren’t we all!  Can you take it from leadership salaries?  See how the team feels about the positions of General Counselor vs. Unit Lead.  Is it something you can do? Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: [email protected]