Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! In the world of technology, nature deficit disorder and climate-change, it's time for camps to raise the bar. From the philosophies, to the policies, to the on the ground environmental practices, we need to start thinking intentionally about what we can do to be leaders of environmental stewardship.To discuss ways that we can step up their sustainable game, Travis is joined by three new guests - Danny Sudman from Green Camps and of the first partn...
Nov 03, 2017•54 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Way back in the way back - 2013, we talked about Partnering With Parents. Back then, we were living in a world where Social Media coming from camp was still a pretty newish thing and there weren't nearly as many channels of connection between camp and a camper's home. Also, in the last 4-5 years, more and more camp pros have been rolling their eyes at parent emails requesting things like more photos and thinking, "ugh, helicopter parents". In onli...
Apr 05, 2017•39 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! No matter how far your "draw" is for campers, it's absolutely critical that camps have a good relationship with their neighbours and local communities. If you have close residences (especially on a lake), it's important to recognize the fact that you're a noisy, bell-ringing, song-sining (screaming) place. If your camp is a little more secluded, you may be facing the challenge that, despite your strong camper numbers, people don't even know you ex...
Mar 07, 2017•1 hr 3 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! What's on your mind right now? It's fair to say that it's getting into "crunch time", but it's also probably fair to say that there's still some time to think. And when there's time to think, there's sometimes a space created in a section of our brains that is reserved for vulnerability. Whatever that is to you - uncertainty, concern, doubt, worry - thoughts like these have a way of floating in and settling in the spaces in-between your day to day...
Feb 06, 2017•54 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Happy January and happy 2017! If you're anything like Joe, that means that the summer of 2017 is already preparing to sneak up on you. It's a New Year and people all around the world have made (and possibly already broken) New Year's Resolutions for themselves. These changing of the calendar prompts people to "shake things up" a bit in their lives. As Camp Pros, we don't need a prompt. We live the life of resolutions for our camps in an effort to ...
Jan 19, 2017•55 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! On this episode of the CampHacker Podcast, the "Business Brain Trust" (aka - Travis, Joe, Johnathon Lee and Sarah Kurtz McKinnon), have re-assembled to talk all about their best budgeting practices and how the budget can paint clearer pictures when it comes to looking at your camp's pricing. As well, tune in to hear about the host's philosophies when it comes to setting your camp's fees to reflect a professional, competitive business....
Nov 27, 2016•53 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! That's right, it's a Tool of the Week EPISODE! This one is for all of the masters of chrome extensions, the efficiency junkies, the royalty of DIY online design and for those people who's last panel on their phone is full of apps from listening to the Tool of the Week section on our show. With doing literally no research to back this statement up, the following list has got to be the world's biggest list of computer, web-based and phone apps curat...
Nov 02, 2016•1 hr 5 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Even when it's not the off season, a Camp Director's inner monologue can be their best friend, or their arch nemesis. Hashing things out with your brain can spark new ideas but can also slow you down with your own insecurities or doubts. We preach that mental health is something that we need to nurture in our staff and campers, but how kind are we being when we speak to ourselves? On this episode of the podcast, the fantastic (camping) four are re...
Oct 29, 2016•1 hr 3 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! All of the things that we know and love about camp – campfires, singing songs, high-ropes, canoeing on a lake are all incredible, but they all won’t exist in a camp that is mismanaged from a business standpoint. For most full-time Camp Directors, this big-picture thinking about camp as a business is absolutely critical to create a sustainable and thriving place. On this episode of the CampHacker Podcast, Travis and Joe are joined by Johnathon Lee,...
Oct 28, 2016•1 hr 3 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Kevin Kelly (Authour of The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future), joins Travis in this special Interview Edition of the CampHacker Podcast. Together, Kevin and Travis discuss his views on how not only the world as a whole, but our little camp world will surely be shaped by the integration of technology into the everyday....
Aug 19, 2016•43 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us!...
Jun 15, 2016•9 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! As our parting gift to you to keep you cool until we meet again in the fall, we have the whole team together to fill the last few pages of your spring journal with our top tips for this time of year. We hope that this episode gives you what you need right now whether it's a reassuring helping hand, or a fire under your rear. Either way, Dan, Joe, Gab and Travis brought their A-game for this one....
May 13, 2016•57 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! This episode of the Podcast is dedicated to help our staff members get the most out of their daily, weekly, and seasonal experiences at camp. Whereas we usually delegate the camper’s nightly devotions to the counsellors (Ep. 88 has some ideas on how you can be that person too), we, as directors need to present our staff teams with those same types of opportunities. With the list of ideas that you’re surely going to have from this episode, we hope ...
May 02, 2016•53 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! The spread of age and experience on site at camp can make things a little tricky at times. That being said, we all know that camp relies on a generational turnover to not just survive, but thrive. As directors, it's our job to reach our staff on a common ground. In this episode of the CampHacker podcast, Travis, Dan and Gab are on hand to share their insights on how to intentionally work with the actual and perceived generation-gap between you and...
Apr 06, 2016•41 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! The camp day is full of transformative moments; sometimes, there’s almost too many to keep track of. By prompting some mindfulness at the end of the day, it gives campers the chance to unpack all of their conversations, moments of growth and feelings and go to bed thinking meaningful thoughts. This episode of the Camphacker Podcast, prompted by Go Camp Pro founder, Laura Kriegel, is dedicated to the best practices about debriefing your day with yo...
Apr 06, 2016•1 hr
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! This episode of the CampHacker podcast is dedicated to these kinds of big trips and the camps that have them down to a science. Travis is joined by 3 Directors whose camps specialize in these epic excursions. These 4 Camp Pros put their heads together to discuss not just the logistics of these trips (which are super interesting!), but the transformative power that comes from campers and staff immersing themselves into nature for weeks at a time. W...
Mar 18, 2016•1 hr 8 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! If you've been tuning in to the last two episodes of the podcast, you'll know that we're talking all about full time work at camp. So far we've covered, asking yourself if camp is right for you as well as making your full time camp job a sustainable one. This episode, we wrap up the mini-series with an entire episode dedicated to how to find not only a full-time camp job, but the right full-time camp job. CampHackers Dan, Joe, Gab and Travis all p...
Dec 02, 2015•48 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! This week, CampHacker Travis is joined by camp pros Marc Cooper from Camp Tamarack and Topher Aderhold from Camp Gray. Travis, Marc and Topher put on their thinking caps to share their secrets for what it takes to not only survive in the full-time camp world, but thrive in it. From balancing your camp and personal life, to your every day demeanour during the summer, this episode covers a lot of ground!...
Nov 20, 2015•47 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Hello friends and welcome back to another season of the CampHacker Podcast. In the spirit of starting something new, we wanted to dedicate today's show and few more this season to those who are considering pursuing camp into a full-year commitment. As well, we'll be talking about you directing veterans can begin the process of mentoring the next generation of camping professionals. This week, we get the conversation going with CampHackers Dan, Joe...
Nov 02, 2015•31 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! On this episode of the CampHacker podcast, CampHackers Travis, Joe, Gab and Dan break down the ins and outs of all things staff evaluations. You will find excellent discussions on why evaluations are important, how to teach your staff to evaluate each other and some awesome best evaluation practices from four different veteran director perspectives. If you aren’t evaluating, or want to get better at it, then this episode was made especially for yo...
Jun 01, 2015•58 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! We all know that volunteers really are the life-blood of our organizations. If you have a good list of volunteers with a variety of skills, and a good list of tasks for them, then you will undoubtedly have a program that is always looking spiffy and have some awesome, hand-made stuff. CampHackers Travis, Joe and returning guest David Gill from Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center get together in this episode of the podcast to share some strategies...
May 08, 2015•55 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! As seasoned camping professionals, you know how to greet your camp families well. You always know their name, greet them with a firm handshake and know how to make good, intentional conversation. But what happens on opening day when you too occupied with running camp to meet and talk with every-single parent on site? On this episode of the CampHacker Podcast, Chantal "Match" Jackson joins Travis, Joe and Gab to talk about teaching everyone at your...
May 07, 2015•40 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Video marketing doesn't have to be something that drains both your fiscal and time budget. Using your camp's message along with some great tips from the CampHackers, this podcast will lay the foundations for you to start using video to show the world what your camp is really about....
Mar 30, 2015•29 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! This episode, CampHackers Gab, Joe and Dan get together to share not only some awesome ideas that can be included in your campfires, but how the philosophy of your campfires can, and should, reflect the culture of your camp...
Mar 14, 2015•49 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! CampHackers Dan, Gab and Travis get together to share some of the best dining room practices in the summer camp industry....
Feb 18, 2015•54 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! We all know that working at summer camp is an incredibly stressful job. There never seems to be a break anymore! In this week's CampHacker podcast, we talk through ways that we can cope with the increasing demands of the most important job we'll ever have....
Feb 15, 2015•53 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! On the podcast this week, CampHackers Travis, Gab and Joe discuss Camp Culture. The CampHackers explore how a camp’s core values are realized through the culture that your camp emits....
Feb 14, 2015•47 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! It was so nice to have Ange Atkinson from Camp Lantern Creek back on with us for her second appearance on the podcast. Our discussion for this show centres around how we find NEW sources of professional education. Where do we look, outside the summer camp world to grow our biggest skills?...
Feb 13, 2015•56 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! This week on the podcast CampHackers Travis, Beth, Dan and Joe get together about why Summer Camps are incredible collaborators and how they can be even better....
Feb 08, 2015•1 hr 6 min
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! This show. THIS is the moment that CampHacker was created for. We had the best discussion today. Joe had the awesome idea to talk about what it would be like to start a camp from scratch. If you weren't burdened by tradition (and a property) what would you do differently?...
Oct 05, 2014•1 hr 5 min
