Government & Organizations
**The Day Camp Pod – From Go Camp Pro**

The Day Camp Pod is for day camp leaders who want real answers and practical advice. Each episode covers how to build a resilient camp, face daily challenges, and support every camper. Our hosts and guests are experienced camp directors who believe in problem-solving, teamwork, and helping staff grow. We talk about staff training, making camps more welcoming for everyone, and building strong connections with parents. If you want to learn how empathy and creativity make camps better, and how to keep your camp strong during tough times, you’ll find new ideas here twice a month from Actober to May.

The Day Camp Pod, from Go Camp Pro. Bringing you the best ideas, strategies and discussions in the Day Camp Industry.

Latest Episodes:

Pre-Schooler Programming - with Diana Vroman - The Day Camp Pod #47 Jan 20, 2021

Show notes

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/preschool-program-2021

They’re the most fun, the most magical, the most squirmy and they’re the future of camp. Here’s how to rock your preschool camp programming!

Pre-Schoolers are the little saplings of day camp. Show them and their families a good time, and you have an annuity that can last a decade.

That said, they are completely different on so many levels, compared to elementary and middle schoolers. Today we’ll deep dive into the world of the littlest people in our camps

Tune in to this episode to hear about camp programming, the arts, games, special events, facilitation tricks and MORE - all for the wee ones!

Enjoy!

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro
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If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Day Camp Tip of the Week

Andy: Skip’s Rubber Duckie idea: Give every kid a rubber duckie, put them in the shallow part of the pool, and tell the kids to go and get them! It will get them right in the pool!

Sam: Perspective training - Line staff up, and every other one kneels down to give the staff the perspective of a pre-schooler looking up with their counsellors. That’s why we get down on one knee!

Tiff: Taking your current curriculum and make it age-appropriate for every level to make sure everyone feels seen and related to.

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Tiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
Diana Vroman, Elementary Schools Site Director - Crystal Lake Park District

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Sam’s Mega-List of Preschool Programming!

Found at https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/preschool-program-2021

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Day Camp - pt.2 - with Dr. Lance Ozier and Dr. Chanika Perry - The Day Camp Pod #46 Jan 12, 2021

Show notes

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/dei-at-day-camp-pt2

Here’s part 2 of this important conversation with Dr. Perry and Dr. Ozier.

One of the silver linings 2020 has been the awakening of many camp professionals to the glaring lack of diversity in the camp industry.

Besides camps that cater to children living in the inner-city, Summer camp- like many American institutions, has historically been a white proposition. Today we will discuss what we can do within our organizations, to help make change. Thank you for joining us for this important discussion

In this second part of a two-part episode, we cover:

Goal is uplifting ALL humanity
Staff training, and ongoing staff stuff through the season (when you see it, say it- see what? say what?)
How to talk to campers about it- proactively (like on Mondays when laying down the rules), and when kids slip up- how to address it.
Communicating racism, diversity, tolerance with little kids vs. big kids
Parent Communications- Website, Parent Resource Guides, what to “say” on a tour

Episode Resources

Find all resources: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/dei-at-day-camp-pt1

Positive White Racial Identity Development.pdf

Ali Michael piece: What White Children Need to Know about Race

The Racial Healing Handbook

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Tiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
Dr. Chanika Perry, Director of Education Programs - Hands On Atlanta
Dr. Lance Ozier, Senior Educational Consultant - Teaching Matters

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SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pr!

Diversity at Day Camp - pt. 1 - with Dr. Lance Ozier and Dr. Chanika Perry - The Day Camp Pod #45 Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/dei-at-day-camp-pt1

The Day Camp world is being reborn after the summer of 2020. Let’s rebuild it into a world of diversity, equity and inclusion.

One of the silver linings 2020 has been the awakening of many camp professionals to the glaring lack of diversity in the camp industry.

In this first part of a two-part episode, we cover:

Developmental appropriateness-
1. inappropriate, but age-appropriate- use as teachable moments- don’t dismiss.
2. “Got it from parents”
NAMING defensiveness-
1. “Not seeing race”
2. Avoiding the topic
How do we show off- How do we represent camp validity to all people
1. Not avoiding… accepting, knowing what the community values.
2. Step 1- Hiring diverse staff

Episode Resources

Find all resources: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/dei-at-day-camp-pt1

Positive White Racial Identity Development.pdf

Ali Michael piece: What White Children Need to Know about Race

The Racial Healing Handbook

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Tiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
Dr. Chanika Perry, Director of Education Programs - Hands On Atlanta
Dr. Lance Ozier, Senior Educational Consultant - Teaching Matters

-
SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Mini-Pod - The Essence of Camp - with Liz Kimmelman - The Day Camp Pod Dec 29, 2020

Show notes

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/essence-of-camp

When you take away all of your camp’s window-dressing, what’s left? Andy and Liz Kimmelman dig into it on this Mini-Pod.

Every camp we’ve spoken to that opened during Summer 2020 quickly realized that all the bells and whistles they’ve accumulated over the years were insignificant, as their downscaled, back-to-basics programming was embraced and enjoyed by the campers and staff in ways like we’ve never seen before. For camp directors like Liz and Andy Kimmelman, and myself to a degree, this was a welcome awakening for the future of our camps. THIS, is the Day Camp Pod!

Tune in to hear about:

Nicknames...
Summer 2020 reckoning
- Why do you think this happened?
  - Opportunities for Autonomy, mastery and connection!
- Do you think that people (including parents) will remain content to keep it simple?
Changes we made that we will keep
Website revisions
Advice to our day camp colleagues
- Unplug, outdoor, explore, play more

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp

GUESTS:

Liz Kimmelman - Owner/Director - Camp Tumbleweed

SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Sleepaway Spirit, Pandemic Camp, Turnarounds & the Media - with Mark Transport - Day Camp Pod #44 Dec 22, 2020

Show notes

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/mark-transport

We’re always doing a bit of a turnaround at camp, so let’s hear from a Day Camp Pro who’s a…well…pro at it!

Review us on iTunes!

Being successful in the camp industry these days calls for strong, courageous leadership- and on Long Island, Mark Transport has made himself known amongst his camp peers, local and state government, and in the media.

In this episode, we cover:

Mark’s camp origin story, from dentist to resident camp to day camp
Sleepaway Camp Spirit
Transitioning school kids into camp kids
Being a Turnaround Expert
- Facility
- Not seeing the problems
- Change is essential
Mark’s Experience Running Camp Summer 2020
Using the Media
- Talking in front of the camera

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Day Camp Tip of the Week

Andy: A tip from Joanna Warren Smith - teach your staff to answer the phone intentionally - ex. “Liberty Lake, this is Andy speaking!”

Sam: Use kernels of corn instead of live bait for fishing programs.

Mark: 1. Your camp is evaluated by how nice your bathroom is

2. Directors- GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY- do frontline work, builds morale

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Tiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
Mark Transport, Owner/Director - Crestwood Country Day Camp

SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Mini-Pod - Perseverance - with Dalia Librus - The Day Camp Pod Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/perseverance-in-day-camping

We will persist. Kids need camp too much for us to give up.

Review us on iTunes!

The last 8 months have been emotionally trying for all of us- Whether you opened in 2020, or chose not to open, this has been a rite of passage like none other- with no self-help books or TedTalks to lead the way.

In these times of uncertainty, we must find it in ourselves to have the grit and resilience that we preach to our camp community each summer- Dalia Librus is an Israeli Day Camp director who has had to run camp through other kind of tough situations that can give us all a little perspective these days.

Tune in to hear about:

Dalia’s fascinating origin story - convincing her school to start a summer camp program
What day camp is like in Israel- in times of war and civil unrest
- Not just rain clouds up in the sky!!!
- Perseverance and Grit- and learning to deal with tough situations, as they become normalized.
- Such parallels to Covid-19, summers 2020/2021

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp

GUESTS:

Dalia Librus, Director of External Programs - American International School in Israel

SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

The Sleepaway Camp Spirit - pt. 3 - with Sam Borek and Gordon Josey - Day Camp Pod #43 Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/sleepaway-spirit-pt3

“The Mont-sters of Day Camp” are here for our annual episode on harnessing the spirit of overnight camp at your day camp!

If YOU have experienced both day camp AND resident camp, agree that a great day camp captures the “Sleepaway Camp” Spirit- This episode, our third annual episode on this topic, attempts to solve the riddle of WHAT IS the Sleepaway Camp Spirit, and what can we do in our meager little day camp setting between the limited hours, staff going home every night, and kids ratting us out to their parents- The answer, we can do a whole lot.

In this episode, we cover:

What do people who don’t know day camp, not understand about the culture?
What are we even talking about - sleepaway camp spirit?
What concepts are we able to “bring over” from the overnight camp experience?
What cool things our camps do to give that vibe
Challenges to achieve this - Staff that go home at night, parents who interrogate their kids every afternoon, etc.

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Day Camp Tip of the Week

Andy: Games like capture the flag and other wide games that kids sometimes don’t get to do in a day camp experience.

Sam T: Find a giant cardboard distributor - backdrops, cardboard regatta, photo boards, the possibilities are ENDLESS!

Tiff: Run a New Years eve slumber party - ginger ale, ball drop, toast at noon, pyjamas, movies, popcorn, the whole 9-yards!

Sam B: 6 Team Olympics in One Day - use stories to fuel the excitement

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Tiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
Sam Borek, Camp Owner/Director - Woodmont Day Camp
Gordon Josey, Owner/Director - Breezemont Day Camp

-
SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Mini-Pod - Teen Camp Art Projects - with Cricket Snearing - The Day Camp Pod Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

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Here are some art projects that teens will actually enjoy!

Review us on iTunes!

On this mini-pod, Sam sits down with Cricket to tell you about some of their favourite art projects that are winners with teens!

And since it’s hard to do an audio-only show of crafts, here is a write-up of the crafts!

Thanks, Sam and Cricket!

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

YOUR HOST:

Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District, Vice president ACA Illinois

GUEST:

Cricket Snearing, 30 years as Administrative Director and Rockwood Adventures Teen Travel Director at Sesame, Current Summer Ceramics Teacher at Camp Walden, NY

SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

2021 Staff Recruitment and Retention - with Kim Aycock and Jolly Corley - Day Camp Pod #42 Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

Find full notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/2021-staff-recruitment-and-retention

We’re not exactly sure what the summer of 2021 will look like, but we know we’ll need a great team of staff! Here’s how to get them on board, and keep them around!

As we navigate the pandemic waters, the staffing landscape has skewed a bit. Some might say that potential staff are more available than ever. But are they willing to work at camp? Are their parents willing to allow them to work at camp? And how has the proposition of working at day camp changed.

We have tremendous benefits over most any other summer jobs, and our challenge continues to be figuring out how to translate the camp experience into a language that neophytes can understand and appreciate.

We welcome Kim Aycock and Jolly Corley to the Pod to help share some best practices with our listeners.

In this episode, we cover:

Recruitment: what advantages do we have within/coming out of a pandemic?
Internships and travel abroad cancelled or limited
Utilizing alumni connections
How to get people back to your camp in 2021, when your camp didn’t run in 2020?
Staff Culture = Camp Culture
Panic & being “stuck” is real
So many questions, so few answers
Importance of communication/transparency
Be a Stress Detective
Return to Your Values (before, current, ideal)
Why reinvent the wheel - look to great leaders in times of crisis (Winston Churchill) for guidance “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” — Winston Churchill
Frame the Summer, Invoke Destiny, Define Victory/Success, Redefine Hardship

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

Day Camp Tip of the Week

Andy: Intentional Staff Bonding - Tie Dye Night

Sam: Mafia Game

Tiff: Survey staff what victory/success looks like at the end of this summer (goals). Cool tool Opinion X helps with surveys: https://www.opinionx.co/

Kim: Disruptus Game (great for ideation, innovation...Disruptus revolves around new ways to create, transform, or improve ideas or objects)

Jolly: Pool Noodle Games for Social Distancing

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Tiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
Jolly Corley, Speaker and Director - Camp Robindel
Kim Aycock, Speaker, Trainer, Teacher and Go Camp Pro Contributor - www.kimaycock.com

SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Mini-Pod - A Historical Woman in Camping - Eleanor Eells and the 50 Year Anniversary of Title Twenty - with Gordie Kaplan - The Day Camp Pod Nov 17, 2020

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Find more at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/eleanor-eells

Celebrating a foundational Camp Professional. Tune in to learn about Eleanor Eells and her legacy in camping in part, through Title XX funding.

Review us on iTunes!

Eleanor P. Eells was a leader and inspiration within the field of camp throughout her life. She was an active participant in the Settlement House and Social Service Agency camp movements and a pioneer in therapeutic camping. She was one of the founders of the Fund for Advancement of Camping and served as its director through FAC's formative years.
Eleanor Eells had an equally important influence on the American Camp Association. She worked with FAC to support programs such as ACA's 1970s standards research and rewrite; the pilot Camp Director Certification Institute; the Camping Unlimited/Intergrouping Project; ACA's last reorganization; and securing government funding for campership use.
Her greatest contribution was helping individuals and camps start new programs. When these programs were operating, she shared results with countless others.
Eleanor Eells' life was an example for the camp professional. The first recipient of ACA's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, Eleanor Eells passed away in her 94th year in Calgary, Alberta.
We’re so excited to welcome Gordie Kaplan to this mini-pod to discuss an extremely important figure in the camping industry, Eleanor Eells!

Tune in to hear about:

1. How did you end up working with Eleanor?

2. What was the societal problem that the two of you were trying to remedy that led to Title XX?

3. Describe Tittle XX?

4. Title XX in the COVID year, how we adapted program’s to still serve campers.

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

YOUR HOST:

Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District, Vice president ACA Illinois

GUESTS:

Gordie Kaplan, Camping Industry Veteran - ACA-IL

-
SPONSORS:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AM Skier Insurance http://www.amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

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The Day Camp Pod – From Go Camp Pro

They’re the most fun, the most magical, the most squirmy and they’re the future of camp. Here’s how to rock your preschool camp programming!

Day Camp Tip of the Week

YOUR HOSTS:

Please review and subscribe!

Sam’s Mega-List of Preschool Programming!

Here’s part 2 of this important conversation with Dr. Perry and Dr. Ozier.

Episode Resources

YOUR HOSTS:

Please review and subscribe!

The Day Camp world is being reborn after the summer of 2020. Let’s rebuild it into a world of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Episode Resources

YOUR HOSTS:

Please review and subscribe!

When you take away all of your camp’s window-dressing, what’s left? Andy and Liz Kimmelman dig into it on this Mini-Pod.

YOUR HOSTS:

GUESTS:

Please review and subscribe!

We’re always doing a bit of a turnaround at camp, so let’s hear from a Day Camp Pro who’s a…well…pro at it!

Day Camp Tip of the Week

YOUR HOSTS:

Please review and subscribe!

We will persist. Kids need camp too much for us to give up.

YOUR HOSTS:

GUESTS:

Please review and subscribe!

“The Mont-sters of Day Camp” are here for our annual episode on harnessing the spirit of overnight camp at your day camp!

Day Camp Tip of the Week

YOUR HOSTS:

Please review and subscribe!

Here are some art projects that teens will actually enjoy!

YOUR HOST:

GUEST:

Please review and subscribe!

We’re not exactly sure what the summer of 2021 will look like, but we know we’ll need a great team of staff! Here’s how to get them on board, and keep them around!

Day Camp Tip of the Week

YOUR HOSTS:

Celebrating a foundational Camp Professional. Tune in to learn about Eleanor Eells and her legacy in camping in part, through Title XX funding.

YOUR HOST:

GUESTS:

Please review and subscribe!

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