Camp Code - Leadership & Staff Training Podcast for Camp Directors

Virtual Staff Training - Part 1 - Camp Code #84

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/virtual-staff-training-1 Virtual staff training is a brave new world. Let’s explore it together. Over the last year, virtual sessions have become way too familiar. We know that camp staff have already spent a lot more time meeting virtually regardless as businesses have switched to virtual work and educators have shifted learning to online. Unfortunately, this is not going away yet as most camp leaders are most likely learn...

Training Staff to Work With Parents - pt 2 - Camp Code #83

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/work-with-parents-pt2 It’s too important for just one episode. Remember last episode when our special guest Travis, fed all of us the knowledge of a lifetime at camp? At CampCode HQ, it was certainly a memorable episode, but without Gabrielle there, we all knew we could squeeze a little bit of greatness out of her. For that reason, we are back with round two, where we focus on the great ideas on how to train our staff to ta...

Training Staff to Work With Parents - with Travis Allison - Camp Code #82

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/work-with-parents Because you aren’t the only one that needs to wow your camp families! Beth and Ruby are joined by Travis Allison to breakdown the importance of your staff being calm, cool and collected when interacting with their camper’s parents. Do you remember your 16-20 year old self? Talking to adults is scary enough, without the fact that you are looking after the most important thing in their world. Great parent ...

TIMELY INFO FOR AMERICAN CAMPS - PPP, ERC & ACA - with Scott Brody & Steve Baskin - The Day Camp Pod

A special, timely interlude from our friends at the Day Camp Pod: Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/ppp-era-aca Timely info for American Camps - Jan/Feb 2021 For many camps and small businesses in the United States, the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program was a lifesaver- enabling us to keep our best people employed which we navigated the uncharted waters of the covid-19 pandemic.  Starting January 13, the second round of PPP has b...

The Acronym Episode - Camp Code #81

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/the-acronym-episode We L.O.V.E Acronyms! Here are Beth’s, Ruby’s & Gabz’s favourites! We L.O.V.E them - Nope, that’s not an acronym, simply our way to show how much we enjoy them. We engrave acronyms into the lexicon of camp to ensure that the important things that you want your staff to memorize, are memorable. For Beth, with over 25 years of camp acronym experience, this was one of the hardest episodes for her to record a...

The Silent Summer - Training after a Gap in Operation - Camp Code #80

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/the-silent-summer This will be the most important staff training you’ll ever prepare. We made it! It’s 2021, but that doesn’t mean that camps are without adversity with this summer quickly approaching. With a global vaccine rollout for COVID-19 and differentiating public health policies and guidelines depending on your province, state, municipality or county, there are too many permutations and combinations circling to real...

What We Learned at the Women in Camp Summit Live Virtual Event - Camp Code #79

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/what-we-learned-from-wic We ran a traditionally in-person conference 100% online. And it was AWESOME. Here’s what we learned!  This week’s episode falls during the holiday season of 2020. From all of us at Camp Code, happy holidays and we wish all of you a happy new year.  2020 has been quite the year, with a global pandemic affecting lives worldwide and to camp professionals, has created an unprecedented camp season where...

9 Quick-Fire Ways to Surprise and Delight Your Staff - Camp Code #78

Find full show notes and links here: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/surprise-delight-staff One of the most important things we can do for youth is to show them that we’re thinking of them.  ♫ The weather outside is frightful, but Beth, Ruby and Gabrielle continue to be delightful ♫  In this episode as they look to give you ways to show your appreciation towards staff.  At the core of this episode, being a leader is really understanding those around you and what motivates them. For some, ...

Training Staff to Disagree and Discuss with Care - Camp Code #77

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/disagree-and-discuss-with-care To disagree is not to destroy, it’s to dream about new possibilities. Here’s how to teach your staff that. In this episode our hosts are here to help listeners to understand that conflict can be good, it can create new ideas, decisions or avenues for new exploration. As Beth says, the goal of conflict resolution is to have all parties involved mutually agree and to do that, she reminds listene...

Hiring in Uncertain Times - Camp Code #76

Find more at https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/hiring-in-uncertain-times Inviting staff into our uncertainty. That’s what hiring for Summer 2021 is all about! If you haven’t listened to the four-part mini-series devoted to our camp professionals helping YOU, you should go back and have a listen! This is the first episode after the mini-series and the timing of our hosts could not be more on point. In this episode, it is all about preparing for the hectic hiring season that is quickly approac...

Bonus Episode - The Women of Go Camp Pro Podcasts

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/blog/women-of-gcp-podcast What do you call it when you gather a bunch of female camp and podcasting pros in a room? You call it AWESOME. In today’s special crossover episode, Beth Allison from Camp Code hosts a conversation with several of the women who podcast with Go Camp Pro. Today’s episode features Rachel Kent and Cassie Bloy from Beyond Camp, Sam Thompson from the Day Camp Pod, Kelly Schuna from The Camp Owner’s Podcast, and Ruby ...

Taking Care of Your Staff - Camp Code #75

Find more at https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/taking-care-of-your-staff One of the most affordable AND most important things you’ll do at camp this summer. If you have listened to the three earlier episodes focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re already prepared with a new set of tools on your belt to help YOU as a camp professional. In the final part of our four-part series, we shift our focus on how you, the camp leaders can help your staff.  If your camp was fortunate enough to run t...

Professional Development in 2020 - Camp Code #74

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/camp-code/professional-development-in-2020 In an off-season like no other, there is still room (and a need) to grow your skills! Get growing with this episode of Camp Code In part three of our four-part series focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic, we dive into the importance of professional development. Regardless if your camp was able to run this past summer with restriction, or maybe not at all Ruby, Beth and Gabrielle are here to hel...

Taking Care of You - Camp Code #73

Find more at https://camphacker.tv/camp-code It’s going to be easy to de-prioritize yourself in the lead up to be 2021, let Camp Code help you move yourself up your to-do list.  In part-two of the four-part series focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to help you take care of one of the most valuable things in your life, you! To be the most effective camp leader, you cannot forget to stop, take a moment of mindfulness and recharge the batteries. Ruby, Beth and Gabz are here to share w...

You Know You're a Camp Pro in a Global Pandemic When... - Camp Code #72

Welcome to season 8 of Camp Code!  Well, that was a summer that we will all remember for the rest of our lives. To kick off season eight (that’s right folks, eight seasons on Camp Code) we are launching a four-part mini-series to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic and how it affects you, the Camp Director.  Ruby, Beth and Gabrielle are back after the most memorable summer that didn’t fill the cabins with the laughter of children of the joy that is found in song. In Canada, most provinces were ...

Engaging Multigenerational Staff During Training - Camp Code #71

That’s a Wrap for Season 7 of Camp Code! As summer approaches, the Camp Code season finale is here!  Multigenerational staff may not be applicable to your camp today, but it absolutely will happen at some point, and what better time to have this in the back of your mind as summer camps eagerly way and adjust to many new guidelines being put in place as the worldwide pandemic continues.  Multigenerational staff means that some younger staff may still live at home, not be used to doing laun...

Super Staff Training - with Emma Kennedy - Camp Code #70

Ruby Compton + Emma Kennedy = Staff Training Brilliance! Switching things up this week, Ruby is on her own interviewing the fantastic Emma Kennedy, Director of  “Camp La Grande Aventure…en Anglais” summer camp, from Saint-Donat, Quebec, Canada. Camp La Grande Aventure….en Anglais is an English camp for francophones. Emma’s camp is located close to Gabrielle’s Camp Ouareau, Emma and Gab share many of the summer camp leadership tricks and tools. In this episode, Ruby and Emma dissect summer c...

Keeping it Drama Free When the World is Drama - Camp Code #69

Put out the spark before it becomes a dumpster-fire. Give your staff the tools to avoid and work through drama. Summer camp staff are usually a tight-knit group. As well, the expectations of a happy go lucky summer with friends vs the hard reality of living together in community smack into each other. This type of cosmic splatter happens to any and every organization at one point or another. As leaders, it is our goal to manage that state of cosmic distraction. We work from having differenc...

Discussing #MeToo at Camp - Camp Code #68

Giving staff the tools to be able to have one of the most important conversations of their lives & directors the tools to make their culture even safer. This week, our hosts Gabrielle, Beth and Ruby explore the impact that the #MeToo movement has on summer camps.  As summer camp leaders, empowerment begins with you. Educating people and Sexual harassment policies are not enough. Camps need to outline the policies and create a dialogue to ensure staff are empowered to act when they recogniz...

Training Staff to Transition from Frontline to Leadership Team - Camp Code #67

How to help your future leaders see their future at camp! Are you like Gab? Does your camp have that special “little black book?”. You know, the one where you keep all the names of the campers and young staff that you just know will be great leadership team members someday? As directors, we are always looking out for the future. We do this because the earlier you can identify who may eventually take on the senior roles at camp, the earlier that you can start to help them realize their pot...

Staff Who Aren't Great at the Beginning - Camp Code #66

Not everyone is an all-star camp staff at the beginning. We need to help them get there! As camp leaders, we’ve all been there.  We've all hired staff that are great on paper, but who just didn’t perform the way we thought they would.  However, just because they may not be starting out the way you hoped, doesn’t mean they cannot become the great camp leader you were hoping they would be.  To help them, and your whole team succeed, start by frontloading information to your staff. Use this...

Staff Meetings Can Be Staff Training - Camp Code #65

Make your meetings so extraordinary, your staff will actually look forward to them! How’s that for a challenge? At camp, we have the awesome privilege to get to inject every single moment with creativity and find new ways to engage our staff and campers. So why should meetings be any different? All meetings have a framework to follow to make any meeting successful. The basics are fairly simple, use an agenda, frontload the expectations of the meetings, and make sure it has a clear purpose...

Culture Shock and Training International Staff - Camp Code #64

How to help your domestic and international staff acclimatize to your camp. The full ensemble is back! In this week’s episode Gabrielle, Beth and Ruby dive in to explore the culture shock of staff and developing techniques to train international staff. International staff members are a wonderful addition to your team, and, it takes a little extra work on your part! On top of the usual onboarding, there’s more intention that needs to go into the way that you help that staff member develop i...

Training for the Transition from Camper to Staff - Camp Code #63

How do you train future staff? Look to your campers! You might notice that this week, Ruby is steering the Camp Code ship by herself! Not to worry, the triumphant trio will be back next episode, and you’re going to love this one! Tune in to hear Ruby’s interview with Dan Davis, the Camp Director of Camp Rockmont. Dan has dedicated over three decades as a camp leader and has an abundance of knowledge to share with us. Transitioning Campers to Staff starts early on in your camp journey. Dan...

Conflict Between Staff - Camp Code #62

Because conflict is going to happen, people! The Camp Code crew is back for their very first episode of 2020! To ring in the new year, this episode is filled with great tips and tricks, helping to give staff the tools to deal with conflict. Gab dives into an array of acronyms such as the A.C.T Program - Awareness, Communication and Together, and V.I.P - Validate feelings, Investigating and Problem-solving. She also goes in-depth talking about The power of mirroring and how to use mirroring...

Best Practices for Continuing Education for Returning Staff - Camp Code #61

Keep your returning camp staff passionate and invested with continuing education opportunities The Camp Code team would like to wish all of our listeners a Happy New Year! As we start ringing the bells to bring on the start of the 2020 Camp Year, Ruby, Beth and Gabrielle give you the best practices for continuing education for returning staff. Investing in staff throughout the year is a key component to their success. Lack of growth opportunities is one of the key reasons for employee turn...

Building Self-Esteem in our Camp Staff - Camp Code #60

The most basic human desire is to be able to fit in. In this episode, our hosts dive into stereotypes, managing life pressures and teaching our staff how to build self-esteem, create their potential and give them the superpowers required to battle any self-esteem issue. As Ruby identifies, in order for summer camp leaders to teach self-esteem, it is important to always start with yourself. Take the time to learn your triggers that affects your mood and your view. After paying attention and ...

Building Trust with Staff - Camp Code #59

It All Starts with Trust! Managing summer camp staff, no problem...managing summer camp staff that don’t trust one another, that is where the challenge lays. Having staff sharing information, collaborating and working toward common goals is the foundation of trust and can bring the best out of your staff. Beth defines trust as reliance on the character, ability, strength or truth of someone or something. Breaking that down, trust means that you rely on someone else to do something, to the e...

The Indoor Generation - Camp Code #58

Teach your staff and campers the value of #getoutside! Stop reading these show notes and just get outside! Leadership Training Best Practices Your Hosts: Gabrielle Raill, Camp Director - Camp Ouareau Beth Allison, Camp Consultant - CampHacker.tv Ruby Compton, Chief Exploration Officer - Ruby Outdoors      

Adjusting to Camp Culture - Camp Code #57

Camp is weird! Let’s help staff navigate. Building off of what we learned from Episode 56, we wanted to focus on some of the findings our Camp Directors friends came across this past summer. Focusing on the outside world, and fitting in on some the cultures we develop at camp, we want to focus on some guidance to help prepare your staff for a summer at camp. Our hosts Beth Allison, Ruby Compton and Gabrielle Raill dig in to the following topics: Empowering the staff.. More and more, paren...

Are You Freaking Kidding Me!? - Camp Code #56

After a shortened Season 6 and a lot of questions from fellow listeners, WE ARE BACK with Season 7. This episode is dedicated to those moments where you as a camp director see something and say, “Are You Freaking Kidding Me!?”. Our hosts Beth, Ruby and Gabs have plenty of experience as Camp Directors and they are here to share stories of times where even they were at a loss! From sounding happy on the phone, riding public transit to doing laundry are all examples of some of the things tha...

Training Staff to be Decision-Makers - Camp Code #55

More and more directors are saying they are finding their staff less and less willing to make decisions. In a world where there are constantly more options available to us, to make a decision can be downright paralyzing. Listen in as Gabz, Ruby, and Beth discuss their best ideas for helping to empower and educator your staff on being smart decision makers at camp. Best Practice for Leadership Training When making a decision with a group, explain the Data - Debate - Decide framework for dec...

Women in Camp Summit Crossver Episode with Rec Heads and Camp Nerds - Bonus Episode

Gabz, Beth, and Ruby have spent the last several months working with Colette and Kim from ACA Illinois to put together the first annual Women in Camp Summit. Patti Sampson of Patchwork Marketplace teamed up with the Camp Code co-hosts to do a crossover episode of the podcast to talk about this exciting event. Check out the Rec Heads and Camp Nerds podcast here and learn more about the cool work Patti is doing at Patchwork Marketplace and how you can get involved! Also, if you aren’t follow...

Designing Training for Volunteers - Camp Code #52

Many camps have some portion of their staff comprised of volunteers. Be it your nurse for the week who is also a camper parent and trading their work for their child's camp tuition or a community member who simply loves to give back to camp, it is important that these folks get trained too.If your camp is staffed entirely by volunteers, a complete staff training is still necessary; however there are additional considerations for executing that training, especially when volunteers are coming ...

Helping Staff Know If Their Gifts are Best Used at Camp or Elsewhere - Camp Code #51

Every camp director has had that staff member who needs to move on from camp but having the conversation can be difficult. Tune in to hear Beth, Gabz, and Ruby share their best tips for having those conversations now and how to build this idea of "growing elsewhere" into your camp culture so anyone in your community understands that it may be in everyone's best interest to move on. Best Practice for Leadership TrainingAfter a session during training and the possibility of moving on, have sta...

12 More Quickfire Videos for Staff Training - Camp Code #50

Video continues to be a powerful resource in this day and age. Beth, Gab, and Ruby discuss 12 more of their favorites that can be incorporated into staff training this year. Gabz Videos Misunderstandings Knowing our limits Visual Note Taking This Grandma Is Trying To Use Google Home Beth’s Videos Raising Successful Kids Transgender Kids Failure is the only way to Learn The Power of Introverts Bonus: How to Start a Movement Ruby's Videos Say My Name Right Where the Wild Thi...

Consent at Camp - Camp Code #49

Teaching campers and staff about consent in a vitally important way Though recent headlines have brought this concept to the forefront, this has been a conversation that has been ongoing. This is not a fad conversation and right now, there is an opportunity for youthe development professionals to dive deep and make influence real change in the world. It is critically important that the concept of consent is taught at camp to both campers and staff this summer and from now on. #Wehavetobebet...

Using Mealtime Intentionally During Training - Camp Code #48

Meal times offer opportunities for connections and teaching and every second of staff training is valuable. Every person has to eat. Can these three truths come together and help relieve the time pressure so many of us feel during staff orientation? Consider how much of your summer is spent collective in mealtime so if you aren't already treating the meal like a program area, this summer think about the shifts you can make to use that time as efficiently as possible.Best Practice in Leadershi...

Balance of Theory and Practice for Training - Camp Code #47

It can be tricky to strike a balance between sharing with staff why certain topics they learn during staff training are important with the time invested in practicing the skills they are taught. Join Beth, Gab, and Ruby for a discussion about how to get just the right mix of thinking and discussion and hands-on activities for your training this year.Best Practice for Leadership Training At the end of your week, write out all the things you want or need to get done for when you return to work....

Moving Forward After a Really Great Summer - Camp Code #46

When things go wrong, we tend to analyze and question what could have been done differently and how to prevent these scenarios from playing out again. Sometimes, we have really fantastic summers when everything pretty much goes as, or better than, planned. These summers are worth reviewing as well to be sure to capture what is worth repeating, what should remain in that glorious summer, and what should change for the future. Was it a great one for you this summer? Tell us what you plan to do ...

Training for Satellite and Offsite Staff - Camp Code #45

If your camp runs programming with staff that are off-site for most of the season, this podcast is for you! Beth and Ruby discuss best practices for carrying on camp traditions, setting these staffers up for success, and providing support and training even if you are on different sides of the continent.       

Creating an Inclusive Camp Community - Camp Code #44

In a world where exclusion can quickly become a theme, camp professionals are remarkably good at creating a safe space where campers and staff can feel empowered to find themselves and be themselves. I think we can all agree that the world would be a different place if every child went to camp and learned how to co-exist with the community around them. Listed below are some resources mentioned during the podcast for leading sessions to promote an inclusive community. Connectability.ca Train...

Training Employees Who Know More Than You - Camp Code #43

Whether you are new director at an established camp or are simply training staff in program areas that aren't in your repertoire, sometimes we have to train staff who know more about some subject areas than we do. Joining the Camp Code hosts today is Chantal "Match" Jackson to share some ideas for how to create an engaging training even when you don't know it all (even if your staff think they do!) Best Practice for Leadership Training Ask your staff to create a list of things or skills they...

12 New Ideas for Staff Training - Camp Code #42

Thought you had heard all that the Camp Code hosts have to offer? No way! There's always new ideas flowing out of this podcast! Check out this week's episode to hear twelve brilliant brand new ideas for staff training that you can plug into staff training this year in this quickfire style episode. Best Practice for Leadership Training Encourage employees to have a personal or creative project for the benefit of the organization to work on during some portion of their work hours. This will al...

Essential Training for a New Director - Camp Code #41

While we spend a lot of time planning staff training for our summer staff, it is not uncommon to expect new year-round directors to jump in without providing them the tools for success. Beth, Gab, and Ruby are joined by special guest, Travis Allison for this special episode of Camp Code. Best Practice for Leadership Training As a new director, build your support system and include at least one of each of the following: a person who is always willing to listen, a person who is objective and c...

Saying Goodbye To Long-Time Staff Members - Camp Code #40

If you work in camp long enough, you will either watch a long-time staff member (director, year-round staff member, long-time seasonal staff member) leave or you, yourself, will opt for something different from #campdirectorlife. While camp directors tend to be the types to be inclined to keep this kind of news on the extreme DL, it is imperative to the health of your camp community that you create space and time for campers, their families, and staff to say goodbye. Best Practice for Leaders...

Staff Applications Are Part Of Your Training - Camp Code #39

Puzzled by why you can't seem to find the right staff each summer? Perhaps it is because of the wording, structure, and requirements of your staff application. Gab, Beth, and Ruby discuss the must-dos (and a few must-don'ts) to help you start your staff training before your people are even hired. Best Practice for Leadership Training Is there a way to add a creative element to your staff application so folks with a wide variety of talents can exhibit their strengths? Have you thought about s...

Cleaning Up After the "Perfect Storm" Summer - Camp Code #38

As camp people, we sometimes find ourselves looking around thinking "Universe, what else could you possible throw at me?" and sometimes that all happens before 9 AM. Some summers are just like that and often it is due to circumstances totally out of your control. This episode will talk about how to heal and recover from the "perfect storm" summer and how to lead your team when it feels like very little went right. Best Practice for Leadership Training Build a relationship with a local mediat...

Linchpins at Summer Camp - Special Summer Wishes from Camp Code

Last Minute Staff Training Checklist - Camp Code #37

Season 3 of Camp Code wraps up with THE checklist to ensure you are ready for staff training this summer. Invest some time in to making sure all of these things are done to ensure a smooth training and thus a smooth summer for all. Best Practice for Leadership Training This week's tip comes from Skyline Camp and Retreat Center's Director Matt Henry. Divide staff training in half. Do five days at the beginning of the summer and then do five more in the middle of the summer to dedicate to retr...