SCamp Life: The Other Side

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: exploringcampsides@gmail.com

In this episode, Curt and Chris discuss a wide variety of topics for summer camps. This is their 11th magazine edition. This episode includes a special event idea, program idea, staff idea, some trivia questions, theme ideas, and more.

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: exploringcampsides@gmail.com

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 website Want to add to our conversation? Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: exploringcampsides@gmail.com

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: exploringcampsides@gmail.com

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. Links Shane's emailLinked Inwww.nmvvrc.orgwww.nctsn.orgwww.samhsa.govDisaster Planning and Preparedness in Early Childhood and School-Age SettingsTrigger Points: Inside the Mission to Stop Mass Shootings In AmericaAtlas of the HeartThe Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters Want to add to our conversation? Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: exploringcampsides@gmail.com

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:

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: exploringcampsides@gmail.com

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: exploringcampsides@gmail.com

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. #CampJesus Joel’s email: joel@wildchild.camp

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: ceo@frostvalley.org Want to add to our conversation? Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: exploringcampsides@gmail.com

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.comMintimeter.comM.E.S.H. Resources Want to add to our conversation? Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: exploringcampsides@gmail.com

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: exploringcampsides@gmail.com

Kelie and Shauna talk with CJ Greco about if pronouns should be something employers should ask on job applications. Links: @cj.grecoTheBirdyBunchPodcast.com Want to add to our conversation? Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: exploringcampsides@gmail.com

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: exploringcampsides@gmail.com