Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/power-of-performance Unlocking Hidden Potential: What All Camps Can Learn From the Magic of Performing Arts Camps What's the secret sauce of performing arts camps? Host Travis Allison chats with Chris Hudson, Carolyn Daniels (Merid…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/modern-mentor What does it take to be a great mentor in the camp industry? This week on CampHacker, hosts Travis Allison, Chris Hudson, and guest Michael Garcia (author of "Becoming a Modern Mentor") dive into the essential element…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/culture-customer Mastering Camp Culture: From Disney Magic to Tea-Kettle Secrets! Dive into the latest episode of the CampHacker Podcast, where Travis Allison, Chris Hudson, and Heather Withrow unravel the secrets behind creating a…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/talk-to-parents Save the dodging and weaving for wide-game, not for avoiding camp parents! On this episode of CampHacker, Travis and Chris are joined by Ruby Compton, and Joanna Warren Smith to really dig into the importance of com…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/spicy-questions Are these questions about the camp industry too hot to handle? In this special live recording from OCA Connects 2025, Travis is joined by Go Camp Pro podcast hosts Howie Grossinger (The Camp Owners Podcast), Rachel …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/adhd Is Summer Camp the Right Profession for Someone with ADHD? "I thought it was just me." This is the sentiment shared by many camp professionals with ADHD. On this episode of Camp Hacker, Travis, Kelie, and Shauna open up about …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/no-fun Is it even possible to have fun while being a camp director? This week on CampHacker, we're tackling a big question: Should camp directors have fun? It might seem obvious, but we dig deeper than just surface-level enjoyment.…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/hire-director Expectations vs. Reality: The Camp Director Job Market Join Travis Allison, Chris Hudson, Dan Weir, and Esther Eisenhard for another fantastic episode of the CampHacker podcast! This episode dives into key challenges …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/campahead/scenario-planning-101 Exploring Camp Futures: Key Drivers and Scenario Planning In this episode of Camp Ahead, hosts Joe, Jess, and KJ expand on the idea of scenario planning as an essential tool for thinking about the future. They discu…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/noticing Use noticing to build a culture of inclusivity and intention. In this episode of the CampHacker podcast, Travis and Chris discuss the vital skill of 'noticing' at camp. The duo share how camp leaders can foster awareness a…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! A new show from Go Camp Pro! Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/campahead/intro-to-mental-time-travel Welcome to Camp Ahead: The Futurology of the Summer Camp Industry In this inaugural…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/gender-equity Do you notice that gender equity is something we are better at talking about than doing? In this episode, Travis and Chris welcome back Gabrielle Raill to explore the persistent issue of gender equity in camps. Chris …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/delegate Do you keep saying, “It would be faster if I just did it?” Are you a camp professional struggling with delegation? Travis and Chris sit down and discuss the intricacies of effective delegation, sharing personal experiences…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/digital-detox Are we doing our staff and campers a disservice by not better managing the expectations around their phone time at camp? Travis and Chris sit down with Max Claman to chat about effective digital detox and the psycholo…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/ai-fall-2024 The State of AI and Camps: Fall 2024 In this episode of the CampHacker podcast, Travis and Chris explore the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence on summer camp management. They dive into AI's role in stream…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/over-programmed  Are camps so packed with activities that it's actually detrimental? In this episode of the CampHacker podcast, hosts Travis Allison and Chris Hudson discuss the concept of overprogramming at camps, questioning if a…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/05/start-camp-2025 If we were starting a summer camp from scratch, here’s what we can do! 200 episodes and over 14 years, the CampHacker Podcast has been around literally so long that we actually can’t find the first few episodes (…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/05/camp-pro-adhd You can be a camp professional and have ADHD - there are lots of us out there! You probably wouldn’t be surprised to know that as we have gotten more comfortable talking about exceptionalities, disabilities or dive…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/05/camp-2035 How are you doing at pushing past the overwhelm and considering the big picture? If you’re reading this on release (mid-May) - it may feel impossible to get out of the weeds and think about the future. That’s fair - and - in order for our industry, and …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/04/13-tips-for-new-camp-pros New and new-ish Camp Directors, this one is for you. Kick some butt this summer. There are a TON of full-time camp professionals that have entered the industry post-COVID. For those of us that have been…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/04/what-they-dont-get What is one thing you learned working at camp that surprises people when you talk about? The fact that people don’t understand what we do full-time is not just and “us” problem - it’s a problem for our entire …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/03/choice-based Elective-based, choice-based, whatever you call it, it just may be the future of camper programs. We welcome back one of our original hosts, Dan Weir and welcome back Jack Schott from The Summer Camp Society (and TS…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/03/our-advice-to-new-staff What are the most important things staff need to know to be successful this summer? Right now (March), camp directors everywhere are starting to think about staff training…or, intending to do so at least.…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/gen-z Unlocking the Potential of Gen-Z at Summer Camp Staffing continues to be one of the biggest thorns in the paws of our industry. It’s a challenge that isn’t likely to go away soon, so what can we do to ride this wave, rather than …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/power-between-people With great power comes…well, you know the rest. We all know that even in the sunshine and butterflies that is summer camp, there is evil lurking about. An evil that affects people and communities from all over. It …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/02/retain-staff The number one recruiting tactic? You got it - retaining! As the summer creeps closer, the staffing woes of the industry rear it’s ugly head again. Wouldn’t it be great if staffing wasn’t the thing that stole your f…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/01/camps-and-ai Is AI going to ruin the summer camp industry? AI really proliferated right before we all went to camp in 2023. Some of us started playing with it, but over the summer, while we were living in our “unplugged” utopia,…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/good-for-everyone Just BEING at camp is a good thing - the science proves it! We intuitively know that camp is a good thing. We can tell a million heart-filled stories about how camp changes lives. But as you all know, the proof is cer…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/01/climate-change Recycling programs and talking nature education programs are only step 1. When we talked about climate change and camp 10 years ago, the conversation usually was about how we can be a bit more sustainable, how to …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/12/giving-up-on-dei Where did the momentum go? We believe that summer camp should be an accessible place where individuals feel welcome and included for the unique and wonderful things they bring to the community. Right? While many…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/being-in-nature And are we thinking about “nature” too specifically? Being in nature is good for us - we know this intuitively. But did you know that science backs this up? It is proven, beyond doubt, that being in nature decreases anx…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/12/demographics-tcsc Are you being thoughtful about how a changing demographic will affect your camp? Whether you are a camp with a wait-list, or you’re hoping for a few more “bums in bunks”, something that we need to seriously be …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/11/no-tech Is the “no technology” policy at your camp compatible with the campers of today? “No technology at camp” is a sacred part of many of our summer camp cultures. The value of unplugging. Being “in the moment”. “Being real” …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/11/parent-coms-2023 How confident are you that your camp parents will read and act on your emails? Getting your information to parents. The most necessary and maybe one of the most difficult parts of the job. Even though the commun…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/11/camp-magic How do you measure magic? Every camp professional, whether new or seasoned, knows what we mean when we say “camp magic”. For most of us, we think of camp magic as this ethereal, indescribable, ever-present part of cam…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/11/small-systems It doesn’t take as much as you think to set yourself up for long-term efficacy. Travis is joined by Dr. Lydia Hughes Evans to discuss systems of project management, personal efficacy and organizational development …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/10/decoding-research What is research, and what can it be for camp pros? We need to start here. Before we get into how to use research to empower our marketing and recruiting efforts, we need to unpack the basics of research. So, w…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/10/setting-and-honoring-boundaries - We are good at so many things as camp pros. Boundaries, writ-large, is not one of those things. We are excited to kick off this, the 13th season of CampHacker with an episode that will especiall…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/08/the-intersection-of-camp-and-research Did you know that the positive experience of summer camp is a proven fact? Yes. It is! In this new mini-series from Go Camp Pro, join Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison to focus in on promin…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/06/30-tools - What will you be putting your brain to keep you focused this summer? Well folks, if you’re reading this in June - you’re in it now! Us, too! As we wrap up this season to take our focus to the summer, we want to leave …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/05/alumni-community - Do you wish your camp had the benefits of an engaged alumni community? It’s a gift to have a group of people that intimately “get” what your camp is all about. And, alumni can be like getting a gym membership …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/05/new-career-new-camp What would we do if we were starting at a completely new to us summer camp? We’re so grateful to have one of our founding CampHacker hosts Dan Weir join us this episode. Welcome back, Dan! To support the vast…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/04/staff-and-boundaries How much do we really need to accommodate this generation of camp staff? Okay, that header is a little misleading. Don’t mistake this podcast for one big “okay boomer” rant. This conversation about summer st…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/04/partnering-with-parents-in-2023 It's time to adapt to post-pandemic parents! We need to adapt a whole lot as camp directors. On the checklist of “things we need to re-assess every 5 or so years”, parents are certainly on that li…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/03/setting-summer-staff-up-for-success - If the success of your camp is your responsibility, then the success of your staff is your responsibility. The idea that our summer staff need to be set up for success is one of those ideas …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/03/camp-program-of-the-future - 10 years from now, are you going to be proud of the program decisions that you made today? Last episode, we unpacked the types of programs that we think it’s time to say goodbye to. And because we al…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/02/camp-programs-let-go Should They Stay or Should They Go Now? Being a culture of change is essential for any camp that wants to be around for a long time. True camp pros know this, live this and breathe this, but even the best of…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/02/motivation-morale - When it’s been a few months without staff or kids, how do you and your year-round team remind yourself why you do what you do? Please review us! - Click here! We tell our seasonal staff that a summer of camp …

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2023/01/physical-mental-wellness - It’s not the same staff as 2010, so why are we treating their wellness like they are? We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again - this is not the same staffing generation as it was pre-pandemic. We’…

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2022/12/staff-from-scratch - This is definitely a “glass-half-full” type of situation… For better or for worse, it’s more than likely that we’ve all had to “start from scratch” at some point in the last 3 years. However, starting from s…