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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.
156 Episodes
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Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/turn-around-strategies When a day camp starts to lose its spark, what does it take to bring it back to life? In this episode of the Day Camp Pod, the hosts sit down with Heath Levine from Shibley Day Camp and turnaround expert Jonathan Gold to unpack what really goes into reviving an underperforming camp. From rebuilding a positive culture and engaging the community to tackling staff retention and marketing hurd...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/sleepaway-spirit What makes sleepaway camp feel so special and how can day camps capture that same magic? In this episode of the Day Camp Pod, hosts Andy Pritikin, Sam Thompson, and Jordanna Grossinger are joined by camp pros Dan Johnson and Dan Weir to unpack exactly that. Together, they explore creative ways to bring community, connection, and spontaneous fun into the day camp environment. Episode Link...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/maximize-your-camp Expanding reach, building partnerships and creating sustainable revenueEver wondered what your camp could become after the last camper goes home for the summer? In this episode, Andy, Jordanna and Sam are joined by Peggy Aylmer, Senior Program Director - Day Camps and Retreats - YMCA Camp Copneconic to dive into how camps can transform their spaces and strengthen their communities year-round. ...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/summer-2025-debrief Riding the Post-Summer Vibe: Wins, Wildcards, and What's AheadIn this episode, Andy, Sam, and Jordanna reflect on the summer of 2025, sharing their biggest wins, unexpected challenges, and key takeaways as they transition into the off-season. The trio dives into the nuances of camp life after the campers are gone, discussing the "shoulder season" and the unique staffing needs it present...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/final-thoughts-25 Gearing Up for Glory - Have a great summer, Day Camp Pros!The countdown to Summer 2025 has begun, and before we immerse ourselves in the smiles and hugs of camp life, we're hitting record one last time! This episode is packed with essential insights as we reflect on our recent advocacy efforts in Washington D.C., revealing how camp leaders are fighting for our industry's future. We tackle the v...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/staff-accountability Raising the Bar: Practical Strategies for Staff Accountability This SummerThis week on The Day Camp Pod, we dive into the essential topic of staff accountability, exploring how to foster a professional environment where team members are responsible and contribute effectively. Hosts Andy Pritikin, Sam Thompson, and Jordanna Grossinger welcome Justin Pritikin and Eric Hillis to discuss strateg...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/roz-jed-2025 Maximizing Your Staff Training: Connection Before ContentThere are a lot of staff trainers out there in the camp world- But there are very few who actually helmed a large day camp themselves, dealing with the ins and outs, trials and tribulations, and the challenges of training hundreds of seasonal staff. Roz and Jed share tips on creating a dynamic and engaging orientation, balancing structure with...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/kids-arent-listening "They Just Won't Listen!": Expert Tips for Managing Camper Behavior ChallengesIt’s the second week of camp, and you can anticipate a good percentage of your frontline staff going to their supervisors and declaring, “the kids aren’t listening to me!” What do you do? What do you say? Going backwards, what should you have done during training that would have helped give them better tools?...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/arrival-dismissal Mastering Day Camp Chaos: Arrival & Dismissal Secrets RevealedHow we start our days at camp sets the machine in motion, in regard to intentionality and building community. How we end is what they remember each day, and is just as important! Today, we’ve got Jordanna from Camp Robin Hood, Ontario, and Phil from the mighty Ramaquois of Rockland County NY - and we’re going to deep dive into wh...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/sunrise-camps The Sunrise Association: Transforming Lives of kids affected by Childhood CancerThe Sunrise Day Camps started as an optimistic idea less than 20 years ago- and has grown into an unbelievably wonderful reality in which 2500 children- cancer patients, survivors, and their siblings- attended day camps last summer for no charge, with no wait lists- ever! Overall, they serve over 60,000 children each ye...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/new-owner-jason Want to own your own camp? Here is the perfect case study from Jason Samuel! We've had a series of awesome podcasts this season with inspiring stories about making the jump to being a director or even an owner operator. Since we shared the Jonathan Gold podcast with our friends Howie and Kelly on the Camp Owners Pod, they're sharing back another great podcast with Andy’s former camp sidekick Jaso...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/intentional-camp Let’s welcome our friend Michael from Chicago back to the Day Camp Pod!Character and Youth Development are snappy little catchphrases that camp pros love to use. Mostly in their marketing pitches, brochures, and websites. And for at least three decades, Michael Brandwein has been spoonfeeding camp professionals how to not just talk the talk, but how to walk the walk. Yes, I am a convert, and an ...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/inclusion2025 Inclusion Best Practices for Summer CampsAre you looking to create a truly inclusive camp environment where every child feels welcome and supported? In this episode of the Day Camp Pod, we dive deep into the world of inclusion for special needs campers with expert guests Sabrina Hinkens and Sari Grossinger. Sabrina and Sari share invaluable insights on intake processes, staff training, commun...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/assemblies Camp Assemblies - The Secret Sauce of Camp SpiritJoin us for an exciting episode of The Day Camp Pod where we discover how to bring the magic of sleepaway camp to your day camp. Hosts Andy Pritikin and Sam Thompson welcome two experienced camp directors: Stacey Kotelov from Banner Day Camp and Dylan Wade from Emerald Cove. Stacey discusses Banner's beloved traditions like the 'Bannerama,' a lively mor...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/in-the-city From Idea to 750 Campers: Eileen Price's Inspiring Experience with In the City CampsJoin the hosts of the Day Camp Pod from Go Camp Pro as they sit down with Eileen Price, the visionary behind In the City Camps in Atlanta, Georgia. Discover how Eileen's journey began with an idea for a day camp in downtown Atlanta and has grown to serve 750 campers daily. Learn about the unique aspects of In the City...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/campahead/scenario-planning-101 Exploring Camp Futures: Key Drivers and Scenario PlanningIn 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 discuss key drivers such as climate change, economics, demographics, technological advancements, and social shifts that can shape the next decade of summer camps. Through imaginativ...
Send us a text A new show from Go Camp Pro! Camp Ahead! Subscribe 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 IndustryIn this inaugural episode of the Camp Ahead podcast, Joe Richards, KJ Williams, and Jess Elfring-Roberts dive into the concept of future-proofing the summer camp industry. They discuss the impor...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/data-staffing The Staffing Puzzle: Day Camp Experts Share Trends and TipsIn this episode of The Day Camp Pod from Go Camp Pro, host Andy Pritikin and co-host Sam Thompson, alongside Dan Weir, Jack Schott, and Justin Pritikin, dive into the critical topic of staffing for day camps. They explore challenges, share survey data from Dan’s Summer Staffing Analysis Survey, uncover trends, and offer actionable solutions...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/trust-2025 Navigating Parenting and Camp Management Post-PandemicIn this episode of the Day Camp Pod, hosted by Andy Pritikin, Sam Thompson, Jaime Pickles, and Kelly Jones, the panel tackles the evolving challenges of parenting and camp management post-pandemic. They discuss the increasing anxieties parents face today, their heightened expectations, and how these impact their trust and communication with camp pr...
Send us a text Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/start-from-scratch-2024 From Passion to Reality: Starting and Running a Successful Day CampIn this episode of The Day Camp Pod, hosts Andy Pritikin and Sam Thompson delve into the world of starting and running a successful day camp. Featuring guests Corey Kalman, who started a franchise of sports camps in California, and Mario Del Cueto, who launched a new day camp last summer, the episode covers everything from...
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