Claim OwnershipThe CampHacker Podcast
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CampHacker Podcast helps camp directors solve real problems and build resilient camps. Each episode gives practical tips for recruiting, keeping, and teaching camp staff. The hosts talk about true stories, share ways to make camp stronger, and help leaders prepare for tough situations. They focus on making summer camps last longer and bring the biggest positive change to kids and young adults. You’ll hear easy steps, fresh ideas, and real conversations that help directors run better camps and create spaces where everyone can grow.
The CampHacker Podcast is hosted by Travis Allison and Chris Hudson. Travis is known for his creative ideas and caring advice for camp leaders across North America. He brings years of experience and speaks at big conferences to help directors make camps stronger and more resilient. Chris partners with Travis on every episode, working together to answer tough questions and share helpful steps for camp leaders. Their teamwork and passion help directors make the best choices for their camps, staff, and campers.
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Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-howie-g High Expectations, Higher Support: A Masterclass in Legacy Leadership with Howie GrossingerIn this episode of Intentionally Intentional Leaders, host Matt Wilfrid sits down with a living legend of the summer camp world: Howie Grossinger. As the co-owner of Camp Robin Hood and a pillar of the Ontario Camps Association, Howie brings over three decades of wisdom to a conv...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Clipboards, Kaizen, and Connection: Revolutionizing Camp Attendance with Ryan Rosen *This is a piece of sponsored content by our friends from Camptivities and Whereabouts. We are so grateful for Ryan and the Camptivities team for their support of many Go Camp Pro podcasts and we're excited to bring you this episode and share more about Whereabouts - Check them out whereaboutsapp.io* -- In this episode, Travis sits down with Ryan Rosen, a 28-ye...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/winning-over-parents - Adapting to New Parent Expectations Modern parents view summer camp as a significant investment, rather than a simple recreational activity. This episode breaks down why safety and skill-building now outperform traditional marketing. It offers practical advice on removing camp jargon and using professional tones to build lasting trust with protective famili...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/welcoming-new-campers - Winning Over First-Time Campers on Day OneThis episode provides a masterclass on transforming the high-stakes environment of opening day into a welcoming and inclusive experience for every child. Learn how to break down the psychological and logistical barriers that often make first-time campers feel like outsiders. By focusing on intentional preparation, e...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-gabe-c The End of the "Magic" Myth: Gabe Chernov on Engineering Social-Emotional Growth In this episode of Intentionally Intentional Leaders, Travis Allison talks with Gabe Chernov, the owner and director of Birch Trail Camp for Girls. They explore the small interactions that stick with us forever and the systems Gabe uses to build a resilient camp culture. Gabe talks about th...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/the-enrollment-cliff - Preparing for the Demographic Shift of 2028 Join Travis Allison, Jake Sorenson, Eric Wittenberg, and Stefanie Gillman as they discuss the massive demographic shifts threatening the summer camp industry. The conversation centers on the "enrollment cliff", a sharp decline in birth rates that is already impacting higher education and is set to hit the camp ind...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-sam-t Lessons from 8 Seasons of the Day Camp Pod: Sam Thompson's Essential Rules for Day Camp DirectorsHello everybody and welcome back to the CampHacker Podcast. In this edition of the unique Intentionally Intentional interview series, Executive Producer Matt Wilfrid dives deep with Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor at Crystal Lake Park District, ACA Illinois Board Chair, a...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/fundraising-strategies-for-2026 - Strategies that work! The 2026 Playbook for Camp FundraisingIf you’re still fundraising like it’s 2019, you’re leaving money and mission on the table. In this deep-dive update, Travis Allison, Joe Richards, and Heather Withrow unite to discuss what actually works in the current landscape of camp development. From securing $650,000 "bespoke" gifts ...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-jordanna Leadership, Legacy, and the Magic of Day Camp with Jordanna GrossingerJoin Matt on Intentionally Intentional Leaders for a deep-dive conversation with Jordanna Grossinger, Director of Camp Robin Hood and a prominent voice in the summer camp industry. Through the unpredictable format of a 20-sided dice roll, Jordanna explores the intersection of childhood nostalgia - f...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/lessons-from-visiting-camps - Fresh Eyes, Fresh Ideas: Lessons from a Summer of Site VisitsJoin Travis Allison and guests Ari Polsky, Elizabeth Kaplan, and Dan Kirsch from JCamp 180 as they share their unique perspectives from visiting dozens of camps this past summer. Discover the trends they're seeing across the industry—from the return of "normalcy" to the challenges with seaso...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-matt-k Engineered for Intentionality: Matt Kaufman on Data, Habits, and The Campfire EffectIn this episode of Intentionally Intentional Leadership, host Travis Allison sits down with Matt Kaufman, Director at Camp Ramaquois and author of the upcoming book, The Campfire Effect. Matt brings his background in engineering and systems thinking to a deeply insightful conversation th...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/the-resilient-camp-blueprint - The Resilient Blueprint: Escape the Camp Director Burnout CycleThis episode tackles the core challenge facing camp leaders: chronic overwhelm and burnout. Travis explains how camp professionals can break the cycle of feeling like they have to "do it all" and instead focus on building simple, resilient systems. Learn about the 'Path' framework, the po...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-chris-h Dungeons & Directors: Chris Hudson’s Wild Card Ride on Love, Awe, and Camp In this unique installment of the CampHacker Podcast's Intentionally Intentional Leaders series, Executive Producer Matt Wilfrid sits down with Chris Hudson, consultant, speaker, youth development specialist, and co-host of this very podcast. Using the unpredictable roll of a 20-sided die (D...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/how-to-hire-a-camp-consultant - Making the Case for a Camp ConsultantAre you feeling stuck running the same old systems? This episode pulls back the curtain on why hiring an outside camp consultant is an investment, not an expense. Travis and Chris, both experienced consultants, dive into the critical value proposition they bring: fresh eyes to combat "camp myopia," rapid shortcut...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/welcoming-and-including-1st-year-staff How to Make Every New Staff Member Feel Included and Supported from Day One This week on the Camp Hacker Podcast, Chris Hudson, Travis Allison, and Kim Aycock dive into how to make camp's most beloved "magic moments" genuinely welcoming and inclusive for both first-year staff and new campers. The crew challenges the notion that camp success r...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/wildcard-chris-rd TQAMP’s Chris Rehs-Dupin: Failure, Humanity, and the Wild Card of LeadershipJoin host Travis Allison for the inaugural "Wild Card" segment of the Camp Hacker Podcast, an interview game show format inspired by the NPR show. He welcomes Chris Rehs-Dupin from TQAMP to tackle a series of spontaneous questions spanning Memories, Insights, and Beliefs. Chris offers pro...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/preemptive-scarcity-mindset - Are Camp Directors Getting Too Scared, Too Early? This episode centers on the 'preemptive scarcity mindset' affecting camp directors, who are increasingly worried about future challenges related to enrollment, staffing, and budgeting. The conversation highlights the impact of past crises. Key solutions include being intentional with resource allo...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/ops From Paperwork to People: The “Ops” Deep Dive EpisodeAre you truly taking the operational side of camp seriously enough? If you're like many camp leaders, the answer is probably "not yet." This episode of the CampHacker Podcast dives deep into the often-undiscussed world of camp operations. Join hosts Travis Allison, Chris Hudson, and Rachel Kent, along with special guest...
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/dei-camp-2025 Is Summer Camp Inherently Racist? A Frank Discussion on DEI in the Camp IndustryThis week on the CampHacker Podcast, Travis Allison gets straight to the point with Chris Hudson, Rachel Kent, and Simone Gamble: Is summer camp inherently racist? They dig into the history of camping and how it's wrestled with being truly open and welcoming to everyone. The group do...
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 CampsWhat's the secret sauce of performing arts camps? Host Travis Allison chats with Chris Hudson, Carolyn Daniels (Meridan YMCA), and Theo Lencicki (Camp Broadway) to uncover the surprising lessons that all camps can use. Discover how embracing elements of theater, mu...
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