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...
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 elements of effective mentorship. They share personal stories of impactful mentors, discuss strategies for setting boundaries, and explore how to empower s...
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 vibrant and intentional camp culture. From the enchanting influences of Disney to the practical magic of a 'nurse mobile' during check-ins, this ep...
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 communicating with camp parents. They discuss the common issue of camps avoiding communication with parents and emphasize the importance of timely, mea...
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 Kent (Beyond Camp), and Matt Wilfrid (First Class Counselors) on a panel discussion like no other. The group answered spicy questions while eating p...
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 their personal experiences with ADHD, sharing the struggles, the "aha" moments, and the unique strengths that come with neurodiversity. They discuss...
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. We explore what "fun" really means in the context of the demanding world of summer camp. Our guest, Ariella Skoczylas, joins Travis and Chris to sh...
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 MarketJoin Travis Allison, Chris Hudson, Dan Weir, and Esther Eisenhard for another fantastic episode of the CampHacker podcast! This episode dives into key challenges and emerging trends in recruiting and retaining camp staff. Learn about tools and strategies to manage camp operations more effectively, improve the...
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 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 o...