What to look for and how to stop it By Jason Schaitz Bullying can happen anywhere, and the dynamics can be complex. To put preventative measures in place to tackle incidents of bullying effectively, it is important to know what to look for as the clear signs that bullying may be occurring. Bullying can occur in many forms.…

Provide a comfortable place where time is held, and space is saved By Katelynn Bufford As each camper scaled his or her way to the top of the high ropes course, the instructor yelled “ZIP,” the command to exit the course via the zipline. The shutter of my camera snapped as each participant tether whizzed past me, propelled by the gravity of their w…

Creating positive environments for youth-counselor voice and empowerment By Rebecca Meyer, Betsy Minneart-Olson, Nicole Pokorney The University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development offers a variety of residential camping experiences through the Minnesota 4-H Camping Program. 4-H camps, typically for 3rd to 8th graders, provide guided…

Key takeaways from group exercises in a post-pandemic world By Jim Cain I was invited to facilitate a series of workshops for a statewide, high-school leadership program. The participants included teachers, advisors, staff members, community volunteers, and students. It was the first time the group had gathered since the coronavirus pandemic, and a…

How to repair, replace, and remodel with a depreciation-recovery model By Jeff Wadley Imagine a camp where there is no need to fundraise for deferred maintenance, repairs, renovations, or replacements. That old truck that needs a clutch, the HVAC unit that needs a compressor, the program area that needs paint, and that zero-turn mower that is on it…

Offer equally meaningful ways to enjoy programs By Chris Thurber “I don’t know the first thing about accommodations,” I said to my friend, the director of a camp that serves young burn survivors. “Yes, you do,” he insisted. “When I started walking a little faster, you did, too, Chris. I didn’t even have to say anything. We’re still going to complet…

Make it the expectation not the exception By Amanda Kloo Camp is community. Camp is friendship. Camp is childhood. As camps advance their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, practices, and programming, it is imperative that children with disabilities are at the forefront of these efforts. Because all kids should camp!…

A building-design framework that promises minimal energy use By Timothy Lock Shelter is the physical manifestation of a person’s unique ecological condition—a direct interface with nature, and perhaps nowhere is this gradient more abrupt than at camp. The buildings become indelible reminders of this interplay to the campers who use them, and can be…

Protect people and property with proper plans and procedures By Jason Schaitz Anyone running a camp must consider the exposure to risk and ensure that any space the camp occupies is safe. This is especially true for activities like ropes courses, archery, canoeing, swimming, and adventure programming. Risk management is not one of the fun aspects o…

Believing it will set the wheels in motion to achieve it By Susan Langlois Sometimes a technique to achieve success can be so simple that it’s tempting to think “that it is just too good to be true.” But before dismissing something that appears to be simple and wondering why isn’t everyone doing it, you might ask, “Is there any research to support …

Honor a crowd favorite (and the earth) by recycling the container in which it’s delivered By Michael Wilson Camp administrators may have yet to notice but there are several days every year that honor and celebrate pizza. For instance, here’s a look at some of the dates and themes!Di Camp Business Magazine

Using checklists to determine whether the operation is firing on all cylinders By Mike Carr How does one best manage a camp year-round so it is on budget, meeting its mission, and running as efficiently as possible?Di Camp Business Magazine

Get out of cruise control to maintain professional excellence By Chris Thurber “College is the best four years of your life” is a discouraging claim for two reasons: It implies the rest of your life will be disappointing, and it suggests an educational dead end in your early 20s. Fortunately, if you’re committed to being your best, neither of these…

Fire-suppression strategies require long-term diligence over quick, modern fixes By Jefferey Spivey Safety is always a priority at camps. Be it lifesaving best practices in the water or interactions with wildlife, camp directors (and staff members) are tasked with minimizing campers’ risk of injury while protecting camp structures and natural habit…

Fostering a mindset that values diversity, equity, and inclusion By Susan Langlois Cultivating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at camp is an investment that pays great dividends in meeting campers’ and staff members’ challenges, helping everyone earn a sense of accomplishment and building a community where everyone feels valued. It can be a …

Three ideas on streamlining operations for ultimate efficiency By Don Stock Challenge courses are an important part of many camp programs. And constructing, maintaining, and staffing them are a big investment. Much of that ongoing cost involves the gear and equipment used to operate the course. Helmets, harnesses, ropes, carabiners, lanyards, and z…

Six simple ways to remember campers’ names and strengthen connections By Chris Thurber Like all other activities at camp, the success of adventure programming hinges on a trusting relationship between adult staff members and the young participants. Without this relationship in place, most people—especially the young ones—are not willing to try new …

That’s the sound of Dirt Bike Camp By Heather Pierce Summer camp is famous for campfires, silly songs, friendships, and endless activities. What about the camper who wants a little more excitement? Or the growing camper who thinks, “I’ve been to camp; I’ve already done everything.” Dirt Bike Camp might be a great addition, and the benefits can be s…

Rock climbing and summer camp share many core values and provide an unforgettable outdoor experience By Kailan Manandic Everyone has had a bittersweet recollection of their adolescence. It could be a memory of piano lessons, birthday presents, orange Creamsicles, or double plays on first base; whatever it is, it carries a holistic feeling of accomp…

Specialized summer camps offer hope, community, and freedom for LGBTQ+ youth By Jefferey Spivey When it comes to summer camps, the experience is largely defined by what happens on-site—the range of activities, the friendships, the independence. But at camps designed for LGBTQ+ youth, the impacts last long after campers return home. “I think that th…

Ohio 4-H Sea Camp provides an up-close encounter with aquatic life By Jenny Strickler Ohio 4-H Sea Camp is a 5-day camp held in July at Kelley’s Island 4-H Camp in the Lake Erie Islands in Ohio. This camp is held through partnerships of Ohio State University Extension and organizations that offer aquatic education and water recreation. Ohio 4-H Sea…

And new strategic countermeasures that directors can use to thwart the threat By Chris Thurber Most day and overnight camps forbid campers from using their phones. Most camps also forbid staff members from the same—at least in front of campers. Since the inception of organized summer camps, most directors have shared the conviction that camp is a p…

Start a CIT program to combat staffing woes By Jason Schaitz A Counselor in Training (CIT) program typically allows high-school students to volunteer within a camp program. Set up properly, it provides on-the-job training with the hope that participants become counselors down the road. It not only assists with current staff needs by having extra ha…

Methods to create a resilient team and avoid burnout By Jonathan Caflun Working as a camp counselor is one of the most challenging and rigorous jobs a young person can have. At first glance, it may be viewed as a fun job to run around, teach activities, and make friends, but employees very quickly understand the immense responsibility of caring for…

Creating a medical-emergency plan and teaching employees how to embrace it By Jamie Sirkin On Jan. 2, 2023, Monday Night Football was anything but ordinary. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a medical emergency on live television. Tens of thousands of fans were present in the stadium, and an estimated 23-million viewers tuned in on televis…

Lining up all the bits and pieces of staff training By Kim Aycock Imagine a 500- or 1000-piece puzzle dumped on a table; some pieces are right-side up, while others are upside down. Each cardboard cutout represents one of the bits and pieces of staff training. It’s a lot—perhaps even overwhelming. Where does one begin to put a staff-training plan t…

Use a simple framework to create a strong training strategy By Dan Shortridge Camp directors who feel overwhelmed by the challenge of staff training are far from alone. If training is stuck in a rut, the staff week program isn’t properly preparing the team, training materials are years old, or you’re rushing to create visual aids at the last minute…

Mixing “problem” and “happy” campers adds realistic element to training By Jessica Lippe As most trainers in any industry know, role playing is a great way for new staff members to obtain hands-on experience before actually getting their hands on anything. Role plays are typically conducted in a controlled environment with other staff members, and …

Using a strength-based approach to promote campers’ skills By Susan Langlois Teaching a new skill to campers, especially in a sport with a complex motor skill like the golf swing, can be challenging. But it also can be the most satisfying and meaningful camp experience for both campers and the instructor, using a strength-based approach. Teaching c…

Notice there’s no “P” in there By Dr. Chris Thurber Most camps have worked hard for decades to get kids and staff to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before meals. Now both groups do it almost instinctively. I still see people cough and sneeze into their palms, but most people now blow their droplets into an elbow. Better personal and …

Using angles to get good media attention year-round By Dan Shortridge Camp leaders need to master the art of storytelling. Not just the campfire version—the marketing kind. Without stories, you can’t get good, consistent, local media coverage, which is vital to keeping a camp in the public eye and topmost in the mind of families. Too many camps thi…

Create experiential events to “wow” your camp community By Marissa Allaben and Alison Rothenberg Summer camps often include special events on the calendar to create excitement beyond the routine activities. Yet often these events are one-dimensional as the programming may only feature costume dress-up or a themed show. To increase camper engagement…

Introducing Camp because I said I would By Jeff North Because I said I would is an international social movement and nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept. The organization was founded in 2012 following a viral internet offer to send ten Promise Cards at no cost, to anyone, anywhere in th…

Circus Smirkus provides big-top benefits By Genevieve Martineau Many kids dream of running away with the circus, but did you know they actually can? Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2022, Circus Smirkus is a nonprofit, circus-arts organization that inspires kids of all ages to develop artistic, athletic, and life skills through the power of perf…

Re-building, re-connecting, and re-engaging in a post-pandemic future By Jim Cain In March, the Buckeye Leadership Workshop (BLW) reconvened for its first real-world, in-person gathering at the Recreation Unlimited facility in Ashley, Ohio. Like many organizations, BLW has had to pivot and adapt its annual program to the ever-evolving requirements …

Tips for managing a swim program By Jason Schaitz Whether done on-site or on a trip, swimming can be one of the most challenging activities to host at camp. Not only does the environment have to be fun and engaging, but swimming must be done safely with large groups of kids—all of whom have varying swim levels. Here are some guidelines and items to…

Do’s and don’ts to keep projects fun and fresh By Jason Schaitz Arts-and-crafts projects are one of the cornerstones of camp activities. It is important to plan and organize these projects so campers understand what’s expected. Here are some tips to managing arts and crafts programs.

The best drowning-prevention method to teach campers? By Greg Schmidt As an old-timer in aquatics, I’ve taught literally thousands of hours of swimming lessons. I became a water-safety instructor (WSI) in 1977 and water-safety instructor training (WSIT) in 1984, and have maintained those certifications. In those 45 years, I have learned about what …