First Class Counselors
Camp counselors have the most important job at summer camp. Period. A great camp staff will have kids wanting to come back to camp year after year. First Class Counsellors is here to make great camp staff. Each week, we’ll cover practical and accessible tips that will level up your camp counselor skills. Our two hosts, Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell and Matt Honsberger from Go Camp Pro are excited to be able to provide this resource to camp counselors.
Episodes
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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/should-we-send-them-home
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Finding Connection When You Are Frustrated
We’ve all been there. It’s week four, the coffee machine is broken, you are trying to get the cabin to the flagpole on time, and that camper is dragging their feet, making fart noises, and holding the broom upside down during clea...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/meaningful-and-masterful-facilitation
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Stop Talking, Start Leading: The Counselor's Guide to Facilitation
Join Oliver and Matt as they delve into the art and science of facilitation—the core skill needed to run first-class activities, whether it's team building, archery, or a simple trans...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/building-a-culture-of-belonging
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The Counselor's Guide to Universal Design, Behavior as Communication, and True Inclusion
Join Oliver, Matt, and special guest Lisa Drennan as they dive deep into creating truly inclusive camp environments. Lisa emphasizes that belonging is the new inc...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/stopping-inappropriate-language
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Words Stick: How to Intervene When Camper Language Crosses the Line
This episode, Oliver and Matt move give counselors the tactical framework needed to intervene immediately and effectively when campers use inappropriate, insensitive, or hurtful language. From the s...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/traditions
Steal These Amazing Camp Ideas!
Welcome to Season 8 of First Class Counsellors! Oliver and Matt are back with a brand-new season, starting things off by swapping some of the coolest camp traditions and programs they’ve seen across North America. From celebrating CITs to welcoming first-t...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/expectations
We need to be honest about how hard (and how great) it is to be a camp counselor!
Join Oliver Gregan and Matt Wilfrid as they delve into the crucial aspects of starting a career as a camp counselor in part two of their series. The discussion highlights vital tips and expectations ...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/got-the-job-now-what
Onboarding and Prioritization - What Sets Real First Class Counselors Apart!
This episode of First Class Counselors is your guide to rocking the first step of your next summer at camp. Oliver and Matt break down essential skills for new and returning staff, covering everything ...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/staff-training-expect
Congratulations! You’re having a wild, wonderful bundle of CAMP!
Staff training season is upon us (that is, if you’re listening to this episode in May) and while camp staff around the world are finishing up the school year, camp directors are putting the final touches on staff...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/stories
Gather ‘round the campfire for these funny, impactful and straight-up bizarre stories!
Today is not a topic but a feel. A vibe if you will.
We’ve been in camping for some time now and that means we have collected a few stories to share. Not a campfire story but just personal storie...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/gen-a
Generation-A are our campers - how can we effectively work with them at camp?
Generation-A, or Gen-A are kids that are born between 2010 and 2024. Born the same year as the release of the iPad, most socially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the generation that is currently almost 100% of...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/water-safety
Water safety (and fun!) starts with Camp Counselors
Many camps sport a waterfront, a pool or even host a wet and wild Wednesday! Today we want to talk about programming at these water-based activities to make sure campers are safe and having a blast.
You may be thinking “wait a minute,...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/terrible-staff
You may not like them, you may not counsel like them, but that doesn’t mean they suck.
It can happen to even the most First Class Counselor. For reasons that may seem perfectly valid and logical, a staff member gets it in their head that one of their co-workers is a terrible staff me...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/camp-is-a-cult
Summer camp is culty - but in a good way, we swear!
If you are new to summer camp and reading this, you may not get the whole “cult” angle.
It’s a common joke amongst experienced camp staff and directors that camp is essentially a cult. There are many reasons for this, but the main on...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/meet-your-camp-director-1
Part 1 - What we got wrong…
Just who is that person walking around with a clipboard all day?
To most Camp Counselors, the Camp Director is a strange and mythical creature. They’re like a teacher…but completely different. They’re like a boss…but definitely not in the traditi...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/how-to-talk-to-adults
You didn’t sign up to be a camp counsellor because you loved talking to adults…right?
In the world of a camp counselor, there is no other part of the job that is simultaneously as short and as important as the interactions you have with the adults that find their way...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/campers-first
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It’s not that you come second…well…it kind of is...
Camp counselors are special. Not just because of all the incredible skills you learn and teach, but because it’s one of the only jobs that requires you to prioritize the health and experience of kids in your care - all day. Th...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/campers-and-staff-these-days
Welcome back! How was your summer?
We’re so grateful to have you folks join us for another season of First Class Counselors. In this episode, Oliver and Matt share a bit about their summers, and what they’re thinking about going into the 2024 season.
Topics:
- How would...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/interview-skills-to-land-the-camp-job-of-your-dreams
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These interview skills will set you apart!
It's the most wanted summer job in the world. Honestly, with the recent pay increases, workplace experience and the amazingness of camp it truly is a job people from around the ...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/eat-like-royalty
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Camp food can suck but it doesn’t have to!
In the hierarchy of things we love, food reigns supreme.
But, let’s be honest, camp food can be…well camp food. Sometimes, it’s a step above high school lunch but also not as great as your typical college food hall. It serves the purp...
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Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/first-impressions-campers
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What to do the first time you’re alone with campers…
It’s arguably the most stressful time in a camp counsellor’s life. It’s the first day of camp, the caregivers have just left and it’s now just you and the campers. As 10 sets of eyes stare in anticipation, it dawns...
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