SCamp Life: The Other Side
A bi-weekly look at big picture questions, concerns, and sometimes unpopular opinions in the summer camp industry in hopes of stimulating well rounded conversations among camp teams.
Episodes
Kelie is back from the American Camp Association Tri-State Conference, and she’s bringing all the energy (and a few unexpected side quests) to this episode! Join Kelie and Shauna as they dive into Kelie’s favorite sessions, biggest takeaways, and ideas that camp professionals won’t want to miss. Of course, it wouldn’t be The Other Side without a few classic “Squirrel!” moments—because when camp people talk, things are bound to get ...
Hosts Kelie and Shauna break down how executive orders, local laws, and policy changes could impact the camp industry. From staffing regulations to funding shifts, they explore what camp professionals need to know—without the legal jargon. But let’s be clear: they’re not lawyers, and this isn’t legal advice—just two camp pros with microphones trying to make sense of the rules that shape our summers.
LINKS
In this episode, hosts Kelie and Shauna continue the conversation on embracing ADHD in camp leadership with special guests Travis Allison (GoCampPro) and Kate Taylor (Camp Industry Consultant). This is Part 2 of our discussion—catch Part 1 over on Camp Hacker!
We dive into ADHD as a superpower in the camp world, how to recognize ADHD in your staff, practical tools to support neurodivergent team members, and share personal stories of...
Policies and procedures aren’t just for campers—they apply to caregivers too! In this episode, Kelie and Shauna welcome back Emily Golinsky of Bright Moose Training to dive into the world of behavior policies and procedures for both campers and their grown-ups. They break down the difference between a policy and a procedure, discuss when to be flexible, and explore how to balance empathy for upset caregivers while maintaining bound...
In this episode, Shauna is out with the flu, so Kelie takes the lead and sits down with Dr. Chad Nelson to dive into the fascinating history and ever-changing industry of summer camp. They tackle the big question—is camp a real job?—and share invaluable advice for current, veteran, and new camp managers and directors. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration to help yo...
It’s camper registration season! What are parents and caregivers looking for in a camp? Who makes the final decision about which camp to attend? How much communication is too much communication? Kelie and Shauna chat with Courtney Russell, camp parent, to answer all of your burning questions. Listen in as Courtney dishes the downlow on camp choices and Shauna goes on a soapbox about providing as much information as you can to the c...
It’s almost hiring season and to save future you some time, so Kelie and Shauna have staff on their mind. In this episode, our hosts share the ways they like to show appreciation to their staff and also share how it builds their staff culture. Kelie and Shauna also share how they implement these staff moments so they are easy to duplicate at your camp!
In this fun and revealing episode, Kelie and Shauna dive into the hilarious and sometimes shocking, shared by listeners, "Counselor Confessions." From pranks gone wrong to heartwarming moments with campers, current and former counselors spill their best-kept camp secrets, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the antics of camp counselor life.
LINKS
Kelie and Shauna ARE BACK! In this episode, they recap their AMAZING summers and absolutely GUSH about their 2024 Staff. Shauna shares the celebrity children she had as campers and Kelie finally has a great summer after last year’s fiasco of a season.
In this episode, Kelie and Shauna are joined by Emily Golinsky from Bright Moose Training to discuss the crucial differences between bullying and conflict in youth programs, camps, and schools. Emily shares insights on how to recognize the signs of both, strategies for prevention, and handling conflicts effectively. The conversation explores real-world applications of these strategies, the importance of educating staff and parents,...
This episode dives into the transformative approaches Kelie and Shauna are implementing for staff training at their respective camps. From reinventing traditional methods to integrating dynamic activities. The conversation reflects on past experiences, anticipates future challenges, and explores strategies to enhance the camp experience for both staff and campers, highlighting the importance of adaptability, engagement, and fun in ...
Kelie and Shauna explore the portrayal of camp in movies, TV shows, and documentaries, touching on both fiction and non-fiction. They discuss the accuracy and cultural impact of camp-themed media, sharing their personal experiences and critical perspectives as camp professionals. The episode highlights a variety of titles, including 'Camp Nowhere', 'Heavyweights', 'The Parent Trap', and 'Bug Juice', alongside discussions on the dar...
Kelie and Shauna discuss their recent experiences and key takeaways from the ACA Tri-State Camp Conference. They touch on their busy travel schedules, staffing updates, and a variety of sessions attended at the conference. Highlights include discussions on staff recruitment, dealing with camper and staff behavior, the importance of respect over hierarchy, and innovative ideas for camp traditions and staff training. They also mentio...
Hosts Kelie and Shauna, after a series of serious episodes, decide to lighten the mood by introducing a fun, rapid-fire segment focused on camp traditions. Utilizing a wheel to randomize selections, they explore their experiences and thoughts on a variety of camp traditions, such as the Apache Relay, family/parent days, awards for campers and staff, the use of indigenous names, special birthday acknowledgments, the transfer of ashe...
In this episode, Kelie and Shauna, are joined by Shane Meserve, a consultant and trainer on mass violence and child abuse prevention, for a discussion on the topic of mass violence and its impact on children and camps. The episode focuses on ways in which programs like camps can aid in prevention, utilization of trauma-informed care, and maintaining a safe environment for the children. The hosts also discuss techniques to manage th...
Kelie and Shauna are joined by Claire Griffith, a recreation specialist working with cognitively impaired individuals. Claire addresses trauma informed care within a camp setting, stressing the importance of safety, trust, transparency, peer support, and collaboration, and acknowledging cultural, historical, and gender issues. They explore how trauma informed care can influence Gen Z, considered the first generation heavily into on...
In this episode, Shauna gives a detailed rundown of her experiences at the Women in Camp Summit 2023, also known as WICS. The episode includes discussions on several important topics including the significance of intersectionality in camping, the importance of transparency in job descriptions to accommodate neurodivergent individuals, trauma-informed management, and the impact of privilege. The conversation includes insightful disc...
In this episode, Kelie and Shauna give a different take on the Summer Camp Society’s November 14th episode: Rethinking the Counselor Role.
Links:
- Summer Camp Society Podcast: Season 2 Episode 13
- The Other Side: Episode 2 - Are We Asking Too Much of Our Staff?
Want to add to our conversation? Have a question you want us to discuss?
Email Us: exploringcampsides@gmail.com
In this episode, Shauna and Kelie get raw with Joel Van Egbert as they discuss ways camp directors can improve the mindset, conditions, and retention rates of camp counselors. #CampJesus
Joel’s email: joel@wildchild.camp
Kelie and Shauna discuss what they have seen in camper behavior over the last two summers, their experiences, and their ideas to begin combating it.
Popular Podcasts
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus