Making Valuable Connections
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.
Hey There, Tiger!
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 things, make mistakes, persevere, and take healthy risks.
LGBTQIA+ Inclusion
Although the camp world has always been a little ahead of the curve on diversity and inclusion efforts, recently there have been more bold, brave, and vigorous efforts to create camps that meet the needs of all kinds of kids, families, and staff members.
Coyote Mentors
For the majority of human history, children have played using their imagination and curiosity. In all that time—without television, video games, or mass-manufactured toys—kids have spent most of their free time exploring natural surroundings.
Camp Administration 101: Coordinating Successful Field Trips
Field trips are one of the most exciting parts of camp for campers but can be the most daunting for you and your staff members. Going off-site adds an extra layer of responsibility to ensure campers have a fun, yet safe experience.
Camp Administration 101: Managing Camper Conflict
Regardless of how much time is spent acclimating kids to life at camp, there will almost always be incidents of kids not getting along. Examples can range from minor name-calling to severe bullying, fighting, or inappropriate language.
Building A Camp That Builds Friendships
We spend way too much time keeping campers busy in activities. Not that having new stuff every year isn’t valuable, or making camp “fun” isn’t a worthy goal. But, by themselves neither will bring your campers
If I Had Three Wishes
There’s only one reason kids want to return to camp--friends. Yet when I tour camps and ask what staff members do to specifically help kids make friends, I find out why the average
Get Up And Get Moving
Kids come to camp looking for excitement and adventure. There’s no better way to pique their interest than to get their bodies moving.
Open Or Close?
2020 was a summer of difficult decisions. For some, it was a last-minute decision, hoping that something would change, the regulations would ease, or the pandemic would calm to a dull roar. In light of COVID-19, some camps
Making Summer Sing
2020 has been all about adapting—a factor not lost on camp directors. Taking active summer fun to a virtual format requires a new approach and adjusted expectations, not to mention ample patience and creativity.
A Summer Like No Other
On March 13, 2020, we moved our family from northern New Jersey to our summer camp in Maine. Quarantine for us (like the rest of the world) was riddled with stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights.
Enough About Coronavirus
Early in the pandemic, mental-health professionals cautioned against overindulging in news. Keeping up-to-date is important, especially during a health crisis or an election year.
Craft A Transgender Policy
Not so many years ago, most camp professionals approached transgender campers and staff members as a purely theoretical question. “What would we do,” the conversation went, “if a transgender staff member
Life Lessons
Regardless of the talent a camper possesses upon arriving at camp, each is destined to be great at something. Whether exploring the lake on hot, sunny days, playing sports on the field, or trying something new—the summer experience is a treasure hunt to discover hidden talents.
Problem Behavior at Camp
Our contemporary culture interprets antisocial, incompatible and abrasive behavior from a different perspective than in the "good old days" when conformity and a clear differentiation between acceptable
The Buddy System
How do you motivate a camper? Well, you really can't. Every human being has the choice to give a 100 percent effort… or to give something less than 100 percent.
Meaningful Interaction
How often do you go out to dinner, only to see people—of all ages—talking on their phones instead of talking to one another? It’s no secret that this society is one that greatly relies on technology. With the
Preparing Campers -- A Checklist
Preparing campers for their next camp experience is all about anticipation. Anticipate their needs, questions and concerns as the camp season draws nearer.
Building A Camp That Builds Friendships
We spend way too much time keeping campers busy in activities. Not that having new stuff every year isn’t valuable, or making camp “fun” isn’t a worthy goal. But, by themselves neither will bring your campers