Camp Administration 101: The Battle Of The Bully
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.
Investing In Employees
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 weight pulling the cable.
Seen And Heard
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 outdoor-learning opportunities and traditional experiences.
The Renewed Value Of Icebreakers
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.
Camp Administration 101: Managing Risk
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.
The Business Of Managing Camp
How does one best manage a camp year-round so it is on budget, meeting its mission, and running as efficiently as possible?
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.
Putting The Puzzle Together
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.
Begin With The Right Tools
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 other people’s children.
Taking Stock
On Jan. 2, 2023, Monday Night Football was anything but ordinary. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a medical emergency on live television.
Camp Administration 101: Bridge The Gap
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.
Optimism And A Bit Of Hope
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 of a global pandemic.
Flooded With Positive Energy
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.
Make 2023 Your Best Registration Year Yet With Technology
Registrations have a huge impact on the success of your camp. But the same challenges always seem to come up! Discover five ways technology can solve the most common challenges and make sure 2023 is your best registration year yet.
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.
Plugging In To Social-Media Marketing
Summer-camp marketing has drastically changed over the last few years. When I was a camper, a DVD and a brochure were sent to a prospective family.
Camp Administration 101: What’s Next?
Whether a camp operates year-round or only over the summer, there will be peaks and valleys in a program schedule. During an off-season, there are several things to catch up on or prepare for the next session.
Camp Administration 101: Surveys And Evaluations
Make it a priority to survey and evaluate every aspect of an operation before, during, and after each camp session. Without detailed feedback, it’s difficult to tell how things are going.
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.
Adventure-Course Insurance Changes
As summer camps get back into full swing—many for the first time since the pandemic began—some insurance companies are changing policies for certain camp activities.