Capital Improvements
Everyone has a vision of what will make their camp perfect. Unfortunately, that vision may not jibe with reality (or users’ ideas of a perfect camp), which is why it’s critical to develop a team
Three-Step Program
Hiring a staff to run the camp during the summer is the most time-consuming and important thing a camp director can do each year. How to get started? My suggestion is to make a plan!
Get with the Program
How many times have you heard, "But this is not how we did it last year!" There are ways to honor the past and still move forward with the future in camping. One such idea is the creation of program guidebooks.
Take Charge
Whenever you say yes to a new job in camping you inherit the good and bad of a camp's three main components -- staff, facility and traditions.
The Training Table
Here’s the situation... You usually have about seven days before the children arrive. There is a room full of strangers and usually about half or more have never been summer counselors before.
The Recognition Factor
One of the most difficult management skills to learn is recognizing and appreciating staff. As directors we focus our energy on being effective and safe managers.
Staff Conscious
Summer is here and the plans have been made, events organized and staff hired. The only thing left to do is deliver the program with the best team possible. How do you do that?
Orient Before Orientation
Starting at a new camp is a difficult challenge to accept. Whether you're a counselor, a program director or a new camp director there's a lot to be done and a lot to be learned. Orientation for new staff and directors
Giving Programming a Chance
It would be so nice if people were not generally resistant to change, no matter what it was. Even the creation of new programs is a form of change.
Reevaluating the Camp, Part 2
Being new to the job in this industry is really challenging, as is reevaluating and revamping it. As referred to in the last article a new director, or one who's evaluating and working to improve the camp, has to
Collaborative Programming
Every year we sit down as directors and hope to think up the new idea or program; that one program that will knock the kids off their feet with amazement and fun. The problem, though we do not like to admit it, is
Reevaluating the Camp, Part 1
So the interviews are done, the proposal has been accepted and the start date has been set! You arrive on your first day and introduce yourself to the staff that you have not met through the interview process. They
Hi-Ho Silver...
Each summer we try and create new and better programs to excite the ideas and imaginations of our campers. High adventure seems to take on three types in the camping industry: out-trips, high challenge
The Ultimate Survivor
"It's time to vote," "You're fired!" "Will you accept this rose?" are phrases that have become a big part of our recent television and pop culture.
Getting to Know You
Activities, activities, and more activities is how we accomplish all that we do in the camping industry! Name games, team building and get-to-know-you games allow us to get inside the group dynamics of
Stretch & Twist
As camp time gets ever closer (wasn't it just yesterday that we had closing ceremonies?) it's time to jumpstart camp and get the ideas flowing.
Dream to Reality
One of the great loves of a camp director is planning for the future in programming and facility development. I have always advised camp directors to make lists and goal sheets and to grow your
Flow & Tell
There's a lot of talk in business about "creating ownership". In our case, that means giving our parents and campers a sense of ownership through their involvement and assistance with camp operations and