Cabin Chat with Jack Schott

Imagine the worst possible case scenario happening at camp... now add 14 more fires your team has to put out.

This week's host, Allison, is joined by Jacob's Camp's Carolyn and Anna as they talk camp crisis management. They're not just talking the talk, they walked the walked.

This episode shares about the absurd crisis that Jacobs Camp endured this summer, including but not limited to: power outages, moving "base" twice, and not having enough movies for bus rides. Anna and Carolyn share how they managed to make the most out of their situation with great community members, strong internal communication, and a whole car dedicated to snacks. You will soon find out why one camper in particular clamors about the "epic field-trips" he goes on when he goes to Jacobs Camp.

If you're looking for a story that will have your gears turning about camp crisis management plans (or just a wildly true story), this is the pod for you.

Producer EmJ's Takeaways:

1. Breakfast discos can solve a lot of things but not everything
2. Happy staff = happy campers = happy families
3. There is more and more evidence that supports the sentiment "its not what you know, its who you know".

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.
Listen on Spotify | Apple Music

Staff Training Talks from Instagram Live May 2022: In light of the Robb Elementary shooting, Scott Arizala sits down with Chris Res-Dupin to discuss the role of summer camp in processing tragedies and how camp directors can improve their emergency procedure staff training sessions.

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

Staff Training Talks from Instagram Live May 2022: Kaleena Escallier from YMCA of the USA talks with Chris Res-Dupin about the perfect activity to begin diversity training in staff orientation and emphasizes the importance of taking care of mental health over the summer.

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.

Stay strapped in. Jack is joined by Nelson Strickland and Quarius Lucas for PART 2.
This episode is all about understanding the language of your peers and creating a workspace that cherishes diversity. Nelson and Quarius talk more about creating spaces that encourage individuals to express themselves, and the detrimental effects of policing language.
They delve into how you can foster an environment working with young people that doesn’t force people to change their language or way of being but instead appreciates and celebrates it. (We're looking at you "Whoopty" by CJ.) Quarius and Nelson talk about how to foster a sense of community within the camp that makes people want to return and what leadership needs to do to make that happen.
If you're looking for a fresh perspective on why it's important to let people speak their authentic language, without the pressure to change, this is the pod for you.
1. "If you don't understand us, we're probably not talking to you."
2. Pass the aux!
3. How do YOU make it so that staff can be themselves and let their guard down? (White folks have to do some work, have to take the risks.)
Producer Note: From the start Nelson shares that "code-switching" may not be the best term for what they discuss. As someone working to create more visibility through SEO, I am 100% using it to capture more listeners. #ThatsMarketingBaby

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.
Listen on Spotify | Apple Music

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music
With the average American spending over 7 hours of their day looking at screens, we've got some work to do to make staff feel ready to reduce that phone time. On this episode, the Jack and EmJ dig deep into how to prepare your staff to decrease their screen time before camp starts; a digital detox if you will.
They ponder what plans could look like to get your staff ready, and why its important to be more honest about what little phone time they do have during the summer.
(Editor's note: we know EmJ is a back-channeler, and we still love her.
If you're looking for a real chat about staff having phones this summer, this is the pod for you.
Producer EmJ's Takeaways:

1. Be transparent with your staff and tell them upfront about your tech policies.
2. Call a loved one before you hit the summer busyness.
3. Phones aren't going anywhere, find 1 or 2 ways you can compliment them into your staff trainings. Try using Mentimeter as a way to engage staff through appropriate phone usage.

Want to talk more about phones?
"What would happen if you just called Taylor EmJ & Jack up?" EmJ and Jack are pretty active in the Members Only Slack. With over a dozen dedicated channels, you get what you need from over 200 camp professionals. Want to strategize? There's a channel for that. Want the latest on research related to camp? There's a channel for that.

Keep up to date with The Summer Camp Society. Join the membership to stay connected with fellow camp professionals and see what's new on Instagram.
Listen on Spotify | Apple Music