Rec Heads and Camp Nerds podcast: Recent Episodes
Curt "Moose" Jackson and Patti Sampson
Rec Heads and Camp Nerds is a weekly podcast geared towards community recreation and summer camp professionals where Professor Dave and Patti Sampson discuss a variety of topics and interview other professional rec heads and camp nerds. If you enjoy entertaining and informative content about community recreation and/or summer camp, you're in the right place
This is a flashback episode of Curt's very first podcasting effort. In it Curt talks about the pros and cons of camp names for staff. This was the first episode of the Summer Camp Pro podcast. Next month Curt will be resurrecting and revamping that podcast with all new episodes.
Professor Dave invites H Rothenberg back as his co-host to chat with guest Andy Pritikin about bridging the work he does at his for-profit day camp and starting a foundation, while Patti is off running SCampCon with Curt.
We learn about Andy's passion for his camp and the foundation he created, that he's an actual rock star, and that he thinks the 10 word lightening round rule is impossible.
Patti discusses her experience with imposter syndrome; the feeling that you're not good enough or that you 'tricked' people into thinking you deserve what you have. And outlines some ways to combat that negative self talk and start feeling confident again. She even highlights some silver linings of feeling a little unsure of yourself.
And of course, talks about SCampCon!
Patti chats about how to dismiss staff professionally and gracefully.
She walks us through what should be front loaded to manage expectations, things we should and shouldn't do during the dismissal conversation, and what needs to be done after the staff member has been dismissed.
She also talks about two things she would never do when letting a staff person go.
Patti chats with H Rothenberg about what it takes to own and operate your own camp program and have a long and successful career in camping.
Dave and Patti have both worked at camp for people with disabilities, so they spend some time sharing some (very) basic tips and advice for those thinking about working with people with disabilities for the first time, and camps looking to become more inclusive.
They cover, what someone should consider before applying to camp/ accepting a job, what camp directors can do to improve their offering, some things staff should consider when helping campers with disabilities during programming, and why someone should work at a camp for folks with disabilities.
Plus Patti rants for a moment about something you should never say and Professor Dave makes a big announcement!
In this solo quick bite episode, Patti walks us through 20 questions that will help us thoughtfully reflect on the past year and help us get ready for planning the year to come.
Questions about creating, consumption, and challenges (and a bunch other questions that don't start with the letter C) allow us to figure out where our priorities were, and celebrate some of the awesome things we did, while growing from the things we learned.
She also offers the 20 Year End Reflection Questions in a PDFand her printable Goal Setting Workshopto accompany the Goal Setting episode and make reflection and future planning so much easier.
Curt stops by for a special Christmas Eve episode with Patti where they brainstorm some ideas for celebrating Christmas in July.
From various types of fake snowballs to activities and decoration suggestions, our hosts laugh their way through a list of ideas.
Check out the Pinterest board for lots of fun Christmas in July ideas.
This podcast wasn't sponsored by Pinterest.... but it should have been!
Our hosts discuss all things Tri-State Camp Conference with the delightful Samara & Allison from the ACA Tri-State office.
We find out what Samara, Allie's and Dave's favourite moments are from conferences gone by, how Dave met his wife, who the 2019 key note speakers are, and more!
In this old school, hour long episode Allison & Samara give advice for first time attendees, returning attendees, vendors, and speakers. The also share a little bit of the conference's history and what they're most excited about for 2019.
Patti and Dave give their two cents on which tools help them do their jobs best, baking, travel, email lists, and more.
Patti and Dave give their two cents on which tools help them do their jobs best, baking, travel, email lists, and more.
Our hosts answer your burning questions about dealing with burn out, stepping away from camp, staff appreciation, self care, fundraisers, and memorable campers.
There was a call on social media for questions and you guys sure delivered! Huge thanks to all those who submitted questions, there will be another episode like this in the future so if your question didn't get answered, there's always next time, and keep asking them in the meantime.
We also celebrate Dave's anniversary, find out Dave & Patti's couples names (not together... with their respective spouses) and what they're grateful for.
Curt re-joins Patti for an old school list episode all about holiday activities.
We also get some spoilers about the upcoming SCamp Con, and get what is possibly the most hilarious, but NSFW bloopers!!
Professor Dave and Patti are back from their respective conferences and they want to tell you all about them.
Patti talks about her first ever conference speaking experience and Dave gives some sage advice about presenting to your peers, and the two discuss what made each conference awesome, as well as the small details that stood out to them.
Curt interviews Philip Drake from Mt. Lou San about how he came to be a camp professional never having gone to camp as a kid, the innovative programming he has created, and how his passion has grown been a key factor in growing the camp from 30 campers in 1999 to "busting at the seams" 20 years later.
Patti and Professor Dave chat about some of the books that have helped them become better camp leaders. We learn about Dave's AWESOME job as a teen, and the workshop he's going to run at the inaugural Digital Summer Camp Con (Sign up now!), as well as Patti's cool Canadian Camping experience... and that maybe she can't count.
In this quick bite episode Patti bribes her husband Wayne to come on the podcast to talk about what it's like as a "non-camp" person being married to a camp professional.
Wayne shares what he thought Patti did when they met, things that confuse him about camp, and his tips for being a supportive spouse during camp season.
He also makes up a new word, divulges what his favourite camp song is, and as in life, makes our host laugh.. a lot.
Donna MacPherson took on the difficult task of taking over as director in the middle of the camp season.
Our hosts Professor Dave and Patti explore what prompted such a sudden change, what Donna did to help ease the transition, and what surprised her most about the situation.
Donna also gives advice for others who may find themselves in similar circumstances, AND for directors who may have to leave mid season in the future. Patti also throws a little bit of shade.
Trigger Warning Sensitive topics discussed in this episode.
Alan Cooper from AMSkier gives us tips on building a good relationship with your insurance provider.
His number one tip: be upfront and be honest.
He discusses the top three trends he saw during the 2018 camp season, including staff : staff encounters, staff:camper encounters, and staff/camper: parent encounters and gives advice on how to mitigate these types of situations in the future.
Unpack your camp session with Professor Dave & Patti. Our hosts discuss some refection questions, and review the answers that were supplied on the Summer Camp Pros Facebook page.
Dave talks about the importance of pausing and shares his tips for making time for himself each day - and what he does to reboot his brain. Patti and Dave also discuss celebrating wins and the importance of taking some vacation this time of year.
Curt joins Patti on the podcast to finally chat about the project he's been working on these past few months.
He fills us in on the digital conference - Summer Camp Con (better known as "SCamp Con") coming up in January and discusses his reasons for deciding to take this on, what to expect as an 'attendee' and presenter, and what he's most excited about.
Patti says some stuff too. :P
For more information about becoming a presenter, sponsor, or to sign up to be notified when registration opens visit www.summercampcon.com
John Beitner from the ACA joins Patti to give some insider tips on attending conferences, whether it’s your first or fifty-first one he has some advice for you. John also shares the secret to ensuring great evaluations as a presenter AND gives some major hints about who the top-secret keynote speakers are for Tri-State (to be announced in Mid-Oct) and fills us in on the exciting keynote at National this year.
PLUS Patti finally spills the beans on the big project she's been teasing for a while.
We're making a big announcement! For the second season of Rec Heads & Camp Nerds we've got a big change in store for you.
In this episode we get to know Dave Malter, or "Professor Dave" as he goes by. We find out some of his favourite camp memories, his favourite quote(s) AND what relic of camp days gone by that he still holds on to... despite the smell.
We're back with season two of the podcast and brining you something a little different. Patti went solo on this episode and chatted with some of the phenomenal women involved in organizing the Women In Camp Summit.
In our final episode of our Quick Bites series, Curt walks us through some of his favourite submissions from his round table compilations. These creative program ideas are a great way of rebooting your program offerings for next summer and getting some inspiration for your year round activities.
Patti muses about the language used both at camp and about camp.
She and Curt discuss how confusing it can be that the term camp is used to mean so many different things - not all of it very positive, and how unclear some job titles can be even for those of us in the industry.
One of the things Curt “Moose” Jackson is most passionate about is a well-made escape room! In this summer “quick bites” episode he shares his secrets for a great low-cost escape room program.
Patti uses this Quick Bites episode to rant discuss (...ok, rant!) about camp professionals not only being underpaid for their work - but encouraging that precedent within the industry.
Curt tells us how to run a day camp program when you have some high fixed costs using basic sports equipment, limited craft supplies, and a lot of creativity.
Have you ever found yourself in a hospital waiting room with an injured camper? Do you have a "go bag" ready if it happens? Patti reveals what goes inside her "go bag", and she has an interesting list of supplies.
Curt shares his favorite round table entries for part 2 of Slump Busters which is part of our summer 'quick bites' series.
It's mid-season, in this episode of our 'quick-bites' summer series Patti gives you some ideas on how to bust the slump your staff might be experiencing.
As we continue on with our 'quick bites' series, Curt brings us part 2 of our staff recognition tips and tricks. Listen in for some great ideas on how to make your staff feel appreciated and valued. If you missed it, don't forget to check out pt 1, where Patti shares all of her great ideas.
It's summer time! We know you're busy, so we're commin' atcha with some 'quick bites' - short episodes packed with ideas. This week Patti gives some ideas on recognizing your staff.
What, exactly, is a campmance? Do you allow them at your camp?
Our hosts go over how to deal with staff in a relationship, how to prevent drama, and share some past campmance experiences.
Ever wonder what your camp nurse actually wants from you? We get the scoop with Paula Lauer, President of The Association of Camp Nursing. She fills us in on everything from time off, to pay rate, and lets us know which little things are going to make your nurse very happy.
Have you ever had participants, campers, or family members complain about being bored on a hike? Our hosts have got 22 suggestions for you to 'spice up' your standard hikes to make them more fun and keep everyone engaged.
Mat Whynott shares how his perspective shifted once he went from camp staff to camp parent.
Thinking about starting an LIT/ CIT program? Already have one but want to take it to the next level? Have no idea what LIT or CIT stands for? Patti & Curt discuss all the things they think should be included in a training program, explain what those acronyms mean to them and break down what the differences are. Listen in for lots of tips on how to offer a great program to your campers.
Our hosts chat with Ruby Compton about collaboration, having important conversations, fan girl stickers, her ah-ha moments, and her exciting new endeavors.
Curt leads us on a fantastic journey of applying Disney teachings to camps. Learn what surprise and delight vs extinction mean in terms of managing teams and how everyone and everyTHING should be walking the talk.
Tyler Hayden is a team designer; he tells us about his journey from recreation professional to corporate speaker, explains why he calls himself a "team designer", what components are involved in the formalizing of team building and where the inspiration for one his top Patchwork resources came from.
Curt and Patti discuss the types of camps available and try to answer the question "is camp for everyone?". By examining programs, staff hiring, and representation, our hosts come to a conclusion, listen in to see if you agree.
Austin and Matthew of Trailhead Games talk about all the components that go into creating their unforgettable, one of a kind experiences for your campers.
Wondering how to create an alumni program, and keep them engaged? Jeff Bradshaw of Camp Wenonah will give you dozens of great ideas and tips.
Worried about your campers getting bored? Our hosts share their lists of backpocket games to keep participants occupied during transition times or down times that will keep them engaged and entertained.
Curt and Patti discuss their feelings on pranks at camp, the times they were involved with pranks, and, as always, their random questions to each other.
Are you someone who's worked a bunch of weird or dumb jobs in order to keep working at your camp or recreation job? Curt and Patti totally are! They share all of the jobs they've had in order to keep working in the industry - and what they've learned from some of them.
Ever wondered what it would be like to run a camp where the campers call the shots? Allison East Vining is here to tell us her vision for this exact scenario.
Looking for some new ideas for your Easter event or after school program. Patti and Curt offer a number of ideas including a variety of egg hunts, some craft ideas, game ideas and more.
Eric "Shendy" Shendelman, owner of Shendy's Swim Centre and current president of the Ontario Camp Association, shares his passion for pool and water safety, some tips for your lifeguards and we all share our choice of tattoos we'd get for free stuff.
It’s hiring season! You’re either up to your eyeballs in staff applications, or crying for just a few great folks to apply – there isn’t usually a lot of in-between. Our hosts have some thoughts on everything from where to find staff, to how to make them feel comfortable during the interview and what to do once the interview is over.
Travis Allison gives us some marketing wisdom but he goes beyond that to discuss his true passion. And, this episode marks the introduction of The Lightning Round.
Make sure your campers have an extra special experience this summer by adding some whimsy to your program. Our hosts list 100 things (or close enough) you can do to add whimsy to your camp AND they play a fun game of word association with their suggestions.
A day camp that travels from community to community, state to state...with a climbing wall? Sounds pretty spectacular to us! Patti and Curt chat with Raymond Varner, owner and director of Camp Ruwà and he tells them all about his new traveling Christian day camp.
Curt has not only attended a number of conferences over the years, but he’s presented at some of them, too. Patti’s never been to one of the big camping conferences so she has a bunch of questions. Curt shares his tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your conference experience.
Curt and Patti chat about all the BIG games and competitions you can run in your community. They're not only great community builders but can also work as excellent fundraisers!
Do you hire international staff for your summer camp or are you thinking about it? Patti and Curt speak with Mike Fried of Camp Counselors USA about the benefits of hiring international staff.
Patti takes us through her goal setting workshop that she does with her staff and gives us a bunch of extra productivity tips and tricks to take into the new year.
In Part Two of this special holiday edition of the podcast, Curt and Patti take discuss what they are excited about in 2018 and make some camp predictions.
In Part One of this special holiday edition of the podcast, Curt and Patti take some time to reflect on their personal highlights of 2017.
Innovation, collaboration, and thoughtful leadership in parks & recreation are things that Becky Dunlap is passionate about, and we get to chat with her about that in this week's episode.
Patti and Curt speak with Barb Weeden about some of the challenges of walking into a new leadership role at a new camp AND we find out why Jedis can be lazy!
Patti and Curt go beyond the father/daughter dance and share a bunch of ideas for unique parent/child community events. Wait until you hear Patti's mother/son event idea called "Doggies and Diamonds".
Our hosts chat with millennial master (literally, she has her M.A. in youth development with a focus on millennial audiences), Lanet Hane about her work with companies and camps in supporting the millennial workforce and bridging the gap between generations through her business, Workforce Satisfaction Solutions (WSS).
And she offers some five star advice, folks!
Curt and Patti talk about ideas for engaging middles school teens in your recreation program, and they share personal (and embarrassing) stories from their middle school days.
Technology at camp has been a bit of a hot button issue within the camping industry over the last few years. Patti and Curt discuss the two camps people usually fall in, and some ways to make technology work for and in your programs, and their disdain for 3 hour lineups to register for a recreation program.
Patti and Curt suggest a bunch of activities you can do with kids, whether you’re in the snow or the sun, and reinforce the notion that growing up in Southern California versus the East Coast of Canada make for two VERY different sets of expectations when it comes to winter activities. They also share a lot of stories, unrelated to the topic, but totally on brand!
Curt and Patti speak with recreational gymnastic powerhouse Ali Stoffels about her role in creating programs and resources to help her industry grow, and how to apply that to other recreational sports.
Curt and Patti talk about the surprising rise in adult summer camps and the various options available.
Curt and Patti get creative and come up with some silly and spectacular ways to celebrate odd holidays with your community recreation group.
The talented Mr. Roxy Peterson talks to Patti and Curt about his passion for weaving art and camp together to teach campers about sharing culture, building community, and understanding the world.
Halloween season is upon us and Curt and Patti share some of their ideas for ways to celebrate in your community, from haunted houses to trunk or treat and a whole lot in between. They give some ideas for getting teenagers involved including an outdoor movie night, and some tips on creating an inclusive program for people with disabilities.
We talk with Melanie Dash, program director of Camp No Limits about the logistics of running a camp for campers with limb loss and their families in multiple states. We also talk about Dr. Pepper and Long Island Iced Tea.
In this debut episode we talk about things camp pros should do after camp as a wrap up of the summer and things recreation pros should do as they ramp up their school year programs. We also talk about who would make better camp counselors (Luke vs Rey and Batman vs Superman).