The CampHacker Podcast
by CampHacker - from Go Camp Pro
CampHacker Podcast helps camp directors solve real problems and build resilient camps. Each episode gives practical tips for recruiting, keeping, and teaching camp staff. The hosts talk about true stories, share ways to make camp stronger, and help leaders prepare for tough situations. They focus on making summer camps last longer and bring the biggest positive change to kids and young adults. You’ll hear easy steps, fresh ideas, and real conversations that help directors run better camps and create spaces where everyone can grow. The CampHacker Podcast is hosted by Travis Allison and Chris Hudson. Travis is known for his creative ideas and caring advice for camp leaders across North America. He brings years of experience and speaks at big conferences to help directors make camps stronger and more resilient. Chris partners with Travis on every episode, working together to answer tough questions and share helpful steps for camp leaders. Their teamwork and passion help director
Episodes
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Your Biggest Fall Questions pt.2 - with Kate Grenci - CampHacker #234
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/your-biggest-fall-questions-pt2 - Making Tough Enrollment and Budget Decisions Camp directors face difficult decisions every year, from deciding which families their programs can…
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Your Biggest Fall Questions pt.1 - with Kate Grenci - CampHacker #233
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/your-biggest-fall-questions-pt1 - Essential Off-Season Strategies for Staff Retention and Operations Join the team as they answer pressing fall questions facing the summer camp...
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Making Change - with Deb Jordan and Kim Aycock - CampHacker #232
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/making-change - Taking Honest Action to Drive Change at Camp Join the team as they discuss how camp directors can move away from reactive crisis management and embrace intentional...
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Boredom is NOT an Emergency - Camp Programming, by Design #2
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! https://gocamp.pro/campprogrammingbydesign/boredom The Gift of Boredom: Why Uncomfortable "Dead Air" is Your Camp's Secret Weapon When a camper drops the dreaded "I'm bored" bomb, most counselors panic and go into immediate rescue mode, treating it...
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Stop "Doing" Program, Start Designing the Magic - Camp Programming, by Design #1
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/campprogrammingbydesign/design-magic Welcome to a new show from the Go Camp Pro Podcast Network! Welcome to the Go Camp Pro podcast family! We are thrilled to introduce a show that peels back…
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From MBAs to Songbooks - with Jane McCutcheon - Intentionally Intentional Leaders
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-jane-m Mastering the "Business" of Camp with Jane McCutcheon Building a thriving summer camp requires more than just "warm and fuzzy" feelings, it demands rigorous professional...
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Expectations vs Reality for Staff - with Jolly Corley and Kim Aycock - CampHacker #231
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/expectations-vs-reality-for-staff - The Truth About Selling the Camp Experience to Gen Z Join the team as they discuss the critical gap between what seasonal staff expect and the…
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Camper Parents and our Staff - with Chris Rehs-Dupin & Matt Kaufman - CampHacker #230
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/camper-parents-and-our-staff - Training Your Team to Inspire Confidence in Caregivers This episode explores the friction between caregiver expectations and camp realities, emphasizing...
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Leading with Heart and History - with Larry Bell - Intentionally Intentional Leaders
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/ill-larry-b Lessons from 80 Years of Camp Robin Hood Join Travis Allison as he sits down with Larry Bell, Director Emeritus of Camp Robin Hood, Canada’s oldest privately established…
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That Staff Member Who Wants to Quit Mid-Summer - with Emily Golinsky - CampHacker #229
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/staff-member-who-wants-to-quit-midsummer - Managing Mid-Summer Staff Departures with Strategy Join Chris, Travis, and Emily as they tackle one of the most stressful moments for any…
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Systems, Early-to-Beds, and Resilience - with Travis Allison - Intentionally Intentional Leaders
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/ill-travis Building a Resilient Camp Operating System with Travis Allison In this episode of Intentionally Intentional Leaders, Matt Wilfrid sits down with Travis Allison, a primary...
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Are We Ethically Failing Campers? with Jake Sorenson & Amanda Palmer - CampHacker #228
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/are-we-ethically-failing-campers - Ensuring Every Staff Member Understands the Mission Join Chris, Jake, and Amanda as they dive into the heavy ethical weight of running a summer…
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The Red-Popsicle Principal, Resilience and Capability - with Jolly Corley - Intentionally Intentional Leaders
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-jolly-c Lessons in Capability and Safety: Jolly Corley on Leading with Intent In this episode of Intentionally Intentional Leaders, Jolly Corley, leadership coach and Director of...
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Camps Using and Applying AI, with Kate Taylor - CampHacker #227
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/camps-using-and-applying-ai - Balancing the Ethics and Efficiency of Modern Technology Join Travis, Chris, and Kate as they dive into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in…
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Camp is “the Anti-AI” and The Nature of Leadership - with Andy Pritikin - Intentional Intentionally Leaders
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-andy-p Raising the Bar: A Masterclass in Camp Intentionality with Andy Pritikin In this episode of Intentionally Intentional Leaders, Matt Wilfrid sits down with Andy Pritikin, a...
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The Resilience Report Impact, with Kendra Perkins & Amanda Palmer - CampHacker #226
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/the-resilience-report - Analyzing Hard Numbers and Camp Realities Join Travis, Chris, Kendra Perkins, and Amanda Palmer as they dissect the initial findings from the Resilient Camp...
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Howie Grossinger on Progress, Perfection, and 80 Years of Camp - Intentionally Intentional Leaders
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-howie-g High Expectations, Higher Support: A Masterclass in Legacy Leadership with Howie Grossinger In this episode of Intentionally Intentional Leaders, host Matt Wilfrid sits…
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How "Whereabouts" is Solving the Camp Director’s Biggest Headache - with Ryan Rosen
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Clipboards, Kaizen, and Connection: Revolutionizing Camp Attendance with Ryan Rosen *This is a piece of sponsored content by our friends from Camptivities and Whereabouts. We are so grateful for Ryan and the Camptivities team for their support of...
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Winning over Parents, with Dan Weir and Suzanne Ross - CampHacker #225
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/winning-over-parents - Adapting to New Parent Expectations Modern parents view summer camp as a significant investment, rather than a simple recreational activity. This episode breaks...
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Welcoming New Campers, with Kim Aycock, and Michael Brandwein - CampHacker #224
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/welcoming-new-campers - Winning Over First-Time Campers on Day One This episode provides a masterclass on transforming the high-stakes environment of opening day into a welcoming and...
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Protecting Camp Culture and The Lasting Impact of a Soda Bottle - with Gabe Chernov - Intentionally Intentional Leaders
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-gabe-c The End of the "Magic" Myth: Gabe Chernov on Engineering Social-Emotional Growth In this episode of Intentionally Intentional Leaders, Travis Allison talks with Gabe…
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The Enrollment Cliff, with Jake Sorenson, Eric Wittenberg, and Stefanie Gillman - CampHacker #223
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/the-enrollment-cliff - Preparing for the Demographic Shift of 2028 Join Travis Allison, Jake Sorenson, Eric Wittenberg, and Stefanie Gillman as they discuss the massive demographic...
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Mission over Money, and Lifelong Camp Learning - with Sam Thompson - Intentionally Intentional Leaders
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-sam-t Lessons from 8 Seasons of the Day Camp Pod: Sam Thompson's Essential Rules for Day Camp Directors Hello everybody and welcome back to the CampHacker Podcast. In this edition...
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Fundraising strategies for 2026, with Joe Richards and Heather Withrow - CampHacker #222
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/fundraising-strategies-for-2026 - Strategies that work! The 2026 Playbook for Camp Fundraising If you’re still fundraising like it’s 2019, you’re leaving money and mission on the…
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Leading with Curiosity and the Courage to Slow Down - with Jordanna Grossinger - Intentionally Intentional Leaders
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-jordanna Leadership, Legacy, and the Magic of Day Camp with Jordanna Grossinger Join Matt on Intentionally Intentional Leaders for a deep-dive conversation with Jordanna…
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Lessons from Visiting Camps this Summer, with Elizabeth Kaplan, Dan Kirsch, and Ari Polsky - CampHacker #221
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/lessons-from-visiting-camps - Fresh Eyes, Fresh Ideas: Lessons from a Summer of Site Visits Join Travis Allison and guests Ari Polsky, Elizabeth Kaplan, and Dan Kirsch from JCamp 180…
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An Engineer's Approach to Building Culture and Trust at Camp - with Matt Kaufman - Intentionally Intentional Leaders
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-matt-k Engineered for Intentionality: Matt Kaufman on Data, Habits, and The Campfire Effect In this episode of Intentionally Intentional Leadership, host Travis Allison sits down...
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The Resilient Blueprint Operating System - CampHacker #220
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/the-resilient-camp-blueprint - The Resilient Blueprint: Escape the Camp Director Burnout Cycle This episode tackles the core challenge facing camp leaders: chronic overwhelm and...
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D&D, Destiny, and the Daring Work of DEI - with Chris Hudson - Intentionally Intentional Leaders
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/iil-chris-h Dungeons & Directors: Chris Hudson’s Wild Card Ride on Love, Awe, and Camp In this unique installment of the CampHacker Podcast's Intentionally Intentional Leaders series,...
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How to Hire a Camp Consultant - CampHacker #219
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/how-to-hire-a-camp-consultant - Making the Case for a Camp Consultant Are you feeling stuck running the same old systems? This episode pulls back the curtain on why hiring an outside...
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Welcoming and Including 1st Year Staff with Kim Aycock - CampHacker #218
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/welcoming-and-including-1st-year-staff How to Make Every New Staff Member Feel Included and Supported from Day One This week on the Camp Hacker Podcast, Chris Hudson, Travis Allison,...
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Leadership, Failure, and Awe at Camp - with Chris Rehs-Dupin - Intentionally Intentional Leaders
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/wildcard-chris-rd TQAMP’s Chris Rehs-Dupin: Failure, Humanity, and the Wild Card of Leadership Join host Travis Allison for the inaugural "Wild Card" segment of the Camp Hacker…
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Preemptive Scarcity Mindset - with Max Claman - CampHacker #217
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/camphacker/preemptive-scarcity-mindset - Are Camp Directors Getting Too Scared, Too Early? This episode centers on the 'preemptive scarcity mindset' affecting camp directors, who are…
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Modern “Operations” at your Camp - with Peter Elbaum and Rachel Kent - CampHacker #216
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/ops From Paperwork to People: The “Ops” Deep Dive Episode Are you truly taking the operational side of camp seriously enough? If you're like many camp leaders, the answer is...
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The State of DEI and Camp in 2025 - with Simone Gamble and Rachel Kent - CampHacker #215
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/dei-camp-2025 Is Summer Camp Inherently Racist? A Frank Discussion on DEI in the Camp Industry This week on the CampHacker Podcast, Travis Allison gets straight to the point with...
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The Power of Performance in Every Camp - with Carolyn Daniels and Theo Lencicki - CampHacker #214
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/power-of-performance Unlocking Hidden Potential: What All Camps Can Learn From the Magic of Performing Arts Camps What's the secret sauce of performing arts camps? Host Travis...
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Becoming a Modern Mentor - with Michael Garcia - CampHacker #213
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/modern-mentor What does it take to be a great mentor in the camp industry? This week on CampHacker, hosts Travis Allison, Chris Hudson, and guest Michael Garcia (author of...
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Customer Service is Culture - with Heather Withrow - CampHacker #212
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/culture-customer Mastering Camp Culture: From Disney Magic to Tea-Kettle Secrets! Dive into the latest episode of the CampHacker Podcast, where Travis Allison, Chris Hudson, and...
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Stop Avoiding Talking to Parents - with Ruby Compton and Joanna Warren Smith - CampHacker #211
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/talk-to-parents Save the dodging and weaving for wide-game, not for avoiding camp parents! On this episode of CampHacker, Travis and Chris are joined by Ruby Compton, and Joanna...
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Spicy Wings, Spicy Questions - Live from OCA Connects 2025 - CampHacker #210
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/spicy-questions Are these questions about the camp industry too hot to handle? In this special live recording from OCA Connects 2025, Travis is joined by Go Camp Pro podcast…
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Confessions of a Camp Pro with ADHD - with Kelie Cook and Shauna Guglielmo - CampHacker #209
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/adhd Is Summer Camp the Right Profession for Someone with ADHD? "I thought it was just me." This is the sentiment shared by many camp professionals with ADHD. On this episode of...
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Can Camp Directors Have Fun? - with Ariella Skoczylas - CampHacker #208
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/no-fun Is it even possible to have fun while being a camp director? This week on CampHacker, we're tackling a big question: Should camp directors have fun? It might seem obvious,...
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So You Want to Hire a Camp Director... - with Esther Eisenhard & Dan Weir - CampHacker #207
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2025/hire-director Expectations vs. Reality: The Camp Director Job Market Join Travis Allison, Chris Hudson, Dan Weir, and Esther Eisenhard for another fantastic episode of the...
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Scenario Planning 101 - Camp Ahead #2
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/campahead/scenario-planning-101 Exploring Camp Futures: Key Drivers and Scenario Planning In this episode of Camp Ahead, hosts Joe, Jess, and KJ expand on the idea of scenario planning as an...
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Noticing: An Essential Skill For Camp Pros - CampHacker #206
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/noticing Use noticing to build a culture of inclusivity and intention. In this episode of the CampHacker podcast, Travis and Chris discuss the vital skill of 'noticing' at camp....
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NEW SHOW! - Intro to Mental Time Travel - Camp Ahead #1
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! A new show from Go Camp Pro! Subscribe to Camp Ahead in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favourite Podcasts! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/campahead/intro-to-mental-time-travel Welcome to Camp Ahead: The...
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Gender Equity at Camp - with Gabrielle Raill - CampHacker #205
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/gender-equity Do you notice that gender equity is something we are better at talking about than doing? In this episode, Travis and Chris welcome back Gabrielle Raill to explore…
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Delegate Like Your Job Depends On It - CampHacker #204
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/delegate Do you keep saying, “It would be faster if I just did it?” Are you a camp professional struggling with delegation? Travis and Chris sit down and discuss the intricacies…
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Preparing For Digital Detox - with Max Claman - CampHacker #203
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/digital-detox Are we doing our staff and campers a disservice by not better managing the expectations around their phone time at camp? Travis and Chris sit down with Max Claman…
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Camps and AI: Fall 2024 - CampHacker #202
Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/podcast/2024/ai-fall-2024 The State of AI and Camps: Fall 2024 In this episode of the CampHacker podcast, Travis and Chris explore the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence on…
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About this show
CampHacker Podcast helps camp directors solve real problems and build resilient camps. Each episode gives practical tips for recruiting, keeping, and teaching camp staff. The hosts talk about true stories, share ways to make camp stronger, and help leaders prepare for tough situations. They focus on making summer camps last longer and bring the biggest positive change to kids and young adults. You’ll hear easy steps, fresh ideas, and real conversations that help directors run better camps and create spaces where everyone can grow.
The CampHacker Podcast is hosted by Travis Allison and Chris Hudson. Travis is known for his creative ideas and caring advice for camp leaders across North America. He brings years of experience and speaks at big conferences to help directors make camps stronger and more resilient. Chris partners with Travis on every episode, working together to answer tough questions and share helpful steps for camp leaders. Their teamwork and passion help director
Hosted by
CampHacker - from Go Camp Pro