Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) Peer CONNECTS: Summer Camp Directors by Daniel Auer https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp Please share questions and resources related to summer camps. Please 'like' a resource if you found it helpful. en-us 2022-01-25 17:11:12 UTC 2025-12-31 05:37:38 UTC hello@padlet.com Advice for pre-camp anxiety for first time directors https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2070251610 2022-02-28 20:18:45 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2070251610 Finding enough people to apply as educators to meet the demand in our community- providing benefits that will make them want to come work and help them stay all summer long https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2070252778 2022-02-28 20:19:40 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2070252778 Having a seasoned staff member express interest in and becoming assistant camp director! https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2070253455 2022-02-28 20:20:13 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2070253455 Finding staff! https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2082847707 2022-03-08 01:09:07 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2082847707 Finding camp counselors to apply. We have our job posted, but have seen no responses as of yet. https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2084081446 2022-03-08 14:21:05 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2084081446 successfully running summer camps the past two years during the Covid-19 pandemic without incident! Loved being able to provide some sense of "normal" for the kids in our community! https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2084090051 2022-03-08 14:24:56 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2084090051 https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2084862732 With kids having varying degrees of typical schooling the past two years, are educators seeing disparities in similar-aged kids? Are you seeing different expectations on where we think kids should be at certain ages? Young campers especially, who may or may not have ever had a typical school year.]]> 2022-03-08 21:14:42 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2084862732 Having camp nearly sold out within two months of registration opening! We've never filled this quickly! https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2084864908 2022-03-08 21:16:36 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2084864908 How to make parents/guardians aware of inherent 'risks' of outdoor camp without freaking them out: mosquito bites, getting dirty, possible exposure to poison ivy and ticks. https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2084901670 2022-03-08 21:49:42 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2084901670 What are some of your most successful training topics or training activities that positively impact seasonal camp staff performance? https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2084904887 2022-03-08 21:52:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2084904887 Vaccination requirements and COVID testing for campers/staff pcoulling https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086227152 2022-03-09 14:48:51 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086227152 We developed a new gender-inclusive housing policy and will be rolling out this new option for the first time in our 80-year history this summer. pcoulling https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086229157 2022-03-09 14:49:36 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086229157 Camp Licensing - We offer end of the week campouts for a handful of sessions a summer. After running the program for decades, the State is now saying that we are not properly licensed. We have a Camp Site License, Program License, and are in the process of getting a Travel License. Any Day Camps in Michigan have experience with this topic? https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086306836 2022-03-09 15:23:42 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086306836 Finding practical ways to better support and welcome members of the LGTBQIA+ community. How do we help them to feel safe and welcome? How do we better train staff? https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086318909 2022-03-09 15:29:12 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086318909 Our teen volunteer program has exploded in the last two years- 70 to over 150 members. We have developed multiple roles to better fit their interests and better support our program! https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086323756 2022-03-09 15:31:25 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086323756 Pre-Teen and Teen Mental Health. I am seeing many teens experience anxiety attacks and behavioral problems more this year than any other in my career. Are there any resources that you all can recommend that I can better prepare myself and my team for the coming summer. https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086332433 2022-03-09 15:35:36 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086332433 Youth Mental Health First Aid https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086430530 https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/population-focused-modules/youth/]]> 2022-03-09 16:22:33 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086430530 Mental Health Training https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086963603 2022-03-09 21:36:45 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2086963603 Our camps sold out in a matter of minutes and our waitlists are 4-5x our camp capacity. So many families are signing up for tons of camps and then cancelling on us last minute. Are other camps seeing this trend? How are folks navigating the high demand and cancellation culture? chrisc32 https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2088894609 2022-03-10 18:10:22 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2088894609 Essence of MESH pcoulling https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2088897377 The Association of Camp Nursing is presenting a workshop on Mental, Emotional, and Social Health on Thursday, April 14, from 3:00-5:00 EDT. The event will include a rollout of new MESH resources that ACN has compiled, and it is open to non-ACN members.

https://campnurse.org/conferences-and-events/]]> 2022-03-10 18:11:42 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2088897377 Benchmarks/Things you should cover during training https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089016449 2022-03-10 19:19:01 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089016449 How to! Ideas on how to organize, or make it fun and make the information stick https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089016825 2022-03-10 19:19:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089016825 Reach out to high schools, work studies, programs, etc. https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089019740 2022-03-10 19:21:05 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089019740 How long? What is best for your camp and staff https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089019995 Didn't really talk about this in the group, but feel free to add your thoughts!]]> 2022-03-10 19:21:14 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089019995 Teen volunteer program https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089020719 2022-03-10 19:21:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089020719 Can't raise the hourly rate so look for other benefits to provide/market https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089022051 2022-03-10 19:22:32 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089022051 The year for young counselors? https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089023032 2022-03-10 19:23:07 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089023032 Teen camps not as popular as younger kid camps https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089025632 2022-03-10 19:24:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089025632 Maybe reducing capacity if possible? https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089026189 2022-03-10 19:25:02 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089026189 New position: Instructor in Training https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089028132 2022-03-10 19:26:11 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089028132 Project Wild/Learning Tree for activity ideas https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089038425 2022-03-10 19:32:24 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089038425 Gender-Inclusive Housing pcoulling https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089039729 https://naturecamp.net/gender-inclusive-housing/]]> 2022-03-10 19:33:13 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089039729 "survivor camp" https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089050675 2022-03-10 19:39:27 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089050675 Goose Chase app https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089057657 2022-03-10 19:44:04 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089057657 Youth Mental Health First Aid pcoulling https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089064114 This is valuable training for providing mental health first aid to young adults (e.g., summer camp staff) too.

https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/population-focused-modules/youth/]]> 2022-03-10 19:47:56 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089064114 Resources! https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089075468 2022-03-10 19:55:06 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089075468 When campers are experiencing mental health issue pcoulling https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089076758 or missing home and wanting to call parents, work with camper to develop a plan: How much more time do you need for this conversation? If your desired outcome doesn't happen (e.g., if parents don't agree to come pick you up), then what will you do next?]]> 2022-03-10 19:55:54 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089076758 Use social media (TikTok) to your advantage to reach younger generation https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089077304 2022-03-10 19:56:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089077304 Wild Culinary Camp! Wild edibles, cooking, and judges. Great British Bake Off style! https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089077998 2022-03-10 19:56:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089077998 Pop culture camps, avatar, pokemon, harry potter, social media take over (tiktok). https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089079045 2022-03-10 19:57:31 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089079045 Other Awesome Ideas we had! https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089082354 2022-03-10 19:59:55 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2089082354 Here is the chat from Zoom. ANCAmembership https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2090619617 2022-03-11 15:14:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ANCAmembership/ocsm4ufrctdpjhkp/wish/2090619617