Camps - PRB+ Magazine

Through or Thorough

The spelling difference between getting through staff training and getting thorough staff training is just a single, lowercase “o.” The real-world difference could be life or death.

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Camps 9 min read

Case Study: Hitting The Right Notes

By a quiet creek in Amherst, N.Y., Alex Eadie, the Senior Director of Advancement at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo (JCC), can hear the faint sound of bells and chimes as he walks up the path by the creek into the Irving M. Shuman Campground.

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Camps 3 min read

Camp Administration 101

Staff members are a camp director’s most valuable asset, so it is important to get the right people in the door and, once they’re onboard, keep them around.

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Camps 4 min read

Camp Administration 101: Healthy & Thriving

Promoting health and wellness is a big part of managing a camp, and the focus on well-being is a main reason that camp programs are so popular. Not only does health-centered programming provide unique opportunities for campers, but it does so while also improving mental health.

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Camps 2 min read

Managing The Magic And The Mayhem

A body of water is one of the most exciting attractions at any camp, creating some of the most cherished memories for campers. Yet, it also stands as the single biggest stressor for any camp director.

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Camps 5 min read

Tooth Fairy Ethics

For all youth-development professionals, leading by example includes modeling honesty. We share how we feel, we offer candid feedback, and we own our mistakes. Of course, honesty is not the same as completeness.

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Camps 7 min read

One LEGO Brick At A Time

Imagine sustainability as a massive LEGO set—a collection of colorful bricks, each representing a resource that helps build a sustainable model.

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Camps 6 min read

Not My Job …Or Is It?

On my first morning at camp, I could not believe my bleary eyes. As I walked to my cabin from the washrooms, I saw a few fellow campers and a bunch of staff silently picking up garbage strewn about the trash bins.

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Camps 6 min read

Expert Problem-Solving

If directors run a well-organized recreation program and provide great communication, parent complaints will be minimal. But sometimes incidents occur that are beyond the staff’s control, leading parents to complain.

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Camps 2 min read

Fun For All

At Indiana-based Discovery Day Camp, Valparaiso Parks and Recreation staff members love bringing the entire camp (140 campers) together for exciting "All Camps"—special activities in which everyone works toward a common goal, whether creating a mural or competing in a fun challenge.

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Camps 3 min read

Anticipating The Cold

Though the coldest months haven’t yet arrived in many states, it’s important to prepare facilities for winter weather. When park leaders hear other organizations complaining about frozen pipes and expensive repairs this winter, they’ll be glad they were proactive.

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Camps 5 min read

Vision For The Future

A formal business plan helps directors run a camp, serving as a guide through each stage of operation management. The plan provides the structure for camp operations and is also the roadmap for growth and goal achievement.

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Camps 5 min read