Camps - PRB+ Magazine

Open Your Eyes, Not An App

There is no longer a debate about whether substantial social media use causes mental-health problems in young people. Between 2014 and 2020, research confirmed this connection and other research did not.

Camps 12 min read

Offline Connections

Black bears in North Cascades are active at all hours. Bears do not naturally associate people with food, but they are opportunistic and can quickly learn this behavior.

Camps 6 min read

Camp For All

Every summer, millions of young people spend at least a week or more at camp. They stay in rustic cabins nestled among trees and lakes. They take part in swimming, games, and crafts. They sing traditional camp songs.

Camps 7 min read

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.

This article is for Paid-members only

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.

This article is for Paid-members only

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.

This article is for Paid-members only

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.

This article is for Paid-members only

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.

This article is for Paid-members only

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.

This article is for Paid-members only

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.

This article is for Paid-members only

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.

This article is for Paid-members only

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.

This article is for Paid-members only

Camps 2 min read