“I never got any feedback.” When listening to or surveying camp staff after a summer, this is the phrase that comes up over and over. When asked what was missing from their experience, what I most commonly hear is… Not, “The pay was too low.” Not, “The hours were brutal.” Not, “The kids were tough.” Nope. No much of that. It is this: “I never got any feedback.” The numbers back up this sentiment. 80% of employees who quit a gig cite their direct supervisor as the reason. Meanwhile, that...
9 days ago • 2 min read
Some of the best camp directors I know aren’t parents themselves. And even without little (or big) ones running around at home, they’re also exceptional at building deep, trusting relationships with families. Because the question isn’t whether a camp pro has kids of their own. The question is whether they genuinely care about the parents who trust them with theirs. Follow that? Boards and owners who are evaluating leadership candidates have to know the distinction is critical. Understanding...
16 days ago • 2 min read
Camp director burnout is very real. Sure, the summer months are over, but maybe the exhaustion hasn’t lifted. Just know that the feeling isn’t weakness. It might just be feedback. See, the off-season should feel like recovery. Catching up on life, reconnecting with family, maybe even picking back up on some hobbies (remember those!?). But for many directors and camp pros, the break doesn’t feel at all like a break. The thought of next summer already feels a bit heavy. This matters because...
23 days ago • 2 min read
When in doubt, go with the personality hire. Sounds like terrible advice, right? The exact kind of thing that gets organizations and camps in major trouble. After all, “Personality hire” has become working code for someone who’s all charm, no chops. But after watching 100s of camp leadership interviews over the years, something has become increasingly obvious, and it isn’t what most firms will tell you: Lifting the energy in the room means lifting the entire team once hired. The Pygmalion...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Remember group projects in school? It seemed like one person (maybe you!) always ended up doing everything. Organizing meetings, writing the presentation, and staying up late fixing everything. Meanwhile, other group members showed up, nodded along, and figured someone else had it handled. The worst part wasn’t the extra work. It was the confusion. Maybe nobody meant to be lazy. They just had different ideas about who was supposed to do what. By the time everyone realized the bibliography...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Want a crystal-clear look at a camp’s culture? Simple. Watch closely happens when the camp’s leader unexpectedly gets called out of a staff meeting early. Day camps, sleepaway camps, Y Camps, JCCs, you name it. Pattern is the same. When the leader has to leave the room, the camp culture reveals itself immediately. Liberty Lake It’s easy to see exactly how this runs at the best camps. For instance, Andy at Liberty Lake Day Camp in New Jersey runs his morning staff meeting at 8 a.m. Consider a...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Who do you turn to at the top of an organization? When a new camp executive director starts, everyone assumes the hard part is over. The search is done. The hire is settled in. Time to pop the bubbly and celebrate! But weirdly, that’s when both the new leader and the board often feel most alone. The executive can’t always confide in their new team about their challenges. Board members can’t openly question decisions without giving the impression they are undermining their new hire. Both sides...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
So often, a camp tells me they want this one type of person for their next director. They are certain they know the exact type of person perfect for them. Then, again, so often, something hilarious happens. They end up hiring someone completely different. Nearly every time, this is how it plays out. Boards describe their ideal candidate (think: energetic and extroverted OR calm and steady). They have a strong feeling about the kind of leader they need. Then, during interviews, they fall for...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
A typical camp director job posting can get over 100 applications. Most recruiting firms feed those resumes through keyword scanners and AI filters, then hand over a stack of “qualified” candidates. But do those firms and algorithms understand camp culture? Are they seeing the subtle clues that separate real camp leaders from those just looking for any nonprofit job? Reading Between the Resume Lines Everyone says their industry is unique. Most industries aren’t. Camp actually is. Camp...
2 months ago • 2 min read