Campy Hour

On this week's episode, we're joined by Brittneigh McAvey, Director of Co-Curricular, Summer Programs, and Student Services at Congressional School in Falls Church, Virginia. Brittneigh's path to camp leadership has been anything but conventional. Before leading one of the country's premier independent school summer programs, she taught English in Japan, coached basketball, managed a liquor store,...

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Drew Upchurch, Director of Auxiliary Programs at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. Drew shares his journey from middle school teacher and basketball coach to leading an expansive auxiliary program profile that includes day camp, specialty camps, and an internationally recognized elite swim program. Along the way, Drew shares the lessons he's pi...

On this week's episode, we're joined by Angie Zomer, Assistant Director of Summer Camp at The Chestnut Hill School in Massachusetts. Angie has spent over 30 years helping shape a camp community that has become a second home for generations of campers and staffers. In this episode, she shares the winding path that led her from theater education to camp leadership, along with her thoughts on balanci...

On this week's episode, we're joined by Mason Kaye, Director of Auxiliary Programs at Carroll School in Waltham, Massachusetts. Before leading summer programs, Mason was writing music for films in Los Angeles. In this episode, he shares the winding path that brought him into the world of auxiliary programs, along with the surprising connections between composing movie scores, conducting musicians,...

This week on Campy Hour, we’re joined by Cora Ligori and Zoe Brock from Teton Valley Ranch Camp, one of the most tradition-rich and purpose-driven camps in the country. Cora and Zoe share their unique journeys to TVRC, from camp kitchens and dental practices to leading enrollment, culture, and community at a camp that has been shaping young people since 1939. Along the way, we explore the power of...

This week's "Free Swim" episode features co-hosts Katie and Michael talking about the exhilarating (and slightly chaotic) stretch of time that exists between "we've planned everything" and "the campers arrive next week." Katie shares her mindset going into the season ahead, and Michael gives a look into what the summer season is like for Make It Campy. The conversation also takes a deep dive into...

This week on Campy Hour, we are joined by the wonderful Kate Vizen, Director of Student Life & Strategic Programs at Inly School! Kate shares her winding journey from youth ministry and childcare to leading outstanding auxiliary programs. During our conversation, we talk about building programs that feel intentional instead of transactional, the unique experience of working at your alma mater,...

This week, we are thrilled to welcome Emily Benton, the dynamic Director of Auxiliary Programs at Annunciation Orthodox School in Houston, Texas. Emily shares her journey from lifeguarding to leading a multifaceted program that includes everything from Little League to private music lessons. We dive into her innovative hiring strategies, the importance of building connections, and how she maintain...

This week, co-host Katie Peterson and I are excited to be joined by industry leader, multi-potentialite, friend, and Director of Latin Camps at Charlotte Latin School, Laura Walker! (But at camp, they call her Pippi.) During the episode, we connect the dots in Laura's career to better understand how she became a professional memory maker. Laura shares insights into the creation of camp names for h...

We're thrilled to have Amber Carroll (Director of Summer Programs at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) join us on this week's episode of Campy Hour! We chat with Amber about how her career has evolved, including her time with YMCA of Greater Boston, Tenacity, and Emerson College. We also dive into Amber's work as a Youth Services Counselor, and how it informs the programming she creates and delive...

We're joined this week by Karen McCann McClelland, Executive Director of Auxiliary Programs at Sidwell Friends School and Senior Advisor for the Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative (SPARC). We talk with Karen about her path to Sidwell, her evolving role with the school, and her approach to succession planning. We also explore how Karen's consulting, coaching, and strategic work wit...

Meet Chanel Sudds, Auxiliary Programs Manager at Open Window School, and hear how her journey from after-school programs to camp leadership shaped her passion for creating meaningful experiences. Chanel shares how finding belonging at camp changed her path and why authenticity is her secret to building strong connections with campers and staff. We dig into the power of community, creating environm...

Join us as we explore the innovative programs and leadership insights of Dan O'Neil (Director of Auxiliary Programs at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA). Dan shares the steps in his entrepreneurial journey from Dan's Donut Delivery to becoming a leader in the world of independent school auxiliary programs. Topics include brave camp branding, team-building philosophies, launching cutting-edg...

In the pilot episode of Campy Hour, hosts Michael Carmody and Katie Peterson explore the origins, mission, and vision of their camp-focused podcast. They share insights on community building, camp innovation, and the power of storytelling in the camp industry.