Frost Valley YMCA

Circle Up! Campfire Chats with Frost Valley

Kids EN ↓ 5 episodes

Circle Up! Campfire Chats with Frost Valley is a series of candid, conversational episodes from the heart of the Catskills, where we explore big questions about community, connection, and belonging through the lens of outdoor education and youth development. Hosted by Frost Valley YMCA leadership, each episode brings together staff, educators, and guests to unpack meaningful topics in a simple, grounded way. From the value of camp experiences to the deeper question of how people build relationships and find purpose, conversations often start in one place and naturally circle back to what matte...

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Frost Valley YMCA

Episodes

Kidney Camp: Inclusion in Action | Guest: Dr. Michael Cabana 29.06.2026 26:54

In this episode of Circle Up! Campfire Chats with Frost Valley Podcast , hosts Riel and Eliza explore how camp can transform the lives of children with chronic illnesses through the long-running Kidney Camp program at Frost Valley YMCA. Joined by Dr. Michael Cabana of the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, the conversation explores how a groundbreaking partnership with Frost Valley and the Ruth Go...

Camp as a Bridge After Conflict | Guest: Dorina Lluka Davies 29.06.2026 45:08

In this powerful episode of Circle Up! Campfire Chats with Frost Valley Podcast , hosts Riel and Eliza speak with Dorina Lluka Davies, CEO of YMCA Kosovo, about her lived experience growing up during the Kosovo conflict and how it shaped her lifelong commitment to youth development and peacebuilding. Dorina shares her journey from living through war and displacement to rebuilding youth programs in...

Is Camp Still the Ultimate Digital Detox? | Guest: Dan Weir 08.06.2026 34:05

In this episode of Circle Up! Campfire Chats with Frost Valley , hosts Riel and Eliza explore a question that feels more urgent than ever: Is camp still the ultimate digital detox for kids? Joined by youth development specialist, camp consultant, and Frost Valley alumnus Dan Weir , they dive into the growing impact of smartphones, social media, artificial intelligence, and constant connectivity on...

Inclusive Communities Start with Connection | Guest: Martha Esquilin 08.06.2026 40:58

In this episode of Circle Up! Campfire Chats with Frost Valley , hosts Riel and Eliza tackle a timely and important question: What would it take for us to become a community that is truly inclusive and affirming? Joined by community development facilitator, educator, and restorative justice practitioner Martha Esquilin , they explore the growing focus on identity, belonging, and inclusion in today...

Why Summer Camp Matters More Than Ever | Guest: Laura Mehan 02.06.2026 33:00

In this first episode of Circle Up! – Frost Valley Podcast , hosts Riel and Eliza explore one of the most defining experiences in youth development: summer camp. With so much happening in the world today, this conversation asks a simple but powerful question: why is camp more important than ever? To help unpack it, they’re joined by Laura Mehan, Director of Strategy and Quality Practices for Overn...