First Class Counselors

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/ten-top-tips-for-summer-2026 - Preparing for a Successful 2026 Summer Camp Season Join Oliver and Matt for the season finale of First Class Counselors as they count down ten essential tips for the upcoming 2026 summer. This episode provides a quick reference guide for f...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/connecting-with-modern-camper-culture - How Digital Media Shapes Modern Camper Expectations This episode explores the intersection of modern pop culture and the summer camp experience. The team discusses the transition from traditional play to the watching culture of Yo...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/so-you-want-to-be-on-leadership - Understanding the Responsibility and Reality of Summer Camp Leadership Roles This episode explores the transition from being a frontline counselor to joining the seasonal leadership team. This episode dismantles the myth that leadership...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/be-better-at-giving-consequences - Teaching Through Consequences Instead of Punishment Join Matt and Dane as they dive into part two of their masterclass on summer camp discipline. This episode shifts the focus from general headspace to the practical application of cons...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/are-we-disciplining-kids-enough - Reframing Discipline as a Teaching Tool for Every Counselor Join Matt and Dane as they redefine what it means to lead through discipline in a summer camp setting. Dane shares his twenty-one years of experience working with diverse popul...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/using-stats-to-master-counseling - How You Can Become A Data-Driven Leader This episode dives into the numbers behind great counseling, from safety ratios to camper retention. By treating camp as a measurable social business, staff can identify their strengths, improve...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/should-we-send-them-home - Finding Connection When You Are Frustrated We’ve all been there. It’s week four, the coffee machine is broken, you are trying to get the cabin to the flagpole on time, and that camper is dragging their feet, making fart noises, and holding the...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/meaningful-and-masterful-facilitation - Stop Talking, Start Leading: The Counselor's Guide to Facilitation Join Oliver and Matt as they delve into the art and science of facilitation—the core skill needed to run first-class activities, whether it's team buildi...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/building-a-culture-of-belonging - The Counselor's Guide to Universal Design, Behavior as Communication, and True Inclusion Join Oliver, Matt, and special guest Lisa Drennan as they dive deep into creating truly inclusive camp environments. Lisa emphasizes that belo...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/stopping-inappropriate-language - Words Stick: How to Intervene When Camper Language Crosses the Line This episode, Oliver and Matt move give counselors the tactical framework needed to intervene immediately and effectively when campers use inappropriate, insensitive, o...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/traditions Steal These Amazing Camp Ideas! Welcome to Season 8 of First Class Counsellors! Oliver and Matt are back with a brand-new season, starting things off by swapping some of the coolest camp traditions and programs they’ve seen across North America. From celebrat...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/expectations We need to be honest about how hard (and how great) it is to be a camp counselor! Join Oliver Gregan and Matt Wilfrid as they delve into the crucial aspects of starting a career as a camp counselor in part two of their series. The discussion highlights vita...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/got-the-job-now-what Onboarding and Prioritization - What Sets Real First Class Counselors Apart! This episode of First Class Counselors is your guide to rocking the first step of your next summer at camp. Oliver and Matt break down essential skills for new and returnin...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/staff-training-expect Congratulations! You’re having a wild, wonderful bundle of CAMP! Staff training season is upon us (that is, if you’re listening to this episode in May) and while camp staff around the world are finishing up the school year, camp directors are putti...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/stories Gather ‘round the campfire for these funny, impactful and straight-up bizarre stories! Today is not a topic but a feel. A vibe if you will. We’ve been in camping for some time now and that means we have collected a few stories to share. Not a campfire story but...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/gen-a Generation-A are our campers - how can we effectively work with them at camp? Generation-A, or Gen-A are kids that are born between 2010 and 2024. Born the same year as the release of the iPad, most socially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the generation tha...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/water-safety Water safety (and fun!) starts with Camp Counselors Many camps sport a waterfront, a pool or even host a wet and wild Wednesday! Today we want to talk about programming at these water-based activities to make sure campers are safe and having a blast.  You m...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/terrible-staff You may not like them, you may not counsel like them, but that doesn’t mean they suck. It can happen to even the most First Class Counselor. For reasons that may seem perfectly valid and logical, a staff member gets it in their head that one of their co-w...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/camp-is-a-cult Summer camp is culty - but in a good way, we swear! If you are new to summer camp and reading this, you may not get the whole “cult” angle. It’s a common joke amongst experienced camp staff and directors that camp is essentially a cult. There are many rea...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/meet-your-camp-director-1 Part 1 - What we got wrong… Just who is that person walking around with a clipboard all day? To most Camp Counselors, the Camp Director is a strange and mythical creature. They’re like a teacher…but completely different. They’re like a boss…but...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/how-to-talk-to-adults You didn’t sign up to be a camp counsellor because you loved talking to adults…right? In the world of a camp counselor, there is no other part of the job that is simultaneously as short and as important as the interactions you have with the adults...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/campers-first - It’s not that you come second…well…it kind of is... Camp counselors are special. Not just because of all the incredible skills you learn and teach, but because it’s one of the only jobs that requires you to prioritize the health and experience of  kids i...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/campers-and-staff-these-days Welcome back! How was your summer? We’re so grateful to have you folks join us for another season of First Class Counselors. In this episode, Oliver and Matt share a bit about their summers, and what they’re thinking about going into the 202...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/interview-skills-to-land-the-camp-job-of-your-dreams - These interview skills will set you apart! It's the most wanted summer job in the world. Honestly, with the recent pay increases, workplace experience and the amazingness of camp it truly is a job people from a...

Have some feedback? A topic suggestion? Text us! Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/eat-like-royalty - Camp food can suck but it doesn’t have to! In the hierarchy of things we love, food reigns supreme. But, let’s be honest, camp food can be…well camp food. Sometimes, it’s a step above high school lunch but also not as great as your typical college foo...