Gold Arrow Camp Podcast

In this episode of the Podcast, Anne “Jonesy” Collonge reflects on the impact of her experiences as a camper in the 1980s, a staff member in the 1990s/2000s, and as a current camp parent and staff member. Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 106: Jonesy Reflects on Being a Camper, Counselor, and Camp Parent appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Tra...

Fifth year staff member, “Matcha,” shares about her initial hesitancy to come work at camp and how much she’s experienced and grown over her four summers. This year, Matcha will be one of the leaders in the kitchen. Along with her team, she’ll be making sure all of us have delicious food and lots of healthy options at every meal. Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Ep...

This episode features Sunshine’s chat with Smokey, who will be a Head Counselor this summer at GAC. Smokey shares about her childhood summer camp experiences and how she creates memorable moments for campers at GAC. Resources/Related Episode 89: WOWs with Bravo Episode 103: Crank Up the Thanks (and Happiness!) Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 104: Memorable Camp Moments with...

Welcome to the 2026 Season of the Gold Arrow Camp Podcast! In this episode, Sunshine talks about the GAC Philosophy (Vision, Mission, & Goals) and how we focus on building specific character traits and skills that lead to well-being. This summer, our theme is Crank up the Thanks.   Our focus is building our gratitude, a character trait consistently linked to happiness and well-being. Reso...

Thank you for being part of the Gold Arrow Camp community this year! In this week’s episode, Sunshine wraps up the 2025 GAC Podcast season and gives an overview of what we covered in this season’s interviews. 2025 Podcast Directory Episode 75: Creating a Happier World with Airborne Episode 76: Creating a Happier World with Chelster Episode 77: Creating a Happier World with Bagel Episod...

In this episode of the podcast, Brian “Sneaks” Adler talks about growing up at GAC as a camper and counselor. Sneaks talks about how his time at camp helped him figure out who he was, gain his confidence, learn how to be emotionally vulnerable and authentic, develop his leadership skill, and figure out how to thrive as a human. His summers at camp helped Sneaks figure out what he liked...

Head Counselor and GAC’s very own Circus Skills Coach tells his GAC story and about the passion for circus skills that he’s shared with our 2024 and 2025 campers and staff. Barrow’s high energy, positivity, and his love of juggling and circus skills have made a huge impact on our community, and we’re so grateful he’s part of our community. Many campers have headed hom...

Second year staff member, Natalia “Pua” Elias Rodriguez, talks about coming to Gold Arrow Camp from Mexico, not knowing anyone else who worked here. Pua had a rough start and talks about her adjustment and the fun, friends, and growth she’s experienced at GAC. Pua has worked as a horseback riding activity counselor for the past two summers. Share Post Pinterest Share Email The po...

This summer, Renee “Zippy” Say celebrated her twentieth summer at GAC. Zippy attended as a camper and was a staff member in the early 2000s. Now she’s returned as a parent of her three boys and as a Shaver Host for two weeks each summer. In this episode she talks about her experiences as a camper and staff and the experiences her three boys are now having as campers. She talks a...

Lucas “Lyric” Orman started as a 9-year-old camper in 2007.  He spent eight summers as a camper and he’s currently in his seventh year on staff.  Overall, he’s spent 15 summers at GAC. In this episode, Lyric talks about growing up at GAC and how his time at camp has impacted him and his life. Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 97: Lyric on Growing U...

Madie “Magoo” Hotaling spent three summers as a camper at GAC and 2025 marked her fourth summer on staff. Magoo is a second generation GAC camper, following in the footsteps of her dad, George “Ghostrider” Hotaling. Magoo tells her GAC story and talks about how her time at camp has helped her build confidence and the community and friendships that keep drawing her back to c...

  Junior Counselors (Sessions 1 & 2, 2025) talk about their experience at GAC, being off screens for a month, and the values and practices they’re taking home with them. Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 95: Junior Counselors on Unplugging to Connect appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children .

We love it when siblings enjoy Gold Arrow Camp together. Meet sisters Brooke “Waves” and Jojo “Mojo” Friedman. Waves, who is in her 10th year at GAC, is an Activity Counselor working primarily on the waterfront this summer.  Mojo, in her 9th year, was a Junior Counselor this summer. In addition to their shared love of camp, the Friedman sisters are also making a remark...

Join Sunshine’s conversation with Luke “Vision” Beshoff, the Rock Climbing and Ropes Course Program Head this summer. Vision started as a camper at GAC in 2012 and has now been on staff for four summers. Vision is incredibly positive and enthusiastic about camp and his experiences here. He describes in detail the activities that fall under the “Rocks and Ropes” catego...

Cady “Echo” Latt shares her GAC story, which started back in 2008 when she attended a one week “Nuggets” program after she had finished Kindergarten. After 10 years as a camper, Echo joined as a Junior Counselor. She’s now in her 5th year on staff. This year, Echo joins Sneaks in heading up our  Junior Counselor Program. In this longer conversation than our typic...

Fifth year camp staff member and 2025 Head Counselor, Boulder, talks about his experience as a camper at GAC and his love of backpacking and being outdoors that has developed as a result of his time at camp. Since one of our GAC core values is “Connecting with Nature,” it’s great to hear about the impact GAC has had on Boulder’s love of the outdoors. Share Post Pinterest Sh...

Paige “Punkie” McKee reflects on her five years as a camper and five years (including this summer) on staff at Gold Arrow Camp. She reflects on the impact of her camp experiences and how the independence and adventure she experienced at camp has helped her pursue an equally adventurous adulthood. This summer, Punkie is leading the Media Team (photographers and videographer). We talk ab...

Writing “WOW”s, or positive notes and affirmations, is a habit we practice daily at Gold Arrow Camp. In this episode, Sunshine and Bravo talk about how we do WOWs, why we do WOWs, the magic relationship ratio, and the power of positive words! Give meaningful WOWs by using this formula: Person’s Name + Quality + Evidence (what they did and/or how it made you feel) . Resources/Rela...

Sunshine talks with experienced Gold Arrow Camp camper and counselor, Lucy ‘Razz” Mahlmeister, in this episode of the podcast. Razz talks about her time at GAC, which started in 2010 when she was an eight-year-old first time camper. Razz spent eight years as a camper, one year as a Junior Counselor, and has now been on staff for five years, primarily as a watersports activity counselor...

For parents and campers who are new to Gold Arrow Camp, you won’t want to miss this episode! A group of Junior Counselors (16 & 17 year old experienced campers) join Sunshine for a chat about their experiences and growth over their summers at camp. This was recorded in 2018 but their insights are still as relevant today! Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 87: Experienced C...

This episode was originally published on Sunshine Parenting and is geared towards parents, staff, and older campers. There are mentions of youth mental health issues, including suicide, so parents please listen before deciding whether to share with your younger kids. Join Sunshine for her conversation with Dr. Michele Borba about her phenomenal, must-read book THRIVERS: The Surprising Reasons Why...

Unplug to Connect One of our core values at GAC is Unplugging to Connect. Why are we so passionate about the importance of getting off our screens and spending more time in face-to-face interactions? Because it’s good for all of our well-being to improve the quality of our relationships and connection to our families, friends, and communities. We want our campers and staff to experience the...

Join Sunshine, Chelster, Airborne, and Punkie as they discuss their favorite camp activities, trying new things, and getting outside our comfort zones at GAC. This year’s summer theme is Try Something New , so it’s a great summer to really lean into our value of getting outside our comfort zone! We chose this year’s summer theme, Try Something New, because we want our 2025 camper...

Chuck “Woody” Radke’s GAC story began in 1990 and continues to 2025. His wife “Tahoe” (Assistant Director) and son Will (Junior Counselor) will join him at Gold Arrow Camp this summer. Woody interviewed many alumni and authored the amazing Sierra Summers book about the history of Gold Arrow Camp. He has many insights about the impact of GAC on every generation of camp...

In this episode, Audrey “Sunshine” Monke chats with Amy “Glitter” Bolton about her long career as a year-round GAC staff member serving as our Office Manager and Registrar. Glitter’s is the friendly voice most parents hear when they call the GAC office. Glitter’s GAC story started in 2001, when she joined our staff as an Office Assistant. Her six-year-old son Tu...