SCamp Life: The Other Side

What responsibility do camp leaders have in shaping workplace culture, and what happens when that culture turns toxic? In this episode of SCamp Life: The Other Side , Kelie and Shauna sit down with Katie Grenci to explore the realities of toxic leadership in camp settings. Katie reflects on her experience as a manager, the warning signs she encountered, and the lasting impact on both staff and cam...

What happens when two podcast hosts who’ve only known each other virtually finally meet in real life? In this episode, Kelie and Shauna take you to the Women in Camp Summit, where they met in person for the first time. They swap stories, reflect on standout sessions, and talk about why spaces created by women in camp for women in camp are so powerful. If you love professional development, camp peo...

Trigger Warnings: Child death, drowning, religious trauma. This episode investigates the deadly overnight flood at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas. We break down the events leading up to the tragedy, the emergency failures that left campers vulnerable, and the long-standing flood-warning and safety gaps that contributed to the loss of life. Drawing on verified reporting, survivor accounts, and p...

Kelie and Shauna are back behind the mic for a brand-new season of SCampLife: The Other Side ! In this opening episode, the duo catch up after a whirlwind summer—swapping stories, sharing lessons learned, and laughing through the highs (and the chaos) of camp life. Plus, Kelie drops a big announcement you won’t want to miss!

Kelie is back from the American Camp Association Tri-State Conference, and she’s bringing all the energy (and a few unexpected side quests) to this episode! Join Kelie and Shauna as they dive into Kelie’s favorite sessions, biggest takeaways, and ideas that camp professionals won’t want to miss. Of course, it wouldn’t be The Other Side without a few classic “Squirrel!” moments—because when camp pe...

Hosts Kelie and Shauna break down how executive orders, local laws, and policy changes could impact the camp industry. From staffing regulations to funding shifts, they explore what camp professionals need to know—without the legal jargon. But let’s be clear: they’re not lawyers, and this isn’t legal advice—just two camp pros with microphones trying to make sense of the rules that shape our summer...

In this episode, hosts Kelie and Shauna continue the conversation on embracing ADHD in camp leadership with special guests Travis Allison ( GoCampPro ) and Kate Taylor ( Camp Industry Consultant ) . This is Part 2 of our discussion—catch Part 1 over on Camp Hacker! We dive into ADHD as a superpower in the camp world, how to recognize ADHD in your staff , practical tools to support neurodivergent t...

Policies and procedures aren’t just for campers—they apply to caregivers too! In this episode, Kelie and Shauna welcome back Emily Golinsky of Bright Moose Training to dive into the world of behavior policies and procedures for both campers and their grown-ups. They break down the difference between a policy and a procedure, discuss when to be flexible, and explore how to balance empathy for upset...

In this episode, Shauna is out with the flu, so Kelie takes the lead and sits down with Dr. Chad Nelson to dive into the fascinating history and ever-changing industry of summer camp. They tackle the big question— is camp a real job? —and share invaluable advice for current, veteran, and new camp managers and directors. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is packed wit...

It’s camper registration season! What are parents and caregivers looking for in a camp? Who makes the final decision about which camp to attend? How much communication is too much communication? Kelie and Shauna chat with Courtney Russell, camp parent, to answer all of your burning questions. Listen in as Courtney dishes the downlow on camp choices and Shauna goes on a soapbox about providing as m...

It’s almost hiring season and to save future you some time, so Kelie and Shauna have staff on their mind. In this episode, our hosts share the ways they like to show appreciation to their staff and also share how it builds their staff culture. Kelie and Shauna also share how they implement these staff moments so they are easy to duplicate at your camp! Show Notes

In this fun and revealing episode, Kelie and Shauna dive into the hilarious and sometimes shocking, shared by listeners, "Counselor Confessions." From pranks gone wrong to heartwarming moments with campers, current and former counselors spill their best-kept camp secrets, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the antics of camp counselor life. LINKS Bissli BBQ Better Camping for All Institute 2024...

Kelie and Shauna ARE BACK! In this episode, they recap their AMAZING summers and absolutely GUSH about their 2024 Staff. Shauna shares the celebrity children she had as campers and Kelie finally has a great summer after last year’s fiasco of a season. Full Show Notes

In this episode, Kelie and Shauna are joined by Emily Golinsky from Bright Moose Training to discuss the crucial differences between bullying and conflict in youth programs, camps, and schools. Emily shares insights on how to recognize the signs of both, strategies for prevention, and handling conflicts effectively. The conversation explores real-world applications of these strategies, the importa...

This episode dives into the transformative approaches Kelie and Shauna are implementing for staff training at their respective camps. From reinventing traditional methods to integrating dynamic activities. The conversation reflects on past experiences, anticipates future challenges, and explores strategies to enhance the camp experience for both staff and campers, highlighting the importance of ad...

Kelie and Shauna explore the portrayal of camp in movies, TV shows, and documentaries, touching on both fiction and non-fiction. They discuss the accuracy and cultural impact of camp-themed media, sharing their personal experiences and critical perspectives as camp professionals. The episode highlights a variety of titles, including 'Camp Nowhere', 'Heavyweights', 'The Parent Trap', and 'Bug Juice...

Kelie and Shauna discuss their recent experiences and key takeaways from the ACA Tri-State Camp Conference. They touch on their busy travel schedules, staffing updates, and a variety of sessions attended at the conference. Highlights include discussions on staff recruitment, dealing with camper and staff behavior, the importance of respect over hierarchy, and innovative ideas for camp traditions a...

Hosts Kelie and Shauna, after a series of serious episodes, decide to lighten the mood by introducing a fun, rapid-fire segment focused on camp traditions. Utilizing a wheel to randomize selections, they explore their experiences and thoughts on a variety of camp traditions, such as the Apache Relay, family/parent days, awards for campers and staff, the use of indigenous names, special birthday ac...

In this episode, Kelie and Shauna, are joined by Shane Meserve, a consultant and trainer on mass violence and child abuse prevention, for a discussion on the topic of mass violence and its impact on children and camps. The episode focuses on ways in which programs like camps can aid in prevention, utilization of trauma-informed care, and maintaining a safe environment for the children. The hosts a...

Kelie and Shauna are joined by Claire Griffith, a recreation specialist working with cognitively impaired individuals. Claire addresses trauma informed care within a camp setting, stressing the importance of safety, trust, transparency, peer support, and collaboration, and acknowledging cultural, historical, and gender issues. They explore how trauma informed care can influence Gen Z, considered t...

In this episode, Shauna gives a detailed rundown of her experiences at the Women in Camp Summit 2023, also known as WICS. The episode includes discussions on several important topics including the significance of intersectionality in camping, the importance of transparency in job descriptions to accommodate neurodivergent individuals, trauma-informed management, and the impact of privilege. The co...

In this episode, Kelie and Shauna give a different take on the Summer Camp Society’s November 14th episode: Rethinking the Counselor Role. Links: Summer Camp Society Podcast: Season 2 Episode 13 The Other Side: Episode 2 - Are We Asking Too Much of Our Staff? Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: exploringcampsides@gmail.com

In this episode, Shauna and Kelie get raw with Joel Van Egbert as they discuss ways camp directors can improve the mindset, conditions, and retention rates of camp counselors. #CampJesus Joel’s email: joel@wildchild.camp

Kelie and Shauna discuss what they have seen in camper behavior over the last two summers, their experiences, and their ideas to begin combating it.

In this episode, Shauna and Kelie talk with Frost Valley CEO, Riel Peerbooms, about the rising childcare cost and how it affects camps. Links: Riel Contact:  ceo@frostvalley.org Want to add to our conversation?  Have a question you want us to discuss? Email Us: exploringcampsides@gmail.com