Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re diving into the impact and evolution of women in the summer camp industry! Join us as we chat with Colette Marquardt, CEO of the American Camp Association, Illinois, and founder of the Women in Camp Summit. Colette shares how the summit grew into a thriving community with an annual conference, pop-up events, and year-round support for women in camp.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Show notes:
The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Monday Mar 03, 2025
Episode 82 | Advance Your Camp Career: How to Make Yourself Indispensable
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Looking to take your camp career to the next level? In this episode, we're joined by Erec Hillis, owner and Executive Director of Camp Champions in Marble Falls, TX. Erec is speaking at the upcoming Tri-State CAMP Conference and sharing insights on the new Camp Career Accelerator program — designed to help camp professionals grow their skills and chart a path for long-term success in the camp industry. We explore what it means to be an indispensable part of your camp community, with practical tips on leadership, adding value to your team, and advancing your camp career.
Show notes:
The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Friday Jan 31, 2025
Episode 81 | 2025 ACA National Conference Preview
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Monday Dec 30, 2024
Episode 80 | Camp Moves Me with Alli Faricy
Monday Dec 30, 2024
Monday Dec 30, 2024
In this episode, we sit down with Alli Faricy of Camp Foley to dive into the tremendous success of their recent Camp Moves Me campaign. Alli shares the story behind the campaign, the innovative strategies that led to its success, and the impact it’s had on the camp community. Don’t miss this conversation about fostering community, creativity, and growth through fundraising!
Show notes:
The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Thursday Nov 28, 2024
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tim Raines to explore the transformative impact of culturally responsive practices in youth development. Dr. Tim shares his insights on why understanding and embracing diverse cultural perspectives is essential for fostering growth and belonging in young people.
Special thanks to our sponsor, UltraCamp!
Show notes:
- Dr. Tim's website
- Camping Magazine article: Planting Seeds of Inclusion: Practical Strategies for Inclusive Mentoring in Camps
- Webinar: Partnerships to Increase Equity and Inclusivity
The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Saturday Nov 02, 2024
Episode 78 | Holding Space and Dealing with Cultural Trauma with John Hamilton
Saturday Nov 02, 2024
Saturday Nov 02, 2024
Camp is meant to be a safe environment - physically, mentally, and emotionally. So, how do we hold space for our campers and staff who may be dealing with trauma?
On this episode, John Hamilton from the Alliance for Camp Health joins us to discuss cultural trauma and creating safe, supportive, and connected spaces at camp and beyond.
Special thanks to our sponsor, UltraCamp!
Show notes:
- Article, Holding Space for the Splash Zone: Dealing with Cultural Trauma
- Alliance for Camp Health
- CampWell
The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Episode 77 | Staffing Summit Preview: Keynote Speaker Jill Lyons
Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Wednesday Oct 23, 2024
Join us for October 28-30 for the 2024 Staffing Summit! In this conversation, we hear from keynote speaker Jill Lyons about her camp experience and its role in her journey into the corporate world.
Click here to register for the Staffing Summit!
Special thanks to our 2024 Staffing Summit sponsors:
The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Friday Oct 18, 2024
Friday Oct 18, 2024
Join us for October 28-30 for the 2024 Staffing Summit! In this conversation, we hear from keynote speaker Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson about her background as an educator, coach, speaker, author, and more! Dr. PBJ's sessions will offer insights and tips on disrupting burnout.
Click here to register for the Staffing Summit!
Show notes:
- Dr. PBJ's website and podcast
- Disrupting Burnout: The Professional Woman's Lifeline to Finding Purpose
Special thanks to our 2024 Staffing Summit sponsors:
The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Friday Oct 11, 2024
Episode 75 | Staffing Summit Preview: Keynote Speaker Leah Mesches
Friday Oct 11, 2024
Friday Oct 11, 2024
Join us for October 28-30 for the 2024 Staffing Summit! In this conversation, we hear from closing keynote speaker Leah Mesches about her background, connecting the camping industry to the corporate world, and what we can expect from her session at this year's Summit.
Click here to register for the Staffing Summit!
Blog post: Can I Really Spend Another Summer Working at Camp?
Special thanks to our 2024 Staffing Summit sponsors:
The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.

Sunday Oct 06, 2024
Episode 74 | One Way Out Is In: Staffing Summit Preview
Sunday Oct 06, 2024
Sunday Oct 06, 2024
Join us for this year's Staffing Summit! In this episode, we chat with event co-chairs Kim Aycock and Dave Schiff to learn all about this year's Summit, including new features, speaker details, special events, and more!
Event dates: October 28-30, 2024
Registration fee includes access to recorded sessions for 30 days following the conference.
Special thanks to our 2024 Staffing Summit sponsors:
The views and opinions expressed on CampWire by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.