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https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/onboarding-part1

A great first time camper experience can be the difference between a one summer family and a family that returns year after year. In Part 1 of this two part conversation, your hosts are joined by Jackie Port and Maria Horner to explore practical ways to welcome new campers, build parent confidence, and create a sense of belonging from the very first interaction. From personalized communication and thoughtful welcome packages to setting realistic expectations and helping families navigate the bumps along the way, this episode is packed with strategies you can put into practice. Tune in to discover how intentional onboarding can turn first time families into lifelong camp community members!

• 00:00 Why First Timers Matter
• 07:04 Camp Is A Business
• 09:21 Retention And Metrics
• 12:29 Care Package Welcome
• 16:33 Day Camp Onboarding Tactics
• 19:01 Segmenting New Families
• 22:27 Personal Emails Build Trust
• 24:35 Lead Liaison Routing
• 25:25 Instant Brochure Automation
• 26:21 Segmentation And Hype Emails
• 28:27 First Time Family Outreach
• 29:37 Keeping Big Camps Personal
• 30:04 Calls Versus Emails
• 32:48 Preschooler Prep Events
• 34:14 Setting Parent Expectations
• 35:17 Struggle Plus Support
• 39:34 Parent Education And Reunions
• 43:32 Director Authority And Trust

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• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
• Jordanna Grossinger, Director - Camp Robin Hood

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• Jackie Port, Assistant Director - Camp Ramaquois
• Maria Horner, Executive Director - Catalina Island Camps

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

• Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS)
  • Looking to elevate your camp experience? For over 25 years, Commercial Recreation Specialists has been transforming camps with water inflatables, Splashpads, playgrounds, and more! Boost your programming, drive registrations, and attract more campers. Our team of Recreation Specialists is here to help you design the ultimate space. Let’s take your camp to the next level – because we’re serious about FUN! Find out more at https://crs4rec.com/
• Camptivities
  • Building the perfect camp schedule takes experience — and when a key staff member leaves, that knowledge can disappear. Camptivities protects your institutional camp knowledge and makes sure every camper gets the schedule you promised. Built by camp people, for camp people. Learn more at camptivities.com.
• Campminder
  • Campminder has the most robust offerings of features out there. But more importantly, every feature works together to create a full, seamless system that helps camps run more efficiently. Visit them today at campminder.com

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp‍ ‍

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Send us Fan Mail

Find show notes and more at https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/summer-2026

In this Summer 2026 debrief, Andy Pritikin, Sam Thompson, and Jordanna Grossinger look back at the wins, challenges, and unexpected lessons from another summer at camp. From smoother transportation and stronger staff growth to wildfire smoke, extreme heat, staffing challenges, and evolving parent expectations, this episode gets real about what worked and what needs to change. You’ll hear practical ideas for improving operations, strengthening staff culture, gathering better family feedback, and preparing for increasingly unpredictable weather. If you’re already thinking about next summer, this conversation is packed with lessons worth bringing into your fall planning.

• 02:12 Sam’s Summer Wins
• 03:12 Busing And Parking
• 04:28 Pandemic Changes Stick
• 05:53 Wagon Water Bottle Hack
• 09:16 Wildfire Smoke Pivot
• 10:05 Heat And AC Debate
• 11:33 Parents Value Camp More
• 14:58 First Time Families Focus
• 16:14 Jordanna Runs Camp Solo
• 21:09 Andy’s Generational Shift
• 23:13 Leading Through Change
• 27:16 Accountability And Fear
• 28:25 Staff Identity And Ecosystem
• 30:39 Gossip And Body Talk
• 31:35 Background Checks Gray Areas
• 33:21 Heat Protocols And Inspections
• 38:10 Wildfire Smoke Closure Call
• 39:44 Refunds Credits And Policy Updates
• 43:05 Climate Risks And Shelter Planning
• 47:05 Emergency Response And 911 Reflections
• 51:36 Fall Planning And Feedback Loops
• 57:00 Lost And Found Science

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• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
• Jordanna Grossinger, Director - Camp Robin Hood

-

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

• Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS)
  • Looking to elevate your camp experience? For over 25 years, Commercial Recreation Specialists has been transforming camps with water inflatables, Splashpads, playgrounds, and more! Boost your programming, drive registrations, and attract more campers. Our team of Recreation Specialists is here to help you design the ultimate space. Let’s take your camp to the next level – because we’re serious about FUN! Find out more at https://crs4rec.com/
• Camptivities
  • Building the perfect camp schedule takes experience — and when a key staff member leaves, that knowledge can disappear. Camptivities protects your institutional camp knowledge and makes sure every camper gets the schedule you promised. Built by camp people, for camp people. Learn more at camptivities.com.
• Campminder
  • Campminder has the most robust offerings of features out there. But more importantly, every feature works together to create a full, seamless system that helps camps run more efficiently. Visit them today at campminder.com

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp‍ ‍

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Send us Fan Mail

Find show notes and more at https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/washington

As conversations around childcare, workforce development and youth mental health continue to grow, summer camp has an important story to tell and this episode takes listeners straight to the front lines of that advocacy work. Andy Pritikin shares an inside look at ACA Hill Day 2026 in Washington, DC, where camp professionals met with lawmakers to push for critical issues like background check access, J-1 visa reform and stronger bipartisan support for camps. Packed with eye-opening stats, real camp stories and practical ways camp leaders can get involved, this episode highlights why advocacy matters now more than ever. If you care about the future of camp and the impact it has on families, communities and the next generation, this is a must listen episode.

• 02:01 Inside Hill Day
• 04:00 Camp Stories
• 05:44 Camp Impact Stats
• 07:35 Childcare Funding
• 09:46 Future Ready Skills
• 12:20 Background Checks CPIA
• 14:34 J-1 Visa Crunch
• 15:20 Camp Caucus Push
• 18:14 Invite Officials
• 19:38 Why Hill Day Matters
• 24:31 Summer Sendoff

EIS State Sheets

BridgeUSA J-1: Exchange Visitors and America’s Summer Camps

Congressional Camp Caucus

Child Protection Improvements Act (CPIA)

Unlocking a Future Where All Children Can Thrive

Michele Branconier - ACA - Senior Director of Volunteerism

• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp

• Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS)
  • Looking to elevate your camp experience? For over 25 years, Commercial Recreation Specialists has been transforming camps with water inflatables, Splashpads, playgrounds, and more! Boost your programming, drive registrations, and attract more campers. Our team of Recreation Specialists is here to help you design the ultimate space. Let’s take your camp to the next level – because we’re serious about FUN! Find out more at https://crs4rec.com/
• Campminder
  • Campminder has the most robust offerings of features out there. But more importantly, every feature works together to create a full, seamless system that helps camps run more efficiently. Visit them today at campminder.com
• AMSkier
  • AMSkier is a leading insurance and strategic partner for many of the finest camps in America. AMSkier partners with camps to provide public relations, legal, medical, behavior support and more - Experience the AMSkier difference. Learn more atamskier.com.

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp‍ ‍

Thanks, Camp Pro!