Partnering with Staff

We believe staff are one of the most important parts of camp and that partnering with them sets everyone up for the most success. That means asking questions, coming up with ideas and being willing to try new ways of doing things, really listening to staff, and spending time getting to know them is hugely important.

We have resources for recruiting, hiring, training, evaluating, and everything in between.

Our Favorite Blogs, Podcasts, and Swipethroughs

Staff Downloads

To access the files for free, sign up for our newsletter below and refresh the page.

Most of our free resources are ready for you to take and run with. Some of our biggest tips for using them (and for staff training in general):

  • Relationships over content. Staff who really care about camp and each other will outperform staff who can name every developmental milestone of every camper age.
  • When it doubt, have them talk. Pair and shares, walk and talks, small group discussions, whatever works for you!
  • Make it interactive, and when you can't, make it quick. You can add games, writing reflections, silent meetings, or more.
  • Staff Training Sessions
    • Camp Controversies & Crises eBook
    • Running Check In Circles
    • Running Community Circles
    • Presenting Your Camp Schedule
    • Culture Shifts
    • Wacky Walkies
    • Working with Parents
    • Finding the Balance
    • Reverse Photo Scavenger Hunt
    • Smartphone Scrapbook
    • Introduction to Hidden Curriculum Workshop
    • Core Stories
    • Camp Kiko Crisis Challenge
    • Party Planning
    • A Very Tiny Boat
  • Handouts
    • Klee's Icebreakers
    • Kurtz's Icebreakers
    • Quick Homesickness Handout
    • Responding to Conflict in a Group
    • Cabin/Group Bonding Activities
    • 10 Backpocket Games for Every Counselor
    • Inclusion Specialist Guide
    • Working with Volunteers
  • Surveys, Evals, and Debriefs
    • Pre-Staff Training Survey
    • Staff Training Check-In
    • Daily Cabin/Group Check In Form
    • End of Staff Training Survey
    • Staff End-of-Summer Survey
    • Summer Debrief Flashcards
    • Mid-Summer Self Eval
    • Mid-Summer Staff Check In
  • More

    The templates below are Canva templates. If you’re a non-profit, you can get Canva Pro for free.

    • Staff Guidebook
    • Staff Lounge/Office Posters
    • Camper Wellness Job Description (PDF)
    • Camper Wellness Job Description (Word)
THE BLOG

All Things Staff Posts

Summer Camp Debrief
Staff — 2023 Summer Debrief Series
24 August 2023
Allison Krabill

SO MANY GREAT CONVERSATIONS! I loved hearing about staff, what's working, what isn't, and what you need help with. I've got some trends below!

...

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Summer Camp Staff Retention
Return Staff Recruitment is a Year-Round Process
24 August 2023
Chris Rehs-Dupin

Industry-wide, we know that finding and retaining staff is one of the key issues that we are facing in the operations of successful summer youth...

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Sneaky Cards: Staff Morale Booster — The Summer Camp Society
24 August 2023
Guest User
From Megan Kneifl, YMCA Camp Kitaki, Program Director

Every year as we turn the corner at the mid-point of our ten-week summer, the support...

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All Blogs
THE PODCAST
All Things Staff Episodes
Summer Camp Podcast
TSCS PODCAST 29: Tickety-Boo
24 August 2023
Emily Juszczyk
Season 1, Episode 29
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TSCS PODCAST 27: Be the Liaison
24 August 2023
Emily Juszczyk
Season 1, Episode 27

Allison and Simone talk safety at camp (and off-site during camp), being a liaison for your community, and...

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Summer Camp Podcast
TSCS PODCAST 26: Seasonal Leadership: Supervising Your Friends
24 August 2023
Emily Juszczyk
Season 1, Episode 26

Allison Krabill is joined by Laura Grube, Hanna Sue Percy, and Lenny Lorenz, all seasonal leadership staff at their...

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View All

Our Staff Videos

Want More Help?

Our members get 20+ extra staff training sessions plus a fully-planned week of staff training and a full-planned weekend of leadership staff training.

Want us to do it? No problem! We have a team of trainers who can customize a training perfect for your camp.