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
    • Question Carousel
    • 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
    • Dopamine Menus
  • 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
    • Camp Director Evaluation
  • 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

5 Tools From Conferences to Add to Your Training
24 August 2023
EmJ Juszczyk
Conference season, we are back baby. As you can tell, I've been on a conference kick (there's just SO many). Not only is the content flowing,...
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The Baggage of Summer Camp: "Packing Light" When It Comes to Change
24 August 2023
Jacqueline McDonough

As the days lengthen and we gear up for another summer camp season, it's clear that this transformation extends beyond filling the pool and mowing...

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Partnering with Staff Families at Camp
24 August 2023
Allison Krabill
Last week, I did a big reflection on running camp 10 years ago, and a big lesson for me was rethinking my relationship with staff families....
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All Blogs
THE PODCAST
All Things Staff Episodes
TSCS PODCAST 59: Flexible Staff Hiring
24 August 2023
EmJ Juszczyk
Season 2, Episode 27

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music

What if you didn't have to work the whole summer at camp? What if your staff could...

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TSCS PODCAST 58: Tidbits for Staff Training from Tri-State
24 August 2023
EmJ Juszczyk
Season 2, Episode 27

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music

We're talking welcoming staff and setting them up for success! When host EmJ sits...

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TSCS PODCAST 57: Tri-State Conference Guide
24 August 2023
EmJ Juszczyk
Season 2, Episode 26

Listen on Spotify | Apple Music

Being the new person can be intimidating and with over 3,300 people attending, you...

Read more
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.