Focus on the Individual

Season 1, Episode 19

On this episode Allison Krabill is joined by Michael “Knuckles” Vasquez, Caitlin Carroll and EmJ Juszczyk. They’re discussing medical camps and being inclusive for all campers! This crew shares their experiences with “patients” and “well-camper” siblings, how you work with the families, and how you make camp the most for every single person—even parents and caretakers!

If you’re looking for perspectives on inclusion and community that centers around letting kids be kid this is the pod for you .

Producer EmJ’s takeaways:

1. Camp allows your campers to become individuals and that’s so cool! How can we keep capitalizing on this when making cabin decisions?

2. It can be so powerful when you don’t have siblings comfort the other when they miss home.

3. A medical diagnosis is more than just the patient.

Want to bring your staff and staff training to the next level this summer?

Our Guests

Michael “Knuckles” Vasquez

Michael Vasquez, better known by the camp name ‘Knuckles’, has been in Oncology Camping for 9 Summers!. Starting off as a Counselor-In-Training with Okizu in Northern California, he found his love for all things camp and working with these families. Since then, ‘Knuckles’ has continued to volunteer with Okizu as a cabin counselor, cabin unit leader, and administrative summer support staff, Assistant Camp Director, and now does family services for the organization part time. Currently pursuing his Bachelors in Social Work, he hopes to use his education to help him grow and continue in Oncology Camping for many years to come! Ask him about Okizu and their Special and Important Brothers and Sisters (SIBS) programs, the conversations will never end! #OkizuStrong

Caitlin Carroll, MSW

After almost 10 years working as a social worker in various clinical and youth development roles, Caitlin Carroll, decided to return to her love of CAMP! Caitlin is currently the Director of Programs for Camp Holiday Trails in Charlottesville, VA where she has the opportunity to mash up her love of social work with her passion for camp. When not at camp, you’ll find Caitlin exploring the outdoors or jammin’ out to live music. 

EmJ Juszczyk

(She/Her) Having spent her whole adult life in camp planning and programming, all EmJ knows is professionalism that is yell-singing at campfires and giving board presentations on the importance of a 40 foot water slide.

After spending college summers at Camp Bob Cooper, EmJ served in various camp roles until she became the Camps and Program Director at Camp Happy Days. She is now the Programs Director at Project Kindred based in Milwaukee. Outside of camps, EmJ enjoys editing this podcast, watching KU men’s basketball and going on long runs with longer podcasts about reality shows.

Episode Info

This episode is hosted by Allison Krabill.

The Summer Camp Society Podcast is edited and produced by EmJ Juszczyk.