Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/sensory-journeys-freedom-in-play

Exploring Inclusivity in Outdoor Leisure with Neil Carr

In this episode of The Pudding, Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison discuss with Prof. Neil Carr, from the Dept of Tourism at the University of Otago (New Zealand), the role of inclusivity in outdoor leisure. They explore Neil's journey into academia, his research on t...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/communities-of-campfires-and-kickball

Exploring Camp Experiences, Neoliberalism, and Hidden Curriculum with Dr. Mary Breunig

In this episode of The Pudding, hosts Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison talk to Dr. Mary Breunig, an associate professor in the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration. Dr. Breunig shares her journey from flute ...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/camp-as-a-sacred-playground

Creating Safe Spaces to Explore Faith & Identity

In this episode of The Pudding, hosts Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison speak with Jake Sorenson, founder and director of Sacred Playgrounds, to explore the impacts of Christian summer camps. Jake, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience, explains how Sacred Playground...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/decoding-how-camp-helps-kids-find-themselves

Hearing Youth Voices in Camp Research with Dr. Barry Garst

In this episode of 'The Pudding', hosts Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison delve into the work of Dr. Barry Garst, a Professor at Clemson University in Youth Development Programs. Dr. Garst shares his journey into camp research, discussing his back...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/building-sustainable-camps

Insights into JCamp 180’s Camp Research and Consulting Model

In this episode, Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison talk to Herschel Singer from JCamp 180 about the critical work being done by his organization in supporting Jewish camps across North America, focusing on organizational effectiveness and financial sustainability. Herschel...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/a-question-of-value

How do you Define “Camp” and its Economic Impact?

On this episode of The Pudding, Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison dive into the economic impact study of the camp industry with researcher Eli McClain, of the Restorative Economics Group. They talk about his process of working with a team of researchers and students to collect data from ove...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/campahead/scenario-planning-101

Exploring Camp Futures: Key Drivers and Scenario Planning

In this episode of Camp Ahead, hosts Joe, Jess, and KJ  expand on the idea of scenario planning as an essential tool for thinking about the future. They discuss key drivers such as climate change, economics, demographics, technological advancements, and social shifts that can shape t...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/campahead/intro-to-mental-time-travel

Welcome to Camp Ahead: The Futurology of the Summer Camp Industry

In this inaugural episode of the Camp Ahead podcast, Joe Richards, KJ Williams, and Jess Elfring-Roberts dive into the concept of future-proofing the summer camp industry. They discuss the importance of mental time travel, scenario planning, and preparing for larger glo...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/make-impacts-welcome-diversity-with-camp-research

Diversifying the Narrative by Bringing Practitioners to the Research Table 

 
In this episode of 'The Pudding', hosts Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison are joined by Drs. Lisa Meerts-Brandsma and Jim Sibthorp to dive into groundbreaking research in the camp world. The discussion covers their jour...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/excel-doesnt-have-to-be-scary

Harnessing Data for Camp Success with Lee Biear

Hosts Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison engage with Lee Biear, Business Development Director at Camptivities, to explore the transformative power of data in camp management. Lee shares her journey from public health research to camp data analysis, including stories of success in enh...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/camp-research-catalyzing-change

Exploring the Future of Camp Research & its Impact with Laurie Brown

In this episode, hosts Travis Allison and Dr. Mandi Baker discuss the significant research efforts and initiatives undertaken by the American Camp Association to understand and improve summer camps. Special guest Laurie Brown, Ph.D, Seni...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/impact-of-research

Exploring Camp Research Innovations with Victoria Povilaitis

In the first episode of the second season of 'The Pudding,' hosts Dr. Mandy Baker and Travis Allison invite Victoria Povilaitis, Director of Program Innovation at Tim Horton Foundation Camps, to discuss the exciting developments and research initiatives in camp ...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/camp-researchers

Let’s shed light on some of the most prominent camp research, right from the researchers themselves!

Our guests, Victoria Povilaitis, Lori Brown, and Jake Sorenson, are not your typical academics. They are the frontline champions of camp research, dedicated to unveiling the intricate ways camps contribute to community building, character build...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/ethics

Camp Research - The Ethical Way

Mandi gives us a mini-masterclass on all things research and how it applies to both the formal and informal research that we conduct at our camp.

In this episode, we cover:

• What are the common ethics terms and basic ethical practices that camp practices that camp pros should be aware of?
• What are the overarching values t...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/gen-z

Unlocking the Potential of Gen-Z at Summer Camp

Staffing continues to be one of the biggest thorns in the paws of our industry. It’s a challenge that isn’t likely to go away soon, so what can we do to ride this wave, rather than just letting it crash into us?

Travis and Mandi dig into this topic and share how an approach of curiosity is a Camp Pro’s best ...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/power-between-people

With great power comes…well, you know the rest.

We all know that even in the sunshine and butterflies that is summer camp, there is evil lurking about. An evil that affects people and communities from all over. It has a name, too.

Are you ready?

Power.

Okay, maybe a bit dramatic, but it’s something nonetheless that we need to talk about when ...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/good-for-everyone

Just BEING at camp is a good thing - the science proves it!

We intuitively know that camp is a good thing.

We can tell a million heart-filled stories about how camp changes lives.

But as you all know, the proof is certainly in the pudding - so for the discerning camp pros (or camp families we are trying to convince to come to camp!) this episod...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/being-in-nature

And are we thinking about “nature” too specifically?

Being in nature is good for us - we know this intuitively.

But did you know that science backs this up?

It is proven, beyond doubt, that being in nature decreases anxiety, decreases rumination, and alleviates low mood.

Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis unpack some of the major findings over the last fe...

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/the-pudding/decoding-research

What is research, and what can it be for camp pros?

We need to start here. 

Before we get into how to use research to empower our marketing and recruiting efforts, we need to unpack the basics of research.

So, whether you’re a research buff or not, this episode is meant to get everyone on the same page before we really dig deep.

You’ll hear abou...