2008 SWCC - Epic Panel

Epic held a panel session with 3 veteran camp professionals. Each, from different professional backgrounds, shared years of camping industry experience and knowledge.

The panel featured:
Toni Hooten – Camp Director from Camp El Tesoro
Carla Weiland - CEO from Camp Summit
Tommy Ferguson – Camp Director from Camp Olympia

They discussed a range of topics. A synopsis is provided below.

Advice for the benefits of being involved with ACA:

• Becoming a standards visitor means you are able to see other camps;
• Helps one to make connections, offers access to valuable resources and provides training opportunities;
  
• Networking is seeing and learning from others in your field;
• Develop a community of people that you can relate
  

Thoughts on making camping your profession:

• Most people stay in the profession for 3-5 years
• If you are persistent, you put your heart into it, you can make a difference
• You must find balance with work, family, and self during camp season and throughout year
• Must really think through your decision and the sacrifices of the job
• Must communicate your needs
• Find the positive things that are going on at camp or in your job instead of the negative.
• Most important thing to remember is that Camp is a lifestyle

Finding that perfect camp job:

• Finding the perfect camp job is all about timing
• Networking is huge
• Be aggressive
• Don’t be afraid to do or get into something that you were not necessarily looking for. Don’t close the door on opportunities.

Advice on Staff Development:

• Don’t be afraid to hire staff back year after year;
• To help with staff coming back – make connections, give them tough love, and respect;
• Younger staff communicate differently, so stay in tuned with what kids are into;

Tommy shared this quote by Bob Ditter:
The only place you can safely touch is their (campers) heart.

To learn more about this session or EPIC email epic@acatexoma.org or to receive regular updates about EPIC, join the EPIC Team today http://www.acatexoma.org/epic/epicteam.htm.