Leadership Strategies for Camp Directors: Building Resilience and Community with Travis Allison - Camp Code #156

Written By Etienne Lefebvre

Leadership, Resilience & Rekindling Passion in Camp Operations

In this episode of Camp Code, hosts Gabz, and Beth Allison return for the twelfth season to explore leadership training, industry updates, and practical strategies to support camp directors in a post-pandemic landscape. The trio dives into key operational challenges and introduces the Resilient Camp Blueprint, a new framework designed to help directors maintain focus, manage burnout, and improve systems with simple, daily changes.

Gabz reflects on her recent transition out of a full-time camp role and shares insights from her time at Camp Ouareau, while Travis and Beth highlight the growing complexity of leadership development and the urgent need for intentional support in the industry. The team discusses Gen Z staff dynamics, emphasizing the shift away from traditional evaluations and toward collaborative feedback.

The episode introduces essential tools for efficient camp management, including the PATH framework (Protect, Amplify, Trim, Humanize) and a compass rose that centers camp operations on four foundational P’s: People, Place, Programs, and Protection. These concepts encourage directors to streamline processes while staying true to their camp's mission and values. Addressing director burnout, Travis shares how the Resilient Camp Blueprint was inspired by conversations with leaders post-COVID, where the need for rest, creativity, and sustainable practices became clear. The group discusses strategies for cultural stability, staff retention, and embracing "2-second lean" changes that compound over time to create lasting impact.

Illustration of the PATH Framework and the four P’s

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Best Practice for Leadership Training

From Travis

At camp, problems can feel endless—but most of them come down to just three things: self-esteem, systems, or structures of power. Is someone acting out because they need reassurance or confidence? That’s self-esteem. Are drop-off, cleanup, or bag-packing always a mess? That’s systems. Do certain people feel unseen or unheard because of bias or unspoken dynamics? That’s structures of power. When you start looking through this lens, you’ll notice almost every challenge falls into one—or sometimes two—of these categories, and the path forward becomes clearer.

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Special Guest:

Your Hosts:

Thanks to our sponsor…

UltraCamp

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Etienne Lefebvre
Next

The Summer Health Checklist with Amy Greer - Camp Code #155