We can’t keep doing things the way we’ve been doing them if we want to keep all of the campers in our care safe. Welcome, Chris Rehs-Dupin!

Day Camps have gone through all kinds of changes through the years. In the 1950s and 60s - the talk was probably about integration at camps. In the 1990s and 2000s we had our first openly gay staff and campers, and today - we are welcoming more and more transgender folks in our community. Most of our staff and campers could care less about it.

Yet most camp directors of a certain age - Boomers and Xers - struggle with the implications. What will the parents say, where will they change, what about the bathrooms, and I can tell you first hand that most of that worry is for naught.

Today, we are lucky to have an expert in the field - Chris Rehs-Dupin, who will give us an inside and out view of transgender campers and staff, and leave us with some tips to help make our camps as truly inclusive as we say they are.

Thanks to Chris for joining us. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider donating to Transplaining at https://www.transplaining.info/one-time-gift.

Do you have a suggestion for a future show? Let us know by email: daycampquestions@gocamp.pro

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Additional Resources - Thanks, Chris!

Chris’ Episode Summary - A GREAT Resource!

YOUR HOSTS:

• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp

• Tiffany Gratton-McDuffie, Executive Director - Purposeful Play

• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District

• Chris T. Rehs-Dupin, Speaker & Co-Founder - Transplaining

Guest Bio - Chris Rehs-Dupin

Chris Rehs-Dupin spent the majority of his professional career (17 years) in youth development in the outdoors- including 8 years in overnight programming, and 9 years in day programming. Chris is a passionate speaker, trainer, and educator- who has spoken at numerous conferences, camps, and to larger organizations. Participants agree that Chris works to meet them where they are- and educates in the absence of shame.

Chris loves to support camps as they foster gender-inclusive practices. He is available for consulting services, which will directly support a camp’s goals within the context of their community.

Chris is an active member in his church community as part of the social justice ministry- especially in the area of LGTBQ+ advocacy. Chris is a father of two children who are the center of his universe and his consistent reason for trying to make the world a better place. When he is not working he enjoys running, maple syrup production, gardening and winemaking.

Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

• AM Skier Insurance    http://www.amskier.com/

• Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS)   https://crs4rec.com/

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