The Summer That Was - pt 2 - Camps that Didn't Run - The Camp Owners Podcast #8

7 Oct

Shari Sigoloff, Howie and Kelly unpack their summer 2020 experiences and get a grasp on it was like to not run camp this summer, and what they’re thinking about going forward.

It’s time to tell the other side of the story - last episode, we talked to some camp owners who opened last summer, and now let’s explore a whole new world of “hard”. Camps that didn’t open.

We’re grateful to have Shari Sigoloff from Camp Thunderbird in Minnesota to dig into the mental fortituite that it took to not run camp this past summer. Howie, Kelly and Shari all share what’s on their minds and hearts as they are looking ahead.

You don’t want to miss this episode.

Tune-in to hear about

How the camp dream transpired for Shari
The approach to our host’s decision to close:
- How did they navigate:
  - The decision-making process
  - Communication with families and staff
  - What did their summer end up looking like?
    - Virtual
    - Use of facility
    - Any other programs/rentals?
- Some challenges, growth moments and reflections on the summer?
- What does summer 2021 look like at this point?

Thanks for listening!

If you have a suggestion or guest for a for a show, please email our producer, Matt at matt@gocamp.pro.

What Inspires You?

Things that inspire our hosts and guests to be the best Camp Owners they can be.

Howie: The Choice - Embrace The Possible by Dr. Edith Eger
Kelly: Stretch by Steven Sonneshein
Shari: How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram Kendi

Host Links:

Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps
Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
Shari Sigoloff - Co-Owner and Director, Camp Thunderbird

Thanks to our sponsor - CampBrain!

CampBrain provides management and registration software to camps and conference centers. Serving 1200+ camps since 1994, with a dedicated staff of 45+ providing personal, caring support and building beautiful, intuitive software.
For more information visit them at https://www.campbrain.com/

What is the Camp Owners Podcast?

Whether you are a Camp Owner, an aspiring camp owner, or a lover of some of our other Go Camp Pro podcasts, we’re so happy to have you here.

The Camp Owners Podcast is here to explore a side of the summer camp world that is experienced by those that have the privilege of running an independent program.

In this world of camp, the stakes are high. Not only do private camps have the same goals, aspirations and responsibilities that other camps have, but there is also usually a ton of personal livelihood on the line. When you OWN a camp, you really do own the successes and failures that any for-profit enterprise faces.

On this podcast, our hosts, Howie Grossinger and Kelly Schuna will be joined by some seasoned prime camp professionals to dive deep into the issues that most private camp pros will need to face, and the best practices that they use to create, and sustain a summer camp for their campers to enjoy summer after summer.

In season one, tune in to the podcast monthly to hear about topics like Camp As a Business, Camp Insurance, Buying and Selling Camps, Work/Life Balance, Pricing, Staff Training & Engagement

Thanks for tuning in! If you have any feedback, please get in touch with our producer, Matt at matt@gocamp.pro.

Matt Wilfrid https://gocamp.pro/matt