The Camp Eastwood Debrief: Joy, Lessons, Wins & Changes for 2027
What does it take to turn the dream of a new camp into a successful first summer? Stacey Levy and Lauren Beckwith share the joyful moments, unexpected challenges, and hard-earned lessons from launching their first season. From building strong staff and family relationships to navigating startup costs, refining communication systems, and rethinking leadership roles, they offer an honest look at what it takes to build a camp from the ground up. Tune in for practical insights, candid reflections, and a behind-the-scenes look at how Camp Eastwood is using its first summer to make 2027 even better!
08:15 First Summer Verdict
11:31 Pre Camp Pressure
15:47 Eastwood Philosophy
20:33 Successes Reality Check
22:36 Startup Costs Debt
26:49 Wins Staff Families
29:33 Registration Pipeline
32:15 Parent Communication Loop
34:02 Sharing Camper Snapshot
36:11 Scaling Communication Systems
38:32 First Summer Staffing Wins
42:03 Dividing Director Roles
44:57 Session Break Reset Magic
48:50 Program Tweaks for Next Year
51:13 Facility Strengths for Ages
54:11 Coed Lessons and Flexibility
57:08 Homesickness and Cabin Drama
58:43 Offseason Guilty Pleasures
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Your Hosts:
Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps
Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
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Your Guests:
Lauren Beckwith - Co-Director - Camp Eastwood
Stacey Levy - Co-Director - Camp Eastwood
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Thanks to our sponsors:
Campminder
Campminder has the most robust offerings of features out there. But more importantly, every feature works together to create a full, seamless system that helps camps run more efficiently. Visit them today at campminder.com
Camptivities
Your staff work late into the night to create perfect camper schedules. Prevent mid-summer burnout with Camptivities — the smart scheduling software that saves time, reduces mistakes, and keeps your team energized. Find out more at camptivities.com