LGTBQ+ at Camp - with Michael Waxman - The Camp Owners Podcast #13
Camp Owners are responsible for making their camp an inclusive, welcoming and affirming space for participants and staff of all sexes and gender identities. Period.
Today we are discussing what Howie and I feel is a really important topic in our world today and in the camp industry - gender.
A 2019 Pew Research stuff found that 35 percent of Generation Z say they personally know someone who uses gender-neutral pronouns like “they” and “them,” compared to a quarter of millennials who said the same.
There are a number of progressive camps in our industry that serve LGBTQ+ youth as well as camps leading the way with “all gender cabins.”
We are looking foward to discussing how camps can be progressive and proactive vs. reactive in serving both campers and staff who identify as gender-neutral, transgender, cisgender or as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
A big thanks to Michael Waxman, camp alumnus and social worker, for joining us in this extremely important conversation.
Tune-in to this episode to hear about
Why do you think it’s important for camp owners to be talking about gender as it relates to campers and staff?
What do you think are the most pressing issues for camps when it comes to gender?
Any advice to camp owners who want to make their camp an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ campers and staff
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.
Kelly: Wolfpack by Abby Wambach
Howie: BARNGA - An Intercultural Simulation Game - https://youtu.be/j9KMksUIH2Q
Michael: “Us Kids” documentary about kids from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida
Host Links:
Howie Grossinger - Co-owner/Director - Camp Robin Hood, Partner - Camp Walden & Madawaska Camps
Kelly Schuna - Owner - Hidden Pines Ranch
Thanks to our sponsor - CampBrain!
CampBrain provides management and registration software to camps and conference centers. Serving 1300+ 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.