Communities of Campfires and Kickball - with Dr. Mary Breunig - The Pudding #18
Exploring Camp Experiences, Neoliberalism, and Hidden Curriculum with Dr. Mary Breunig
In this episode of The Pudding, hosts Dr. Mandi Baker and Travis Allison talk to Dr. Mary Breunig, an associate professor in the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration. Dr. Breunig shares her journey from flute performance to outdoor education to kickball den mother, emphasizing the transformative power of camp experiences. The conversation covers topics such as the significance of camp in personal development, the differences between guiding and educating, and the importance of diverse recruitment in camp staff. Dr. Breunig also discusses her research interests, including neoliberalism in education and leisure as the center of community. The episode concludes with insights into social justice education and the impact of outdoor education on both students and staff.
00:19 Meet the Hosts and Dr. Breunig’s Journey
07:04 Current Research and Interests
10:05 Kickball as Community and Introduction to Neoliberalism
15:31 Teaching Social Justice to Disenfranchised Students
19:39 Putnam's Theory on the Decline of Community
22:15 Outdoor Education in the DNA of Camp
24:23 Holding a Non-profit Ethos in a For-profit Business
26:05 Case Study: Extroversion and Introversion in Camp Staff
32:14 Future Plans and Reflections
34:09 Recommended Researchers to Follow & Episode Wrap-up
Your Hosts
Dr. Mandi Baker, Researcher - Summer Camp, Outdoor Recreation, Sociology and Hospitality/Tourism - getlamped@gmail.com
Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro - travis@gocamp.pro
Dr. Mary Breunig - Associate Professor, Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration - CSU-Sacramento - mary.breunig@csus.edu
Additional Links of Interest
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The American Camp Association - Illinois
The American Camp Association of Illinois is made up of nearly 289,000 members, volunteers, campers, families, and professionals who believe in the power of camp. We work to disrupt the effects of poverty by providing fundamental services for children and families, and learning opportunities for camp professionals. Learn more about ACA Illinois by visiting acail.org.
Camptivities
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