Summer 2026 Debrief - The Day Camp Pod - #141

Send us Fan Mail Find show notes and more at https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/summer-2026 # What Summer 2026 Taught Us - and What Camp Directors Need to Do Next In this Summer 2026 debrief, Andy Pritikin, Sam Thompson, and Jordanna Grossinger look back at the wins, challenges, and unexpected lessons from another summer at camp. From smoother transportation and stronger staff growth to wildfire smoke, extreme heat, staffing challenges, and evolving parent expectations, this episode gets real about what worked and what needs to change. You’ll hear practical ideas for improving operations, strengthening staff culture, gathering better family feedback, and preparing for increasingly unpredictable weather. If you’re already thinking about next summer, this conversation is packed with lessons worth bringing into your fall planning. - 02:12 Sam’s Summer Wins - 03:12 Busing And Parking - 04:28 Pandemic Changes Stick - 05:53 Wagon Water Bottle Hack - 09:16 Wildfire Smoke Pivot - 10:05 Heat And AC Debate - 11:33 Parents Value Camp More - 14:58 First Time Families Focus - 16:14 Jordanna Runs Camp Solo - 21:09 Andy’s Generational Shift - 23:13 Leading Through Change - 27:16 Accountability And Fear - 28:25 Staff Identity And Ecosystem - 30:39 Gossip And Body Talk - 31:35 Background Checks Gray Areas - 33:21 Heat Protocols And Inspections - 38:10 Wildfire Smoke Closure Call - 39:44 Refunds Credits And Policy Updates - 43:05 Climate Risks And Shelter Planning - 47:05 Emergency Response And 911 Reflections - 51:36 Fall Planning And Feedback Loops - 57:00 Lost And Found Science \- # Your Hosts: - Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp - Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District - Jordanna Grossinger, Director - Camp Robin Hood \- # Sponsors: Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible: - Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) - Looking to elevate your camp experience? For over 25 years, Commercial Recreation Specialists has been transforming camps with water inflatables, Splashpads, playgrounds, and more! Boost your programming, drive registrations, and attract more campers. Our team of Recreation Specialists is here to help you design the ultimate space. Let’s take your camp to the next level – because we’re serious about FUN! Find out more at https://crs4rec.com/ - Camptivities - Building the perfect camp schedule takes experience — and when a key staff member leaves, that knowledge can disappear. Camptivities protects your institutional camp knowledge and makes sure every camper gets the schedule you promised. Built by camp people, for camp people. Learn more at camptivities.com. - 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 # Please review and subscribe! If you’ve gotten even **one good thing** from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app. It’s so easy!  Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp‍  ‍ Thanks, Camp Pro!