Episode Title: From Camper to Staff Leader: Inside the Rotary Scout Reservation Summer Camp Staff Experience

Podcast: Meet Me at the Grizz

Host: Ken Clough, Scouter and Camp Volunteer

Episode Summary: In this episode of Meet Me at the Grizz, host Ken Clough sits down with Logan Middendorf, a current staff leader at Rotary Scout Reservation, to explore the real, day-to-day experience of working at one of the most beloved Scout camps in the Northeast. Logan shares his Scouting journey from first-grade Cub Scout to senior patrol leader, OA ceremonial officer, and now Handicrafts Director at RSR. His path shows how summer camp staff roles can shape confidence, friendships, and leadership skills in ways that last far beyond the summer.

Logan offers an inside look at staff life: the excitement of his first year teaching, how he balanced multiple program areas, and how returning summers helped him grow as a leader. He also talks about Staff Week, the essential training that prepares staff for everything campers never see — from safety procedures to program setup to adapting on the fly. One of the major themes of the episode is flexibility: being ready to teach anywhere, help with any task, or step into unexpected roles—all part of the camp staff experience.

For Scouts thinking about joining the RSR staff, Logan shares honest, practical advice: what qualities make a great staff member, what he wishes he knew before his first summer, and what keeps him coming back each year. Whether you’re a Scout, parent, leader, or former staff member yourself, this episode captures the heart of what it means to work at Rotary Scout Reservation — and why these summers matter.

Key Segments in This Episode:

• Logan’s Scouting Experience — From Cub Scouts to senior patrol leader to serving in key OA ceremonial roles.
• What Attracted Him to Staff — How camping, community, and hands-on learning drew him to spend his summers at RSR.
• Life on Staff — His first-year experience, working across multiple areas, favorite program roles, what surprised him, and how Staff Week sets the tone for a successful summer.
• Flexibility and Versatility — Why adapting to different roles is essential and how stepping into unexpected responsibilities helped him grow as a leader.
• Advice for Future Staff Members — The qualities that make a great RSR staff member, what he wishes he knew before joining staff, and what keeps him coming back each summer.
• One-Sentence Staff Experience Summary — Logan reflects on the unique learning and leadership opportunities that shape every week on staff.

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