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https://gocamp.pro/iil/cory-h

How can intentional leadership make belonging possible for everyone? In this episode of Intentionally Intentional Leaders, Travis Allison sits down with Cory Harrison, COO of the American Camp Association, to explore the power of camp, the lasting impact of meaningful experiences, and the importance of building a culture where people feel seen and valued. Cory shares personal stories, leadership lessons, and practical insights on staff development, parent partnerships, and creating those unforgettable moments that make camp special.

• 05:33 Short Sessions Big Impact
• 08:32 Advice Not Taken
• 11:06 Situational Awareness Lesson
• 12:42 Hardest Part
• 15:29 Partnering With Parents
• 18:29 Cory’s Career Path
• 28:14 Listening As A Weakness
• 28:48 Speed Over Perfection
• 29:21 Leading Without Leaving People
• 30:52 Rejecting Failure Lessons
• 32:59 Success Over Fear
• 33:49 Relational Staff Recruiting
• 37:33 Belonging Through Camp Magic
• 42:16 Building A Magic Culture
• 47:55 Training For Magical Moments

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro

• Cory Harrison, Chief Operating Officer - American Camp Association

Camptivities

Thanks to our friends at Camptivities for sponsoring CampHacker. They understand that every part of camp operations matters to helping kids live their best versions of themselves. Your schedule can limit your program, or make more possible. Camptivities is an activity scheduling software that works alongside your registration system to make it possible to add logistically complex activities campers are craving to try this summer. Till December 1st, visit Camptivities.com for 15% off fall implementations.

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https://gocamp.pro/iil/jake-s

What if the impact of camp isn’t magic, but the result of intentional leadership? In this episode of Intentionally Intentional Leaders, host Travis Allison welcomes Jake Sorensen of Sacred Playgrounds to explore how mentorship, meaningful relationships, and the Five Fundamentals can transform the camp experience. From programming intentional one-on-one moments to navigating difficult feedback and leading resistant teams with curiosity, Jake shares practical insights for building stronger camp communities. Tune in to discover how small, purposeful leadership choices can create lasting impact for campers and staff alike.

• 01:46 Belonging Mentors
• 05:42 Early Disappointments
• 10:04 Camp Career Moment
• 14:36 Programmed One On Ones
• 20:08 Parents Misjudge Camp
• 23:13 What Sacred Playgrounds Does
• 27:09 Camp Is Not Magic
• 28:04 Five Fundamentals Framework
• 29:39 No Excuses For Bad Weeks
• 31:34 Relational Camp Explained
• 35:25 Realizations Honest Feedback
• 38:22 Leading The Unleadable
• 41:23 Reliances Mortality And Faith
• 42:38 Servant Leadership When Exhausted
• 45:07 Price Of Intentional Leadership

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Jake Sorenson, Founder and Director - Sacred Playgrounds

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Camptivities

Thanks to our friends at Camptivities for sponsoring CampHacker. They understand that every part of camp operations matters to helping kids live their best versions of themselves. Your schedule can limit your program, or make more possible. Camptivities is an activity scheduling software that works alongside your registration system to make it possible to add logistically complex activities campers are craving to try this summer. Till December 1st, visit Camptivities.com for 15% off fall implementations.

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/iil/kate-k

What does it really take to create a culture of belonging at camp?

In this episode, Kate Kelly of Camp Weequahic shares practical lessons on gratitude, intentional staff training, family communication, and the “thousand tiny decisions” that build trust over time. From nightly bunk logs to pre-camp postcards and a 25-year gratitude practice, Kate offers thoughtful ideas that camp leaders can put into action right away. Listen for a refreshing reminder that belonging isn’t created through one big initiative, it’s built through countless small, intentional choices.

• 02:42 How The Game Works
• 03:39 Childhood Freedom Bikes
• 07:27 Leadership Models Coaches
• 11:57 Enrollment Trust Lessons
• 13:44 The Happys Gratitude Book
• 19:57 Insight Voices To Turn Down
• 21:49 Preparing Families Postcards
• 23:55 Demystifying Camp Fears
• 25:20 Efficiency vs Culture
• 25:50 Teen Night Owl Experiment
• 27:05 Why Bunk Logs Matter
• 28:47 Finding the Camp Sweet Spot
• 29:38 Taking It Less Seriously
• 31:07 Training Intentional Staff
• 39:01 Belonging and Small Gestures
• 41:03 Legacy and Gratitude
• 42:27 Saying No for Culture
• 44:09 Parents as True Partners

• Travis Allison, Summer Camp Consultant - Go Camp Pro
• Kate Kelly, Owner and Director - Camp Weequahic

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Camptivities

Thanks to our friends at Camptivities for sponsoring CampHacker. They understand that every part of camp operations matters to helping kids live their best versions of themselves. Your schedule can limit your program, or make more possible. Camptivities is an activity scheduling software that works alongside your registration system to make it possible to add logistically complex activities campers are craving to try this summer. Till December 1st, visit Camptivities.com for 15% off fall implementations.