Episode Title: More Than a Campsite: Building Fellowship, Ownership, and Legacy at Camp

Podcast: Meet Me at the Grizz

Host: Ken Clough, Scouter and Camp Volunteer

Episode Summary: Summer camp is more than a week away from home; it’s a place where Scouts learn responsibility, connection, and what it means to belong. In this reflective episode of Meet Me at the Grizz, Ken Clough shares how troop traditions, service, and simple acts of fellowship transformed a campsite into something much more meaningful.

From pre-camp service days and preparing camp facilities, to sharing Dutch oven donuts with neighboring troops and staff, these experiences helped Scouts develop a sense of ownership and pride in camp. Ken also reflects on projects like installing a campsite flagpole—an improvement that benefited not just one troop, but every troop that came after—illustrating how Scouts can leave a lasting imprint on the places that shape them.

This episode encourages troops, leaders, and families to think beyond the program schedule and consider how service, tradition, and community create a camp experience that lasts long after the week ends. It’s a reminder that when Scouts help build camp, camp builds them in return.

Key Episode Segments:

• Camp Doesn't Start on Sunday
• Preparation Builds Connection
• Ownership Changes Behavior
• Building Something That Lasts
• Improving Camp for Everyone
• Fellowship Begins at the Campsite
• Traditions Just for the Troop
• Anticipation is Built Through Contribution
• What Adults Learn by Stepping Back
• Legacy Works Both Ways
• Be Part of Something Bigger
• Start Your Own Troop Traditions
• More Than a Campsite

Keywords: summer camp traditions, scouting fellowship, camp service projects, troop culture at camp, building camp community, scout leadership development, preparing for summer camp, ownership and responsibility, rotary scout reservation, meet me at the grizz podcast

#MeetMeAtTheGrizz #ScoutingAmerica #SummerCamp #ScoutLife #CampTraditions #ScoutingFellowship #CampCommunity #ScoutLeadership #YouthDevelopment #CampService

Episode Title: Small but Mighty: How Every Troop Can Make Summer Camp Happen

Podcast: Meet Me at the Grizz

Host: Ken Clough, Scouter and Camp Volunteer

Episode Summary: Troop size shouldn’t determine whether a Scout can experience summer camp. In this episode of Meet Me at the Grizz, host Ken Clough explores how small troops, new troops, and units with limited adult leadership can still enjoy a full, authentic week at Rotary Scout Reservation. Whether your troop has three Scouts or thirteen, there are clear, supportive pathways to attending camp—and none of them require compromising the program or the experience.

Ken breaks down how troop pairing works, what it feels like to join a multi-unit campsite, and why provisional camping is such a powerful option for individual Scouts. He also highlights the growing popularity of STEM Week—a week many Scouts return for as provisional campers, often after attending another camp with their home troop. Even if your unit is headed somewhere else this summer, your Scout can still choose RSR for a second week or as their primary camp. No matter your situation, RSR is committed to making sure every Scout has a place at camp.

This episode is designed to reassure leaders, inform parents, and empower Scouts. The message is simple: every Scout can come to camp, and RSR will help you get there. If your unit is navigating a membership lull, rebuilding after leadership transitions, or simply figuring out how to make camp work this year, this episode offers practical solutions and encouragement to make your summer adventure possible.

Key Episode Segments:

• Why no troop is “too small” for summer camp
• How troop pairing creates support and community
• Multi-troop campsites and the benefits for small units
• How provisional camping works at RSR
• Why Scouts return for STEM Week year after year
• Attending RSR even if your home troop goes to another camp
• How leaders and parents can plan for camp with small numbers

Keywords:

Rotary Scout Reservation, small Scout troops, camp pairing, provisional camping, STEM Week RSR, Scout summer camp, BSA camping options, rebuilding Scout troops, multi-troop campsite, second week of camp, troop leadership support, Meet Me at the Grizz, Ken Clough podcast, camp planning, Scouting in Twin Rivers Council, youth outdoor adventure, Boy Scouts summer camp 2026.

#MeetMeAtTheGrizz #RotaryScoutReservation #RSR2026 #BoyScouts #Scouting #SummerCamp #ProvisionalCamping #STEMWeek #SmallTroopBigExperience #ScoutLife #BSAAdventure #TwinRiversCouncil #ScoutLeaders #CampingTogether #ScoutStrong

Episode Title: Twelve Summers at Rotary: What I Learned as an Adult Leader

Podcast: Meet Me at the Grizz

Host: Ken Clough, Scouter and Camp Volunteer

Episode Summary: For twelve summers, I brought my troop to Rotary Scout Reservation and experienced firsthand what it truly means to lead Scouts through a week of adventure, growth, and responsibility. In this episode, I reflect on the lessons those years taught me, from the demanding daily rhythm of managing a troop to the power of the Patrol Method in building structure, accountability, and youth leadership in the campsite.

I share the incredible rewards that come with watching Scouts grow more confident and independent, and how recognizing leadership potential in small moments can transform the culture of a troop. I also dig into managing parent expectations, communicating effectively before, during, and after camp, and the value of using social media updates to help families stay connected to their Scout’s experience.

Finally, we explore the importance of teamwork among adult leaders, planning for challenges before they happen, caring for yourself throughout the week, and how each summer offers lessons that make the next one even better. After twelve years at RSR, I can confidently say that if you want to learn about leadership and organizational development, take a troop to summer camp—it will test you, teach you, and change you.

Key Episode Segments:

• The Reality Check: Managing a Troop at Camp
• The Reward: Watching Scouts Grow
• Managing Parent Expectations
• Working with Other Adult Leaders
• Taking Care of Yourself
• Planning for Challenges
• Learning From Experience
• The Legacy of Twelve Summers

#MeetMeAtTheGrizz #RotaryScoutReservation #RSR #BoyScouts #ScoutingJourney #AdultLeaders #ScoutLeadership #SummerCampStories #ScoutingLife #PatrolMethod #LeadershipInScouting #TroopLeadership #CampMemories #YouthLeadership #ScoutmastersLife #ScoutingCommunity

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.

#MeetMeAtTheGrizz #RotaryScoutReservation #RSRStaff #ScoutingAmerica #ScoutCamp #CampStaffLife #SummerCampStaff #ScoutLeadership #OrderOfTheArrow #StaffWeek #CampLife #YouthLeadership #ScoutingJourney

Episode Title: A Week at Rotary Scout Reservation: What to Expect from Arrival to Departure

Podcast: Meet Me at the Grizz

Host: Ken Clough, Scouter and Camp Volunteer

Episode Summary: In this special episode, host Ken Clough walks new parents and unit leaders through a full week at Rotary Scout Reservation — from Sunday check-in to Saturday departure. Hear what daily life is like at camp: meals, merit badges, the Trading Post, family night, and the famous Friday movie.

Ken shares a detailed look at how Scouts grow through the structure, freedom, and friendships that define camp life. Whether you’re preparing for your first summer or reliving old memories, this episode captures the sights, sounds, and spirit of Rotary Scout Reservation.

Key Segments:

• Sunday Arrival and Check-In
• The Daily Routine: Mornings, Afternoons, and Evenings
• Siesta Time, Games, and the Trading Post
• Wednesday Family Night and Campfire
• Friday Movie and Closing Reflections
• Tips for Parents and Leaders

#MeetMeAtTheGrizz #RotaryScoutReservation #ScoutingAmerica #TwinRiversCouncil #SummerCamp #ScoutingLife #ScoutParents #CampTraditions #ScoutingSpirit #CampStories

Episode Title: Building the Team — Inside Staff Training at Rotary Scout Reservation

Podcast: Meet Me at the Grizz

Host: Ken Clough, Scouter and Camp Volunteer

Episode Summary: Before the first scout arrives at Rotary Scout Reservation, the staff are already hard at work preparing for the summer ahead. In this episode, host Ken Clough talks with long-time staff member Kyle Kearney, whose years of service include nearly every leadership position at camp — from Aquatics and COPE/Climbing Director to Program and Assistant Camp Director.

Kyle takes us behind the scenes of staff training at Rotary, from the intensive experience of National Camping School to the teamwork and learning that happen during Staff Week. He explains how staff members develop essential life skills — leadership, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration — that serve them long after summer ends.

Whether you’re a parent, a scout, or someone considering joining the Rotary staff, this episode reveals the preparation, dedication, and heart that make Rotary’s staff the foundation of every great camp experience.

Key Segments:

• Kyle’s Journey Through Rotary Staff Roles
• What National Camping School Is Really Like
• The Purpose and Power of Staff Week
• Life Skills Learned on Camp Staff
• Advice for Future Staff Members

#MeetMeAtTheGrizz #RotaryScoutReservation #ScoutingAmerica #CampStaff #StaffTraining #Leadership #ScoutingStories #SummerCamp #YouthLeadership #Teamwork

Episode Title: Learning Skills for Life – From Camper to Camp Leader at Rotary Scout Reservation

Podcast: Meet Me at the Grizz

Host: Ken Clough, Scouter and Camp Volunteer

Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode of Meet Me at the Grizz, host Ken Clough sits down with longtime Scouter Ed Keilen, whose story at Rotary Scout Reservation began as a young camper and evolved into leadership as a staff member, area director, program director, camp director, and assistant camp ranger.

Ed shares how working at Rotary shaped his professional journey — the leadership, teamwork, and responsibility that carried into every part of his life. Along the way, he reflects on the lessons that only camp can teach: adapting under pressure, mentoring others, and finding purpose in a career.

This episode also speaks directly to Scouts and parents thinking about the value of the staff experience. Ed’s insights highlight how being on camp staff builds confidence, independence, and lifelong friendships — all while learning skills that last far beyond the summer.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work at RSR or how Scouting prepares you for life, this conversation will show you why being on staff might be the best decision you’ll ever make.

Key Segments:

• From Camper to Assistant Camp Ranger
• How Camp Shaped a Career Path
• Leadership and Career Skills for Life
• The RSR Community and Fellowship
• Advice for Future Staff Members
• Independence and Responsibility

#MeetMeAtTheGrizz #RotaryScoutReservation #ScoutingAmerica #ScoutLife #CampStaff #Leadership #SkillsForLife #ScoutStories #TwinRiversCouncil #RotaryStrong #ScoutSummer #LearnLeadServe #ScoutCamp #ScoutingAdventures

Episode Title: Planning for Summer Camp: Why It Starts Now

Podcast: Meet Me at the Grizz

Host: Ken Clough, Scouter and Camp Volunteer

Episode Summary: It’s never too early to start planning for summer camp! In this episode of Meet Me at the Grizz, host Ken Clough explains why the best camp experiences at Rotary Scout Reservation — part of Twin Rivers Council, Scouting America — start with fall planning.

From reserving your campsite and picking the perfect week, to preparing fundraising plans and engaging new Webelos Scouts, Ken shares practical tips and real stories to help leaders, parents, and Scouts get ahead for next summer.

Discover why Rotary Scout Reservation’s all-inclusive experience (with no add-on fees) makes it one of the best places for adventure, learning, and friendship in Scouting.

Key Segments:

• Why Fall is the Time to Plan for Camp
• Reserving Your Campsite and Choosing Your Week
• Fundraising and the “Earn Your Way to Camp” Tradition
• Troop Coordination and Leadership Planning
• Welcoming Webelos Scouts into the Summer Experience
• How Early Planning Builds Confidence and Community

Whether you’re a troop leader, parent, or Scout looking ahead to next year, this episode will inspire you to start preparing today — because every great summer begins with a plan.

#MeetMeAtTheGrizz #RotaryScoutReservation #ScoutingAmerica #TwinRiversCouncil #ScoutCamp #SummerCampPlanning #WebelosCrossover #ScoutingAdventure #ScoutLife