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Find show notes and more at https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/washington

As conversations around childcare, workforce development and youth mental health continue to grow, summer camp has an important story to tell and this episode takes listeners straight to the front lines of that advocacy work. Andy Pritikin shares an inside look at ACA Hill Day 2026 in Washington, DC, where camp professionals met with lawmakers to push for critical issues like background check access, J-1 visa reform and stronger bipartisan support for camps. Packed with eye-opening stats, real camp stories and practical ways camp leaders can get involved, this episode highlights why advocacy matters now more than ever. If you care about the future of camp and the impact it has on families, communities and the next generation, this is a must listen episode.

• 02:01 Inside Hill Day
• 04:00 Camp Stories
• 05:44 Camp Impact Stats
• 07:35 Childcare Funding
• 09:46 Future Ready Skills
• 12:20 Background Checks CPIA
• 14:34 J-1 Visa Crunch
• 15:20 Camp Caucus Push
• 18:14 Invite Officials
• 19:38 Why Hill Day Matters
• 24:31 Summer Sendoff

EIS State Sheets

BridgeUSA J-1: Exchange Visitors and America’s Summer Camps

Congressional Camp Caucus

Child Protection Improvements Act (CPIA)

Unlocking a Future Where All Children Can Thrive

Michele Branconier - ACA - Senior Director of Volunteerism

• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp

• 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/
• 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
• AMSkier
  • AMSkier is a leading insurance and strategic partner for many of the finest camps in America. AMSkier partners with camps to provide public relations, legal, medical, behavior support and more - Experience the AMSkier difference. Learn more atamskier.com.

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Find show notes and more at https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/enrollment-cliff

Enrollment isn’t just “feeling” tighter, there’s real data behind the shift, and it’s coming for camps faster than many leaders expect. In this episode, Jake Sorenson and Jonathan Gold break down the demographic cliff, what it means for your program, and why 2028 should already be on your radar. More importantly, they move beyond the problem and offer practical ways to adapt, from rethinking older camper experiences to doubling down on what makes camp truly indispensable. If you want to stay ahead of enrollment challenges (instead of reacting to them), this is a must listen.

• 06:20 Why Data Matters
• 07:13 Median Age Warning Signs
• 09:12 Demographic Cliff Explained
• 13:48 Societal Shifts, Smaller Families
• 16:36 Immigration, Diversity Impact
• 21:07 Regional Differences ,Local Data
• 28:48 Making the Case for Camp
• 30:48 Small Camps Biggest Risk
• 32:38 Be Undeniably Great
• 33:21 Culture Shifts And Shorter Stays
• 34:21 Affordability And Funding Paths
• 37:23 AI Proof Value Pitch
• 38:35 Disaster Planning For Enrollment Drops
• 40:34 Staffing Shifts And Camp Winners
• 43:51 Grandparents And Donor Strategy
• 45:42 Middle School And Teen Opportunity
• 47:41 Modernize Beyond Tradition
• 49:55 Personal Touch Beats Automation

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• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District

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• Jonathan Gold, MBA, PhD, Camp Owner/Director - Arbor Group of Camps
• Jake Sorenson, Founder, Sacred Playgrounds

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/
• 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
• AMSkier
  • AMSkier is a leading insurance and strategic partner for many of the finest camps in America. AMSkier partners with camps to provide public relations, legal, medical, behavior support and more - Experience the AMSkier difference. Learn more atamskier.com.

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Find show notes and more at https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/pause-plan-play

Burnout doesn’t have to be the cost of caring deeply about your work. In this episode of The Day Camp Pod, executive coach Tiffany Yvonne returns to share a powerful framework, “Pause, Plan, Play to Win.”, that helps camp professionals realign their values, reclaim their energy and lead with intention. From navigating high pressure environments to building self trust and resilience, this conversation is packed with practical strategies you can use right away. If you’re feeling stretched thin or ready to lead (and live) more sustainably, this episode is a must listen.

• 03:11 From Camp To Corporate
• 04:08 Athletes Under Pressure
• 06:12 Power Of Camp Play
• 09:45 Burnout And Self Care
• 13:56 Camp Is Everywhere
• 15:43 Pause Plan Play Framework
• 20:04 Resilience and Rest
• 21:14 Feelings as Data
• 22:51 Self Trust Decisions
• 27:08 Coaching Framework
• 30:27 Personal Why Story
• 33:44 Retention and Alignment
• 38:14 Camp Skills Beyond Camp

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How a ‘quit list’ can help you play to win - Tiffany’s TED Talk

Coach Tiffany Yvonne - Leadership & Life Coach

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• Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
• Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
• Jordanna Grossinger, Director - Camp Robin Hood

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• Tiffany Yvonne, CEO, Cultural Strategist, Executive Coach, Speaker - Playmaker Solutions

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/
• 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
• AMSkier
  • AMSkier is a leading insurance and strategic partner for many of the finest camps in America. AMSkier partners with camps to provide public relations, legal, medical, behavior support and more - Experience the AMSkier difference. Learn more atamskier.com.

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