First Class Counselors

Camp counselors have the most important job at summer camp. Period. A great camp staff will have kids wanting to come back to camp year after year. First Class Counsellors is here to make great camp staff. Each week, we’ll cover practical and accessible tips that will level up your camp counselor skills. Our two hosts, Oliver Gregan, Summer and Families Camp Director at YMCA Camp Jewell and Matt Honsberger from Go Camp Pro are excited to be able to provide this resource to camp counselors.

Episodes

Connecting with Modern Camper Culture - First Class Counselors #85

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/connecting-with-modern-camper-culture-How Digital ...

May 07, 2026 • Episode 85 • 59:00

So You Want to Be “On Leadership”? First Class Counselors #84

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/so-you-want-to-be-on-leadership-Understanding the Respon...

April 23, 2026 • Episode 84 • 42:00

Be Better at Giving Consequences - with Dane Savoury - First Class Counselors #83

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/be-better-at-giving-consequences-Teaching Through Conse...

April 09, 2026 • Episode 83 • 1:00:27

Are we Disciplining Kids Enough? - with Dane Savoury - First Class Counselors #82

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/are-we-disciplining-kids-enough-Reframing Discipline as ...

March 26, 2026 • Episode 82 • 57:32

Using Stats To Master Counseling - First Class Counselors #81

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/using-stats-to-master-counseling-How You Can Become A D...

January 29, 2026 • Episode 81 • 1:02:37

Should We Send Them Home? - First Class Counselors #80

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/should-we-send-them-home-Finding Connection When You Are Frustr...

December 11, 2025 • Episode 80 • 52:30

Meaningful and Masterful Facilitation - First Class Counselors #79

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/meaningful-and-masterful-facilitation-Stop Talk...

November 27, 2025 • Episode 79 • 1:02:08

Building a Culture of Belonging for Every Camper with Lisa Drennan - First Class Counselors #78

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/building-a-culture-of-belonging-The Counselor's Guide to...

November 06, 2025 • Episode 78 • 1:05:52

Stopping Inappropriate Language in the Moment - First Class Counselors #77

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/stopping-inappropriate-language-Words Stick: How to Inte...

October 21, 2025 • Episode 77 • 58:08

Inspiring Programs & Traditions from Top Camps - First Class Counsellors #76

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/first-class-counselors-pod/traditionsSteal These Amazing Camp Ideas!Welcome to Season 8 of First...

October 02, 2025 • Episode 76 • 48:57

Let’s Get Real About Camp Staff Expectations - First Class Counselors #75

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/expectationsWe need to be honest about how hard (and how great) it is to be a camp...

February 06, 2025 • Episode 75 • 47:17

You've Got the Job!...Now What? - First Class Counselors #74

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/got-the-job-now-whatOnboarding and Prioritization - What Sets Real First C...

January 23, 2025 • Episode 74 • 35:54

What to Expect When You're Expecting...Staff Training! - First Class Counselors #73

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/staff-training-expectCongratulations! You’re having a wild, wonderful ...

May 16, 2024 • Episode 73 • 1:02:19

Stories that Shaped Us - First Class Counselors #72

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/storiesGather ‘round the campfire for these funny, impactful and straight-up...

February 15, 2024 • 1:08:34

Generation A - Our Campers - First Class Counselors #71

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/gen-aGeneration-A are our campers - how can we effectively work with them at camp?

January 18, 2024 • Episode 71 • 1:13:53

Water Safety and Water Programs - First Class Counselors #70

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/water-safetyWater safety (and fun!) starts with Camp CounselorsMany camps ...

January 04, 2024 • Episode 70 • 59:42

Are They A Terrible Staff Member...Or Is It Me? - First Class Counselors #69

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/terrible-staffYou may not like them, you may not counsel like them, but that doe...

December 21, 2023 • Episode 69 • 1:05:45

Wait...Is This a Cult? - Ceremonies and Traditions at Summer Camp - First Class Counselors #68

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/camp-is-a-cultSummer camp is culty - but in a good way, we swear!If you ...

December 07, 2023 • Episode 68 • 50:37

Meet Your Camp Director - Part 1 - First Class Counselors #67

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/meet-your-camp-director-1Part 1 - What we got wrong…Just who ...

November 23, 2023 • Episode 67 • 1:02:38

How to Talk to Adults - First Class Counselors #66

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/how-to-talk-to-adultsYou didn’t sign up to be a camp counsello...

November 09, 2023 • Episode 66 • 57:46

Putting Campers First - Why It's Hard and Why It's Necessary - First Class Counselors #65

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/campers-first-It’s not that you come second…well…it kind of is......

October 26, 2023 • Episode 65 • 56:12

Campers and Staff These Days (are we boomers?) - First Class Counselors #64

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/campers-and-staff-these-daysWelcome back! How was your summer?

October 12, 2023 • Episode 64 • 50:59

Interview Skills to Land the Camp Job of Your Dreams - First Class Counsellors #63

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/interview-skills-to-land-the-camp-job-of-your-dreams

February 22, 2023 • Episode 63 • 1:04:33

Eat Like Royalty At Summer Camp - First Class Counselors #62

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/eat-like-royalty-Camp food can suck but it doesn...

January 19, 2023 • Episode 62 • 54:26

Intentional First Impressions with Campers - First Class Counselors #61

Find full show notes and links at: https://camphacker.tv/first-class-counsellors/first-impressions-campers-What to do the first time you’re alone ...

December 22, 2022 • Episode 61 • 1:09:15