What Do You Think?
Jessica Hsieh
Podcast
The Camp Program Lab
Curt Jackson
The Camp Program Lab is a podcast for summer camp professionals who want fresh, practical ideas for creating unforgettable camp experiences. Hosted by Curt and Chris, each episode explores the creative side of camp programming—from games, themes, crafts, special events, and staff training to traditions, trends, and the occasional questionable idea that deserves to be tested. Some episodes offer rapid-fire inspiration you can use immediately. Others take a deeper look at the challenges camp professionals face when building programs, leading staff, and keeping campers engaged. Whether you’re a camp director, program director, activity leader, counselor, or simply someone who loves camp, consider this your place to experiment, borrow ideas, and make good programs even better. Subscribe, head into the lab with us, and discover your camp’s next great idea.
Episodes
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SCP 211: "I'll take a hint for 20, Alex!"
· 42 min
SHOW NOTESFresh camp programming doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. This week, Kurt and Chris share ways to remix familiar games, bring camp history into staff training, and turn downtime into something campers look forward to.They explore a Time Warp theme, a leaf-blower hovercraft, and a board game rotation where campers inherit their teammates’ progress. Plus, the Shark Tank segment bri...
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SCP 210: "Zero Editing, People!"
· 46 min
Curt and Chris head back into the Camp Program Lab with another rapid-fire collection of ideas for camp professionals. They explore a new spin on the classic human-knot challenge, a collectible staff-recognition system, a low-cost Mardi Gras bead craft, and ways to encourage campers to participate in theme days.Chris tests Curt's knowledge in lesser-known Disney movie songs, use dice to invent two...
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SCP 209: "You lost the Bob Ross name. Now you're just Bob Evans!"
· 53 min
Curt and Chris are back around the campfire!After catching up on the past two years, including a million-dollar camp grant, construction and inspection headaches, and the adventure of buying and selling an escape-room business, they introduce a new rapid-fire format focused on practical ideas for camp professionals.This episode features creative programming concepts, staff-training activities, the...
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SCP 208: The Final Episode?
· 36 min
In this farewell episode of 'SCamp Life: The Programming Side,' Curt and Chris reminisce about the podcast's journey since 2019. They recount key moments, favorite episodes, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from over the years. Highlights include the origin story, the introduction of themes and interviews, the impact of the pandemic, and special segments like 'question of the week' and escape room...
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SCP 207: Useful Lessons We've Learned in Our Camp Careers
· 1 h 19 min
In their second-to-last episode (?), Curt and Chris dive deep into their rich history of camping experiences. They share invaluable lessons learned from their diverse roles, from being camp counselors to directors, across various camp settings. Highlights include the importance of staff training, cultivating a sense of family among team members, and seamlessly integrating new ideas into traditiona...
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SCP 206: Spicing Up Capture the Flag
· 37 min
In this episode, Curt and Chris offer up creative ways to invigorate the classic game of Capture the Flag, offering 20 (19?) unique variations aimed at enhancing gameplay for campers. Their ideas range from incorporating themes and adding special abilities to players, to modifying game mechanics with invisibility aspects or involving staff in gameplay. Throughout their discussion, they share stori...
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SCP 205: After Hours Activity Ideas for Camp
· 40 min
Curt and Chris explore engaging activities at camp after the sun sets. They share personal stories, offer practical tips for implementing classic nighttime activities like kitchen raids, night swims, and campfire cooking, and offer some more innovative and memorable ideas.
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SCP 204: Magazine Style #11
· 59 min
In this episode, Curt and Chris discuss a wide variety of topics for summer camps. This is their 11th magazine edition. This episode includes a special event idea, program idea, staff idea, new AI tool, some trivia questions, theme ideas, and more.
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SCP 203: Exploring Specialty Camps (Part 2)
· 35 min
In the second installment of their discussion on specialty camp ideas, Curt and Chris share an array of unique camp themes, drawing from both their personal experiences and broader trends. They delve into a variety of specialized camp options, including cooking, survival, archery, scuba diving, music production, detective camp, and fitness camps, among others. This episode offers insights and insp...
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SCP 202: Exploring Specialty Camps (Part 1)
· 28 min
In part one, Curt and Chris delve into the world of specialty camps and their significance in offering targeted experiences beyond traditional camping. They discuss the evolution and variety of specialty camps, from music and equestrian camps to coding, robotics, and even escape room camps, highlighting the unique opportunities these provide for children with specific interests. The guys share ins...
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SCP 201: 20 Special Guests Suggestions for Your Camp
· 40 min
In this episode, Curt and Chris discuss a wide range of ideas for bringing special guests to camps. They explore the possibility of inviting guests such as wildlife experts, celebrities, local community leaders, scientists, engineers, athletes, craftsmen like blacksmiths, motivational speakers, and artists. Additionally, they mention innovative activities like silent discos, bubble parties, and th...
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SCP 200: Bringing Entertainers to Camps: A Chat with Academic Entertainment
· 44 min
Chris and Curt welcome Whitney Mueller from Academic Entertainment, who shares her journey with the company from its humble beginnings to becoming a leading provider of entertainers for camps and schools. The episode covers the variety of programs offered, ensuring no camp ever has to endure the horror of a boring guest again. Whitney highlights the importance of high-quality, professional enterta...
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SCP 199: The Art of the Mini-Camp
· 24 min
Curt and Chris discuss the concept of mini-camps as an introduction to the main camp for younger kids. They delve into how it gives children a taste of what a traditional overnight camp is like, and how it can help manage homesickness. Chris shares his experience of running a 'discovery camp', providing an introduction to camp life for children and their apprehensive parents too.
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Episode 198: Unleashing Your Campers’ Inner Problem Solver: Puzzle Hunts and More
· 28 min
Curt and Chris discuss various puzzle activities that can be a great addition to your camp program. They share their experiences with puzzle hunts, races, and escape rooms, highlighting the appeal of problem-solving over narrative. Four distinct puzzle-based camp activities are detailed including Station Puzzle Races and Puzzle Hunts. They share insights on the ideal group sizes for such activitie...
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SCP 197: Magazine Style #10
· 39 min
In this episode, Curt and Chris discuss a wide variety of topics for summer camps. This is their 10th magazine edition. This episode includes a special event idea, program idea, staff idea, new AI tool, some trivia questions, theme ideas, and more.Links: Pika.art Stand-Up Paddle BoardsORTUR Laser Master 2 Laser Engraver
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SCP 196: Great Ways to Thank Your Staff at the End of Summer
· 31 min
In this episode, Curt and Chris ramble on (as they do) about ways to thank the staff and celebrate the end of the summer camp season. From holding an end-of-summer staff party, giving unique gifts like rose quartz or a piece of camp land, to conducting fun activities like a slumber party, awarding gag gifts, or encouraging parents to share their thoughts on their child's counselor. They also highl...
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Episode 195: Water Activities to Keep Your Campers Cool Next Summer
· 42 min
In this festive episode, Curt and Chris discuss pool and water activities, including games that use plastic Easter eggs, tennis balls, and kitchenware. They also give ideas for games like pool tic-tac-toe, slip-and-slide kickball, and Protect the President. Chris also talks about his successful Christmas fundraiser and the art of roasting chestnuts on an open fire.
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SCP 194: Remix: Camp Wide Games
· 21 min
This week’s episode is a remix from episode 13 way back in 2019. (The Pre-Covid days)! The guys give 8 great ideas for camp-wide games that you can play with the whole camp! This episode is a great listen to update some of your current games!
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SCP 193: Magazine Style Episode #9 (A.I. Edition)
· 31 min
This is the 9th magazine style episode and it’s a little different than the others. Why? Because the ideas the guys talk about are A.I. generated...and many of them are REALLY good.
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SCP 192: 8 Special Events You Should be Offering at Camp
· 18 min
The guys each give 4 camp-wide event ideas you should be offering at your camp. They give a very wide variety from Table-Top Escape Games, to Top Shot Activities, to Art Shows. If you’re looking to fill some time with something awesome, check out this episode for that awesome! Links: How to Run The Amazing Race: For Camps and Youth Centers TableTop Game: New Campground 101 Summer Camp Special Even...
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SCP 191: C.A.F.E. Bags
· 44 min
C.A.F.E. Bags, which stands for Challenges, Activities, Feats, and Entertainment, is a brand new idea brought to you by Curt and Chris. These bags work great for rainy days and hot weather days that keep everyone inside. Or you can schedule this as an everyday activity time! The guys give you gobs of ideas to create a huge amount of bags that you can have ready to go!
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SCP 190: We’re Back
· 30 min
After a long summer, we are back. Chris and his family have moved to Indiana and are at a new camp. Curt has been on an RV trip around the U.S. for six months. Both guys are exhausted but excited to return to the podcast.
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SCP 189: Remix: Spicing up Rainy Day
· 31 min
This is the episode to listen to now, not when it’s too late! If you host a camp anywhere water falls from the sky, you need to have a plan ready. Unlike the rains down in Africa, these aren’t blessed days. Check out this week’s episode for new ideas (and remixed ideas from episode 11) about what to do in case of inclement weather.
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SCP 188: Ideas for Your Pirate Theme Week
· 36 min
If you’re a camp that does themes, a pirate theme is definitely a must! Curt shares some of the greatest ideas from the book he wrote. This episode will give you plenty of ideas to host your own pirate-theme camp! Links: The Pirate Theme Book Pirate Blog Post Kate Backdrops
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SCP 187: Magazine Style Episode #8
· 39 min
Another Magazine Style episode this week! The guys “fast discuss” 10 topics that range from programming ideas to staff to crafts and more! It’s their favorite way to podcast! Links: Fluffy Letters: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRcaw7TL/ Email Roundtable FAQs and Sign-up: https://www.summercamppro.com/email-roundtable-faqs/
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SCP 186: Staff Only Activities
· 47 min
Chris and Curt talk about some great activity ideas that are for, wait for it, staff only! That’s right! Doing things specifically for your camp staff is a great way to keep the excitement going all summer! Give this episode a listen for some great ideas to prep for this coming summer!
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SCP 185: Our Favorite Skits
· 50 min
The guys discuss their favorite skits. Some are classics and some are original, but all of them entertain the campers! If you are looking to add skits to your program (we're looking at you, day camps), or you want to add to your library of skits, check out this episode.
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SCP 184: Our ACA National Conference Experience
· 44 min
Chris and Curt attended and spoke at the 2023 ACA National Conference. They talk about what they did on Orlando, the things that they liked, the things they didn't, as well as the things that really frustrated them (like the ACA woman who didn't want to give them chairs for their session).
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SCP 183: Magazine Style Episode #7
· 44 min
Here we go again! This is our 7th Magazine Style episode. Check it out this week for all new answers to their top 10 topics!
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SCP 182: The ACA National Conference is Next Week!
· 45 min
The guys will be at the ACA conference in Orlando next week. They talk about the sessions they may attend, their session (and possible giveaways), and what they'll be doing for fun around Orlando.
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