Episode 7: Emily Benton

Episode 8: Kate Vizen

This week on Campy Hour, we are joined by the wonderful Kate Vizen, Director of Student Life & Strategic Programs at Inly School! Kate shares her winding journey from youth ministry and childcare to leading outstanding auxiliary programs. During our conversation, we talk about building programs that feel intentional instead of transactional, the unique experience of working at your alma mater, and what it’s like having your family members work at your school. We also dive into the jaw-dropping growth of Inly’s summer and after-school programs, how Montessori philosophy impacts their camp culture, and why Kate spent 18 months completing Montessori training herself just so she could better support and collaborate with faculty and staff. Along the way, we also uncover Kate’s secret life as an accomplished flutist who’s performed at Carnegie Hall and toured with world-renowned musicians. This one is thoughtful, fun, insightful, and full of practical takeaways for anyone building programs, culture, and community in schools or camps. Cheers!

Episode 7: Emily Benton

This week, we are thrilled to welcome Emily Benton, the dynamic Director of Auxiliary Programs at Annunciation Orthodox School in Houston, Texas. Emily shares her journey from lifeguarding to leading a multifaceted program that includes everything from Little League to private music lessons. We dive into her innovative hiring strategies, the importance of building connections, and how she maintains balance in a fast-paced environment. Emily also reveals her creative approach to staff training, including the use of personalized bracelets to embody each staffer’s “why.” Later, we explore her successful rebranding of the auxiliary programs to "Arch," and how she made the rollout of that rebrand memorable. So tune in and be inspired by the incomparable Emily! Cheers!

Episode 6: Laura Walker

This week, co-host Katie Peterson and I are excited to be joined by industry leader, multi-potentialite, friend, and Director of Latin Camps at Charlotte Latin School, Laura Walker! (But at camp, they call her Pippi.) During the episode, we connect the dots in Laura's career to better understand how she became a professional memory maker. Laura shares insights into the creation of camp names for her staff, she talks about some of the key elements for creating unforgettable staff training, and we get a peek into the development of her new camp newsletter. Later, Laura fills us in on having a living camp mascot, and she gives us the scoop on the Jeep Wrangler Rubber Duckie culture. We also challenge her to develop camp names for some celebrities and fictional characters. With Laura/Pippi, you can always count on tremendous takeaways that inspire you to elevate your programs, and this week's episode is no exception to that rule. Cheers!

Episode 5: Amber Carroll

We're thrilled to have Amber Carroll (Director of Summer Programs at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) join us on this week's episode of Campy Hour! We chat with Amber about how her career has evolved, including her time with YMCA of Greater Boston, Tenacity, and Emerson College. We also dive into Amber's work as a Youth Services Counselor, and how it informs the programming she creates and delivers today. Along the way, we talk hockey, puzzles, Cheez-Its versus Goldfish, and the power of camp narratives. If you like campy camp people, you're going to love Amber!

Episode 4: Karen McCann McClelland

We're joined this week by Karen McCann McClelland, Executive Director of Auxiliary Programs at Sidwell Friends School and Senior Advisor for the Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative (SPARC). We talk with Karen about her path to Sidwell, her evolving role with the school, and her approach to succession planning. We also explore how Karen's consulting, coaching, and strategic work with SPARC helps her stay connected to her "why," and her approach to engagement on the professional conference circuit. In our "Off the Clock" segment, we learn about Karen's favorite things outside of the world of auxiliary programs. It's a can't-miss conversation with Karen, an amazing human being who helps shape the direction of our field!