TSCS PODCAST 5: Selling Fun
5 | Staff Recruitment: Selling Fun
In this series of episodes we’re taking a deep dive addressing how staff recruitment is needed more than ever and what the people around the camp community are doing about it.
On this episode, Jack Schott and Justic Pritikin tackle some hard hitting reality checks. Does your camp have a leadership succession plan? How can you really sell camp to staff when you’re 20 years older than them? Is Jack someone you’d consider a “classic model”?
The guys talk reframing the summer camp experience, keeping camp on your professional resume and so so much more. If you’re looking for a podcast that gets your wheels turning, this is the pod for you.
Producer EmJ’s takeaways:
Craft the language of selling camp by the experiences, but don’t make promises you can’t keep (ex: “you’re going to make so many friends” vs “you’re going to meet some cool people”).
Don’t refer to people as their generation label.
No public math, but your staff is doing the math.
WANT MORE FROM TSCS?
Join a group of camp directors that give a shit about you. Level up your network.
Show Notes:
JUSTIN PRITIKIN
At the outset of 2022, Justin started working for lululemon as a part-time sales associate in the wealthy suburbs of Pennsylvania. Six months later, Justin underwent a cross-country move to Los Angeles, CA where he was able to combine his Villanova University degree in Organizational Development, and maintain his 75% off at lululemon as the company’s Product and Inventory Lead. In the role, Justin spearheads aspects of product development and product rollout with an emphasis on brand strategy and inventory logistics. Thriving, tan, and a tad tired, Justin still operates as a key trainer within the company with a core focus on talent development, technical product education, and guest experience.
Camp was the defining developmental experience for Justin. With 14 summers spent as a camper between Liberty Lake Day Camp and Camps Kenwood and Evergreen, Justin quickly realized his dream job was to eventually become a camp counselor. Unfortunately, that means he peaked at the age of 16. After a successful first summer, Justin continued working in camping for another six years, serving in various administrative and group-staff positions at both Camp Champions (TX) and Liberty Lake Day Camp (NJ).
To get in contact, email pritikin.justin@gmail.com
Jack Schott
Host Jack Schott struggles with bureaucracy, loves fun, and secretly stays up late obsessing over businessy stuff. His unique perspectives come from his varied background. An engineer, Jack took the first few years post-college to travel the country visiting over 200 camps in 47 states. Building on what he saw, he co-founded Stomping Ground, a non-profit sleepaway camp inspiring radical empathy and co-founded The Summer Camp Society. In 2022, Jack trained more than 2000 camp staff at 20+ camps.
To get in contact, email jack@thesummercampsociety.com
The Summer Camp Society Podcast is edited and produced by EmJ Juszczyk.
Ready to Elevate Your Summer Camp Staff Training?
Empower your camp staff with the tools they need for success.
Visit our dedicated training site for expert resources, training modules, and more.
