TSCS PODCAST 19: Focus on the Individual
19 | FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUAL
In this podcast we are talking big ideas, actual and actionable takeaways, and lots of fun with the camp community and professionals!
On this episode Allison Krabill is joined by Michael “Knuckles” Vasquez, Caitlin Carroll and EmJ Juszczyk. They’re discussing medical camps and being inclusive for all campers! This crew shares their experiences with “patients” and “well-camper” siblings, how you work with the families, and how you make camp the most for every single person—even parents and caretakers!
If you’re looking for perspectives on inclusion and community that centers around letting kids be kid this is the pod for you .
Producer EmJ’s takeaways:
Camp allows your campers to become individuals and that’s so cool! How can we keep capitalizing on this when making cabin decisions?
It can be so powerful when you don’t have siblings comfort the other when they miss home.
A medical diagnosis is more than just the patient.
Want to bring your staff and staff training to the next level this summer?
SHOW NOTES:
MiCHAEL “KNUCKLES” Vasquez
Michael Vasquez, better known by the camp name ‘Knuckles’, has been in Oncology Camping for 9 Summers!. Starting off as a Counselor-In-Training with Okizu in Northern California, he found his love for all things camp and working with these families. Since then, ‘Knuckles’ has continued to volunteer with Okizu as a cabin counselor, cabin unit leader, and administrative summer support staff, Assistant Camp Director, and now does family services for the organization part time. Currently pursuing his Bachelors in Social Work, he hopes to use his education to help him grow and continue in Oncology Camping for many years to come! Ask him about Okizu and their Special and Important Brothers and Sisters (SIBS) programs, the conversations will never end! #OkizuStrong
To get in contact, email mfvasquez@csus.edu
CAITLIN CARROLL, MSW
After almost 10 years working as a social worker in various clinical and youth development roles, Caitlin Carroll, decided to return to her love of CAMP! Caitlin is currently the Director of Programs for Camp Holiday Trails in Charlottesville, VA where she has the opportunity to mash up her love of social work with her passion for camp. When not at camp, you’ll find Caitlin exploring the outdoors or jammin’ out to live music.
To get in contact, email program@campholidaytrails.org
EMJ JUSZCZYK
(She/Her) Having spent her whole adult life in camp planning and programming, all EmJ knows is professionalism that is yell-singing at campfires and giving board presentations on the importance of a 40 foot water slide.
After spending college summers at Camp Bob Cooper, EmJ served in various camp roles until she became the Camps and Program Director at Camp Happy Days. She is now the Programs Director at Project Kindred based in Milwaukee. Outside of camps, EmJ enjoys editing this podcast, watching KU men’s basketball and going on long runs with longer podcasts about reality shows.
To get in contact, email eajuszczyk@gmail.com
Allison krabill
Allison Krabill first chanted the camp name to light the magic campfire at age 6 and quickly became that one kid that never stops talking about camp. At 28, she became one of the youngest YMCA executive directors in the country as she led YMCA Camp Immokalee through doubling the budget, master planning, board restructuring, capital improvements, and more. She loves being a camp director to camp directors through TSCS and will never turn down a game of a Gaga.
To get in contact, email allison@thesummercampsociety.com
The Summer Camp Society Podcast is edited and produced by EmJ Juszczyk.
