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Go Camp Pro's USELetter - May 2026 - Part 2
Let 'em be bored, Reader.
I've been learning a lot from Go Camp Pro's new podcast, Camp Programming, By Design.
In the most recent episode, Chris and Ariella showed me perspective on boredom that I hadn't considered.
You should listen - but if you don't have time right at this moment, here are two lessons that we should all be thinking about when it comes to us, and our camp programs this summer.
- The Default Mode Network (DMN): When you are "bored" - your DMN kicks in and it forces you to process thoughts, consolidate memories and drives creativity, self-awareness, and personal narrative building.
- Task Switching Consumes Actual Brain Resources: When we ask our brain to quickly switch, or multi-task, we are using a large amount of finite resources that the prefrontal cortex has to end one task, switch and re-orient to a new task.
As I think about my past camp schedules and look up at my multiple open tabs, I wonder if I've been thinking about boredom as intentionally as I could.
Where are we leaving intentional space for kids to be "bored" - and how are we providing the resources to on-board them into being okay with that boredom. On-bored? C'mon, it's right there.
If we truly have a finite amount of prefrontal cortex resources, how often are we wasting those resources for the prefrontal cortex tasks that are actually going to make a difference for our program and people?
Here are 4 ideas, two for campers, two for you that are low-lift and will help you intentionally approach boredom this summer.
For campers and your program:
- Chris and Ariella suggest that we re-resource staff to be "on" in the boredom times to prioritize supporting campers through the process of getting comfortable with boredom and accessing their Default Mode Network. Which I am calling "on-boreding", a term that I will shortly be copy-writing.
- Re-training our first response to hearing "I'm bored" - instead of asking campers "what do you want to do?", why not start with, "how are you feeling?". I bet that at least 50% of the time, there's something other than not wanting to do something that campers need. Remember to train staff to look at campers needs with the acronym - H.A.L.T - Hungry, Anxious, Lonely, Tired.
For you:
- Awhile back, Ruby Compton challenged the camp community to delete the email app from our phones. I have yet to take Ruby up on this, but with some peer-
pressure accountability, I'd be willing to give it a shot. Reach out.
- Use the pomodoro method to break tasks into 25 minute chunks with scheduled micro-breaks in-between those chunks. If you want to switch at that point, go for it, but you'll at least be intentionally choosing to do so.
Or, better yet, just listen to the latest Camp Programming, by Design. Chris and Ariella are sure to inspire some even better ideas.
I believe in you, and your big, beautiful, prefrontal cortex.
Happy on-boreding™!
Take care,
-Matt
matt@gocamp.pro
Stop Stressing About Camp Photos. Start Delivering Images Your Director Will Love.
You know the pressure: your director needs great photos to show parents, donors, and next year's families what makes your camp special. But between activity prep, camper supervision, and a hundred other tasks, who has time to become a professional photographer?
What You'll Master:
- Capture the moments that matter: Learn which shots tell your camp's story and make parents feel confident
- Work fast in real conditions: Get techniques that work during chaotic activity periods, not just perfect studio setups
- Deliver professional results: Understand lighting, composition, and editing basics that make your photos look polished
- Meet director expectations: Know exactly what leadership needs for marketing, fundraising, and parent communication
📚The Being Useful Trio
Send these articles to your camper families and say, "Hey, I read this and thought of you!"
Prioritizing Creativity in the AI Age.
More than ever, we need to protect creative practices and endeavors. We know this, parents and caregivers know this. Here are some articles you can send to families to help them remember that we are on the same "creativity-growing" team.
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Lost Your Creativity? Let’s Get It Back
"More than ever, we are bombarded with input in our lives. Media is everywhere, and with our phones being so readily available, we may even take it into bed with us. If you’re in a creativity crisis, you have to be careful with what you consume. And how much. Does it inspire you or drain you? Don’t fill your head with other people’s ideas all day long. Put yourself into an environment where you can create your own."
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10 Tips For Cultivating Creativity in Your Kids
"Turns out, it’s less about “teaching” creativity to children — and more about creating a fertile environment in which their creativity will take root, grow and flourish. Researcher Mitch Resnick, director of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT, explains how we can do this."
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How To Keep Our Children (and Adults) from Losing Their Creativity
"When children are very young, they are often encouraged to use their imagination, draw, dance and create stories. But once school begins, the emphasis shifts to learning and reciting facts. And then onto tests and exams which grade you on being able to give the right answers to specific questions. As we get older, the importance of each set of these exams also grows (from passing a year, to getting into university, to getting the grade for the career you want). The effect of this is that throughout their development, children are taught that giving the right answer is what is important, which is in line with convergent thinking only. Divergent thinking, which can result in a whole list of incorrect answers, is drilled into us as being dangerous and to be avoided."
🎙Podcast Corner
Don't miss the latest from the Go Camp Pro Podcasts
Camp Programming, By Design
Ep. 2 - Boredom is NOT an Emergency
Intentionally Intentional Leaders
From MBAs to Songbooks - with Jane McCutcheon
CampHacker
Ep. 231 - Expectations vs Reality for Staff - with Jolly Corley and Kim Aycock
Camp Code
Ep. 170 - Teaching Professionalism
The Day Camp Pod
Ep. 140 - Sam and Andy Go to Washington
First Class Counsellors
Ep. 86 - Ten Top Tips for Summer 2026
The Camp Owners Podcast
Ep. 76 - Building a Vision from the Ground Up - With Lauren Beckwith and Stacey Levy
The Pudding
Ep. 24 - The Science and Art of Transformative Game Design - with Meghan Gardner
🧰Tools of the Week Wrap
The Coolest Tools, Ideas and Training Tips from the Go Camp Pro Team
Tool of the Week - Travis Allison - Seating for Staff Training
Leadership Training Best Practice - From Gabz:
Canada: https://amzn.to/3Rnae0J
USA: https://amzn.to/49voE57
The Ontel Battery Daddy is a simple but surprisingly powerful camp hack that helps keep all your batteries organized in one portable case, while also including a built-in tester so you can quickly see which ones still work. Instead of digging through drawers or dealing with dead batteries mid-program, camp teams can store and access everything in one place, which is especially helpful for maintenance, healthcare, and program areas that rely on batteries daily. It also becomes a shared resource across departments and reduces small but constant interruptions. Even better, it can double as a helpful engagement tool, like when a homesick camper got involved in testing batteries while staff were supporting families, showing how a practical tool can also create moments of connection during busy camp days.
Day Camp Pod Recco. - Congressional Camp Caucus
E.G.E.L - Ever Growing Ever Learning - Matt Wilfrid - The board game: Sequoia
Camp Owner's Corner - From Dave Brown - 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People
Did something in this newsletter click for you (or make you click)? We'd be grateful if you passed it on to a camp-bestie of yours. Just click here.
Thanks for reading, friends!
Matt Wilfrid (he/him) - matt@gocamp.pro
Executive Producer of Podcasting, USELetter Editor, Camp Consultant
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