Hey Reader,

Lately, camp staff have been sharing a lot online—and not just on job boards.

In fact, right now on Reddit, there are dozens of posts from counsellors venting about burnout, poor leadership, lack of support, and even serious safety concerns.

And here’s the twist: many of these posts are showing up on forums that parents and prospective staff read.

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💬 “I'm emotionally and physically exhausted. My directors are forcing me to say I’m 100%. My counsellors call me negative and gossip behind my back. Should I just leave?”
💬 “I’ve had to report camps to the state more than once.”
💬 “I came here for growth and connection—but I’m isolated and exhausted.”
💬 "How are we supposed to balance 17 hours of high-energy, full supervision counselling with less than 7 hours of sleep each night on uncomfortable beds?

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These stories don’t always name names (but some do!), but they shape the reputation of every camp.

If that makes your stomach drop—you’re not alone.

But here’s the good news: you can guide the story being told about your camp—by inviting honest, thoughtful staff feedback before it ends up online.

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✅ Here's How to Start:

We’ve created a simple 5-question framework to help your staff write meaningful reviews about working at your camp.

Whether it’s a debrief conversation, end-of-summer form, or request for a review on Indeed or Glassdoor, these questions focus on:

1. What moments stuck with them?
2. How they grew—personally or professionally
3. What (or who) helped them succeed
4. What was hard—and how they handled it
5. What they’d tell a friend considering working at your camp

It’s about real stories. Not perfect ones.

When staff feel heard, they’re more likely to share balanced, useful feedback—and to speak well of your camp even after they’ve moved on.

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🎯 Why This Matters:​
Camp culture isn’t just what happens on-site. It’s the stories your staff carry with them—and share with the world.

👉 Read the full post here​
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You’ll also find a list of 15+ websites where camps are being reviewed anonymously (some you might not even know exist).

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🦻🏻Listening well is the first step to leading well.

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Let us know what you find—or if you want help talking through a tricky review.

Take good care,

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Travis

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Travis Allison

When staying stuck hurts more, we help Intentionally Intentional Camp Leaders find their way back to calm and impact.

Go Camp Pro

M: 519.532.7366

**🦾 a note about AI use: I’m using it, in some way or other, for about 95% of my communications and consulting work. AI helps me solve for my learning/writing disorder AND helps me respond to emails faster.