Elevate & Relate

About Elevate & Relate

Elevate & Relate: The Alliance for Camp Health Podcast Conversations on Clinical Care, Camp Culture, and Community Welcome to Elevate & Relate, the definitive podcast for healthcare professionals, behavioral health specialists, and youth development leaders working in summer camps and out-of-school time programs. Hosted by John Hamilton and Kelley Freridge from the Alliance for Camp Health, this show bridges clinical care expertise with camp culture, creating essential conversations for anyone dedicated to elevating care in youth-serving programs. Every episode brings you in-depth conversations with camp nurses, physicians, mental health professionals, behavioral health specialists, camp directors, thought leaders, researchers, and youth development professionals who are transforming the landscape of camp health and wellness. From innovative tick prevention strategies through creative dance routines to cutting-edge approaches in mental health support, our guests share real-world experiences, evidence-based practices, and actionable insights that make a difference in young people's lives. What You'll Discover: Expert-led education on camp health and safety protocols Evidence-based practices for physical and behavioral health in youth programs Stories of innovation and problem-solving from the field Research-backed strategies for addressing youth well-being Professional development insights for healthcare providers in camp settings. Community-building approaches that strengthen camp culture Leadership perspectives from camp directors and health professionals The Alliance for Camp Health is the leading national authority on health and well-being in camps and out-of-school time programs. We prepare youth development leaders, healthcare providers, and behavioral health specialists through expert-led education, evidence-based practices, and strategic partnerships. Together, we're elevating care for healthier communities and building a stronger future for youth-serving programs. As the landscape of camp health continues to evolve, our purpose remains constant: we are focused on care. Join our #CareTeam as we explore how innovative professionals are creating healthier camp communities, generating new evidence, and improving outcomes one conversation at a time. New episodes feature discussions, interactive moments, and actionable takeaways for youth serving programs. Whether you're treating scraped knees or developing comprehensive wellness programs, this podcast provides the knowledge, inspiration, and the community you need to excel in youth-serving environments. Subscribe now to join thousands of healthcare professionals, camp leaders, and youth development specialists who are shaping the future of camp health and well-being. Together, we're elevating care for healthier communities. #ElevateAndRelate Music from #Uppbeat : https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/some-skies License code: UFEQNHPMLKDAOGRK Join ACH: https://allianceforcamphealth.org/about-us/membership/ Sign Up for our Free Newsletter: https://allianceforcamphealth.org/#elevate-subscribe

Publisher

Alliance for Camp Health

Category

education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Sept 2025

Latest episode

24 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

5 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Jun 2026

   Identifying and Supporting Positive Childhood Experiences with Bob Ditter

   Today we unpack Identifying and Supporting Positive Childhood Experiences at Camp with Alliance for Camp Health friend and legend Bob Ditter Bob’s recent publications include: The Essential Pocket Guide for Day Camp Counselors (https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Pocket-Guide-Camp-Counselors/dp/1969759119/) And The Essential Pocket Guide for Resident Camp Counselors (https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Pocket-Guide-Resident-Counselors/dp/1969759100/) And Building Character at Camp (https://www.amazon.com/Building-Character-Camp-Jim-Cain/dp/1606796399/) You can join the Alliance for Camp Health as a member  (https://allianceforcamphealth.org/about-us/membership/)today. Sign up for our FREE weekly newsletter at https://bit.ly/ACHECWNews (https://bit.ly/ACHECWNews) Resources mentioned in the show include: 1998 CDC and Kaiser Permanente study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9635069/) facilitated by Dr. Vince Felitti 7 key PCEs (https://nciom.org/the-power-of-positive-childhoods-a-new-path-to-health-and-hope/) that serve as protective factors for long-term well-being HOPE Framework from Dr. Bob Sege at positiveexperience.org (http://positiveexperience.org) 2019 Johns Hopkins PCE study (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2749336) by Dr. Christina Bethell Dr. Becky Kennedy, Good Inside: Why Your Kid's Behavior Feels So Big (https://good-inside.simplecast.com/episodes/why-your-kids-behavior-feels-so-big-8ILKDIdg)

2. 

   19 May 2026

   Providing and Prescribing: Summer FAQ's with ACH CEO Tracey Gaslin & Dr. Laura Blaisdell

   Welcome to a special edition of Elevate and Relate! As we head into the summer of 2026, camp leaders, healthcare providers, and behavioral health specialists are facing an evolving ecosystem of challenges. The questions are piling up in our inboxes: How do we handle shifting respiratory illness trends? What is the right way to approach vaccine policies? How can we make sure our medication management protocols are legally sound? To tackle these burning questions, host John Hamilton is doing something a little different. Instead of focusing on just one topic, we are bringing you two of our favorite humans and the sharpest minds in the camp health field of elevating care. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Writing Camp Health Policies Guide (https://allianceforcamphealth.org/product/writing-camp-health-policies/) – The essential ACH guide to constructing a comprehensive, well-defined healthcare system for your camp staff, covering everything from emergency protocols to parent communication. ACH Medication Management Resources (https://allianceforcamphealth.org/education-and-resources/medication-management/) – Toolkits, guidelines, and educational materials from the Alliance for Camp Health. ACA Camp Health Record Log (Updated Edition) (https://bookstore.acacamps.org/product/camp-health-record-log-updated-edition/) – The American Camp Association's official logbook. Emerging Health & Safety Alerts ACH Weekly Edition 29: When "Herbal" Isn’t Harmless (The Truth About Kratom) (https://allianceforcamphealth.org/2026/02/09/elevating-care-weekly-edition-29-when-herbal-isnt-harmless-what-leaders-need-to-know-about-kratom/) – An absolute must-read brief from the Alliance for Camp Health detailing the behavior and health risks associated with Kratom use among youth and young adults. AAP Official Immunization Schedules (https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/immunizations/?srsltid=AfmBOorETRjbd26S-WzuYQU02jbLkLrS2z-DMMrohS4QcmILSRJXUodJ) – The American Academy of Pediatrics’ up-to-date vaccine schedules and resources to cross-reference before the summer check-in rush. Connect with Our Guests SeriousFun Children's Network Welcomes Dr. Laura Blaisdell (https://seriousfun.org/seriousfun-welcomes-dr-laura-blaisdell/) – Read more about Dr. Blaisdell's impactful global work as a Chief Medical Officer with SeriousFun Network, serving campers with serious medical conditions. Sign Up for "Elevating Care Weekly (https://bit.ly/SignUpECW) – Free. Weekly. Useful. Get the absolute best camp health insights and news delivered straight to your inbox Tick Prevention & Safety #FightTheBite ACH Ticks and Lyme Disease Resource Hub (https://allianceforcamphealth.org/ticks-and-lyme-disease/) – Access the official "Fight the Bite" program materials, digital guides, online tick education courses, and tools. "Tick Season" – Emery Major (Noah Kahan Parody) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qiI1P1rP6E) – The unofficial anthem of the summer treatment tent. Jam out to this hilarious parody of "Stick Season" while you're stock-piling tweezers and OFF!

3. 

   20 Jan 2026

   Camp Care, Measured with Kate Finlayson

   On today's show, how a Pediatric Nurse, Camp Health Leader, and ACH SHAPE task force member, brought hospital level quality thinking to the health center. We talk about the first evidence-based set of quality metrics for pediatric residential camp health services, what camp directors can do with the data, and why staff well-being belongs in the same dashboard as camper care. Joining us is Kate Finlayson, the Director of Health and Wellness at Camp YJ and one of our very own CampWell facilitators. Follow Kate on LinkedIn at: bit.ly/KateFinlaysonCampYJ (bit.ly/KateFinlaysonCampYJ) #CampWell (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/campwell) #ElevatingCare (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/elevatingcare)

4. 

   24 Oct 2025

   Exploring Youth Voice with Maru Gonzalez

   In this episode, we talk with Dr. Maru Gonzalez, Associate Professor and Youth Development Specialist in NC State’s Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences. Maru’s work centers on how young people build belonging and agency through civic engagement, storytelling, and community connection. She shares insights from her work as co-director of #PassTheMicYouth, a youth-led multimedia initiative that amplifies young voices and provides educators with research-based tools for teaching social impact storytelling. Our conversation covers her books Teaching Storytelling in Classrooms & Communities: Amplifying Student Voices and Inspiring Social Change and her forthcoming The Community Engaged Classroom. References Kokozos, M., & Gonzalez, M. (2024). Collaborating for Social Change: Promising Practices for Effective Youth-Adult Partnerships. The Journal of Extension, 62(3). Gonzalez, M., Kokozos, M., McKee, K., & Byrd, C. (2024). Storytelling through a Critical Positive Youth Development Framework: A Mixed Methods Approach. Journal of Youth Development, 19(1), 1-14. Gonzalez, M., Kokozos, M., & Byrd, C. (2025). Teaching storytelling in classrooms and communities: Amplifying student voices and inspiring social change. Routledge. 10.4324/9781003461753. https://www.routledge.com/Teaching-Storytelling-in-Classrooms-and-Communities-Amplifying-Student-Voices-and-Inspiring-Social-Change/Gonzalez-Kokozos-Byrd/p/book/9781032598925 (https://www.routledge.com/Teaching-Storytelling-in-Classrooms-and-Communities-Amplifying-Student-Voices-and-Inspiring-Social-Change/Gonzalez-Kokozos-Byrd/p/book/9781032598925) Pass the Mic Youth. (n.d.). Pass the Mic Youth. North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://passthemicyouth.ces.ncsu.edu/ (https://passthemicyouth.ces.ncsu.edu/)

5. 

   11 Sept 2025

   Fight the Bite, a Summer 2025 Reflection

   Welcome to the very first episode of Elevate and Relate, an Alliance for Camp Health Podcast. Today we’re going on a dive deep into tick-borne conditions and prevention while also focusing on the  incredible work being done to keep our kids safe outside at camp this last summer. #FightTheBite #ElevatingCare #Lyme Join ACH: https://allianceforcamphealth.org/about-us/membership/ (https://allianceforcamphealth.org/about-us/membership/) Free Newsletter: https://allianceforcamphealth.org/#elevate-subscribe (https://allianceforcamphealth.org/#elevate-subscribe) Fight the Bite: https://allianceforcamphealth.org/ticks-and-lyme-disease/ (https://allianceforcamphealth.org/ticks-and-lyme-disease/)

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Apple Podcasts (US)

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.