Camp in Five
Bud and Ayla from ACA New England share five things camp staff learn through experience—from speaking the secret language of camp to realizing that even a small victory can feel huge when you’re in the middle of it.
In this first episode of Camp in Five, hear why staff care about camp’s little traditions, how hard days can still become good stories, and why camp has a way of following you home.In this episode:
The vocabulary and traditions that make camp feel like its own world
Why small wins matter when you’re solving problems and adapting on the fly
How camp’s seemingly little details become meaningful
Why a difficult day can still hold memorable moments
How camp experiences can shape the way you show up beyond the summer
For camp staff, directors, parents, and anyone curious about what makes camp culture so lasting.
9 Oct 2026
New England Camp Podcast 2.3 - Luke Joines
A career in camp can start with one yes and turn into a life built on leadership, resilience, and real-world growth. Luke joins Bud to share how a kid from England who never expected to work in the U.S. found his path through Camp America, turned summer camp into a calling, and built a life and career in Maine.Luke opens up about the mentors who shaped him, the teachers and coaches who pushed him toward education, and the moment he realized camp was not just a summer job but a powerful training ground for life. From coaching basketball and rugby to learning how to lead in unpredictable moments, he explains why camp develops the skills employers actually want: teamwork, adaptability, confidence, and emotional intelligence.You’ll discover:
Why camp and school are more connected than most people realize
How international staff can turn one summer into a long-term career path
What Luke learned from a major kitchen crisis that forced him to lead under pressure
Why saying yes to unfamiliar roles can unlock opportunities you never planned for
How camp helps kids and staff build confidence by trying, failing, and trying again
Luke also shares the story of building a camp life alongside his wife Alana, a nurse and fellow camp professional, and what it means to make big decisions as a team. Along the way, he offers direct advice for future camp counselors, especially international staff wondering whether the leap is worth it.If you’ve ever wondered whether summer camp could be more than a seasonal job, this episode is your answer. Essential listening for aspiring camp professionals, international staff, educators, and anyone who wants a career that changes people as much as it changes you.
25 Sept 2026
New England Camp Podcast 2.2 - Adair Arbor
Adair Arbor is our first guest on season two of the New England Camp Podcast. Adair is a camp director with Farm and Wilderness Foundation and President of the Vermont Camp Association. Bud and Adair trace her path from first attending overnight camp at age four to leading camps, mentoring staff, and navigating a major flooding crisis in Vermont. We discuss how camp shapes careers, why clear expectations matter for staff, and why human connection is still one of camp’s biggest strengths.
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