The best camp podcast depends on the problem in front of you. For leadership, start with Camp Code. For day-to-day operations, try The CampHacker Podcast. For marketing and filling your calendar, listen to Grow Your Camp, which is our show (more on that below).
The hard part isn’t finding a camp podcast. It’s finding one that fits what your camp needs this season. So we grouped the 16 shows below by specialty instead of ranking them.
Which camp podcast should I start with?
Quick Recommendations: Best Camp Podcasts by Goal
| If You Want To… | Recommended Podcast |
|---|---|
| Increase enrollment and grow revenue | Grow Your Camp Podcast |
| Become a stronger camp leader | Camp Code |
| Improve camp operations | The CampHacker Podcast |
| Improve staff training | First Class Counselors |
| Build a better day camp | The Day Camp Pod |
| Improve fundraising | Fundraising @ Camp |
| Improve camp programming | SCamp Life |
| Stay current on industry trends | CampWire |
How we chose these podcasts
We looked at camp association recommendations, podcast directories, roundups from camp software companies, and the shows camp professionals mention most.
Every podcast here is made for people who run camps: directors, owners, leadership teams, and program staff. We left out general business shows, parenting podcasts, and anything with “camp” in the title that isn’t about the camp industry.
One disclosure. Grow Your Camp is produced by Improve & Grow. We included it because it covers camp marketing, a topic the other shows rarely touch, and we’ve said so plainly so you can weigh it accordingly.
Camp Leadership & Staff Development Podcasts
Camp Code
Best for: Leadership and staff culture
Practical leadership advice from hosts with real camp experience. A good fit for directors building a healthier team culture.
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Beyond Camp
Best for: Long-term professional growth
Leadership lessons that apply inside camp and well beyond it. Worth a listen if you’re thinking about where your career goes next.
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Campfire Conversation
Best for: Camp culture and youth development
Conversations about why camp changes kids, and the relationships that make it happe
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
First Class Counselors
Best for: Counselor training
Focused on the people campers remember most: frontline counselors. Useful for anyone who recruits, trains, or supervises summer staff.
Listen Here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Camp Operations & Camp Management Podcasts
The CampHacker Podcast
The CampHacker Podcast
Best for: Operations and administration
Covers the work behind the scenes, including parent communication, systems, and risk management.
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
The Camp Owners Podcast
Best for: Owners and executive leaders
The business side of running a camp. Topics include succession planning, financial management, and long-term strategy.
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Building a Stomping Ground
Best for: Mission-driven camps
How camps can build belonging and real growth in young people, with episodes on empathy, inclusion, and curriculum design.
Listen Here: Website | Spotify
Camp Programming & Camper Experience Podcasts
SCamp Life: The Programming Side
Best for: Activity and program ideas
Themes, activities, and engagement ideas for program directors who need fresh material before the season starts.
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Camp Cast
Best for: Storytelling and alumni engagement
Shows how stories connect campers, staff, alumni, and families to your camp long after they go home.
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
There’s No Place Like Summer Camp
Best for: Camp stories and traditions
Counselor and camper stories that capture what makes summer camp stick.
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Day Camp Leadership Podcasts
The Day Camp Pod
Best for: Day camp directors
Built around the specific challenges of day camps, from staffing to daily logistics.
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Fundraising & Development Podcasts
Fundraising @ Camp
Best for: Nonprofit camps and development staff
Donor relations, campaigns, and development strategy. Few camp shows cover fundraising at all, so this one fills a real gap.
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Industry Trends & Professional Development Podcasts
CampWire
Best for: Industry research and best practices
From the American Camp Association, with experts across camp and youth development.
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
The Summer Camp Society Podcast
Best for: New ideas
Innovation and creative thinking for camp professionals who want to try something different.
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
The Sherry Group Podcast
Best for: Organizational development
Strategy and management lessons for leaders building a stronger organization.
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Camp Marketing & Growth Podcasts
Marketing and growth are increasingly important responsibilities for camp directors. The podcasts in this category complement practical resources such as our SEO for camps guide and our framework for capturing high-intent leads.
Grow Your Camp Podcast
Hosts: Carl Lefever and Mark P. Fisher
Best for: Camp marketing, inquiries, and filling your calendar
This is our show, so take the recommendation with that in mind. Carl and Mark talk with camp leaders, consultants, and marketers about what actually brings in registrations and group bookings: websites, SEO, ads, and follow-up.
It’s built for summer camps trying to fill cabins and for retreat centers trying to fill midweek and off-season dates. New episodes come out weekly. Many of the ideas line up with the Camp Growth Roadmap, our free guide to building a plan for steady growth.
For more on the marketing side, see our Camp Marketing Strategy Guide >
Listen Here: Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
How to get more out of camp podcasts
Pick two shows that match your biggest challenge right now, not ten. Subscribe, and give each one a month.
Keep a running note on your phone. When an episode gives you an idea you could try this season, write it down with the episode name. One idea put into practice beats twenty episodes half-heard on a commute.
Share the good ones. Sending an episode to your program director or board chair with “Could this work here?” starts better conversations than a meeting agenda does.
If filling your calendar is the challenge, start with the Camp Growth Roadmap. Or let’s make a plan together, with no pressure either way.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best camp podcast for camp directors?
It depends on your goal. Camp Code is a strong pick for leadership. Grow Your Camp, our show, focuses on marketing and filling your calendar.
What podcast should I listen to if I want to increase camp enrollment?
Grow Your Camp Podcast covers camp marketing, inquiries, and registrations.
Are there podcasts specifically for camp leadership?
Yes. Camp Code, Beyond Camp, Campfire Conversation, and CampWire all focus on leadership.
What are the best podcasts for day camp professionals?
The Day Camp Pod is made specifically for day camp directors.
How can camp directors use podcasts for professional development?
Choose two shows tied to your biggest challenge, listen regularly, and write down one idea per episode you could try at your camp.
Editor’s note: We review this list periodically to keep it limited to active, camp-focused podcasts.
