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This episode features Sunshine’s chat with Smokey, who will be a Head Counselor this summer at GAC. Smokey shares about her childhood summer camp experiences and how she creates memorable moments for campers at GAC. Resources/Related Episode 89: WOWs with Bravo Episode 103: Crank Up the Thanks (and Happiness!) Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 104: Memorable Camp Moments with Smokey appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

Welcome to the 2026 Season of the Gold Arrow Camp Podcast! In this episode, Sunshine talks about the GAC Philosophy (Vision, Mission, & Goals) and how we focus on building specific character traits and skills that lead to well-being. This summer, our theme is Crank up the Thanks.  Our focus is building our gratitude, a character trait consistently linked to happiness and well-being. Resources/Related Episode 89: WOWs with Bravo Episode 79: Creating a Happier World – The GAC Philosophy 2026 Theme: Crank Up the Thanks (Turn Up the Gratitude) Three Good Things Gratitude Practice (Greater Good Science Center) Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 103: Crank Up the Thanks (and Happiness!) appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

Thank you for being part of the Gold Arrow Camp community this year! In this week’s episode, Sunshine wraps up the 2025 GAC Podcast season and gives an overview of what we covered in this season’s interviews. 2025 Podcast Directory Episode 75: Creating a Happier World with Airborne Episode 76: Creating a Happier World with Chelster Episode 77: Creating a Happier World with Bagel Episode 78: Creating a Happier World with Speed Episode 79: Creating a Happier World: The GAC Philosophy Episode 80: The Magic of Camp (Happy Campers Book Excerpt) Episode 81: Creating a Happier World with Evergreen Episode 82: Creating a Happier World with Glitter Episode 83: Creating a Happier World with Woody Episode 84: Try Something New Episode 85: Unplug to Connect Episode 86: Thrivers with Dr. Michele Borba Episode 87: Experienced Campers Talk about Camp Episode 88: Razz Talks about Camp Episode 89: WOWs with Bravo Episode 90: The GAC Experience with Punkie Episode 91: Getting Outside with Boulder Episode 92: The Positive Impact of Camp with Echo Episode 93: Growing at GAC with Vision Episode 94: Making the World a Better Place with the Friedman Sisters Episode 95: Junior Counselors on Unplugging to Connect Episode 96: Magoo Shares About Community and Confidence Episode 97: Lyric on Growing Up at GAC Episode 98: Zippy on Growing Independence Episode 99: Pua on Overcoming Discomfort Episode 100: Barrow on Juggling for Well-Being Episode 101: Sneaks on Finding His Confidence and Helping Campers Find Theirs Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 102: Season Wrap-Up with Sunshine appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

In this episode of the podcast, Brian “Sneaks” Adler talks about growing up at GAC as a camper and counselor. Sneaks talks about how his time at camp helped him figure out who he was, gain his confidence, learn how to be emotionally vulnerable and authentic, develop his leadership skill, and figure out how to thrive as a human. His summers at camp helped Sneaks figure out what he liked and what gave him purpose and fulfillment. Now he loves helping his campers and Junior Counselors grow in the same ways he’s grown at camp. Related Junior Counselor Program Episode 95: Junior Counselors on Unplugging to Connect Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 101: Sneaks on Finding His Confidence and Helping Campers Find Theirs appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

Head Counselor and GAC’s very own Circus Skills Coach tells his GAC story and about the passion for circus skills that he’s shared with our 2024 and 2025 campers and staff. Barrow’s high energy, positivity, and his love of juggling and circus skills have made a huge impact on our community, and we’re so grateful he’s part of our community. Many campers have headed home with their own diablos, practicing new skills they learned from Barrow. Each 2025 Appreciation Campfire featured “Cirque de GAC,” a performance of campers who’ve practiced new circus skills they learned from Barrow. Talk about trying something new! We talk about some of the many positive benefits of juggling, including reduced stress and anxiety and improved perseverance and confidence. According to Google: Diabolo juggling provides a wide array of benefits, from enhancing hand-eye coordination and concentration to boosting confidence and promoting social interaction. The practice can be mentally engaging, physically challenging, and a source of personal expression.  Cognitive and mental benefits Improves focus and concentration: Diabolo requires intense and continuous focus to keep the prop spinning and balanced. This is a form of mindfulness that can help with concentration in other areas of life. Sharpens reflexes and coordination: To maintain the diabolo’s spin and execute tricks, your eyes must track the diabolo while your hands manipulate the sticks and string. This process improves hand-eye coordination and quickens reflexes. Boosts brain health: Learning a complex bilateral motor skill like juggling encourages neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to form new neural connections. This can improve brain health and function throughout a person’s life. Increases perseverance: Mastering a new trick is a process of trial and error that teaches patience and persistence. Each failure offers a chance to refine your technique, and the eventual success provides a rewarding sense of accomplishment. Reduces stress: The rhythmic and meditative nature of diabolo can provide a healthy distraction from daily stress and anxiety. Physical benefits Develops fine and gross motor skills: The delicate, precise movements of the sticks train fine motor skills, while the larger motions involved in tossing and catching the diabolo work gross motor skills. Offers a low-impact workout: Diabolo is a physical activity that gets you up and moving, which is healthier than remaining sedentary. Higher-level tricks involving multiple diabolos or acrobatics provide a more athletic challenge. Enhances physical expression: As you become more proficient, you can develop your own style and create artistic routines. The diabolo becomes a medium for physical and emotional expression, akin to a form of visual music.  Social and emotional benefits Builds confidence and self-esteem: Every new trick you master gives you a tangible sense of achievement, which builds confidence and a positive self-image. This reinforces that you are capable of learning and growing. Fosters a sense of community: The diabolo community is largely non-competitive and supportive. Sharing knowledge, practicing with friends, and attending juggling clubs or conventions can be a great way to make new connections and bond with others. Inspires creativity: From inventing a new trick to choreographing a performance, diabolo encourages creative exploration. Its open-ended nature means there is no limit to what you can learn and create.  Resources/Related Episode 85: Unplug to Connect 5 Surprising Benefits of Learning to Juggle and Why it Might Improve Your State of Mind Beyond the Balls: Unlocking the Surprising Benefits of Juggling Juggling: A Fun Way to Boost Focus and Beat Anxiety Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 100: Barrow on Juggling for Well-Being appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

Second year staff member, Natalia “Pua” Elias Rodriguez, talks about coming to Gold Arrow Camp from Mexico, not knowing anyone else who worked here. Pua had a rough start and talks about her adjustment and the fun, friends, and growth she’s experienced at GAC. Pua has worked as a horseback riding activity counselor for the past two summers. Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 99: Pua on Overcoming Discomfort appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

This summer, Renee “Zippy” Say celebrated her twentieth summer at GAC. Zippy attended as a camper and was a staff member in the early 2000s. Now she’s returned as a parent of her three boys and as a Shaver Host for two weeks each summer. In this episode she talks about her experiences as a camper and staff and the experiences her three boys are now having as campers. She talks a lot about the independence she developed in her camper and staff year and that she’s now seeing her boys develop because of their time at camp. Resources/Related Let Grow Want An Independent, Self-Confident Kid? Camp Can Help! Episode 95: Junior Counselors on Unplugging to Connect Episode 85: Unplug to Connect Sunshine Parenting Episode 100: Teens’ Advice for Raising Responsible, Independent Kids Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 98: Zippy on Growing Independence appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

Lucas “Lyric” Orman started as a 9-year-old camper in 2007.  He spent eight summers as a camper and he’s currently in his seventh year on staff.  Overall, he’s spent 15 summers at GAC. In this episode, Lyric talks about growing up at GAC and how his time at camp has impacted him and his life. Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 97: Lyric on Growing Up at GAC appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

Madie “Magoo” Hotaling spent three summers as a camper at GAC and 2025 marked her fourth summer on staff. Magoo is a second generation GAC camper, following in the footsteps of her dad, George “Ghostrider” Hotaling. Magoo tells her GAC story and talks about how her time at camp has helped her build confidence and the community and friendships that keep drawing her back to camp. Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 96: Magoo Shares About Community and Confidence appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

  Junior Counselors (Sessions 1 & 2, 2025) talk about their experience at GAC, being off screens for a month, and the values and practices they’re taking home with them. Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 95: Junior Counselors on Unplugging to Connect appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

We love it when siblings enjoy Gold Arrow Camp together. Meet sisters Brooke “Waves” and Jojo “Mojo” Friedman. Waves, who is in her 10th year at GAC, is an Activity Counselor working primarily on the waterfront this summer.  Mojo, in her 9th year, was a Junior Counselor this summer. In addition to their shared love of camp, the Friedman sisters are also making a remarkably positive impact in the world through the non-profit they founded during the pandemic, She Styles. In this interview, hosted by Bravo, Waves and Mojo share their stories! About She Styles This LA teen nonprofit holds free clothing pop-ups for low-income, homeless girls Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 94: Making the World a Better Place with the Friedman Sisters appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

Join Sunshine’s conversation with Luke “Vision” Beshoff, the Rock Climbing and Ropes Course Program Head this summer. Vision started as a camper at GAC in 2012 and has now been on staff for four summers. Vision is incredibly positive and enthusiastic about camp and his experiences here. He describes in detail the activities that fall under the “Rocks and Ropes” category here at camp, and how each of them offers amazing opportunities for campers and staff to get outside their comfort zones and grow! Vision also shares how he’s started appreciating different aspects of camp as he’s gotten older. Related Activities Episode 84: Try Something New Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 93: Growing at GAC with Vision appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

Cady “Echo” Latt shares her GAC story, which started back in 2008 when she attended a one week “Nuggets” program after she had finished Kindergarten. After 10 years as a camper, Echo joined as a Junior Counselor. She’s now in her 5th year on staff. This year, Echo joins Sneaks in heading up our  Junior Counselor Program. In this longer conversation than our typical podcast chat, Echo and Sunshine talk about the benefits of camp, how camp has shaped her, and how much teens especially benefit from time at camp. Related Episode 85: Unplug to Connect Junior Counselor Program Five Reasons Every Teen Should Go To Summer Camp Dancing and the Brain (Harvard Medical School) Echo with two of our 2025 Junior Counselors Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 92: The Positive Impact of Camp with Echo appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

Fifth year camp staff member and 2025 Head Counselor, Boulder, talks about his experience as a camper at GAC and his love of backpacking and being outdoors that has developed as a result of his time at camp. Since one of our GAC core values is “Connecting with Nature,” it’s great to hear about the impact GAC has had on Boulder’s love of the outdoors. Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 91: Getting Outside with Boulder appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.

Paige “Punkie” McKee reflects on her five years as a camper and five years (including this summer) on staff at Gold Arrow Camp. She reflects on the impact of her camp experiences and how the independence and adventure she experienced at camp has helped her pursue an equally adventurous adulthood. This summer, Punkie is leading the Media Team (photographers and videographer). We talk about some of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into posting all those great photos parents get to see while their camper is at GAC! Share Post Pinterest Share Email The post Episode 90: The GAC Experience with Punkie appeared first on Gold Arrow Camp - California Summer Camp and Traditional Sleepaway Camps for Children.