CODACON25

As our beloved camp counselors graduate high school and head off to college, they increasingly prioritize professional experience and career development. Camps, in turn,face a growing retention challenge with these counselors. This interactive session will explore strategies to help camp directors bridge the gap between counselors’ interest in gaining career development experience alongside their love for camp. Starting with a personal story and a spotlight on Sage Corps’ Start! program—a potential solution that offers professional experience for college students outside of June to August—we’ll dive into collaborative brainstorming and actionable ideas for counselor retention strategies centered around professional career development. We hope participants leave the session with fresh ideas, proven strategies, and a renewed commitment to retaining their best counselors while supporting their professional growth.