Meet Kelie Cook, a 14-year veteran in the camp industry, currently leading Pine Ridge Day Camp & Equestrian Center in Somerville, AL, with a commitment to transparency. Kelie excels in orchestrating camp days, emphasizing creativity in counselor training, and maintaining organizational efficiency through tools like WeatherBug. Her go-to advice for successful camp management: take time for yourself. Tune in to the ScampLife podcast, where Kelie co-hosts "The Other Side," and discover her innovative approach to team-building with the paint-filled pool noodle game, "mortal poodle."
Name: Kelie Cook
Name of Camp: Pine Ridge Day Camp & Equestrian Center
Location: Somerville, AL
Years in the Camp Industry: 14
One word that best describes your approach to camp management: Transparency
Take us through a day at camp under your leadership. What does a typical day look like from start to finish?
Campers arrive, and as staff check in they tell me about the funny stories from the buses (our kids are bussed in), once campers are all in activities I touch base with my leadership team to go over what needs to get done throughout the day and then we divide and conquer!
Describe the heart of your camp. What's the central area or the main hub where activities or gatherings take place?
The Dining Hall. We only serve 1 meal a day (lunch) but it is centrally located within the camp where you can see all of the camp by standing outside in the pavilion.
What are some essential tools, apps, or equipment you rely on to keep camp operations running smoothly?
WeatherBug on stormy tells has my lightning alert! We have some pretty good storms in the south.
What’s a challenge you’ve recently faced at camp, and how are you working to overcome it?
Getting counselors to think creatively and come up with out-of-the-box programs! We're adjusting training this year, and when I'm able I jump in and do something fun and creative from my camper days that the current counselors have never heard of.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about managing a successful and enjoyable camp?
Take time for yourself! It is extremely important as the director to take breaks as well. The work will still be there tomorrow.
What book, podcast, or resource do you think every camp director should read or listen to, and why?
ScampLife: The Other Side, I'm biased as I'm one of the hosts :)
How do you organize and prioritize camp tasks and responsibilities, especially during the busy summer season?
My Outlook calendar is my best friend! That and sticky notes.
What’s the most creative excuse you’ve heard from a camper trying to get out of an activity, and how did you respond?
I've had some campers come up with some crazy things - but I had a camper one time ask the kitchen for a cup of vinegar. The kitchen gave it to him, he proceeded to drink it and then vomit in order to get out of the activity.
If you could invent a new, wildly popular camp activity that perfectly captures the spirit of your camp, what would it be and why?
I'm a big fan of mortal poodle - it's a team-building game with a person who is blindfolded with a pool noodle and they are trying to hit the other team's blindfolded person - but the pool noodles are filled with paint.
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