Episode 101: Sneaks on Finding His Confidence and Helping Campers Find Theirs
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
Episode 95: Junior Counselors on Unplugging to Connect
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Episode 100: Barrow on Juggling for Well-Being
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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
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Manhattan Beach 10k, Here We Come!
It’s that time of year! The GAC Runners are headed to Manhattan Beach on October 4th, 2025 for the 48th annual Manhattan Beach 10k! We love attending this race for so many reasons, but especially because we get to see so many wonderful GAC families. This event only offers a 10k race, so if that is not your cup of tea please come hang out with us at the Gold Arrow booth. We would love to catch up with all of you! There will also be a group photo taken at the GAC booth at 9:00 am. We can’t wait to see you there!
Details and registration information are available here.
Episode 99: Pua on Overcoming Discomfort
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.
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Episode 98: Zippy on Growing Independence
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
Want An Independent, Self-Confident Kid? Camp Can Help!
Episode 95: Junior Counselors on Unplugging to Connect
Sunshine Parenting Episode 100: Teens’ Advice for Raising Responsible, Independent Kids
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Welcome Mini Camp 2 Campers!
Counselors are excited and ready to create MAXI fun and friendship during Mini Camp 2!
Some fun statistics about this week’s campers include:
43 first-time campers at GAC!
17 returning campers and
9 3-year campers
We are so excited for this week that will be spent having tons of fun, making new friends, singing songs, playing games, enjoying campfires and so much more! Make sure to keep up with everything going on at camp through our News section.
You can see what we’re eating this week during Mini Camp 2.
Episode 97: Lyric on Growing Up at GAC
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.
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Welcome Mini Camp & Shaver Watersports Campers!
Counselors are excited and ready to create MAXI fun and friendship during Mini Camp 1 & Shaver Watersports Week.
Some fun statistics about this week’s campers include:
133 first-time campers at GAC!
90 returning campers and
23 3-year campers
We are so excited for this week that will be spent having tons of fun, making new friends, singing songs, playing games, enjoying campfires and so much more! Make sure to keep up with everything going on at camp through our News section.
You can see what we’re eating this week during Mini Camp 1 and Shaver Watersports Week.
Episode 96: Magoo Shares About Community and Confidence
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.
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Episode 95: Junior Counselors on Unplugging to Connect
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.
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