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Episode 78: Creating a Happier World with Speed

Episode 78: Creating a Happier World with Speed

This week on the Gold Arrow Camp Podcast, Sunshine chats with Armando "Speed" Negrete about the lasting positive impact of his experience as a GAC staff member in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The communication and leadership skills he learned at GAC are professional skills Armando uses today as a Lead Public Safety Dispatcher (9-1-1), a track and cross country running coach, and a sports photographer. Armando also shares about how the skills he learned and practiced as a Group Counselor are ones he still uses and benefits from as a parent.

"I remember how incredibly in awe I was of the camp ground, of all the different activities that Gold Arrow Camp offers. I was just completely awestruck." Armando "Speed" Negrete

Article about Armando's return to Fresno State to get his Bachelor's Degree

Podcast Credits

Music by Henry "Dobro" Johns Narration (intro & outro) by Henry "Bravo" Pederson Produced by JRS Production Creative Audio

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Episode 77: Creating a Happier World with Bagel

Episode 77: Creating a Happier World with Bagel

This week on the Gold Arrow Camp Podcast, Sunshine chats with fourteen-year veteran camper and staff member, Ben "Bagel" Bronstein about the community and positive culture that keep pulling him back for another summer at good ol' GAC! Bagel shares about what he enjoyed about being a camper and what he still enjoys today as a staff member.

"Especially when I came back on my own, I really realized the community I could build on my own at camp and how special it was a place to do that."

-Bagel

Podcast Credits

Music by Henry "Dobro" Johns Narration (intro & outro) by Henry "Bravo" Pederson Produced by JRS Production Creative Audio

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Episode 76: Creating a Happier World with Chelster

Episode 76: Creating a Happier World with Chelster

We're continuing our podcast series on Creating a Happier World with Sunshine's chat with our beloved Director of Camper and Parent Services, Chelsea "Chelster" Rowe. Chelster shares her GAC story and many insights about camp. Chelster has been on the Year-Round team at GAC for almost four decades and has experienced being a camper, staff member, director, camper parent, and staff parent! Chelster talks about the importance of the GAC community, how much she enjoys getting to know campers and their parents, and how meaningful her career at camp has been. She also talks about some of the benefits of camp, including the increased confidence campers gain from trying new things, being independent from parents, learning to advocate for themselves, talking to adults other than their parents, and making decisions on their own.

Podcast Credits

Music by Henry "Dobro" Johns Narration (intro & outro) by Henry "Bravo" Pederson Produced by JRS Production Creative Audio

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Episode 75: Creating a Happier World with Airborne

Episode 75: Creating a Happier World with Airborne

Welcome to the Gold Arrow Camp Podcast's 2025 Season! We're kicking off the season with a series on "Creating a Happier World," because our vision at GAC is to create a happier world, one camper at a time. In this episode, Audrey "Sunshine" Monke chats with Aaron "Airborne" Johnson about many topics related to creating and being part of positive communities for kids. Airborne's GAC story started back in 1999, when he joined our staff as a Group Counselor. This summer (2025), he'll be at our Shaver Island outpost camp during Session #2, serving as our Shaver Host. In the role of Shaver Host, Airborne provides leadership and support for our campers and staff while they're on Shaver Island, which is about 20 minutes from our "Main Camp" location on Huntington Lake. When he's not at GAC, Airborne serves as principal of Ironwood Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona.

Resources Discussed

Sunshine & Chelster's Parent Orientation that includes information about parent expectations, reviewing camper standards of behavior, camper medications, communication during your camper’s stay at GAC, and more! 5 Steps to Help Kids Resolve Conflicts, Sunshine Parenting: Conflict Resolution Wheel How Big is My Problem? Kelso's Choices "Effortful Fun" Laura Vanderkam

Podcast Credits

Music by Henry "Dobro" Johns Narration (intro ... Read more

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