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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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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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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Episode 94: Making the World a Better Place with the Friedman Sisters
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
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Episode 93: Growing at GAC with Vision
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
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Episode 92: The Positive Impact of Camp with Echo
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
Five Reasons Every Teen Should Go To Summer Camp
Dancing and the Brain (Harvard Medical School)
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Episode 91: Getting Outside with Boulder
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.
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Episode 90: The GAC Experience with Punkie
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!
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