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

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

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 & outro) by Henry “Bravo” Pederson
Produced by JRS Production Creative Audio

December Kindness Calendar

Hello all! Can you believe it is the last month of the year already!? Here are 31 ideas to keep your kindness going through December. Have a fabulous month! You can download the printable version here.

November Kindness Calendar

November is a great time to show gratefulness, so make sure we are showing others how thankful we are for them. Enjoy November’s Kindness Calendar and you can print a calendar here.

October Kindness Calendar

The new month means we have new ideas of ways to be kind to those around you! We hope these ideas fill your bucket as you fill others’ buckets. You can download and print out your own October Kindness Calendar here. Happy October!

 

September Kindness Calendar

Happy September from Gold Arrow Camp! This month, we’re continuing to celebrate kindness with our September Kindness Calendar. Follow the prompts each day and practice kindness wherever you go! You can download and print out your own September Kindness Calendar here.

August Kindness Calendar

Happy August! We have loved spreading kindness and want to keep it going. Enjoy these kindness tips and feel free to download and print the calendar here.

2025 Dates & Rates

Check out our 2025 Dates & Rates and see what session is going to work best for your camper for next summer.

Session 4 Outpost & Events Schedule

There’s always something going on at camp, whether that’s a cabin theme day, a backpacking trip or a visit to Shaver Island! Check out the outpost schedule below to see where each cabin is going this session.