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Episode 4 of our Leading Through Adversity Series, Drew and David sit down with Hanna O’Toole of YMCA Camp Algonquin to discuss the journey that many first time Camp Directors go through when they begin employment at a camp brand new to them.

We are excited to have Hanna O’Toole with us today. She is the Camp Director of YMCA Camp Algonquin. I’ve known Hanna for a few years now and she is high energy and positive. Can you take a few minutes to introduce yourself, Hanna?

Thanks for having me. I am originally from Iowa, now in Hastings, Michigan at Camp Algonquin. Prior to that I was at three different camps in Iowa.

You are still in the beginning years of your camp career and I’d love your insight on that. When you go to a camp that is completely new to you, how did you go about finding that camp and ultimately how did you choose the camp where you ended up?

Like many people, I started my search in the typical places--American Camp Association, YMCA website, etc.  When I found this camp, it just felt right in my heart. It was October in the midwest so the colors were beautiful, but what really impressed me was the interview process at Camp Algonquin. 

What did that interview process look like? It sounds pretty special.

It started with the typical phone interview. When I was asked to come for an in-person interview, I was pleasantly surprised with how I was treated. I was offered transportation and travel accommodations and it started with a lunch with a staff member and got a tour of the community. I was then taken to camp to get a tour of the property and had time to just talk with the supervisor, which really helped to lessen the anxiety. There was a special canoe ride involved as well.

After you accepted the job, you then had to move to a new state. What was that process like? How did you settle into a new community?

It was a big change. I was leaving home on my own which was scary. Also, moving in December in the midwest is a challenge with weather. At the time the community was having a Christmas festival and joining in that helped it to feel a little more like home. Settling in to camp was the next task and I took time to get to know my new coworkers who were working on site with me.

Leaving home and starting a new career in a new place can be scary. How did you manage your way through these fears?

I made a point to turn that fear into excitement. It was not my first new camp, but it was my first time as Camp Director at a new camp. I chose to take 3 months to focus on learning as much as I could. I learned about the camp community and got to know the people in this community. I asked a lot of questions of staff, alumni and others to learn all I could.

What did you learn and how did you use that information going forward?

I got a mixed response. I learned there was a lot of support for the camp by alumni. I was the first full-time Camp Director and they wanted growth. However, they also saw change was needed, but did not necessarily want to have things change. I asked lots of questions about traditions to find out what was truly important and paid attention when people suggested certain things not be changed.

What were some of the things you needed to hold sacred or change?

I chose to focus on traditions and safety. There were things that needed to change because they may not make people feel safe or comfortable. Traditions that people just did not like needed to go away.

We spoke to another director that also talked about this. Activities that seem innocent on the surface, but underneath actually take away from the values or mission and what you are trying to instill in kids. How did you tackle this?

I tried to frame it with understanding that traditions all started out of love. People loved the camp and kept traditions out of love. When changes needed to be made, I tried to talk to people and get them to see how things might appear to someone on the outside who has not known this tradition over many years. It was not questioning their values, but just addressing how things were being done.

Traditions run deep in camps and are hard to change when you need to. What were your guiding principles with changing traditions?

I use the 4 S’s: "Is it safe? Are you being a good servant? Are you being a good steward? Is it building self-esteem?" When making big decisions, I was sure to explain the reasoning to staff, not just tell them it’s being changed. In addition, I let them be involved in planning what was going to replace the tradition.

What kind of support did you have in making these changes?

Having a good relationship with my CEO was key. I also built a leadership team that included past and current staff to get feedback from different aspects. Finally, I had a group of professional mentors, contacts I had built in my career to turn to for feedback or advice.

After the first year of change, what did the second year look like?

The first year was change, so my second year was intentional about just continuing what we had started. There were very few changes and the focus was on continuing to build a culture where everyone felt welcome. People who did not like the changes were moving on, and I continued to use the support of people who were on board with the changes.

How long have you been in your current camp role? What are the biggest challenges or surprises you’ve had to face?

I will be starting my fourth summer. I am much more comfortable with running camp so my focus in changing more on a professional level. I am getting more involved in the organization as a whole.

Have you ever had that moment when you were ready to be done? How have you gotten through that?

I think we all have those days, lots of them. I may have just as many bad days as I have good days (laughing)! Some of the worst days are balancing staff relationships and finding the balance of supervising and being a friend and being to relate to their experiences.

Emotional health is important. What do you do to take care of yourself?

Sports, reading and animals. I joined a roller derby team and physical activity and friendships are good for me. I also got a dog recently.

What resources do you use as a camp director?

There are many groups out there that are beneficial in different parts of your career. I do a lot of reading leadership books that my staff read as well.

What advice do you have for new camp directors?

Believe in yourself. Be humble. Remember why you love camp.

Thank you for joining us today, Hanna.