Interviewing with Intention: A Two-Part Series for Camp Hiring Leaders

Hiring is one of the most important responsibilities a camp director has – but the interview process is often underused as a tool for growth, learning, and leadership development. In this two-part series, Donna Johns-Thomas, SHRM-CP, founder of Indigo Consulting, explores how to make every interview count.

Part One helps camp leaders turn returning-staff conversations into opportunities for leadership building, skill development, and shared ownership of camp culture.

Part Two focuses on interviewing new staff — asking better questions, reducing bias, and using what you learn to shape stronger, more intentional pre-camp training.

Whether you’re hiring your 100th counselor or your first, these sessions will help you turn interviews into meaningful conversations that strengthen your team and your summer.

Winterviews That Matter: Turning Returning Staff Check-Ins into Real Leadership Conversations

Every camp has them – those quick, casual “returner interviews” that happen over coffee, a phone call, or in between school and finals week. Too often, these meetings feel like a rubber-stamp ritual: “You coming back?” “Great, see you in June.” But what if those conversations could be one of the most powerful tools you have for shaping next summer’s staff team?

In this session, we’ll flip the script on the returning-staff interview. Participants will learn how to make these discussions both meaningful for the employee and useful for the camp. The goal isn’t just retention – it’s growth. We’ll explore how intentional questions can help identify who’s ready for a bigger role, who might shine as a unit lead or pre-camp trainer, and who needs additional coaching or redirection before stepping into new responsibility.

We’ll discuss strategies for:

• Asking questions that go beyond “Are you coming back?” to uncover motivation, self-awareness, and hidden leadership potential.
• Using the returning interview to co-create professional goals for the upcoming season.
• Spotting patterns — both positive and concerning — from a returning staff member’s previous performance.
• Giving constructive feedback during re-hire conversations without killing enthusiasm.
• Inviting returning staff to play a role in pre-camp orientation or peer mentoring, turning “veterans” into teachers.

Directors will walk away with sample questions and frameworks to help evaluate staff not just for rehire, but for leadership readiness. These interviews can also serve as a form of recognition — a way to signal that staff are valued, heard, and growing. When returning staff feel seen and challenged, they don’t just come back – they come back better. And your leadership bandwidth expands before summer even begins.

Registration Info:

When: Tuesday December 9, 2025; 11:00am to 12:00pm (eastern)

Where: Zoom (link provided prior to the start of the session)

Cost: $25 for Members; $40 for non-Members

Click here to register

Registration is non-refundable but may be transferred to another member of your organization. Registration in based on individual membership status.

About the Instructor

Donna Johns-Thomas, SHRM-CP, is the founder of Indigo Consulting, providing training, strategy, and HR-informed support for camps and youth-serving organizations. An HR-certified camp professional, Donna brings over 30 years of experience in camp, human resources, and professional development. She previously served as Director of Learning & Development for Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and as Director of Professional Development for the American Camp Association, New England. Known for her humor, clarity, and real-world approach, Donna helps camp professionals turn everyday challenges into opportunities for connection, growth, and stronger workplace culture. Her sessions combine insight, practicality, and just enough edge to keep things real.

Learn more about Donna at IndigoConsultingJT.com