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.

Reading Between the Lines: Interviewing New Staff with Intention, Insight, and Integrity

Anyone who’s hired for camp long enough has said it – “I can tell within five minutes if they’ll be good.” But while instinct plays a role, great hiring isn’t about hunches; it’s about information. Every interview is a chance to learn who this person might be in your camp community – how they’ll handle conflict, feedback, exhaustion, and a bunk full of campers. The key is asking questions that reveal more than rehearsed answers.

This session focuses on how to design and conduct interviews that are engaging, legally sound, and deeply informative. Participants will learn to move beyond stock questions (“What’s your favorite part about working with kids?”) to ones that uncover mindset, emotional intelligence, and real readiness for camp life. We’ll discuss how to:

• Structure interviews that feel conversational yet consistent and purposeful.
• Ask questions that draw out authentic responses from Gen Z candidates.
• Avoid bias traps and recognize how personal assumptions can cloud judgment.
• Navigate interviews for “must-fill” roles when ideal candidates aren’t available — assessing risk, readiness, and potential while meeting supervision ratios.

We’ll also explore how to use what’s learned in interviews to shape pre-camp training. If multiple staff express anxiety about parent communication or camper behavior management, that’s not just an individual concern — it’s a training theme. When interview insights directly inform staff development, teams feel heard, supported, and better prepared for the summer ahead.

Registration Info:

When: Thursday January 29. 2026; 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