Staffing Solutions: A Deep Dive into 2025 Survey Results in the USA, with Dan Weir & Jack Schott
November 18, 2025
Episode Description
Join Dan Weir and Jack Schott for a focused analysis of the 2025 Staff Survey results.
This session is designed for camp owners and directors seeking a data-driven approach to their 2026 workforce strategy. By reviewing current trends and best practices, we will provide you with the critical information needed to stabilize and strengthen your camp’s team.
In this episode, we will provide a comprehensive look at three vital areas:
• Hiring & Retention Trends: An objective review of the forces influencing the talent market and effective strategies for staff retention and recruitment velocity.
• Sourcing New Staff: A structured discussion on identifying and accessing diverse talent pools to meet future staffing demands.
• Process Optimization: Guidance on streamlining your hiring and onboarding processes to improve staff engagement and compliance from the initial application.
📅 November 18, 2025, at 8 am EST. Equip yourself with the data required for informed workforce planning
Fun facts: 89 participants joined for the live episode, from 13 countries (Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Greece, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Türkiye, USA, Venezuela).
For the slides, click here
Facilitator: Gabrielle Raill
Speakers: Dan Weir, Jack Schott
Gabrielle Raill – Canada – Camp Owner/Director
Gabrielle has combined her passion for education, as well as her experience as the director of Camp Ouareau, an all-girls summer camp, to develop a wide range of educational and developmental programs.
She has consulted with several organizations such as
- The International Camping Fellowship
- Concordia University, and,
- NASA,
providing expertise on creating positive community dynamics, geared toward setting up frameworks that support creative learning and diverse thinking.
Since completing her B.A. in Human Relations at Concordia University, Gabrielle has become a world traveler, sharing these values and programs with an internationally diverse audience, including a recent TEDx talk about ‘What it means to be smart’.
She also has a mild obsession with dinosaurs, cause, you know, dinosaurs are really cool.
Dan Weir – Senior Consultant at Immersive1st
Recognized in the US for his efforts, Dan has been developing youth serving organizations, small businesses, and strategic initiatives for 20 years.
Known for taking on the challenges facing youth serving organizations, Dan consults on business development, program quality, and strategic planning. His recommendations on recruiting, training, and planning with children & staff translate well beyond overnight & day camps to any organization that serves youth.
Clients describe Dan as caring, straight-forward, smart and engaging. He loves helping to lead teams while they determine, digest and organize information. He also believes that writing is important, however, impactful and measurable outcomes are key!
Dan has been described as “an old soul with a desire to impact the future.” He has volunteered in multiple capacities for the American Camp Association and the New York State Camp Directors Association. Dan’s leadership style is best described as striving to leave every place better than he found it. Fundamentally he also believes that the best form of stewardship is to maintain a strong organizational foundation and culture.
You can reach out to him at dan@immersive1st.com
Jack Schott – Camp Consultant / Camp director at Camps Kenwood & Evergreen
Jack Schott has a wealth of experience and a deep passion for camp culture. As one of the most sought-after staff trainers and camp consultants in the industry, Jack has spent years helping camps across the country build stronger communities and create meaningful experiences for kids.
At just 25, Jack co-founded Camp Stomping Ground, which continues to thrive, welcoming over 600 campers each summer. Since then, he has worked with hundreds of camps, guiding them in fostering inclusive environments, developing impactful programs, and enhancing staff training.
7 Quick Facts about Jack
- Biked across Spain in a shark costume—because sweating while wearing fins seemed fun.
- He swears summer camp is the healthiest place—s’mores > supplements.
- Started a nonprofit sleepaway camp in 2015—everyone deserves camp.
- Facilitate YPO-style forums—real talk beats corporate-speak any day.
- Has trained 10,000+ counselors—bunk-bed leadership is a life skill.
- Visited 500+ camps before 40—Guinness still ghosting him.
- He is excited to spend this summer at Camps Kenwood & Evergreen