Going Back to Camp

Welcome to Going Back to Camp. In this introductory episode, Dave MacKay and Wendy Chong explain why they're returning to the lessons of summer camp and what they hope to discover along the way. Over the next 10 episodes, they'll explore belonging, friendship, compassion, fun, collaboration and leadership — and how the experiences we have when we're young can stay with us for a lifetime. Send us Fan Mail

Who were you before life got complicated? In Episode 1 of Going Back to Camp , Dave sits down with Wendy Chong to explore her story — her early years, her experiences at summer camp, and the people and moments that helped shape who she became. Wendy reflects on what camp gave her, the relationships that stayed with her, and how those experiences influenced her life long after the final campfire. It’s a conversation about growing up, finding your place, and why some of the experiences we have when we’re young never really leave us. Welcome back to camp. Send us Fan Mail

What experiences shape the person you eventually become? In Episode 2 of Going Back to Camp , Wendy turns the tables and sits down with Dave MacKay to explore his story — growing up, discovering summer camp, and the experiences and relationships that helped shape his life. Dave reflects on what drew him to camp, the people who influenced him, and why those summers became much more than just a place to spend a few weeks away from home. It’s a conversation about growing up, finding confidence, building lifelong connections, and discovering lessons at camp that can stay with you for decades. Welcome back to camp. Send us Fan Mail

What does it really mean to belong? In Episode 3 of Going Back to Camp , Dave and Wendy explore one of the most powerful things summer camp can give a young person: a place where they feel accepted, connected and part of something bigger than themselves. Through stories and memories from their years at camp, they look at how belonging is created, why it matters so much when we're young, and how those early experiences can shape the way we build friendships, communities and relationships throughout our lives. Sometimes the places that change us most are simply the places where we discover: I belong here. Welcome back to camp. Send us Fan Mail

Why do some friendships last a lifetime? In Episode 4 of Going Back to Camp , Dave and Wendy explore one of the most enduring parts of the camp experience: friendship. Camp has a remarkable way of bringing people together. Away from the routines and expectations of everyday life, friendships can form quickly, grow deeply, and sometimes last for decades. Through stories from their own camp years, Dave and Wendy reflect on the friendships that shaped them, what makes those connections different, and what camp can teach us about being a good friend. Because years after the cabins are empty and the campfires are out, the people can stay with us. Welcome back to camp. Send us Fan Mail

Can compassion be learned? In Episode 5 of Going Back to Camp , Dave and Wendy explore how summer camp can teach young people to notice, understand and care for the people around them. Living together at camp means sharing the highs and lows — homesickness, failure, triumph, laughter and everything in between. Those experiences create opportunities to see life through someone else's eyes and learn what it means to show up for another person. Through stories from their own camp experiences, Dave and Wendy reflect on empathy, kindness and the small acts of compassion that can have a lasting impact. Sometimes the biggest lessons at camp come from learning to care about someone other than yourself. Welcome back to camp. Send us Fan Mail

When did having fun become something we had to make time for? In Episode 6 of Going Back to Camp , Dave and Wendy explore one of the simplest — and perhaps most important — things camp gives us: permission to have fun. At camp, fun is everywhere. In the games, the traditions, the ridiculous moments, the competition, the laughter and the adventures that rarely go according to plan. Dave and Wendy share stories from their camp years and reflect on why play matters, why laughter brings people together, and why adults sometimes lose touch with something that came so naturally when we were young. Maybe growing up doesn't have to mean leaving the fun behind. Welcome back to camp. Send us Fan Mail

What happens when we stop competing and start building something together? In Episode 7 of Going Back to Camp , Dave and Wendy explore collaboration — one of the things summer camp teaches almost without you realizing it. At camp, you learn quickly that the best experiences rarely happen alone. Whether you're planning an activity, solving a problem, leading a group, or simply trying to get everyone pulling in the same direction, success depends on listening, trusting others, sharing ideas, and working together. Dave and Wendy reflect on what camp taught them about teamwork, bringing different personalities together, and creating an environment where everyone has something to contribute — lessons that followed them from camp into their families, careers, and communities. Because sometimes the best things we create aren't ours at all. They're ours together. Welcome back to camp. Send us Fan Mail

What does it really mean to lead? In Episode 8 of Going Back to Camp , Dave and Wendy begin a two-part conversation about leadership — and the lessons they learned about it long before they ever entered a boardroom. Summer camp gives young people an unusual opportunity: the chance to take responsibility, make decisions, influence others, make mistakes, and discover what kind of leader they want to become. Dave and Wendy reflect on their own experiences leading at camp, the people who influenced them, and why leadership has far less to do with titles or authority than it does with trust, example, responsibility, and bringing out the best in other people. Because some of the most important lessons about leadership aren't learned in a classroom. They're learned around a campfire. Welcome back to camp. Send us Fan Mail

What happens when you're no longer just learning to lead — but other people are counting on you? In Episode 9 of Going Back to Camp , Dave and Wendy continue their conversation about leadership , exploring what happens when responsibility becomes real. They reflect on the challenges of leading other people, making difficult decisions, building trust, and creating an environment where people feel valued and empowered. They also look at the mistakes they made along the way — and the lessons that stayed with them long after camp ended. At camp, leadership wasn't something you studied. You lived it. You learned by doing, by getting things wrong, and by discovering that great leadership is ultimately about the impact you have on other people . Some lessons from camp stay with you for a lifetime. Leadership is one of them. Welcome back to camp. Send us Fan Mail

What stays with us when camp is over? In the final episode of Going Back to Camp , Dave and Wendy look back on the journey and reflect on the lessons, stories, and experiences they've explored throughout the series. From belonging and friendship to compassion, fun, collaboration, and leadership , they consider why the lessons learned at summer camp can remain so powerful decades later — and how those experiences continue to influence the way we live, lead, build relationships, and create community. It's also a chance to reflect on a bigger question: What would our lives look like if we carried a little more of camp with us into the everyday world? The campfire eventually goes out. We pack our bags and head home. But if we're lucky, a little piece of camp comes home with us. Welcome back to camp. Send us Fan Mail