The ParentCamp Podcast
The ParentCamp Podcast
Podcast Description
Tune in bi-weekly to The ParentCamp Podcast to hear conversations that empowers parents, families, and community partners one episode at a time.About ParentCamp:ParentCamp is THE transformational Family-School-Community Engagement Model designed to build a connected school ecosystem of caring and supportive adults surrounding our kids. ParentCamps are not the traditional stand and deliver sessions but facilitated dialogue where the entire room is the expert and everyone brings important and unique perspectives to the table.The Design of the Traditional Family Engagement Model is Compliance Conditions. Compliance conditions keep people in “lanes” or “silos.” The Design of the Virtual ParentCamp Model is two-fold: Equality Conditions plus Purpose. Equality Conditions at a Virtual ParentCamp mean every person can be a learner and leader for kids, with the opportunity to go to any session at any time. Equality conditions mean every person can talk, listen, encourage, and connect with others as it feels right to them. Purpose at a Virtual ParentCamp means family, school and community decide not only the session topics but also the purposes around the topics–connect, strengthen and collaborate. Purpose is the secret sauce that leads to Family-School-Community Collective Efficacy.Welcome to a new lived experience of “Family-School-Community Engagement” where each person can bring their abundant gifts to ParentCamps and together create a world where kids feel happy, healthy and strong. Welcome to a level playing field and a unique family engagement experience every single ParentCamp.This is how you Transform school culture and education.One hour at a time. ParentCamp – Transformational Family-School-Community Engagement (https://www.parentcamp.org)"ParentCamp is the puzzle piece missing in schools, listening to families" - DE Schools and DE DOE (youtube.com)
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast addresses themes surrounding family-school-community partnerships with a focus on topics such as mental health, food security, and collective efficacy. Specific episodes explore desires of parents for connection in 'Four Surprising Things Parents Want for Family-School Connection' and highlight community initiatives in episodes like 'The Power of Partnerships to Build Stronger Communities.'
Tune in bi-weekly to The ParentCamp Podcast to hear conversations that empowers parents, families, and community partners one episode at a time.
About ParentCamp:
ParentCamp is THE transformational Family-School-Community Engagement Model designed to build a connected school ecosystem of caring and supportive adults surrounding our kids. ParentCamps are not the traditional stand and deliver sessions but facilitated dialogue where the entire room is the expert and everyone brings important and unique perspectives to the table.The Design of the Traditional Family Engagement Model is Compliance Conditions. Compliance conditions keep people in “lanes” or “silos.” The Design of the Virtual ParentCamp Model is two-fold: Equality Conditions plus Purpose. Equality Conditions at a Virtual ParentCamp mean every person can be a learner and leader for kids, with the opportunity to go to any session at any time. Equality conditions mean every person can talk, listen, encourage, and connect with others as it feels right to them. Purpose at a Virtual ParentCamp means family, school and community decide not only the session topics but also the purposes around the topics–connect, strengthen and collaborate. Purpose is the secret sauce that leads to Family-School-Community Collective Efficacy.Welcome to a new lived experience of “Family-School-Community Engagement” where each person can bring their abundant gifts to ParentCamps and together create a world where kids feel happy, healthy and strong. Welcome to a level playing field and a unique family engagement experience every single ParentCamp.This is how you Transform school culture and education.One hour at a time.
ParentCamp – Transformational Family-School-Community Engagement (https://www.parentcamp.org)
Title: Hopes and Dreams: Principles from a Principal with Jay Posick
Summary:
In this heartwarming and insightful episode of the ParentCamp Podcast, host April F. Draine is
joined by ParentCamp President Julie Pile and retired principal-turned-ParentCamp coach Jay
Posick. From their first connection during a global book study on Beyond the Bake Sale to
today’s family engagement work, Jay shares powerful lessons from over 35 years in education.
You’ll hear how his simple “hopes and dreams” question transformed parent-teacher
connections, why his office was in the hallway instead of behind a desk, and how being present
with kids builds trust and culture.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or administrator, this episode offers actionable wisdom on
creating inclusive spaces, building genuine relationships, and rethinking how schools engage
families. Jay’s story proves that leadership grounded in presence, humor, and humanity can
reshape school culture—one circle at a time.
Show Notes:
● The power of relationship-based leadership
● How Jay’s “hopes and dreams” activity deepens family connection
● Why circles create equal, meaningful dialogue
● Behind-the-scenes of a ParentCamp in Delaware
● ParentCamp as a tool for whole-school transformation
Key Takeaways:
● Circles equalize conversation—everyone’s voice matters.
● “Hopes and dreams” is more powerful than setting goals—it invites lifelong vision.
● ParentCamp is about all families, not just parents—it’s a community movement.
● Leadership requires visibility: “If you’re in your office, you’re waiting for trouble.”
● The best engagement doesn’t end after the event—it keeps growing between camps.
Key Quotes:
● “Goals have an endpoint. Hopes and dreams can go on forever.” – Jay Posick
● “ParentCamp isn’t just for parents—it’s for anyone who loves a child.” – Julie Pile
● “The only thing you do in your office is wait for trouble. Get out and connect.” – Jay
Posick
● “We don’t have to do this—we get to do this.” – Julie Pile
Show Notes:
● Episode Title: Hopes and Dreams: Principles from a Principal
● Hosts: April F. Draine
● Guest: Julie Pile, President, ParentCamp and Jay Posick, ParentCamp Coach
● Topics Discussed: Relationship Based Leadership
Resources Mentioned:
● Jay Posick on Twitter/X – https://x.com/posickj
● Voxer – https://www.voxer.com/
● Beyond the Bake Sale Book – https://thenewpress.com/books/beyond-bake-sale
● Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) – https://iel.org/
● NAFSCE – https://nafsce.org/
● Principals in Action Book –
https://www.amazon.com/Principals-Action-Redefining-Jay-Posick/dp/1734051426
● Positive Outcomes Charter School, Camden, DE – https://positiveoutcomescs.org/
● Sussex Montessori Charter School, Seaford, DE – https://sussexmontessoricharter.com/
Call to Action:
● Share your hopes and dreams for your child using #ParentCampHopes on social media
and share with your child!
● Visit the ParentCamp website (https://www.parentcamp.org/) to learn more and bring
ParentCamp to your school or district
● Sign up for the ParentCamp Newsletter – http://cerkl.com/org/profile.php?id=1999
● Join us for our monthly Virtual ParentCamp – Sign-up for our Mighty Networks
Community –
https://parentcamp.mn.co/share/fgIj8OGPqR6TTW4O?utm_source=manual
● Share your experiences with family-school partnerships on social media using
#ParentCamp #TheParentCampPodcast
Connect with Us:
● ParentCamp’s Website: www.parentcamp.org
● ParentCamp’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ParentCamp
● ParentCamp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parentcamp
● ParentCamp Twitter: https://x.com/ParentCamp
● ParentCamp LinedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parentcamp
● ParentCamp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parentcampglobal/
● Julie Pile LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliapile/
● Julie Pile Twitter: https://x.com/juliepile
● Laura Gilchrist LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauragilchristedu/
● Laura Gilchrist Twitter: https://x.com/LauraGilchrist4
● April F. Draine Linktree – https://linktr.ee/aprilfdraine
For more information and to listen to the episode visit Apple, Spotify or on ParentCamp’s
Podcast YouTube Playlist.
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