A collage shows Randall Grayson and another man covered in green slime, smiling with arms around each other, a boy in a gray Nike hoodie, and a man in a tuxedo standing outdoors among trees.

Randall Grayson, Ph.D.

Experience and Education

Randy brings over three decades of camp experience, serving in almost every capacity at camps, including several years as director. Before Randy was a full-time camp director, he spent his non-summers working on his doctorate in psychology at the Claremont Graduate University, specializing in developmental, social, and organizational psychology. This education serves as the theory behind his practice.

Leadership Beyond Augusta

Randy is well known in camping circles as he wrote the acclaimed book series entitled Creating Exceptional Camps, and created/maintains numerous websites (see below). He also presents at camp conferences (yes, there is a conference for everything!), writes for Camping Magazine, and is active on discussion groups. Additionally, Dr. Grayson has taught at three universities, including child development at Westmont.

Invested From the Core

As a child, camp was a place where Randy gained a lot of self-confidence, social skills, independence, creativity, physical skills, and leadership while having more fun than he thought was possible. As an adult, Randy has dedicated his life to providing exceptional camp experiences where children and staff can thrive and grow. He is committed to creating a special, magical world that helps to create fine people in a safe, fun environment.

Press…

Dr. Grayson has been interviewed in national and local newspapers. He appeared as the key source for a Family Circle magazine article on safety at summer camps, with an audience of over 25 million. Randy has also been interviewed for the CBS Morning Show and the New York Times as a summer camp expert. Additionally, Dr. Grayson has been expanding “Partnering with Parents,” and is working on a few websites, with most of his new work appealing to audiences outside of the specific camping world.

Fun Facts About Randy:

He is a master balloon artist; he worked as a cowboy on a sheep ranch in New Zealand; he’s handy with both broad swords and fencing swords; he continues to compile his storytelling anthology book; he has broken 16 bones; he’s never owned a cell phone, but he knows a programming language and hardware/software maintenance/construction; he is certified to fly hang gliders, give massage, and hypnotize; he has competed at the national level in archery; he is adept at both pillow and oatmeal fights; and he used to own an 8 foot boa constrictor named “Cuddles.”

During the summer—when he isn’t in the office—Randy…

Teaches a clinic activity daily, usually archery, balloon animals, native flute, sword fighting, or lifeguard, although several others occur too.
Frequently offers Playstations — usually something off the wall 🙂
Offers Auction prizes that are conducted every session after the Monday Evening Program. Again, the offerings tend to be unusual and mysterious.
Leads a couple astronomy sessions in the middle of the lake
Plays as a character in every evening program
Can be seen leading songs and offering skits at campfires
Tells stories at the storytelling campfires that occur in two-week sessions, and often at the weekly campfire

Randy worked at 7 different summer camps. At Augusta, he took a cabin himself each summer for over a decade. Now, he has his own campers at home in the form of 2 twin girls.
And, when Randy uses e-mail, he does not use a pre-filled signature. Instead, he types it out every time, so the intent behind the words goes into each signature . . .
Campingly yours,
Randy

Dr. Grayson’s Existing Websites

www.visionrealization.com (camp consulting website)
www.functionalconsensus.org (what are the practicalities around operating in a flat hierarchy and with consensus?)
www.parentingtuneup.org (there is more in here to enrich your life than you can possibly imagine)
www.summercampcounselorjobs.org (Hiring Info For Summer Camp Jobs: accurate, knowledgeable, friendly and free)

Randall Grayson, dressed in light clothing, mimics the pose of a large, ancient stone relief sculpture carved into a wall, creating a playful scene inside a historic site.

Randall Grayson, in a white t-shirt and shorts, stands barefoot on grass, addressing a group of young people gathered outside in a wooded area, with tall trees and sunlight filtering through the background.

A group of boys and one adult, possibly Randall Grayson, stand together outdoors at night, smiling for the camera. The boys wear matching yellow T-shirts and medals around their necks, suggesting a camp or team event. Trees and other people are visible in the background.

A group of kids and two adult men, including Randall Grayson, pose and smile at an outdoor camp, surrounded by trees and other campers. They all wear necklaces, dark shirts, and stand in front of a campfire.

Randall Grayson stands outdoors in a sunlit forest, wearing a blue Camp Augusta t-shirt, with tall trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

Randall Grayson, wearing a red shirt and beige shorts, smiles at the camera while paddling a small boat on the river. Behind him, a large traditional houseboat and palm trees line the riverbank.

Randall Grayson wears a colorful playing card-themed costume with club, heart, spade, and diamond symbols, oversized round sunglasses, and a large yellow crown, standing outdoors in a wooded area.

A collage of Randall Grayson smiling in various outdoor settings, including with children, covered in colorful powder, and wearing casual clothes with a Dont Ever Give Up shirt. Trees and sunlight appear in the backgrounds.

Two people outdoors laugh as they’re covered in colorful splattered paint, with one playfully rubbing paint into the other’s hair. Amid trees and greenery, Randall Grayson joins in the fun-filled moment.

Randall Grayson, in a purple shirt and red headband, runs toward an adult and child standing near a pole with colored markings outdoors, while a car and trees can be seen in the background.

A smiling man outdoors points to his Randall Grayson T-shirt, featuring a cartoon stork trying to swallow a frog that is choking the bird. The shirt reads DONT EVER GIVE UP. Trees and sunlight brighten the background.

Six people stand side by side outdoors at night, smiling at the camera. Five teens wear blue shirts and Randall Grayson badges, while an adult on the left sports a matching shirt and whistle. Trees and a white chair are in the background.

Seven people, including Randall Grayson, stand in a row outdoors at night—six boys and one adult. Most wear matching maroon Camp Augusta shirts, while one wears red and another green. They smile brightly, appearing to enjoy a lively camp event.