Ep 2 | Is there GOLD in your woods?
In this episode, Mark and Carl share a practical marketing insight before diving into a conversation with Molly Hooks from the American Forest Foundation on how camps can turn underutilized land into a new source of revenue. The episode opens with a simple but often overlooked growth lever: your photos. Camps that replace empty facility shots with real, people-filled images can increase inquiries by reducing uncertainty and helping families picture themselves at camp. From there, Molly explains how the Family Forest Carbon Program works and how camps can participate. With as little as 30 acres of eligible forest, camps can enroll and receive payments over time while maintaining their land for recreation and conservation. While the per-acre revenue is modest, it creates a steady income stream that can help offset rising costs and protect land from development. Molly also shares how her own camp experiences shaped her passion for forestry and conservation, reinforcing the long-term impact camps have on how people value the outdoors. The conversation walks through the enrollment process, what makes land eligible, and what camps can expect—including a customized forest management plan that supports long-term land health and stewardship. The result is a practical way to align mission, sustainability, and financial stability without changing how camps use their property. Keywords camp land management, forest conservation, carbon credits, camp revenue streams, Family Forest Carbon Program, American Forest Foundation, land stewardship, retreat center operations, property management for camps, conservation funding Sound Bites “It’s not just revenue—it’s about conservation and stewardship.” “Most camps already have the acreage—they just haven’t leveraged it.” “This is another way to keep that land in your camp’s name.” Hosts Mark P. Fisher, Inspiring Growth Carl Lefever, Improve & Grow Guest Molly Hooks, American Forest Foundation Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests 00:05 Understanding the Family Forest Carbon Program 05:47 Molly's Camp Experience and Its Impact 11:45 Enrollment Process and Eligibility for Camps 16:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources: Family Forest Carbon Program - https://familyforestcarbon.org American Forest Foundation - https://www.forestfoundation.org Have a question you'd like us to cover? Click here to record your question > Want Help Growing Your Camp? Click here to schedule a call > If you’re enjoying the podcast, be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.
- Transcript