Camp Changed My Kid

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unspecified-1I was nervous and excited to send my son Connor to one of America’s Finest Summer Camps this year. Connor’s best friend attended camp the summer before and could not stop raving about it. So after plenty of research and discussions, we decided to let Connor spend the summer away. I won’t lie, my “mommy heart” broke a little when he practically jumped out of the car at drop off and didn’t look back, but  I was pretty sure we were making the right decision. Last week, when we picked him up, I was 100% sure we had made the right decision. The happy, smiley kid who jumped into our backseat was….different.

 

I couldn’t pin point many differences right away, except for the excitement in his eyes and voice when he talked about all of his new friends and cracked himself up remembering inside jokes and hilarious conversations with his new buddies. One of the main things I noticed when we got home was how helpful he had become. Without me asking, he would make his bed, take his plates to the sink, offer to bring in the groceries or even simply ask if he could get us anything from the kitchen since he was going that way. I noticed a new sense of thoughtfulness when he came back. Not that he was heartless before by any means, but I definitely noticed a change in his willingness to help others and think of others before himself. As the days passed, my heart exploded with joy to see him excited to email, chat and FaceTime all of his new friends. He went to camp a little reserved, and came back social and confident. I loved seeing him interact with his peers, I loved seeing how he was truly listening to what others had to say, and how he felt confident contributing to the conversation.

 

Just today, he told me he was going to try out for soccer tryouts at school, a sport he had never played before camp. He said he was encouraged to try it at camp and played it almost every day while he was there. As a mom, I am blown away at what positive changes have come from sending my son to camp. I knew he would make friends, try a new activity or two, and learn to live both independently and with a group, but I had no idea about the social skills, character development, relational growth, and boost in confidence that spending just a few weeks away could create.

 

Any parent that is even thinking about sending their kid to camp should stop thinking right now and sign them up. Not only will you enjoy a few kid-free weeks of relaxation, but when your kid comes home, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at everything they’ve learned, and more importantly, who they’ve become.

 

America’s Finest Summer Camps changed my son for the better, and we are both looking forward to the growth and changes that will happen next summer at camp!

 

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Camp and Compromise

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AC9U5125Growing up as an only child has many perks. I was always the focus on my parents’ attention, I had all of my own stuff, own space, and when a family decision had to be made, I always felt like my opinion was heard and, more often than not, given serious consideration. Sure, there were times when I wished I had a sibling to play with, but for the most part, I’ve enjoyed the solo child life.

 

As I get older, I’ve started to notice that things that are easy for my friends with siblings, like compromising, taking turns, and being patient, don’t come as naturally to me. Their entire lives are made up of figuring out how to live harmoniously with their siblings. They’ve had to make sacrifices, they’ve had to come second (or third, or fourth) and they’ve had to learn about delayed gratification. They’ve had to think about the well-being of their siblings before themselves, they’ve had to share rooms and clothes and toys, and in turn, these character traits seem to come naturally to them.

 

It took me about 3 hours at camp to realize that I was going to have plenty of opportunities to strengthen these particular traits. Going to camp is like having 100 siblings, and in order for the “family” to run smoothly, everyone has to be willing to compromise, be patient and think of others first. To be totally honest, it was a hard reality to adjust to at first. I quickly learned that my mess wasn’t appreciated or tolerated in a shared space. I also learned that my opinions, wants and needs weren’t the only ones that mattered, and my hesitation to take anyone else’s opinions or thoughts into consideration came across as rude and selfish. That was a slap in the face, and humbling for sure.

 

My counselors were amazing, and were patient and calm when I wasn’t. They took the time to talk to me when I was feeling overwhelmed, crowded or impatient. They helped me look at the bigger picture, and reminded me about how good it felt to work as a team, a family, a collective unit, instead of just thinking about myself.

 

About a week or so into camp, I could already notice the mental shift happening inside of me. I saw the biggest change in my attitude regarding being surrounded by people all of the time. My whole life, I’ve had the luxury of being able to be in my own space and to “get away” whenever I wanted to be alone. I always had my own things and my own space, and getting used to sharing my time and space with others took some getting used to. But as the days turned into weeks, I began looking forward to these group settings and I enjoyed the constant buzz of people around me. I loved our late night chats after lights went out, and I appreciated having people who would share their sunscreen with me when I ran out. Sharing space, time and things with people turned out to not be so bad after all.

 

At the end of camp, I felt like I had gained 50+ siblings, and a whole new set of character traits that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I am a more patient person because of camp. I am better at sharing, I compromise more, I’m more giving, more aware of my personal space, more accepting of people’s differences, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

 

I may be the only child at home, but since my summer at camp, I have plenty of camp siblings who are just a text, phone call or email away. Camp gave me much more than just a summer away from home; it has strengthened my character and given me lifelong friends.

Fun rest hour card games for 2+ players

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AC9U4974

America’s Finest Summer Camps are busy places, so it’s important that campers get a little bit of down time every day to relax with their group. Laidback card games keep everybody smiling even if they don’t necessarily feel like napping. But what can you do if everybody isn’t on board to play Uno for the millionth time?

 

Luckily, there are tons of fun games that can be enjoyed by any number of players using just an ordinary deck of cards. Here are a few of the best that keep up the pace without taking longer than your rest time!

Slapjack

Number of players: 2-5

Concept: A simple, high-energy game that keeps you on your toes!

Gameplay: Play rock-paper-scissors to pick a dealer. The dealer splits the deck between all players, facedown. Don’t look at your cards yet! (It’s okay if everyone doesn’t have the exact same number of cards, so long as it’s approximately even.)

 

Starting with the dealer, take turns flipping over the top card of your pile into a pile in the middle, going around the circle. When a jack appears, whoever is first to slap their hand on top of it gets to add all the cards in the middle to the bottom of their deck. (Some versions have a rule that you can’t slap a jack if it came from your deck.)

 

If anybody runs out of cards they can try to slap the next jack that turns up, but if they miss it, they’re out for good!

 

Whoever ends up with all the cards at the end is the winner. Let’s play again!

Crazy Eights

Number of players: 2-4

Concept: A fast, fun game for small groups. Similar to Uno, with a few twists…

Gameplay: To start, each player gets 7 cards (5 if only two players). Yes, you can look at them!

 

The deck goes face down in the middle. Turn over the top card faceup next to the deck. This will become the “discard” pile. The dealer can go first, and they try to match 1 or more cards in their hand to either the suit or number of the faceup card in the discard pile. (For example, if the card in the discard pile is a three of spades, you could lay down any card that is a spade on top of it, or any card that is a three.) If they can’t match the card, they have to keep drawing cards from the deck until they can. Once they’ve managed to match the card the next player’s turn starts.

 

Eights are wild (that’s why it’s called “Crazy Eights!”), so if you have an eight in your hand you can play it on any card. (Strategy tip: save it for an emergency!)

 

The first player to empty their hand wins.

I Doubt It!

Number of players: 4-5

Concept: A bluffing game that gives you a chance to practice your poker face

Gameplay: Deal out cards to each player one at a time until the deck is empty and everyone has a more or less equal number of cards. Yes, peeking allowed!

 

Before starting, each player should organize the cards in their hand from lowest number to highest. (Ace is 1, Jack 11, queen 12, king 13, as usual.)

 

The object of the game is to get rid of all your cards. The first player puts down an ace in the middle (facedown), and says “ace.” The second player puts down a two on top of it and says “two.” This continues around the circle, starting at ace again once king has been played.

 

The twist is that you have to put down a card, even if you don’t have the number your turn lands on. So you have to be sneaky, put on your poker face and bluff! For example, if it’s your turn and the last card played was seven, you have to put down some other card from you hand, while saying “eight.”

 

At any time the other players can yell “I doubt it!” if they think the player is lying. The player has to turn over their card, and if they were lying, they take all the cards in the middle into their hand. BUT if they were telling the truth, the person who yelled “I doubt it!” has to take them.

 

This game can get pretty heated, and keeping a straight face can be surprisingly hard once the giggles start going around!

 

Whoever runs out of cards in their hand first wins.

52 Pick-Up

Number of players: any

Concept: being a goofball

Gameplay: 52 pick-up may be the fastest game of all. Ask your friends if they want to play a round of 52 Pick-Up, and if they say yes, throw a deck of cards up into the air, making a huge mess! Then say, “okay, now we have to pick them up!” Just be sure not to play this game when your counselor is watching…

Memory

Number of players: 2-10

Concept: A quiet and challenging game that improves camper’s memories… or so we hope

Gameplay: Begin by laying all the cards in the deck face-down, either in a grid pattern or randomly. Draw lots to see who goes first.

 

The first player picks 2 cards at random and turns them over so everyone can see what they are. If the card numbers match (e.g. a pair of twos, a pair of queens, etc.), the player gets to keep them. If the don’t match, they turn them back over and everyone tries to remember what they were; because of course the longer the game is played, the more chance you have to figure out where the matching pairs are! If you have an excellent memory and killer concentration, that is…

 

Players take turns until all the cards have been matched up. Whoever has the highest number of cards at the end wins the round!

Rest hour is for recharging

Here’s hoping these card games help you use your rest time at camp constructively! Master these, and you’re well on your way to becoming a bona fide card shark.

 

…Just remember to pack them up when you’re done, or you’ll definitely lose cards in the cabin clutter. Also be sure to invite other campers to play; the more the merrier! Having a deck of cards on hand makes the time fly — and the activities will be starting again before you know it.

How the ropes courses at camp helped me conquer my fears!

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AC9U3718

High and Low ropes courses are designed to create a very special moment: that split second where you have a choice between doing the thing that’s challenging, and doing the thing that’s easy; and you choose the thing that’s challenging.

Someone watching a ropes course in action might be tempted to think it’s all fun and games — and it’s true that ropes activities are a blast. However, regardless of the skill level of a particular ropes challenge, ropes courses are all about the skill being taught as much as the fun of the challenges themselves.

Challenging fear

Any hard skill like tying a knot or climbing a wall comes with “soft” skills like trust, courage, and determination. One of the main focuses of high ropes activities is dealing with fear. There’s a saying that “the only thing you have to fear is fear itself.” For many of the things we’re scared of in life, it’s absolutely true.

The thing is, the difference between understanding that something is possible and stepping up to try it is a huge challenge. Ropes courses are about taking on that challenge, and that’s why they are so central to America’s Finest Summer Camps programs.

If you’ve ever jumped off a zip-line platform, you know what I’m talking about. You understand that it’s safe. But climbing up there and taking that leap is still ridiculously scary.

…But of course you jump, because it’s mind over matter — and you know the ride will be well worth the effort!

Trusting your team

Once a camper has conquered their fears, the next step is learning to trust their peers. Where low ropes courses get really interesting is the teamwork activities. Conquering your fear of heights is one thing, but depending on a friend to help you is a different game altogether.

Once you can believe in your peers enough to let them help you walk across a plank or wire, it’s a simple step to trusting them to help you in less tangible ways in the real world — and to be ready to help others when they need your guidance.

Working together

Last but not least, the most important message of ropes courses is the incredible things you can accomplish by working together.

Low ropes challenges push campers to use their words to communicate their vision for how to succeed in a detailed, practical way. After all, making it across an “acid river” is impossible if you can’t assign leadership and delegate tasks. Conquering the spiders web is out of the question if even one camper is in the dark about the big picture, and that means crystal clear camper communication.

Hey, that sounds just like the skills you need in the real world, doesn’t it? Well, that’s the idea! High and Low ropes courses build skills for both mind and body — and you don’t even notice, since the activities themselves are so exciting.

What did YOU do this summer?

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AC9U1803

“Okay, who wants to tell me what they did over the summer?”

A teachers asks a classroom full of nervous students on the first day of school. She hears about trips to the Grand Canyon, a few kids spent a week at the beach, and a lot just respond with “nothing.”

 

But then there is the kid who spent his/her summer at America’s Finest Summer Camps. Their hand shoots up when the teacher asks for volunteers to tell the class about their summer vacation. With confidence, he/she starts talking about how exciting it was to drive though the gorgeous scenery and arrive at one of the most beautiful places they’ve ever seen.

They talk about the clear lakes and the mountains and the acres and acres of grassy play space, sports fields and wooded areas. They describe the excitement of meeting their counselors and bunkmates for the first time, and assure the other kids in the class that being away from home isn’t that bad at all! They’ll make their classmates mouths’ water when describing the countless options of freshly prepared food, from the fresh fruit and salad bar to the pasta bar and “made from scratch” soups made daily. They will explain how they went kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, tried lacrosse, golf and zumba. They will try to explain the feeling they had when they were sitting around the campfire, singing songs and making s’mores, but words won’t do it justice. They’ll offer to teach the class some of the things they learned in comic book illustration class, or mention they will be trying out for the dance team this school year ever since they tried it at camp and fell in love with hip hop dance.

The teacher will look at her watch and realize 10 minutes has gone by and this kid is STILL trying to list everything they accomplished in just a few short weeks. The rest of the class will sit in awe, not wanting to share their summer stories because it doesn’t even come CLOSE to being as cool as a summer spent at America’s Finest Summer Camps. Some of the kids in class will go home and start to research and talk about camp with their parents, and hopefully get to experience all of these exciting opportunities for themselves.

 

Teachers can tell the difference between a kid who stayed home and played video games all summer and a kid who went to camp. The kid who went to America’s Finest Summer Camp just comes back to a new school year a little different. They have high self-esteem, are confident, are willing to try new things, work well in groups, show extraordinary leadership skills, are responsible and respectful and hard working.

 

Every kid wants to be “that kid”; the kid that has hundreds of cool stories and experiences to share with others, who had the chance to try new sports and activities that they may not have had a chance to try had they not gone to camp.

 

When the teacher asked you what you did this summer, did you have a lot to say? If not, consider spending this summer at America’s Finest Summer Camps and go back to school next year as the kid who had the best summer vacation on the planet.

 

Woodworking: it’s back in style!

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AC9U1364

Have you been keeping up on Parks & Rec lately? Yeah, so have we. (You have to do something when you’re waiting for summer to start, right?)

 

Here at camp pretty much everything reminds us of camp activities, but apparently we’re not the only ones: and Nick Offermans’ goofy woodworking-obsessed character has gotten us particularly excited to dive into some traditional American crafting in the shops at America’s Finest Summer Camps.

 

“It’s difficult to name a favorite wood. They are all so noble, each with its own special characteristics.”

– Nick Offerman, Parks & Rec

 

Okay, maybe you don’t have to be as serious about woodworking as they are on Parks & Rec, but getting crafty in the shop is definitely a ton of fun.

Traditional skills are hip… and practical

Woodworking is one of those traditional skills that is slowly being lost in much of the country. Trying it out at camp is as much about getting in touch with the history of craftsmanship as it is about learning practical skills that will serve you well next time you need to use a little elbow grease on a home-improvement project.

It’s like the school shop with extra imagination

The best part about woodworking at America’s Finest Summer Camps is that it isn’t “just any” woodworking class. If you think building a chair in the shop at school sounds boring, how about building a rustic necklace, or something you can use in your room — like a laptop tray? Campers have built some pretty crazy stuff in summers past, including:

 

  • Sundials
  • Wall hangings
  • Windmills
  • Creative sculptures
  • Rustic signs

 

…and the list goes on.

 

If you can imagine it, you can build it. Staff specialists work with you to help you learn the tools, and then your creativity gets to run wild making something cool along with the group… or going rogue and making something else entirely.

Woodworking projects are great gifts for family (hint, hint)

If you’re racking your brains trying to think of a good Father’s Day, Mother’s Day or Holiday gift, keep it in mind when you hit the shop next summer. Everyone loves homemade gifts, so a handmade gift from the camp woodworking shop is sure to fit the bill. It’s certainly less boring than socks!

 

Whatever you bring home from the camp woodworking shop, it’s guaranteed to surprise your folks. Camp isn’t just fun — it can also be practical.

 

We can’t wait to build more awesome stuff next summer! See you in the shop!

 

Where I go all summer, and why I look so happy when I come back

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AC9U3375

Every summer students all over North America close their school books, say goodbye to homework and board the bus out to summer camp. For a few days, or a few weeks, they stay busy doing activities, exploring nature and making new friends. All that anybody hears from them is the occasional cheery postcard dropped in the mail between activities.

 

Weeks later, they return to their hometowns smiling, suntanned and filled with enthusiasm, leaving everyone that stayed home wondering: what happened out there that was such a blast? Their peers who opt out of summer camp are sure to look up from their phones when everybody gets back to school and ask two questions summer campers know well: “where have you been? And why do you look so happy?”

Challenge by choice helps you believe in yourself

Contrary to popular belief, the real attraction of camp isn’t that it’s easy, or “all fun and games.” The real attraction of summer camp is that it teaches you the rewards that come from meeting challenges head-on. When you realize that challenging things can also be fun, difficulties like homework and making friends at school that used to seem scary and difficult become easy and engaging — because you realize that just like any game, the secret is to enjoy playing, whether or not you win. This is honestly a hugely important life lesson, and one of the main reasons summer campers always seem happy and energetic.

Learning that exercise can be fun

Another reason for all the post-camp smiling that might seem obvious to some: physical activity. Endless scientific studies have shown the negative effects that getting too little physical exercise can have on people, particularly young people who are still growing. So it’s a good thing that summer camp is basically a crash course in exercise, introducing campers to tons of high-energy sports and activities like climbing, canoeing, tennis, and many more.

 

Plus, campers don’t just do activities at camp — they take skills home and pursue their passions independently, whether they decide to become expert climbers, pro basketball players, or follow up on any other activity that might have captured their imagination.

In short: at camp, the endorphins are flowing!

Digital detox works wonders

Technology isn’t all bad, but most parents agree that spending too much time scanning Instagram and “liking” pictures on Facebook can have a negative social effect on kids and teens. After all, can you imagine how different your childhood would be if you hadn’t spent most of it outside, making your own fun with your siblings or friends?

 

In our digital age kids feel a lot of pressure to stay “active” with a wide range of social media activities, and that can become incredibly stressful, not to mention invite bullying. Camp is a chance for campers to cut their ties to internet use, if only for a few days, and to concentrate on the things that make childhood fun. Namely, making new friends, discovering new things, and getting back in touch with nature.

What it all means

Summer camp has a lot of fun-looking activities, yet when people reminisce about summer camp they aren’t usually talking specifically about sailing, or basketball, or ceramics, or campfire challenges. No, they always talk about “the summer camp experience” — that unmistakable mix of nature, friendship and campfires that somehow turns a few days of fun and games into a chance for growth and self-discovery.

 

The thing is, time is fleeting. The stakes only get higher in life, and summer camp is a chance to discover who you are, separate from the day-to-day stresses of school, homework, and whatever else might be keeping a camper busy throughout the year.

 

When you look through photos from time spent at camp, it’s always bittersweet; these are times that go by quickly, and summer camp is a chance to pack all the best parts of childhood into one amazing, crazy week or two.

 

No matter their background, campers will all tell you that camp changed their life.  Campers are introduced to life-long friends, given a chance to practice their real-world social skills, and taught the value of unplugging from the digital world and focusing on being present in the moment.

 

With all that summer camp offers, why wouldn’t you look happy when you come home?

7 reasons summer campers would win “The Hunger Games”

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AC9U2503

It’s hard not to imagine yourself in the world of “The Hunger Games” when you watch the film’s star Katniss running through the forest on the big screen, and for summer campers the themes of friendship, family and on-point archery skills ring especially true. Everyone has their own strategy they would use if they were a contestant in “The Hunger Games.” How would summer campers fare? From archery practice to camping skills, here are 6 reasons campers would definitely win:

1. Because they use teamwork

Campers know better than anybody that teamwork increases the odds of winning a game — and guarantees a fair share of fun even if “winning” isn’t in the cards. Being comfortable working on a team and trusting in others to pull their fair share takes guts, whether you’re fighting for your family in the Hunger Games or fighting for an extra marshmallow at a campfire challenge.

2. Because they know how to hit a bullseye

What do medieval knights, futuristic Hunger Game contestants and summer campers all have in common? That’s right — unbeatable archery skills! Katniss might get a run for her money if she participated in a camp archery competition, because let me tell you — some campers are seriously sharp shooters. Knowing how to use a bow and arrow is a rare skill in this day and age, but it’s no mystery to campers.

3. Because they’re resourceful

One of the biggest challenges of The Hunger Games is making do with what you have, and using elbow grease and creativity to solve problems. Campers spend all day practicing these skills and learning to have fun in the great outdoors without high-tech smartphones and game systems. Then when it’s time for theater and skits, campers use their imaginations to bring the adventure to life. Needless to say, being resourceful in the Games would be no problem for campers.

4. Because they know how to camp out

As if being on the run and fighting death-defying odds weren’t enough, the contestants of the Hunger Games also have to survive for days on end in the wilderness — sleeping under the stars, making shelters out of branches, and always planning ahead so they have access to their basic necessities.

 

Luckily there’s no risk of such troubles at summer camp, but campers still get to practice the fun side of wilderness survival skills. From learning to start campfires to exploring the habitats of wildlife in nature, exposure to the skills needed to have a blast in the great outdoors is a huge part of camp life. Regardless of experience, all campers get a chance to experience the life-affirming power of an outdoor camping experience.

 

…And of course, everyone at Camp Starlight knows where the North Star is! So navigation is no problem.

5. Because they know how to be a leader

Leadership is the quality that makes Katniss special in “The Hunger Games,” and it’s also one of the most important qualities taught at summer camp — how to be brave and volunteer when help is needed, and how to take charge when you know that something needs to be done.

6. Because they trust each other

Trust games are a staple of summer camp, and a belief in the power of team building carries summer campers far as they grow up and enter “the real world.” Anybody who’s done a trust fall knows it’s one of the scariest things you can do — and also the most liberating, because once you believe in your peers you can learn to truly believe in yourself. In the world of “The Hunger Games,” Katniss almost lost many times simply by second-guessing her allies, and the fact that trust ultimately brought them together is one of the film’s most inspiring messages.

7. Because they’re loyal to their friends

Last but not least, the biggest and best part of camp life: friendship. It’s friendship that saves Katniss and her friends at the end of the film, and it’s friendship that brings campers back to summer camp, again and again, year after year. Katniss shows that she’s willing to give everything for her friends and family. Campers learn that friendship isn’t just about taking — it’s about giving back, volunteering, and always being ready to help others.

How Camp Helped Me Live A Balanced Life

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rdspsUTMrlXdz4jrAyADor2vbjs_17dBJcY6PO6UCDwBefore I went to camp, if you were to ask the adults in my life to describe me in one word, they would probably say “focused” or “disciplined” or “passionate.” This would be their nice way of saying I focus on one thing and one thing only, my grades. Now of course this makes my parents really happy, and they are proud of all of the A’s I bring home on my report card, and are excited about all of the opportunities I’ll have after high school. But they also realized that something was a little off balance. The time and energy and stress that I put on myself and my rising GPA left little room to enjoy other things typical teenagers should be enjoying, like sports and friends and a book other than a textbook. I was worried when they mentioned a summer camp, and then especially worried when they clarified that it was NOT an academic camp. How am I going to relate to the other kids? I should be using the summer to study quantum physics, not floating around in a canoe! But I packed up my suitcase, said goodbye to my calculators and science magazines, and headed to camp where, my parents hoped, I’d learn to find some balance.

The second day of camp, I found myself balanced. Balanced atop a shaking rope, a hundred feet off the ground, with sweat running down my face. I had been encouraged to try the ropes course, and one shaky foot in front of the other, and with a crowd of pretty much perfect strangers cheering for me, I faced my fear of heights and made it all the way across the challenge course. I was pretty sure this was not what my parents meant by finding balance, but it did give me a rush and helped me face a fear.
As the days flew by, my hours were packed with activities and events that I never would have tried back home. Instead of passing up on social activities to study, I was racing from tennis matches to pottery class and then to the lake for a swim. People were asking ME to be on their team, to hang out with them and to try something new with them. And they were doing it because they liked hanging out with me, not because they wanted to copy my homework or get answers for a test. That was such a great feeling!

I even started to notice this “balance” theme sneak into other areas of my life. For the first few days I only ate food that was familiar to me, but as time went on I started to eat healthier foods, and with the guidance of the counselors, learned to balance the healthy food with the snack food.

At the end of the day, during quiet time in our cabins, I would write down everything I had done that day. I began to see that my likes and interests were broadening, and that each day I was involved in many different areas. I was being creative in the morning, athletic in the mid afternoon, pensive and reflective in the late afternoon (with my quiet time by the lake) as well as social, independent and confident all day long. I began to see how much I was missing at home by focusing all of my time and energy on one thing.

Now, if you ask the adults in my life to describe me, they’ll say “always on the go” or “diverse” or “busy!” And it’s true, camp helped me realize that while grades and education are still at the top of my list, it doesn’t have to be the ONLY thing on my list. I’m thankful for my time at camp, and that it opened up windows for me to live a healthier, more balanced life.

Jody

国际夏令营拓展视野的5种方式

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3

夏令营本身已经是超级好玩的活动了。可以想象如果能与来自世界各地的营员和辅导员一起那一定会让你的欢乐程度爆表！

…当然，国际营并不只是想象中简单的将已有夏令营活动内容与一些异国口音混合在一起。营员们通过国际营有机会直接接触来自不同地区和国家的伙伴并了解每个人的“不同”— 并且在此过程中也能够更深入的了解自我，这就是国际夏令营如此特别并且吸引营员反复参与的秘诀。

  1. 区别是生活的调味品

每个人都有独自的特点-国际营在此基础上又多了一些。营员们与来自不同国家的同龄人交朋友，也与来自世界另一端的营员们一起找寻共同点，这样的过程让营员们学会了尊重差异。

总而言之，没有人愿意总是被与自己相似的人所包围！学会欣赏不同的文化能帮助国际营员成长为更加自信、宽容和具有情趣爱好的世界好公民。

  1. 重点在于沟通

谈到沟通是不是过于冗余？当然不是，锻炼营员的沟通能力是夏令营领导力训练中很大的内容板块！国际营是实践测试营员沟通能力的大好时机。

尤其是当来自不同语言国家的营员们尝试寻找共同点、理解对方时，对营员们来说会是一个挑战；每一位国际营员在与和自己完全不同的伙伴分享的过程中会学习到有意义的一课。

  1. 有意义的友谊

友谊是营地体验的核心，也是营员们每年都重回营地的一个原因。

“今年会是谁和我一组呢?”

“伙伴们会是从哪里来，他们又会是怎么样的呢?”

这样的问题都会浮现在每位夏令营参与者的脑海中。

…最棒的是，当夏天结束国际营员回国后还与来自于世界各地的营员结为笔友—谁会知道没准在不久的将来你也会到法国、中国、西班牙等国家拜访国际营的小伙伴呢！

  1. 宽容是国际通行证

世界每天都连接的更加紧密，学会宽容对待与自己不同的人不仅仅是营员们也是每个人人生中重要的一课。

国际营员学习了解到最真实的文化体验，让他们了解不同文化的好玩和有趣而不是对不同文化的恐慌或疏远。文化桥接是国际夏令营的宗旨。

  1. 好奇心是关键

国际营员们似乎都知道交朋友的秘诀是怀有一颗充满好奇的心。国际营员对不同文化的好奇会促进相互交流而不是自己单方面对未知的揣测。

与来自不同国家的伙伴交朋友的时候，竖起好奇的耳朵倾听是度过快乐夏天最简单的方式。你也许会学到很多有趣的东西！

保持开放式思维接受新体验

对于乐于寻找的人来说世界是一个充满乐趣和机遇的探险之地。国际营就是一个精彩的起点，在这里营员们不仅了解了世界的丰富多彩还能让他们学会珍惜那些让自已文化具有独特性和有趣性的因素。

从不同人的视角看来世界上的每个国家都会具有其独特的异国情调—对于国际营员来说，世界就是一个大家庭！