What did YOU do this summer?

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“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.

 

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Woodworking: it’s back in style!

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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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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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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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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！

Going on a Hike… More than Just Good Exercise!

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Screen-Shot-2016-03-30-at-3.49.18-PM-300x198When you hear the words “summer camp,” you probably think of three things right away: campfires, friendship — and nature.

Without any of these essential elements, camp just wouldn’t be the same. Spending much-needed “digital detox” time in the woods is what brings many of us back year after year, so it’s no surprise that hiking in the natural areas around Camp Weequahic is one of the most popular activities each summer!

There’s nothing like fresh mountain air to remind us of the things that matter in life.

The healing power of nature

Hiking is a serious workout, but it isn’t just about “building character.” Life on the trail has many proven emotional and health benefits that make it a wonderful way for campers and counselors alike to pass the afternoon.

For example: did you know the average person only walks half as much as doctors recommend for a healthy lifestyle?

This is particularly unfortunate for kids, many of whom aren’t spending nearly enough time outside. Aside from missing out on the emotional benefits of sunshine and endorphins, it’s no mystery to parents that time spent in front of iPads and Playstations is rarely time well-spent.

Needless to say, everyone gets in plenty of exercise out of an afternoon in the woods!

Connecting with the natural world

But it isn’t the health benefits of hiking that get campers excited about getting out on the trail. Quite the opposite: in the high-energy world of camp sports and games, hiking is a perfect slow-down time.

New friends can use the time to talk and get to know one another, and others can use the time to “zen out” with the forest and enjoy the experience of being out in the wild.

With so many campers coming from urban and suburban areas, time spent hiking around Camp Weequahic may be a first-time experience with the peace and quiet of the woodlands!

The journey is the destination

Like all the activities at summer camp, hiking contains many lessons that strike to the core of what the camp experience is all about.

Most importantly, campers are reminded that the journey is as important as the destination. The summit may be spectacular, but the best part of hiking come from the camaraderie and togetherness of tackling the trail — and the pure value of experiencing the great outdoors.

Life is like a trail, and every journey begins with a single step. Whatever your dream may be, it’s waiting for you at the top of the mountain. The journey may be long… but there’s no reason to make it alone! Stick with your camp friends and you’ll be there before you know it!

夏令营让我的孩子有了改变

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今年我怀着既紧张又激动的心情为儿子Conner报名了全美最优秀的夏令营。Conner的好友曾经有参加夏令营的经历，而且回来后不停地极力赞扬。随后经过诸多调查和讨论，我们决定让Conner也去夏令营体验一个夏天。当送儿子到达营地后看他高兴地跳下车，头也没回就兴奋的直奔营地时，这颗“妈妈心”还是有些颤动，但我们坚信这个决定是正确的。上周夏令营结束，我们接他回家时我才百分之百的确定我们做了最正确的决定。这个面带欢乐笑容跳上后座的孩子与之前有些…不同。

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当时我很难详细的说出有那点不同，但光从他谈论在营地结交的新朋友以及当他说起他们之间的小笑话而兴奋不已时我能看得出他眼中发自内心的激动和兴奋。回到家后我们注意到他最大的一点改变就是他变得更加懂事了。不用我问孩子就会自己主动铺床、饭后将自己的饭碗放到水池、主动提出帮忙提杂物甚至在路过厨房时会主动询问我们是否需要些什么。我们发现从营地回来后的他变得更加体贴细心。这并不是从前的他不懂事，而是我看到他愿意帮助别人以及多为别人着想的意愿变得比以前更加强烈。随着日子一天天过去，我非常开心的看到他很享受地与新朋友发邮件、聊天、视频等。夏令营之前的他还有些内向，现在的他变得爱说话并且更加自信。我喜欢看到他与同龄的伙伴们互动、我也喜欢看他认真倾听别人说话并且自信的参与他人交谈。

就在今天，他告诉我他要参加学校足球队的面试，足球是一项夏令营之前他从没接触过的体育运动。他说在营地时他受到鼓励参与足球运动并且每天都与小伙伴们一起踢足球。作为母亲，看到儿子通过夏令营有了积极正面的改变而震惊。我预想得到他会结交一些新朋友、尝试一些新活动、学会独立，但我从没想过通过短短几周的时间能够提升他的社交能力、促进他的性格发展和关系增长以及增强他的自信心。

任何还在迟疑是否让孩子参加夏令营的家长都不用在怀疑，这真的是让孩子得到锻炼的好机会。在这短短的几周里你不仅可以享受一下放松时光，更重要的是你会被孩子通过夏令营所学到的东西和他自身的改变所震惊。

全美最优秀的夏令营让我的孩子变得更好，我们也期待着下次的夏令营能够看到他更大更强的改变！

Friendship at America’s Finest Summer Camps

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Written by Ornella Vecchio

Screen Shot 2015-05-21 at 11.07.22 AMWhen my dad told me about Camp for the first time, it took me a while to understand what he was really talking about. In the ‘70s Italy was a far away place. Colour television was the big technological advance of that year and a weekly direct flight to New York was the latest in terms of traveling in style. Father said I would soon be going to Camp. To learn English, to learn the American way of life. To prepare myself to go to a US university, one day. He also told me that his best friend Si and his wife Shirley – Jeff Moss’s dad and mom!! – would take care of me and help me to get used to Camp. “How lucky is father” I thought “to have a best friend he trusts so much that he sends his daughter all over the ocean to stay with him and his family!” Well, my dad did not go to Camp but he already knew that Camp is the place where you make friends that last a lifetime.

And that was very true. Now that over 40 years have gone by since I first went to Camp. Over there, in that far away place, I made friends that have been close to my heart ever since, even if communication was not what is it today. But thank God we now have Viper and Skype!So, I eventually turned 13 – at that time in Italy your 12th birthday was a sort of rite of passage that took you from childhood to teen age – and the time came to start making preparations for Camp.When the letter from Camp arrived in January, with a list of clothes and things to prepare, mother and I had to ask my English teacher to help us with those funny terms we could not find on our Oxford English Lerner’s Dictionary. I can still remember the big brainstorming mother had with both grandmothers about “shorts”. In the years when Mary Quant’s mini-skirt was still being banned, I was supposed to wear something the Americans called shorts and that were shorter than half my thigh! To my grandma Ester this was totally unacceptable. Let alone that shorts were impossible to find. So, a tailor was summoned and entrusted with the delicate task of making “shorts” that were not “so” short. The result was obviously completely ridiculous and made me look like one of Queen Victoria’s children in her bathing suit. And on top of that, when I finally arrived at Camp, I realized that the fastest and best way to make a pair of shorts, was to cut out the legs from a pair stone washed jeans.

Yeah, of course. But the point was: were could you buy Levi’s jeans in Valenza, Piedmont, in 1974?

Il campus ha cambiato il mio bimbo

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Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 3.42.06 PMEro emozionata e nervosa per il fatto di dover mandare mio figlio Connor quest’anno in uno dei migliori campus estivi americani. Il migliore amico di Connor era andato nel campus l’estate scorsa e ne parlava con entusiasmo. Quindi, dopo tante ricerche e discussioni, abbiamo deciso di consentire a Connor di trascorrere l’estate lontano da casa. Non voglio mentire, il mio “cuore da mamma” si è spezzato quando praticamente è sceso dalla macchina senza guardare indietro, ma ero abbastanza convinta che stessimo facendo la scelta giusta. La scorsa settimana, quando siamo andati a prenderlo, ero al 100% sicura di aver preso la decisione giusta. Il ragazzo felice e sorridente che è salito sul sedile posteriore della nostra macchina era… diverso.

Non ho potuto individuare molte differenze sin da subito, a parte la frenesia che aveva negli occhi e la voce che aveva quando ha parlato di tutti i suoi amici ed è scoppiato a ridere ricordandosi gli scherzi e le conversazioni divertenti con i suoi nuovi compagni. Una delle cose importanti che ho notato quando siamo arrivati a casa è stato il fatto che era diventato d’aiuto. Senza che io glielo chiedessi, ha rifatto il suo letto, ha messo il suo piatto nel lavandino, si è offerto di portarmi i sacchetti della spesa e ci ha chiesto se poteva portarci qualcosa dalla cucina visto che stava andando in quella direzione. Ho notato un nuovo senso di premura quando è tornato. Non che fosse senza cuore prima, ma ho sicuramente notato un cambiamento nella sua volontà di aiutare gli altri e di pensare agli altri prima di pensare a se stesso. Col passare dei giorni, il mio cuore è esploso dalla gioia nel vedere l’entusiasmo con il quale inviava email, chattava e usava FaceTime per parlare con i suoi nuovi amici. È andato al campus un po’ riservato, ed è tornato socievole e fiducioso. Mi è piaciuto vederlo interagire con i suoi coetanei, mi è piaciuto vedere come stava veramente ascoltando ciò che gli altri avevano da dire, e come si sentiva fiducioso di contribuire alla conversazione.

11403218_10152921109351960_6993264803082064644_nProprio oggi mi ha detto che stava andando a fare il provino per il calcio a scuola, uno sport che non aveva mai praticato prima di andare nel campus. Ha detto che era stato incoraggiato a provarlo nel campus e lo aveva praticato tutti i giorni mentre era lì. In qualità di madre, sono rimasta a bocca aperta quando ho visto i cambiamenti positivi di mio figlio dopo averlo mandato al campus. Sapevo che avrebbe fatto nuove amicizie, provato una o due nuove attività e imparato a vivere indipendentemente e in gruppo, ma non avevo idea delle competenze sociali, dello sviluppo caratteriale, della crescita relazionale e dell’aumento della fiducia che il fatto di spendere solo due settimane lontano da casa avrebbe portato.

Qualsiasi genitore che sta solo pensando di mandare il suo figlio in un campus, dovrebbe smettere di pensare ora e di iscriverlo. Non solo vi goderete un paio di settimane di relax in assenza di vostro figlio, ma quando egli torna a casa, sarete piacevolmente sorpresi da tutto quello che ha imparato, e soprattutto, da ciò che è diventato.

I migliori campus estivi americani hanno cambiato mio figlio per il meglio, ed entrambi non vediamo l’ora di vedere la crescita e i cambiamenti che accadranno la prossima estate nel campus!