Every parent, educator, and caregiver knows that when
children get hurt they often want their boo-boos kissed; boo-boo kisses have some
kind of magical power that lessens their pain, real or imagined. The kiss
itself heals, not because it’s medicinal, but because it comes from a place of
love and serves to acknowledge and validate the experience a child is having.
What about the boo-boos we can’t see? How can we fix
those?
At Cambridge Adventure Day Camp, we believe in the
potential of all children to reach their highest selves. We approach camper
management from a place of compassion and empathy, understanding that emotional
pain is the underlying cause of most behavioral issues. Like their adult
counterparts, children want to be known and respected. When their behavior is
off target, we ask ourselves: What would make a child act this way? How can we
address the issue with positive discipline and mentoring? What is their need
and how can we meet it? The result
of approaching children in this manner is relationships characterized by mutual
trust because the kids understand that adults see them, accept them, and love
them as they are.
 |
| The words these girls wrote read: Adults Are Good. They wrote this unprompted, indicating they've have internalized an important message: we are here to help, hold, and nurture them as they journey through life. |
In other news, today was Red, White, and Blue day at
camp!
Upper Camp spent the morning at the Concord Musuem
where children had an opportunity to see Americana and experience interactive
programming; they dressed up in colonial garb, held artifacts, and simulated
metal work by using simple sheets of tin.
In the afternoon, Upper Campers enjoyed electives
including: reenacting the Boston Tea Party, participating in drum circles
inspired by the history at Congo Square (where slaves would gather on Sundays
to relax), painting portraits with watercolors on paper they antiqued with tea
bags, learning modern dance, and cooking apple-pie pockets.
Upper Campers also have an opportunity this summer to
take tennis lessons, and we are so grateful to the Cambridge Tennis Club for
collaborating with us in this venture. Fourteen of our campers will spend one
afternoon a week working with a seasoned professional to build skills and
refine their game.
Lower Camp enjoyed an open swim at War Memorial Pool
this afternoon, but spent their morning in programming making tri-corner hats,
going on a search for “cannon balls,” participating in drum circles, and
learning patriotic songs.
Lower Campers also enjoyed use of sidewalk chalk and
took on the challenge of decorating our driveway with positive images and
messages.
And on that note, we'd like to wish everyone a joyful and safe celebration tomorrow as we commemorate our nation's independence! See you Thursday!
No comments:
Post a Comment