As a summer, camp and youth expert, I meet with and help many kids and teens. The one goal I have for all my clients is: what will make a winning summer for each of them.
This obviously varies based on the age of the child or teen, his/her personal needs and goals, as well as those of their parents. I am especially sensitive to the small achievements I hope those with special needs can accomplish in the summer.
When I interview parents, kids and teens, I search for the strengths and weaknesses of the children. Often those with learning challenges need a break in the summer, since the yearlong struggles at school take a toll on their self esteem. So I help them focus on new passions, self-discovery, and/or things they do well. This way when they return home from celebrating triumphs, they are stronger to face the challenges they work hard to overcome in school, and even life. Nothing is more rewarding than to hear a child became a great water skier or received a lead in the camp show, when in school this might not happen for them.
For others it might be learning how to make friends more easily, discovering a world outside of their own, experiencing the incredible pride and self-satisfaction of altruistic acts of kindness that you cannot put a price on.
The journey itself is often the greatest reward. When you sit down to work with your kids and teens on planning their summer (and it should be a partnership), sit back and ask them - and yourself - what would make this a winning summer for my child or teen?
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