Everything Summer Blog

No Power: Is It Summer Camp?

Many people were left without power this past week after a freaky October snowstorm. The lack of power was exceptionally inconvenient and in some cases dangerous. Non-working traffic lights, tree debris, downed wires caused accidents. Schools and businesses were closed. Halloween was cancelled or postponed in many communities. Could there possibly be a silver lining?

Friends opened their hearts and homes to others, offering beds, showers, chargers, food, and heat to those without. Their generosity inspired others to do the same once they got back power. Neighbors who usually are too busy to interact made time to commiserate and keep each other apprised of news and progress. Strangers sat in Starbucks and shared tips on keeping warm and communicating with the utility companies.

Deprived of video games, television and internet access, families spent a lot of together time. Board games were played. People read by flashlight. Older children helped take care of younger children - both siblings and friends of the family. Everybody was more patience with each other (except those that really weren't). Meals had to be planned and eaten together. Hair was not blown dry, and no make-up was applied. It became apparent to everyone what was really important - family, friends, and of course, heat, light and food.

It was a frustrating and uncomfortable week for all those that lost power, and it was an experience that no one wants to repeat (there is a run on generators!!). On the other hand, many children wait all year until they can go to summer camp, counting each day until they can get on the bus and reunite with their friends and counselors, their summer family. Yet, some of the things that make summer camp so special are the lack of electronics, the shared mealtimes, and the older children taking care of younger ones. Of course, camp is a lot more - great activities, exciting experiences, etc. But, many of the things that make camp special are less obvious - the send of community, the simplicity of life, shared communal activities, the responsibility and pride in caring for younger children emulating older ones.

Although everyone wants to forget the last week with no power as quickly as they cam, perhaps we should try to remember some of it.

The Night Before Summer Camp

The last night home before leaving for sleepaway camp conjures up rituals and memories, as a parent, child and even the summer camp expert here. And tonight is that night for me.

Whether your child is going off to camp for the first time, successive summers, or his or her final summer, it is emotional and memorable for everyone. Having lived through so many of these nights, I share my memories and lessons learned, to make it easier for others:

• Share their favorite foods - of course! My kids would often have different requests. So we would bring in from their favorite restaurants. For others it is a special meal a child and/or parent prepares.
• Do a family activity - in our case, movies have been a family bond that ties all of us together. So we'd pick the latest new film (when they were young) and be sure we saw it as a family that last night together. As tastes matured, we moved onto independent films.
• Pack their knapsack together - whether kids go off to camp via a bus, car, plane or train, there remain always a few items that did not get packed in their trunk. Or more importantly, there are some special or personal items you want them to have en route to camp. In our case, it was a new family photo book that included family and close friends, a treasured stuffed animal or comfort item they could use if they wanted to feel close to home or us, favorite music (remember no electronics with video abilities are allowed), favorite dvds to share with the bunk when allowed during movie night (the camp office would hold), snack/gum (remember, they take these away when the kids arrive, so do NOT go overboard with this), book, specialty magazines, any last minute clothes, etc. Remember, they have to be able to carry this knapsack themselves!
• Write a special note - and pack it in their knapsack yourself. My kids cherished these. Notes of encouragement and love go far.
• Talk about happy times and how wonderful camp is - no negative, or 'child sick' talk allowed! This is not the time to talk about important things you forgot to mention. Kids need their parents support and happiness as they go off to camp. If your kids show anxieties, it is normal; be reassuring. You can call the camp in the morning after you drop off your kids to alert them of any last minute conversations of which they should be aware.

Developing rituals around this night will become something all of you look forward to and cherished memories as you and your child reminisce about their camp years.

What are you last-night-before-camp rituals?

Good Girls and Role Models

Yesterday's NY Times Magazine had as its cover story Good Girl, Miranda Cosgrove, an 'It Girl' teen influencer of School of Rock fame, and now iCarly. Not all teen idols can be good role models, but Miranda seems to be doing an effective job here.

With the entertainment companies creating teen idols, and the media pushing them further into the public eye, young girls become more impressionable. I see these idol promotional materials each summer when I visit camps. Miranda seems to live her life in a way that parents, including her own, can be proud and comfortable knowing other young girls are following and trying to emulate her.

I fell in love with Miranda as the take-charge young band manager in School of Rock, even then putting females in positive and strong leadership roles (teaching young girls they are capable and can be in charge). Camps work hard in this same area; and girls camps especially focus on the issues often central to pre-adolescent girls, such as mean girl syndrome, exclusion, appropriate body image/health and self esteem.

I hope this summer when I visit camps I see more posters and magazines full of stories and role model lessons about Miranda and other 'good girls.' Parents should try to enforce this by helping their kids pack bunk decorating images that represent good role models for their kids, camp friends and bunk-mates.

Passionate Teens Do Something

I recently participated as an evaluator for the Do Something Teen Boot Camp. It is likely one of my best volunteer experiences. Why? Because I was inspired by more than 125 teens who applied to be accepted to learn how to bring their amazing causes to greater levels of social action awareness and impact. How fitting to talk about this now, days before Thanksgiving.

So here are the final three student causes that each won the highest ratings for their elevator pitches amongst we judges, resulting in each of them winning a $500 grant for their social action cause:

1. Chefs For Schools, whose mission strives to address issues of food inequality in underserved communities by training and placing university student volunteers in worthwhile service opportunities.
2. Silent Voices United, Inc., that uses hip hop music to get youth tested for HIV; as well as to educate, strengthen and empower underserved at-risk by providing alternatives to youth violence, teen pregnancy and more.
3. The Financial Literacy Community Project, aims to bridge the financial literacy gap in America by helping educate underserved school kids about finance in Philadelphia. Founded by a few Wharton School students.

What did the teens learn? Tons. A few highlights: never give up; passion is contagious; get together and make a change happen; always improve your pitch and goals (and ABC always be closing); how to make board meetings fun; the nitty gritty (501 c 3 and sponsorships); networking is essential to getting your cause off the ground; ask for more money; there are different ways to approach topics; one yes is a success.

Here's some of the key tips we speed catchers (yes, that was our title) gave the students on their picthes: it is okay to be personally connected to a cause (in fact, it is more meaningful); give your full title, name of your organization, and brief mission; ask a person to take action and make a commitment; give your problem and a solution; follow up on the connections and ask again for what you need and with whom else you can talk; explain what your donation gets you; does a company offer matching donations; do not bury your accomplishments - everyone wants to get you to your goal; tell people you have a plan; pitch until it is natural - make someone relate to your story; use the language of the industry of which you are a part; share how someone can personally get involved - invite them to join you in solving the problem.  

What did I learn? To keep coaching students and helping empower them to start or support such amazing causes. Talk about this with your family over Thanksgiving; you (and your kids) will be glad you did.

Summer Gadget Fun

To celebrate the launch of the latest iphone 4 today, I thought I'd share some cool gadgets to capture summer fun. Remember, if your kids are going to camp, check the electronics policies. Almost none allow any mechanisms that have video capability; and do not take the risk of something valuable getting lost. But bring those nifty flip-cam and smart phones to say good bye and attend visiting day. You want those memories documented!

The New York Times did a nice article recently on some gadgets. Here are my picks:

• Compact travel buddy cameras that fit in a pocket or small purse. Some have a GPS function that lets you plot where the photo was shot (almost foursquare-like??). It also shoots high definition video.
• Outdoors, underwater cameras. Good choice for adventures and fits in a pocket. Take it on a trail, bike ride, the pool or even snorkeling (high definition video lets you remember what you really saw, with your expressions). And dropping it does not mean it will break.
• budget-minded, and for the less sophisticated - kids and teens (and less tech-oriented parents, like me). Apparently its easy features make it almost foolproof for novices (think I'll seriously look into this one).

Other good travel gadget sources and ideas include walkabouttravelgear.com for tech travel supplies, skype for calling, yelp for reviews, tripit for organizing itineraries, e-readers for the beach. But one of the best leisure travel all-in-one gadgets is the ipad if you can spring for it (it gets my husband's approval!).