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.

Back-to-School and Bullying

It's a new school year. With new shoes, a new book bag and the latest in technology, kids are back to bullying. They've left the safe haven of summer camp, where there is zero tolerance for bullying, to face its evil presence in school and on-line.

I took a sneak peek at CBS News/48 Hours Special Presentation, Bullying: Words Can Kill, to be aired, Friday, September 16, 8PM ET/PT. 1 in 4 children are bullied daily, 160,000 kids stay home every day because they are afraid of being bullied. And, sadly,too many lives are taken over this horrendous act.

The special highlights key signs that parents should be aware of, that may indicate their child is being bullied; in essence, sharp changes in behavior - such as best friends parting suddenly, a former Facebook daily user who refuses to go on-line, eating and sleeping patterns that are abnormal. Parents need to step in and discuss these changes; bringing them to the attention of professionals and their school.

Top tips include:

• Be your child's advocate
• Monitor on-line activities
• What to do if your child is bullied
• And could your child be a bully

It would be much better for children if schools could adapt some of the strategies and training that summer camps invest heavily in each summer, and year-round. An effective consequence for campers is being told to leave camp for behaviors that are not allowed - parents have to escort them home and money is not refunded. And since camps do this every summer, kids know camps walk the talk. I actually witnessed such an exit this summer when I was re-visiting a camp. The director was quick to point out to me the group dynamics and strategies they put in place to protect their campers. Such post-exit guidance meetings for campers impacted by the bullier and those who might think the bullier should have stayed, prove effective management tools for the camp staff and campers. Reinforcing what a positive community stands for (and does not).

Please share this post so others watch this important presentation and get involved to stop bullying in its tracks.

 

Abercrombie & Fitch Bikini and Camp

It's all over the media. The Abercrombie & Fitch bikini with a built-in push-up bra. Too much for 7 (to 14) year old girls? As a summer camp and youth expert, I think so.

NBC's Today Show and WPIX News this morning, to name just a few, covered this story. I am on the side of too much, too soon. I agree with the child development experts (Dr. Janet Taylor, Dr. Robyn Silverman); this is a teachable moment. But don't flaunt this story; that is likely what the store would like. Girls need to feel comfortable with and proud of who they are at all ages; bodies change dramatically once girls hit puberty and to think they should emulate bodies much older than they are is inappropriate.

When I visit camps each summer, I look especially to observe how girls are dressed, young girls, the teens and the staff, who are the younger girls role models. I also see which camps allow make-up. I applaud camps that don't allow two piece bathing suits - be it girls or coed camps. Uniforms can help with this issue.

Parents, especially moms, let your your daughters be children as long as they can. Once they start dressing in a more sophisticated manner, it is tough to turn the clock back (physically, emotionally, behaviorally and socially). Hold strong to your morals and values; your daughters will thank you when they get older.

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.

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!).