Summer Learning: Not For Dummies Anymore

Building a successful sand castle requires quite a bit of skill! (Image Credit:http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/1886R-25213)

The 2012/13 school year is quickly coming to a close and it is time to put some serious thought into your child’s ‘summer education’.  I know when I was a child the thought of summer was about anything BUT school.  Summer school was for kids who failed or had issues in the regular year.  I did go one year in second or third grade for reading and once I got over the ‘trauma’ it was actually quite fun and it did help my reading.

In subsequent years while there was always the threat of summer school it never materialized since I achieved pretty good grades. However, that meant the summer was generally an educational dead zone for me. There was the occasional family trip to the Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo Museum of Science, Corning Glass, Niagara Falls, Fort Niagara and local parks that were great fun and sparked my curiosity.  Nevertheless, it was really not enough to truly advance my learning through the summer. I’d get back into school in September and be amazed at all the Math, Science and English I had forgotten.

Times have changed since then and as parents we are truly doing our children a disservice if we don’t act proactively and use the summer to supplement our child’s education.  There are many options to doing this that can be fun, low-cost, effective and engaging for all of us…including the child. Some ideas include:

Summer Camp – We have many posts on these and how to select the one right for you and your child. Remember to do your research! Camps can be overnight or just for the day. In Buffalo, the Buffalo Museum of Science,  Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo Zoo and many others have some great offers for parents. The Nickelodeon site ParentsConnect has an OK listing you can explore. In Rochester the choices are just as amazing and can be found at MySummerCamps.com. Of special note are the offers by Rochester Museum & Science Center and RIT.

Community Activities – Here in Pembroke, NY there is an excellent program sponsored by the Town that runs for 6 weeks on Mon-Frid. for 3 hours. It is free and includes a host of supervised activities, crafts and swimming for the students that range in age from 5-14. I know many other communities also offer programs like this. The best place to check on them would be your local village, town or county government office.

Local Library – This is a great resource for increasing your child’s reading and language skills. Each tends to offer different types of programs but most are free. Check with your local branch and remember they tend to have programs for adults as well.

Music Lessons – Music or vocal training can be a real gift you can give to your child. Studies show the imense value music has in the development of a child. Your local school music department may often offers summer programs or you can look for a teacher yourself through the school, Craigslist or Tutor Doctor. Typically you can get someone for $20-$40 per hour. Remember to check backgrounds and get references on the instructor if you hire them yourself!

Tailored Programs – You might check with your child and find out what they might be interested in learning. From here you can try to work with a teacher, education consultant or tutor to find or develop something that meets the requirements. Two years ago we had a great request to help a student in 3rd grade who wanted to learn more about space and the universe. We developed a two week program that met his needs. We did in part with the Buffalo Museum of Science where we volunteered with the student and did our lesson in their ‘Our Place in Space Floor‘. It was fantastic and the student loved the program for what he learned and what he was able to share with others!

In closing…remember to include your child in the process. By engaging them early on you have a better chance of them liking what is decided since they had a role in the selection. It also helps them to learn how to budget, evaluate service offerings, and how they can be evaluated.  Also remember that in the summer your child would like time with their biggest educator…YOU!  Make some time for your biggest fan especially in their younger years.

Why You Should Go To Summer Camp

So you think you are being a good parent. You remember last summer and the moans of being bored from your child. This year you spent tons of money on a summer camp for your child. However, your child doesn’t want to go and ‘hates’ you for thinking of sending them away. Here are some points you can bring up with your child that can help them want to go to camp.

First know that the summer holidays are stretching out in front of your child and they may be so happy to have a break from school that they don’t want to think about summer camp. But you should; summer camp is a great way to really provide them a break from their day-to-day life and have great new experiences. Some of what they can expect are:

Meet new people
Some of the best friends they will ever have will come from summer camps. Meeting new people will help them develop their social skills and expand their circle of friends. It’s great to meet people who come from different places and have different views and perspectives.

Try new things
Get out of their comfort zone and have some interesting experiences. They will be able to partake in new and exciting activities at summer camp. They may find a new sport, hobby or interest you never had before or learn a brand new skill. Finding out how capable they are and taking on new challenges will help them to be more confident.

Get into shape
At camp, they are so active that it’s easy to get into better shape than they will sitting at home on the sofa. The activities are fun and they’re enjoying their self, so they won’t feel like you’re working out. Take this opportunity to eat well and get some fresh air. Being outside in a natural environment, doing fun activities with good friends will really help them to de-stress and rest after a tough academic year. Know that they will come home refreshed and ready for the challenge of a new school year.

Its fun!
Choose a camp that suits their personality and offers experiences you know they’ll like. While it may seem like they just want to rest after writing exams, staying home will get boring fairly quickly…remember last year? When they have a summer camp to get look forward to, they won’t find your summer vacation boring.

Summer camp can be a really great personality-building experience. Your child gets to socialize outside of their circle of friends which means they can meet new people from different schools, states or even countries. Going to camp will give them the opportunity to spend some time outdoors and in a natural setting so they can relax and de-stress.

Let your child know that challenging yourself and getting out of your comfort zone is a characteristic of successful people. They will learn new skills and surprise their self at just how capable they are. They will return from camp with more confidence and mature which will help them cope with the demands of a new academic year. Lastly let them know that summer camp is fun, and will give them memories to last a lifetime!

Note…as a parent do your homework and make sure you choose a camp that has high recommendations and check references! The last thing you want to do is worry about your child’s safety or experience at camp!

Snow’s Falling But Still Thinking About Summer Camp

Sure winter is not quite over and Spring has not started, but that doesn’t mean it is too early to think about Summer Camp or activities to keep your children active and learning through the Summer months.  Parents often ask us ‘what questions I ask when considering a summer camp for my child?’ In responding we remind them that Summer camp should be a fun experience for their child that helps them to grow and develop socially. It’s really important to take into account their needs and desires when choosing a summer camp. Together you and your child should ask yourselves the pertinent questions that will help you form the questions that will help you to make the right choice.

Here are some suggested questions to try to get answer to when choosing a summer camp

• Talk with your child on what they want from a summer camp. Including a child in the decision-making process will help them to feel empowered. Use their input to formulate questions designed to see if the camp will provide what your child would like.
• Ask yourself what you want your child to gain from their summer camp experience. Summer camps have many benefits which enable your student to learn new skills, hone old ones, excel at sports, live a healthier life or make new friends. Camps can be a combination of these things too.
• Review your budget and your traveling capabilities to decide which camps you can afford and how far your child can travel.
• Decide whether you want a small camp where children will receive individual attention and get to know the other ‘campers’ and staff members well or opt for a bigger camp where your student will have the opportunity to mix with a large variety of people.
• Examine the camp’s ethos and philosophical approach to ensure that they reflect values that you support and would like to impart to your child.
• Ensure that the counselors are well trained and friendly so that your student gets all the support they need.
• Did you read the references? Read reviews and comments from camp attendees to get a feel for the place. Long lists of impressive activities don’t tell the whole story and hearing good reviews from trusted friends and family members help you to make the right choice.
• Look at the ratio of counselors to children and the return rates of previous campers. Discuss the methodologies councilors employ to resolve conflicts between campers to see if your child will fit in.
• Ensure sure that the camp is accredited and that it has adequate medical facilities to deal with emergencies. Check that counselors are properly trained and are old enough to cope with problems that may arise.
• Are the meals healthy?
• Does the camp have indoor recreation and activities will help to alleviate boredom in the event of inclement weather?

Make a short list of four or five summer camps or activities that tick all of your boxes. Discuss your choices with your student and get them to pick their top three. Use this as a guide when making your final decision. There are a number of websites that list camps according to various criteria. This will make it easier to find camps in your area.

Helpful US websites:
My Summer Camps
American Camp Association
Camp Page

Helpful Canadian Websites:
Our Kids
Summer Camps in Canada
Camp Page

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Busy Summers

Summer always goes by quickly in Western New York. By September, schools have already started again, the air is getting cooler, and Halloween decorations and costumes are in the storefronts. As quickly as summer seems to go by, there’s still a lot of time in between the family picnics and vacations to fill, and without school to fill up children’s days, the constant refrain of “but I’m bored” may soon be ringing in parent’s ears. So what are some ways to get kids out of the house?

Summer Sports

Find a summer league near you in a sport that your child is interested in. While many leagues meet in the evenings, some may offer daytime camps. Soccer is always a good bet, but there are also summer baseball and softball leagues too.

Day Camps

Plenty of organizations offer summer day camps for kids, ranging from arts and crafts to theater. Try your local school district, YMCA, museum, zoo or youth center for potential camps.

Sleep-Away Camp

If you’re looking for a longer-term solution, try an overnight camp! There are tons of options when it comes to overnight camps, and a website called Camp Page can help you find the ideal summer camp for your child.

Summer Job

For older children, a summer job might be the best option to help pass the summer hours. Babysitting jobs can be at a premium this time of year, but there are also plenty of seasonal attractions that are looking for help.

Summer Courses

While your child may not need summer school, there are often summer courses offered by local colleges that older students can take advantage of. Taking summer courses means that not only will your child have something to do, but he or she will also be getting college credits.

What are some other ideas you have for getting kids out of the house during the summer?

Tips For Choosing Summer Camp

Parents often ask us ‘what questions I ask when considering a summer camp for my child?’ In responding we remind them that Summer camp should be a fun experience for their child that helps them to grow and develop socially. It’s really important to take into account their needs and desires when choosing a summer camp. Together you and your child should ask yourselves the pertinent questions that will help you form the questions that will help you to make the right choice.

Some questions to ask yourself as you start your development of questions are:

• What does your child want from a summer camp? Including students in the decision-making process will help them to feel empowered.
• What do you want your child to gain from their summer camp experience? Summer camps have many benefits which enable your student to learn new skills, hone old ones, excel at sports, live a healthier life or make new friends. Camps can be a combination of these things too.
• Review your budget and your traveling capabilities to decide which camps you can afford and how far your child can travel.
• Decide whether you want a small camp where child will receive individual attention and get to know the other students and staff members well or opt for a bigger camp where your child will have the opportunity to mix with a large variety of people.
• Examine the camp’s ethos and philosophical approach to ensure that they reflect values that you support and would like to impart to your student. Ensure that the counselors are well trained and friendly so that your student gets all the support they need.
• Did you read the references? Read reviews and comments from camp attendees to get a feel for the place. Long lists of impressive activities don’t tell the whole story and hearing good reviews from trusted friends and family members help you to make the right choice.
• Look at the ratio of counselors to students and the return rates of previous campers. Discuss the methodologies councilors employ to resolve conflicts between campers to see if your child will fit in.
• Ensure sure that the camp is accredited and that it has adequate medical facilities to deal with emergencies. Check that counselors are properly trained and are old enough to cope with problems that may arise.
• Does the camp have indoor recreation and activities will help to alleviate boredom in the event of inclement weather?
Make a short list of four or five summer camps that tick all of your boxes. Discuss your choices with your child and get them to pick their top three. Use this as a guide when making your final decision. There are a number of websites that list camps according to various criteria. This will make it easier to find camps in your area.

Helpful US websites:
My Summer Camps
American Camp Association
Camp Page

Helpful Canadian Websites:
Our Kids
Summer Camps in Canada
Camp Page

Bottom line is that Summer camp is an investment in your child’s development. You both need to feel comfortable with the choice to make it truly beneficial. Remember that the only bad question is the one not asked!

(Note: This entry was adapted from a post by Tutor Doctor dated Mon, 04/09/2012)

Summer Camp In Retrospect

When I was maybe twelve, my mom decided that I should go to summer camp. Now, I had been to day summer camps before, where I was dropped off in the morning and then picked up in the evening to spend my night in my familiar bed. This year, however, from the catalogue of Girl Scout summer camps that my troop leader had sent home, my mom picked out a horseback riding camp and decided it sounded like a great idea for her daughter who loved horses.

Except that this camp was an overnight camp over two hours from home. A week-long, overnight camp for a girl who could barely make it through one-night sleepovers at friends’ houses down the street was a big deal.

So what are my tips for parents of kids who may dread going to an overnight summer camp? Give your child some sense of control over the situation.

As an adult, I can see that part of being a parent is pushing your child to do things outside his or her comfort zone. However, there have to be some boundaries that allow children to not have total meltdowns. Giving your child some control over a situation can make a big difference. My mom took me out shopping to fill the gaps in my supply list, and let me pick out the things that I needed. Those small choices let me feel a little bit better about the situation. One of the biggest issues I had came from the cabin I ended up staying in. I was a little bit hesitant in making a decision, so my mom barged into a cabin, threw my things down on a mattress, and introduced herself to the girls who I would be staying with before I got a chance. Meanwhile, I had been making tentative friends with the girl in the next cabin over, but by the time I had secured a bed my mom had already laid out my sleeping bag in the other cabin. Give your child the space to make decisions, and let her have a little time to be hesitant. You may think you’re doing him a favor by pushing him in the right direction, but sometimes kids can surprise you and do things by themselves.

Summer camp ended up being really fun, and I have great memories from that week spent riding horses and singing Girl Scout camp songs. I’ve always hated the saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” but it often does ring true. I can’t directly attribute anything in my life to that experience at summer camp, but I know that it has impacted me in ways I can’t even imagine.

What are some of your best (and worst!) summer camp memories?

5 Good Reasons To Go To Summer Camp

Spring is here and summer is not far behind. If your student is going to be home for the holidays, you may want to consider summer camp. Aside from learning a new skill or cultivating an existing talent, summer camp offers a wealth of benefits for students of all ages.

Healthy lifestyle Playing games outdoors and exercising makes summer camp a really healthy choice. Balanced meals and the absence of junk food will be great for the health and welfare of your students. It’s also a great place to learn about nutrition and develop healthy eating habits. Peer pressure plays an enormous role in the behavior of students and, when they are exposed to healthy food and exercise in a fun environment with their peers, they are more likely to assimilate these behaviors into their routines.

Environmental conscience Developing a love for natural places and a respect for the ecosystems vital to our own survival is difficult to instill in children who live in the city. Exposure to the great outdoors in a setting that is fun and constructive will help your students to feel a connection with nature. This connection will encourage a more environmentally conscience approach.

Independence It’s really healthy for students (and parents) to form a sense of independence. Students who are independent are aware of their own abilities and confident that they can handle any situation on their own. This is an especially helpful quality for successful college students. Although students may become homesick at first, the support of their peers and the wealth of fun activities will have them enjoying themselves in no time at all. Time away from home also broadens their perspective and helps them to appreciate their home situations. It gives parents time to recharge and prepare for the coming school year.

Social impact Social skills are developed at camp where students must cope with a range of different circumstances and personalities without the parental guidance they are accustomed to. This experience is invaluable in helping them to socialize with peers and form new friendships. Not only do they learn to socialize with students they gravitate towards, but also with those they would not normally be friends with. This is crucial experience that will help them to deal with people in college, at school and in the workplace.

Responsibility Away from home and responsible for their environment, students must take ownership of their space and learn to keep it clean. They are responsible for making their own decisions and maintaining their camp space. Ownership invokes a sense of responsibility and self determination that improves their decision-making abilities. The students learn to take pride in their identity with their fellow campers as a group. They are given responsibilities they would not have elsewhere and must display leadership skills. Summer camp is a great development opportunity for your student. Camps develop social skills and give your child a sense of responsibility and independence.

This post is reprinted from the Tutor Doctor corporate Blog. It was originally posted 4/8/12

 

Curing Homesickness

By now, many schools, colleges, and universities have started up, and that means that some children have traveled away from home to pursue their studies. Whether your child is attending a boarding school or university, homesickness is a very probable ailment. The first time I ever spent away from home was at a one-week summer horseback riding camp, and the first two days were impossibly miserable. By day three, I finally shook off my blues and managed to enjoy myself before going home. The next time I was away from home when I decided to attend college two hours east. The drive down I felt tense, but the tears didn’t start until I was finally in my dorm room, which I initially attributed to the fact that my roommate took the better half of the room but were really just the first symptom of homesickness.

Now, four years later, I’m preparing for graduate school, and moving over 1,000 miles from home to do it. Yesterday, I opened the door to my first grown-up girl apartment, and fought back tears the entire time I unpacked. Was moving this far from home the right decision? Did I make it too lightly? Am I prepared to handle living by myself? I was so nervous, upset, and uptight that I couldn’t enjoy the new city I’ll be calling home for a year.

Nothing that is worth having comes easily, and the process of moving away from home, no matter how near or far, can be extremely difficult. So here are a few things I’ve found have worked for me in the past, from that first painful sleepover to studying abroad overseas. Hopefully they’ll help both of us cope as the school year winds up.

Make it Familiar

There are enough strange, new, and exciting things to get used to when moving away from home, so bringing things that remind you or your child of home isn’t a bad thing. By having familiar objects around that make you feel more comfortable, you can ease some of the homesickness burden. One of the easiest ways to bring familiarity to an unfamiliar place, which is also easily packed, is by bringing lots of pictures of family, friends, and even familiar places. For younger students, just taping photos up on the wall in a collage is a great idea. For older students, who may have their own grown-up apartment, try shopping around for frames.

Looking Forward

Having something to look forward to makes almost any situation feel better. By having events that you can anticipate, homesickness may fade away faster. Knowing that family will be coming down for Friends and Family Weekend in four weeks or being picked up for Thanksgiving makes the time spent away from home seem less endless. Of course you’ll meet new people and have great new experiences, but at first you’ll crave the familiarity of home and the people you love there, and having pre-planned time to spend with them posted on the calendar can make the time fly by faster until you feel better.

Get Out

It may seem easy to sit around and mope when you miss home. While it may not be as easy to get up and participate in your new surroundings, it will make you feel a lot better in the long run. Get out of your room and try doing things on your own. Before you know it, you’ll be making new friends because you decided to take the risk and get out. The first week at college I avoided doing anything, but by the second week I was throwing myself into every possible event. I joined clubs, went to guest lectures, and worked out at the gym. Pretty soon, I started recognizing people at different events, and was making friends. The more I got out, the less homesick I felt.

Talk It Out

In between all the getting out, stay in touch with home. It’s easier than ever to keep the home fires burning. I was a total Skype addict when I studied abroad, and I’m already planning my Skype-capades once my new apartment gets internet on Monday. I love being able to see loved ones from home and friends I’ve made throughout the years, and homesickness is almost impossible when you have your brother making goofy faces at you for half-an-hour. This suggestion does require a word of caution, however. Too much of a good thing, be it Skype or cellphone calls or even postcards, can distract you from the potential your new situation offers. Don’t spend every waking minute glued to your technology so that you can be in touch with everyone at home. What would be the point of going away in the first place? Balance your communication home with new experiences in your new home.

Gooooooooal!

One of the things I’m looking forward to about living alone and in a new place is getting the opportunity to work on things I wouldn’t at home. Set some goals for the time you’re spending away from home! Sure, school and school work will take a lot of your time. When you have downtime on a Tuesday night and nothing is going on, take some me-time and improve on a skill. Do you want to learn to speak French? Take advantage of your freedom and do it! You’re free to reinvent yourself in a new place, so why not do things you’ve always wanted? Besides, achieving goals makes most people feel better!

Add a Twist

So you’re craving New York pizza and all the pizzerias around don’t know what they’re doing. Combine a taste of home with the new by inviting people over for a legit taste of New York. Whether it’s eating food, watching a movie, or doing an activity you miss from home, inviting the new people you’ve met will make it less depressing and more fun.

As a final caution, seek professional help if your homesickness is spiraling way out of control into depression or extreme anxiety. There’s a difference between homesickness and depression, and you need to be aware of the difference. Hopefully your time away from home will be rewarding, and overcoming your homesickness will not be as difficult as you may think it will be right now.