I am really enjoying reading all of your posts about the articles that have been posted so far. Can you believe camp is now only TWO MONTHS away?! Wow. If you haven't been posting, try to go back and get caught up on posts---remember that this is important for our training record for the state.
Also, you should've received an email from Tom Crowe this week regarding the documentation you need to submit for camp. Make sure to get started on that ASAP! :-)
Now, on to a new item to look over. We have talked in the past about looking at kids in terms of their assets instead of their difficulties and helping THEM to look at their assets. This is a list of thriving indicators--things that society values in youth. We can be a part of their opportunities and supports and the adults that inspire them to develop their sparks. Looking especially at the first 6 indicators, how can we help our kids in a week of Choir Camp (and other ways/times throughout the year) to not just survive their other 51 weeks of the year, but THRIVE? Here is the link:
http://www.search-institute.org/thriving-indicators
I hope to see many of you on May 19th in Adrian as we again honor Terry's impact in our lives with song. :-) My love to you all!
~Christie
HORRAY, FIRST TO POST!!!
ReplyDeleteIt took me quite a while to really get the idea to come across, but I believe that with our "tweets", we can do this very well. As counselors, we can be on the look out for these kids who are displaying a thriving indicator, such as a positive attitude at camp or a positive attitude about the rest of their life outside of camp. We can "tweet" our campers and make sure that they know and are aware of these good things that they are doing and displaying in their personality and character and being.
I think this would work well outside of camp too, with the ability to tweet and post facebook statuses about specific kids when we notice them displaying a thriving indicator in the real world (sometimes, this may come by just displaying one as an electronic post). If we make a big deal about the good things that our campers are doing, it will be that much more important to them to get that positive feedback
During the 51 weeks between camp,we could encourage kids to post accomplishments, events and thoughts to the camping page: "I will be in the chorus of 'The King and I' this weekend at Dearborn Edsel High" "My youth group served lunch at Cass"
Delete"I have kept up a positive attitude for 3 weeks" etc.
As someone who has *really* taken to Twitter over the past few months, I think this is an AWESOME idea. We can give anyone on staff who wants to tweet the password/information to post something... Bible versus, questions asking followers how they are doing, what their life is outside of camp, etc. We can re-tweet things that campers post to us to everyone else so that everyone is able to see what positive things are going on, as well as get those who might need a little affirming attention some help quickly. This is a great way to keep in touch with campers outisde camp and fits in with the theme of camp.
DeleteWe could even have a "Twitter" account at camp where kids can tweet to us, or we can post prompts/thoughts/themes for the day and have kids write responses back. Maybe outside the dining hall or in another central location? I'm envisioning a poster board of sorts where we can "tweet" something at the top and have slips of paper/pencils right there for kids to "tweet" responses. This could even tie in to Daphne's idea below about ways to incorporate affirmations as well-- SO COOL! :) Great tie ins for during camp AND back at home!
I think we need to share this list with our campers, so they can see that what they are doing already is positive, and maybe encourage them to do some of the other things on the list. Talking about these indicators openly, letting them know we believe in them and that we are convinced their future will be positive, is very important.
ReplyDeleteAnd good job, Dan, for being first! You had so many positive indicators as a young person, it's no wonder you are thriving now!
I came to Choir Camp first as an adult and as I said at the meeting we had months ago I almost didn't come at all. When Terry first ask me to be a counselor I was afraid that I wasn't smart enough or anything enough. My self-esteem was so low that while Cecil went that first year I spent the week at home working through a huge self-help book!! It is my belief that self-esteem is one of the things we do best at Choir Camp!! The reinforcement campers (and counselors) receive from each other as well as staff changes lives! When you come to Choir Camp you wade into the love like you wade into the lake. We adults may not be perfect but we are all aware of God's love and anxious to share it with all those we meet and that makes whatever we do (right or wrong) life affirming for all.
ReplyDelete"1. Spark identification and motivation. Young person can name, describe interests and sparks that give them energy and purpose, and is motivated to develop their sparks."
ReplyDelete"It only takes a spark, to get a fire going ..." We concentrate a lot at camp on the source of all good sparks so that youth can go back for re-ignition when their flames are sputtering. Perhaps we need to find an image to spark memories, such as a tree and the verse: "I am the vine, you are the branches" and pin bright Post-Its to the tree , in red, yellow and orange, cut into the shape of flames with words youth add: "I am positive" "God gave me talent" "I sing beautifully" "Altos rock" etc. There may be a big wooden cross at camp so we can attach the flames to the cross like the Dearborn 1st Choir Campers did on "Camping Sunday." It happened on a cold Sunday when our heat was out during repairs, so we hope the thought of a camp fire warmed hearts! (and didn't conjure images of burning crosses!) I missed the crispy edges of roasted marshmallows, but the "indoor s'mores" were a big hit. I saw several people with marshmallow cream on their chins!
I really like this idea! In some of the schools I've worked in, we've had things like comment boxes or affirmation/shoutouts like this as well... it's amazing how much pride someone can feel when they realize someone was paying positive attention to them when they didn't realize it. If the cross theme doen't work, perhaps we can create an "affirmation app" where people can write positive "sparks" or "shout outs" to each other....Read each night at dinner? Printed in the newspaper?
DeleteIf we really want to talk about thriving, I feel like we should compile some useful information (a packet/yearbook/toolbox/app/whatever you'd like to call it) that they can use when they get home to re-create the camp experience. A list of contact information for campers to exchange so they can talk at home, links or apps to check out that bring help them re-experience themes from camp, etc. Anything to help them look back on the experience that will help them recall some of the experiences from camp. There's so much negativity in a teenager's regular environment that the shift from camp to home can be quite jarring-- if we can give them the tools to help them remember those experience that align with the chart of thriving characteristics, then we are really helping them to thrive at home and with their regular circles of friends/environments.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea Lauren! Let's keep brainstorming things that could go in the packet...I'm thinking the address for our camp fb page, maybe some good online devotional pages?
DeleteFor someone who doesn't follow twitter (I know, amazing right?) I really like the facebook idea. Also, as part of announcements each time maybe pull out shout outs that campers have put into a box and read them. Maybe give those people smiley face stickers for their nametags or even give out stickers when ever we see something good. I happen to know that stickers are a great motivator even for teens! Do we still do the choir camp reunion Sunday in the winter? I always found that to be a great way to check in with everyone face to face. If we don't, can we start again? It was also a good tool for recruitment! They should definitely get contact info from everyone at camp so even if they aren't in contact with us, they are in contact with other campers.
ReplyDeleteBecky-You're not the only one who doesn't "tweet" :)
ReplyDeleteThe ideas above are good ones. Throughout the year any way the campers can be reminded of the affirmation they found at camp would be good. Those unexpected and out of the blue communications are sure to bring a smile to their faces. Everyone needs to know that someone cares about them and believes in them. So be they electronic or even plain old snail mail, communication and and will make a difference.