The Attributes of a Great Summer Camp Counselor

Life as a summer camp counselor is exciting since you never know what each new day will bring. Whether you are leading campers on a hiking trail in the wilderness or comforting a homesick child, you will constantly be challenged to develop your leadership skills while enjoying the perks that come with working outdoors. It is important, however, to recognize that it takes a special person to become a summer camp counselor. Following are the top attributes summer camps look for in their counselor candidates that point toward someone who can rise to any challenge while maintaining a friendly demeanor.

Excellent Communication Skills

Team meetings, parent conferences and bunk-side chats all require a summer camp counselor to adjust their communication strategies to fit the situation. For this reason, camp counselors should be just as comfortable talking to a parent about health concerns as they are telling stories around the campfire. Ideal candidates will have empathy, compassion and be able to direct children without losing their temper. In fact, summer camp counselors are also called upon to teach kids positive ways to manage their conflicts, which means that must have excellent problem-solving skills.

Ability to Lead Recreational Activities

Leadership skills are essential for summer camp counselors who are in charge of teaching kids how to safely enjoy their camp activities. During the course of the day, they may instruct students in activities ranging from pottery to archery. As they do so, they will keep an eye out for kids who are struggling and find ways to include them in the group. They can also quickly adapt to changing circumstances such as bringing an outdoor game of basketball into the gym instead of letting the rain ruin the fun.

Highly Aware and Detail-Oriented

As anyone who has ever watched more than two kids at a time can tell you, managing a group of children requires constant vigilance. In addition to leading the fun, camp counselors are responsible for making sure each camper is dressed appropriately for the weather, eating well and getting adequate rest. Camp counselors also stay alert for signs of health problems such as allergies that need to be addressed by the camp’s medical team and they keep a head count of the children during transitions to ensure that no one gets lost in the crowd.

Energetic Personality

Waking up at dawn, leading activities and keeping up with all of the details requires a lot of energy. Therefore, summer camp counselors should possess a high-energy personality that bubbles over with friendliness. Young campers look up to their older leaders and a strong counselor can set a positive tone for the day. Summer camp counselors should also be able to work as a team with other counselors to coordinate large group activities such as competitions and overnight camping trips.

Summer camp counselors gain valuable experience that can transfer to any career field. Yet, it is their dynamic personalities and commitment to excellence that makes them most desirable to potential employers. While many summer camp counselors are alumni of the camps where they work, others are drawn in by the opportunity to work with kids in a fun, outdoor environment. Either way, those who possess the attributes of a quality summer camp counselor are in the right position to enjoy long-term success.

Let your kids experience fun at Maplewood Summer Day Camp. Experienced staff will keep your child both safe and busy with arts and crafts, games, water sports, gymnastics and more. Visit the site at http://maplewoodyearround.com/about/maplewood-day-camp-history/ to see the fun your child will have at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.

Imagination Runs Free at Summer Camp

Summer camp brings to mind long days spent running wild and free in an outdoor environment. While it is true that kids spend a lot of their time engaged in physical activity, it is also important to know that summer camp programs are designed to spark a child’s imagination. In addition to the traditional camp crafts, kids are encouraged to develop their creative abilities through activities that fit a variety of interests.

Importance of Imaginative Play

Today’s kids are inundated with experiences that limit their ability to use their imaginations. For example, schools are often so focused on teaching academics that they cut programs such as drama and art. Unfortunately, this puts kids at a disadvantage because an imagination is essential for developing the creative skills that lead to success in adulthood. Imaginative play opens up doors for them to learn valuable lessons that build upon critical skills such as problem solving and it also serves as an outlet for relieving stress that frees kids’ minds so that they can focus on developing their talents.

How Camp Supports Creativity

Summer camp programs tend to use a fairly strict schedule to keep kids busy every minute of the day. However, there are blocks of time built into that schedule where kids are able to let their imaginations run wild. Special programs, such as dance and drama, are provided as options for children to fill certain blocks of time. Camp counselors and other staff members use these programs to encourage kids to stretch their imaginations as they participate in creative play. During camp activities, counselors and other members of the staff reinforce the development of imagination by offering kids positive encouragement for their successes. Performing for other campers and their families on special days reaffirms the importance of developing a kid’s imagination. Free periods are also built into camp schedules that allow them a chance to try out new activities in the interest of building their imagination.

Imagination-Building Activities

While at camp, kids still enjoy traditional summer camp activities such as macramé and jewelry-making. Yet, there are some new activities that have been added to the mix. For example, Lego robotics mixes science with creativity so that kids can make moving sculptures using their own imaginations. Puppetry and balloon animal classes give kids with an interest in volunteering a way to put their imaginations to good use by performing for others. Open-ended art, such as pottery and painting, also allows kids the chance to create a physical piece that reflects their creativity. It is also important to note that many of the best chances for kids to build their imaginations are spontaneous. Telling stories around the campfire, cloud watching and stargazing all have the potential to spark a kid’s imagination.

When a kid is encouraged to let their imagination run free, the world opens up with tremendous possibilities. Not only will imaginative play offer immediate enjoyment but it also helps kids build skills with long-lasting benefits. Whether they’re making up camp songs with friends or focusing on creating a beautiful piece of art for mom and dad, summer camp is the place to fully unleash their imagination.

Let your kids experience the art and creativity activities at Maplewood Summer Day Camp. Experienced staff will keep your child both safe and busy with arts and crafts, games, water sports, gymnastics and more. Visit the site at http://maplewoodyearround.com/summer-camp/summer-camp-activities/    to see the fun your child will have at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.

Summer Camp Gymnastics Programs

The beginnings of gymnastics can be traced back to ancient Greece where soldiers used it to train for the battlefield. Over the years, new exercises and equipment were added until it became the Olympic sport that everyone knows today. At summer camp, kids are given an opportunity to progress through the different levels of gymnastics as they gain strength, flexibility and stamina. Whether your child is interested in gymnastics for fun or for competition, here is what you should know about gymnastics programs offered at summer camp.

Skills Taught in Gymnastics

At first glance, gymnastics appears to teach primarily physical skills such as balance and strength training. Yet, kids in gymnastics learn other skills such as poise when they must perform a routine in front of an audience. As they work toward more complicated moves such as flips, they also gain confidence through taking safe risks. Spatial awareness, perseverance and rhythm are a few more skills that kids learn in gymnastics. Perhaps one of the most important things learned in summer camp programs is how to go from an “I can’t” attitude to a “Look what I can do!” thought process. Learning to trust their abilities is an essential trait that will help kids succeed in many areas of their lives.

Health and Safety Precautions

As a parent, it can be a little unnerving to watch your kids fly through the air for the first time, but you can rest assured that summer camps take every precaution possible to keep them safe. For example, only state-of-the-art equipment is used and it is inspected regularly to make sure it is in top condition. Instructors also undergo a rigorous selection process to ensure that they are properly certified and they are often avid gymnasts themselves. Once hired, instructors and their assistants continue receiving training throughout the year to keep them up-to-date on the best techniques for teaching gymnastics as well as first aid. When gymnasts enter the program, they are assessed to make sure they never try complicated techniques before they are ready. Spotters, mats, foam pits and other safety equipment are also used during training to reduce the possibility of injuries.

Benefits Beyond the Gym

Kids who participate in gymnastics enjoy benefits that extend into the classroom as well as their social lives. Mastering a gymnastic technique, such as a perfect vault, often requires repetition along with the ability to overcome temporary setbacks. This helps them develop the patience to work on complicated math problems in academic tutoring that may require multiple attempts before getting it right. Gymnastics is also unique among many sports since it allows kids to compete individually and as a part of a team. This develops a personal sense of responsibility along with leadership skills that have a lasting impact academically and socially.

Learning to tumble, flip and leap are all fun activities for kids that can give them a break from their normal daily routine. Yet, as each skill is mastered, it provides additional benefits that extend well into every area of their life. Whether your child prefers to take a class for an hour after school or they want to dedicate entire summer days to honing their skills, lessons at summer camp will give them what they need to successfully master the sport.

Let your kids experience the gymnastics program at Maplewood Summer Day Camp. Experienced staff will keep your child both safe and busy with arts and crafts, games, water sports, gymnastics and more. Visit the site at http://maplewoodyearround.com/summer-camp/programs-for-all-ages/  to see the fun your child will have at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.

Strategies To Improve Your Kid's Reading Fluency

Every parent want their child to read better. Since, reading is an important skill children should learn, parents should offer reading opportunities to children to get him to the right direction. Since each kid's reading pace is different, here are few pointers on how to encourage them to enjoy reading and be better at it. 

Should You Sign Up Your Child For An After School Program?

Parents often struggle with time - between the time their kids get to school and going home. Although trusting kids with homework is a good way to practice their responsibility, staying safe after school is one issues parents are worried the most. This is where after school programs come into the scenario. These programs are designed to help out worried parents. Here’s an enumeration of after school program benefits:

Best Ways to Improve Your Child's Reading Fluency

Like most parents, you’re probably want to make sure your child becomes a fluent reader, as this vital skill is the building block for so much of his education. By surrounding your child with reading opportunities of all sorts as well as letting him see you enjoy spending time reading, you can certainly set him off in the right direction. However, not all kids learn at the same pace, and some have specific problems that can be addressed with the right help and encouragement. Here are some pointers on how to encourage a love of reading and how to address any potential stumbling blocks.

Let’s Go to the Library

Public libraries are an amazing resource for parents who want to instill a love of literature in their children. The more kids read, the better their skills, and libraries offer loads of book-based programs for children from babies to teens. Sign your preschooler up for a fun-filled story hour combining reading and crafts, be sure your school-age child keeps up skills by participating in a summer reading program, and get your teen involved in special library activities for older kids. Of course, the library is always a great place to find the best books!

Books of Their Own

Kids’ reading scores have been found to be higher among youngsters who are growing up in a home surrounded by reading material. Make sure there are plenty of books and magazines at your child’s level around the house from cool bug books to fantastical novels and colorful kids’ magazines. Every room in the house can be a place to dive into a book. Youngsters can relax on the couch with a favorite mystery, read recipes while helping with dinner in the kitchen or snuggle up in bed at the end of the day with a beloved novel.

Reading, Reading Everywhere

Children can practice reading anywhere, anytime, not just when they’re engrossed in a novel. Find fun ways to help your child improve skills. Let him read roadside signs, weather reports, game directions, food labels, billboards and restaurant menus. Good old-fashioned board games are a super and fun way to boost reading skills and have quality time with family. Reading is so much a part of everyday life that you don’t have to wait until your child is sitting down with a book to help her with reading skills.

Make Family Reading Time a Tradition

Once kids are older and can read on their own schedule family reading time into the evening’s activities. Just 15 to 30 minutes of everyone in the family reading silently lets kids see you enjoy reading and also gets them in the habit of finding some time each day to escape into a book.

Keep Up to Date

Be pro-active in tracking your youngster’s reading progress. Find out from the school what the expectations are for each grade level, and then track your child’s basic reading skills on report cards and standardized test results. Due to the size of today’s classes and the increased demands on instructors, your child’s teacher may not notice a problem until it’s become serious, so sit with your child and make sure she can sound out words, has good comprehension, knows sight words and can use the context of a sentence to figure out the meaning of unknown words.

Hire a Tutor

For kids who are really struggling, the best option may be hiring a tutor, and the sooner your child gets the help she needs, the more likely she’ll be to develop into a good and confident reader. Teachers don’t always have the time to give kids necessary individualized help, while a tutor can work one-on-one with your child or a small group of kids. Many schools or after-school programs have certified teachers and reading specialists available to help your young reader improve reading skills and comprehension, gaining confidence and hopefully becoming an enthusiastic reader.

Boost up your kid’s reading fluency by signing them up at Maplewood Summer Day Camp. Experienced staff will keep your child both safe and busy with arts and crafts, games, water sports, gymnastics and more. Visit the site at http://www.maplewoodyearround.com to see the fun your child will have at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.

Why Preschool is No Longer Optional

Schools Will Not Admit Students who are Not Prepared

In today’s modern world, a child must attend preschool in order to prepare for kindergarten at either a public or private school. The administrators of schools require that students pass an admission test before they can enroll in kindergarten. Failure to pass this test leads to a student attending a remedial program before progressing to a kindergarten curriculum. Most parents do not have the materials to teach their child all of the information and skills required to pass a kindergarten admission test. Teachers also want their students to have certain social skills in order to fit into a classroom environment.

Preschoolers Learn to Cope with a Structured Environment Similar to Kindergarten

Preschool age children typically do not have a structured environment at home with a daily schedule of learning. In a preschool, the teachers create a schedule of activities to help students develop a variety of skills. Instead of getting to do whatever they want at any time of the day, a preschooler must adjust to following a teacher’s guidelines. In most cases, the lessons taught in a preschool last for a maximum of 20 minutes because the students have short attention spans. However, the lessons are designed cohesively to permit children to learn about different subjects.

Children Learn the Alphabet and Basic Numbers

In Sharon preschool, the students begin to learn about the letters of the alphabet in simple ways such as coloring a picture of an animal that begins with the letter. A preschooler has an opportunity to touch shapes of letters in order to learn the alphabet with a different part of the brain. Instead of only learning numbers by recognizing the figure on paper, preschoolers use manipulatives such as sticks to visualize a particular number. A teacher gives each preschooler an opportunity to learn with kinesthetic, auditory and visual methods.

Preschool Helps with a Child’s Cognitive Development

Cognitive development begins at birth and increases rapidly as a child grows. In a preschool environment, a child is exposed to an assortment of learning materials that are not available in most homes. The lesson plans created by teachers in preschools are designed to address a variety of skills that increase a child’s cognition to prepare them for more intense training in an elementary school setting. Not only do preschoolers learn from their teachers, but they also learn from the other students in a social environment of teamwork and free play.

Children in Preschools Develop their Fine and Large Motor Skills

Preschool is an excellent place for children to develop their large and fine motor skills. Fine motor skills involve tasks such as cutting on the lines of a paper or printing letters in a first name. Large motor skills are also important, and preschool students get an opportunity to learn these skills as they engage in playground activities such as jumping rope or throwing balls into hoops. It isn’t necessary for a child to spend an entire day in a preschool to reap wonderful benefits. Most preschools offer programs that are three days a week instead of five, or students can attend half-day sessions.

Let your kids enjoy the rock climbing experience at Maplewood Summer Day Camp. Experienced staff will keep your child both safe and busy with arts and crafts, games, water sports, gymnastics and more. Visit the site at http://www.maplewoodyearround.com to see the fun your child will have at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.