Quirky Kids: What We Can Do When a Kid Doesn’t “Fit”

Description

Every cabin/group has a Quirky Kid or two… these are campers who tend to act, do, and socialize differently from their peer.  Quirky kids often don’t pick up social cues, or else alienate friends with impulsive, spacey, or explosive emotions. Keeping Quirky Kids following camp rules can be a nightmare for a new counselor. And they just can’t stop talking about Magic the Gathering.

Learner Outcomes

During this session, we will

Summer Camps Abuse Prevention Program

ASAP's abuse-prevention program is being used to ensure healthly physical and behavorial interactions and safety.  It includes a Director's Guide, screening protocol, staff training - animated videos and a test for certification and guidelines for parents.  It raises the standards of camps and camp staff in a respectful and innovative way and reduces liability.  By providing trainings and implementing safety measures, camps will be sending a message to counselors, campers, and parents that they are educated, aware, and will not tolerate abuse.

Learner Outcomes:

Expanding the Reach of Camp through Schools

My oldest child, Jane, once said she wished camp could be all year. Naturally, I asked her why, and she said, “We get to do everything at camp — when we hike in the woods, the camp staff tells stories about the plants and trees. It makes it easier to remember them. My camp friends care about me. They want me to make it to the top of the climbing tower. I’m not afraid to do things at camp that I am at school. Camp is happy. I love my camp friends. Grades, clothes, and money do not matter at camp. We see each other for who we really are.”

Native American Night Sky Storytelling

SkyTellersExplore the mysteries of our Universe with Sky Tellers! Ten Native American myths and legends investigate the reason for day and Night, why we have seasons, the origin of the stars and other wondrous phenomena of our night sky. Each narrative is accompanied by the story that scientists tell today.

SkyTellers is a collaborative project between the Lunar and Planetary Institute and Ms. Lynn Moroney, and was funded by the National Science Foundation. The stories are told by Native American Master Storytellers and a Native American Astronaut. 

You will need to login to download the audio files. Listen to one of the stories. 

Block the Blaze

Block the Blaze is a John Wayne Cancer Foundation (JWCF) funded youth skin cancer education program. The Block the Blaze program is the official partner of the California Surf Lifesaving Association (CSLSA) to provide skin cancer education to CA junior lifeguards; and a charitable partner of USA Swimming Foundation to educate youth enrolled in Make a Splash swim lessons. 

Public Lands Use - Resources for Camps

Use of public lands and waters is essential for many camp programs.  It is estimated that at least 9 percent of all camps use public lands and waters for at least a portion of their program. ACA partners with government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels to achieve our common goal of increasing access to public lands for young people and of helping to inspire an environmental ethic among campers and staff.

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