Swing into Summer: Summer Enrichment Programs and Camps

Do your kids vegetate in front of the TV with siliva slipping from there mouth in an Xbox or Playstation induced coma over summer break? Hopefully, at the minimum, you force your kid's to encounter the great outdoors, even if it's just your back yard. They need some form of non-digital stimulational, and should do something other than mindlessly disengage completely from their academics.

Certainly, to be fair, all kids and adults, especially those of us that work with them all year long, need a mental break from the rigors of school. Yet, we still to need stay sharp over the summer.

With that in mind, take the time now, while you're planning that great summer vacation (which is also a great activity to keep them sharp), make some time to also help your kid's "Swing into Summer" by having them take part in a summer activity. If you can't afford to pay for a camp, have them journal about your vacation adventures, or do a little photo-journalism on their next trip to the museum or ball park. That being said, there are a great number of free programs, fundraising opportunities and still other orginazations that offer scholarships or reduced fees for those with financial need.

At any rate, your kids can and should earn some college credit, travel, go to an activity based camp or take part in a volunteer program. There are many great opportunities to stay active and to continue their personal growth and development, the time to plan is now...so don't wait. Find a program or activity that is not only fun, but also challenging and personally enriching. When it comes time to submit college applications these summer adventures often set your kid appart from the rest.

Summer Camps and Opportunities Websites:


http://myfootpath.com/life-experiences/ (resource guide)
www.petersons.com/summerop/ (search tool)

There are countless sources for summer activities, camps, schools, travel, and employment that will provide your student with an enriching, educational and fun summer. Whatever their interests are, there are many great programs that will meet their needs. Summer programs will not only provide them with the opportunity to develop their current skills, sense of confidence and self-worth, but provide them with a once in a lifetime memory. Think about what kind of activity you're looking for and then peruse them by using the myfootpath or petersons websites found above, search for "Summer programs for High School students" using any of the search engines found on the web such as google, bing etc. or stop by your local guidance counselor's office to look through the numerous applications and information packets that they have compiled.

Below you'll find just a few of the many summer programs of note:

Northwestern University Experience College Various programs

University of Chicago Language Program 15+ language programs

Indiana State University Summer Honors Two week seminars

Southern Illinois University Architecture Camps

US Military Academy Leaders Seminar 2 week long sessions

Washington University Summer Scholars 4 week long sessions

Bradley University Summer Enrichment Nursing, Engineering...

Pratt Institute( New York) Pre-College Program

Jr. Statesmen Foundation Political Debate National Program

Grinnell College Summer Institute Preview College life

Western Illinois Univ. Adventures in Filmmaking

Boston University PROMYS (Math/Science)

Savannah College of Art & Design Rising Star Various Sessions

Chicago College of Pharmacy in cooperation with Walgreen and Osco Drug Career Explorers Program
Student's who complete the program receive a $1,200 stipend

UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, UC San Diego, University of Michigan, Georgetown University, University of Vermont, Cambridge University, and the University of Sydney (Australia) Summer Discovery featuring Discovery Works Community service Research Mentorship Pre-College Program

Brown University, Harvard University, Georgetown University Pre-College Program Various programs

Northern Illinois University Academic Camps 6 Academic Areas

Lake Forest College Writing & Thinking Workshop

Outward Bound Adventure Outdoor http://www.outwardbound.org/

Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Program www.habitat.org/cd/local

Kendall College Culinary College

Purdue University Excel Enrichment Programs for Gifted and Talented Youth www.purdue.edu/geri

Eastern Illinois University Leadership & College Prep Camp for Minority students

How do you feel about your kid's school?

Here at TheSchoolCounselor Blogspot we hear a lot of rhetoric about school performance, test scores and annual yearly progress, but we believe the best judge of a school's performance is the level of parent satisfaction. Feel free to leave your thoughts, comments and insights about your local school (good, bad or otherwise) in the comments section below and then take our little straw.

Is Your Kid's Principal Great or Just Average: A Parent's Guide to Knowing How to Spot A Great Leader

How can you tell if you’ve got a great leader in charge of things at your kid’s school? Some principals just show up every day, not inspiring anyone nor creating anything special, but, by and large, they do their jobs. Still others fail miserably, and then, very abruptly, they are gone. Every great once in a while, there are the other ones:  a rare breed of folks that inspire the best from all of those around them, whether students, parents or staff. Which kind is running things over at your kid's school?

A great principal is able to lead without using an iron fist, they inspire others to follow their lead without the use of punishment or force, yet they’re certainly not pushovers. While, the authoritarian leader may see some early success, they will soon encounter a backlash and subtle level of animosity that will eventually decay any modicum of success they forced out of their troops. Of course, a leader, who cannot command respect, or inspire people to believe in their values, goals and beliefs, will fail almost immediately.  

To the contrary, is the Principal whose goal is to educate, motivate and ensure that students’ are successful, while at the same time, ensuring that they and their staff are doing their very best to model hard work, enthusiasm and cooperation. They expect that everyone on their staff takes pride in,  not only, the school, but in their  own unique abilities and undying efforts to inspire every student to maximize their individual potential. They realize that even as the goal is lofty, it is simple, and accomplished with hard work, camaraderie built around mutual respect, and an undying loyalty to their mission to serve kids and each other. Anyone should be able to walk into their school and feel welcomed, yet energized by that uncanny feeling that stuff is happening….good stuff like learning, engagement, involvement and a true sense of community. How, or more importantly, what do you feel when you walk into your kid's school?

Of course, much of what I am saying can be criticized as just one man's opinion, but, to the contrary, most of  it is supported by a great deal of research. Several studies suggest a few things you should expect from a leader, who has it "going on." Beyond doubt, those things have nothing to do with standardized test scores, and everything to do with learning. Your principal should:

1.      Create a challenging environment that questions, tests and reevaluates the status quo.

2.      Model their values, expectations and beliefs, and then, be the one taking the reins when things get tough.

3.      Inspire collegiality and a sense of cooperation and common purpose for the path the school is to take (a.k.a. shared vision for those who like educational cliches).

4.      Acknowledge and reward the efforts of their staff and student body.

5.      Allow all staff members to do their thing within the structure of the school's mission, and create the freedom for teachers to teach and students to learn in the style that is best suited to their abilities.

6.      Inspire an atmosphere where  everyone is concerned “for what’s right, rather than who's right.”

In the end, a great leader, and one we’d all want to be in charge of our kid's school, knows that it’s  a matter of putting what they preach into, not merely, practice, but interweaving it with an honest, structured and consistently applied approach. That approach needs to guide them in everything they say and do. Very clearly, it needs to become imbued within their core values and has to shine through their day-to-day activities and interactions. Whether, it is a matter of daily function, a larger long-term program, or in their interpersonal relationships and dealings, the great principal needs to live, model and inspire hard-work, friendship, loyalty, cooperation and enthusiasm (See Coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success).

Ask yourself, or maybe, your kid’s principal, if they have the qualities of a great leader, or are they just getting by and cashing a paycheck until they can retire?  Then again, don't simply question it, demand it of your child's school, particularly, if the Principal is unwilling, or unable to strive for greatness.

A Few Recommended Reads on Happiness, Goal Setting and Success from The School Counselor's Personal Library

   

A few authors, thinkers and successful folks you might want to study on your quest for success and happiness…no matter how you define those conditions:

• Get a Free chapter of Darren Hardy’s new book: The Compound Effect

Great read on all things success from the editor of Success Magazine.

Click here for The Compound Effect

·      How to Be Like Coach Wooden by Pat Willams and David Wimbush

A wonderful examination into the life and lessons of the legendary Coach Wooden. If you've read my blog for any length of time, you've witnessed his stricking influence on my beliefs, values and philosophy of education and life.

Click here for an Amazon link to How to Be Like Coach Wooden

·     Who Moved My Cheese: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change In Your Work and In Your Life. 

“Yes or No” The Guide to Better Decisions – A Story.

Both by  Spencer Johnson

"Look at what happened in the past, learn something valuable from it, use what you learn to improve the present."

-- Spencer Johnson

Both books provide quick and valuable lessons in the form of parables and short stories, which are eminently readable and thought-provoking.

Click here for an Amazon link to Who Moved My Cheese!

·       Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by

 

Click on the authors name  below for a link to the book, which is by one of the foremost happiness researchers in the world. His lessons are one part Buddhist philosophy, one part Nike slogan, but exceptional in their simplicity and applicability.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

What I'm currently reading and loving, by the way!

Click on the book if you want to get it on Amazon. Without doubt, this book takes much of theory found in the aforementioned books, and turns them into a step by step guide toward, not only finding, but making your dreams into reality. A must read!


All of these books will help you set goals, get more organized and be just a little better and definitely happier than you already are today

*Please note that links are provided for informational purposes only and the author of this blog is in no way affiliated with Amazon and makes no profit from any sales.