Wonder: A Confident Living Company’s Post

Our Kids deserve Camp Now 😎 💙 💛 So many great nuggets from this American Camp Association article - all educators and parents should take a look at, including of course Summer & Auxiliary Directors (and SPARC, Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative members 😂)! "The Missing Norm: Phone-Free and Play-Full Summer Camps" - while the article references overnight camps - day programs build their schedules and cultures to create similar environments that are strive to be: 😎 "Tech-Free" 😎 "Novelty-Full" - camp activities are novel, creative and fun! 😎 "Mentorship" opportunities with cool camp counselors and staff supporting trying new activities and challenges 😎 "Deep Communities" - where members find connection, friendships, and shared experiences Summer Programs - 'celebrate “reasonable risks” as experiences to be embraced, not avoided. Seen through this lens, it’s easier to understand why it’s a positive that some of the following happen to every camper: 💟 They are homesick and overcome it, teaching them that they can thrive outside of their parents’ shadows.  💟 They have a dispute with a friend, are upset, and eventually craft a resolution.  💟 They try something new and fail. And fail a few more times. And then succeed through perseverance. 💟 They try something and fail without an eventual triumph. We will not always win or succeed. Children should know that they can survive those situations, too.  💟 They embrace an activity that is a little scary and overcome that fear, thus fostering courage and confidence." 84 days until Sidwell Summer begins... let's continue to reflect on how we can make Summer 2024 the best one yet while helping address some of these important issues! Cheers to all of us that have the opportunity to make an impact on so many amazing children and young adult staff this summer! Incredibly important work - and know it is appreciate and so crucial! 💕 #independentschools #summerprograms #auxiliaryprograms #enrichment #leadershipdevelopment #professionaldevelopment

How to get 7th graders to smoke

When trying to figure what advice to take, you first have to answer a foundational question: Am I an edge case? You see, conventional wisdom is designed to work for the average situation or the typical ambition. And usually it’s delivered by someone who represents the status quo. In my case, that was my high school guidance counselor. Of course most kids should finish high school. For them it’s the most likely path to produce a successful life. But what about the 16 year old kid living in a roach motel, with a mother slowly dying in the room next door, carrying a butterfly knife on the way home from the overnight deli in case I got jumped? No, I was an edge case, and my instincts told me there was another, better path less traveled. Drop out of high school, get me GED, start college at 16, and claw my way out of poverty faster. So ask yourself, am I an edge case? If you are, then experts will have to take a backseat to your instincts and intuition because you my friend are destined for the path less traveled.

More than ever! We have always known that our Advocate Mentors play a critical role in their mentees’ success. They help their students with homework, coach them in essential life skills, and open their minds to new experiences and opportunities. Teachers play a similar role in students’ lives, but with teacher turnover rates (WSJ “Why Teachers Are Still Leaving the Profession,” Mar. 4, 2024) still too high post-pandemic, the consistent presence of our Advocate Mentors is now more important than ever. Inconsistent teacher presence contributes to lower student test scores, research shows, so consistent presence means better grades! We see this kind of impact every year in our students’ success rates—our Advocate Mentors make a difference! To sponsor a child or an Advocate Mentor, click here: https://loom.ly/6VgRTNs

The teenage years are critical for learning life skills that they'll carry into adulthood, including managing time, responsibilities, and tasks. Learn more about how to help your teens grow in these areas here: https://bit.ly/3FjonTB

The teenage years are critical for learning life skills that they'll carry into adulthood, including managing time, responsibilities, and tasks. Learn more about how to help your teens grow in these areas here: https://bit.ly/3FjonTB

Navigating school choices in Metro Atlanta? We've got you covered! Check out our latest blog post where we delve into the top-rated schools in the area, as recognized by GreatSchools.org. Discover schools that excel academically and provide enriching environments for students to thrive. Whether you're moving to the area or considering a switch, this guide is a must-read for families prioritizing high educational standards. Click here to learn more and find the perfect school for your family! https://lnkd.in/eaqDU-r9

Morning learning session ❤️🤟🏾 Want to learn my opinions about screen time and early childhood development? Check out my mini blog on the new and Act Rochester website! https://lnkd.in/g4EDZuuJ

America after 3PM reports: The nation's most comprehensive survey on afterschool and summer program demand and supply. Exploring how children spend their afternoons and summers and what parents report about programs. https://lnkd.in/ezFKUvid

College life can be a whirlwind of excitement, but don't forget to take care of you. Check out these essential self-care tips from Erin Varner to finish the semester strong!! Read her blog here https://lnkd.in/eeKMPhRr