Summer Cyamps

Summer cyamps (as it is said here) are in full swing! The children are out of school and running about using all that energy they preserved when sitting in a classroom. I've been in several different town summer camps across the parish. And each one is unique. This is mainly to do with the children that attend the camps. Some children have been accustomed to organized activity, and others not so. It is with GREAT patience that I develop the team building skills of the children who are not familiar with the games. However, once they get it- it is so rewarding. You can actually see the light switch click on the bulb.

Two games that have been effective at all the camps thus far are backward clumps and the human knot. For Human Knot:  I get the children into groups of 4-6 kids and have them hold hands across from each other. At first, the children do not have a clue what to do. But I encourage them to think and try to find a way out. They usually get themselves more tangled up. This leads to laughter. Then I give one hint of advice and the ball rolls. They start figuring it out. I've noticed the younger kids, around 7-9 year olds are the quickest and most effective age group for problem solving. They are resilient. This age group is willing to try and have the sweetness and hope that children naturally have.

The 10- 13 year olds are just too cool. I was like that too when I was that age. I mean, weren't you? I wanted to be seen as cool (even though that was not the case! haha!), therefore I'd sit and look pretty. The older kids would give up quicker. But I would have the younger kids help, and some how, everyone would solve it together. When the last person unravels them self they feel such a sense of accomplishment. So proud to have figured it out on their own. Then I challenge them to get more people in their knot.

The addition of people make the backward clump difficult too. But the kids love it! They don't realize it immediately, but they are supporting each other with their backs to lift them up from the floor. They have to use the strength of many, not the individual.

By the end of each camp day. My voice is dry and tired. I don't yell, I do raise my voice to speak over the 20 plus kids. Days such as these, I fall asleep before 9:00pm. But those are the best days. :)