In This Issue • How You can be a Super Model
Parents can model the same kind of positive behavior. In this issue we cover an apology technique the students learn at SuperCamp called the Four-Part Apology. It is also described in the SuperCamp parents guide. Disagreements happen and situations arise where an apology is necessary. Too many times an apology is not given or it is done in such an off-handed way that the person receiving the apology feels it wasn’t sincere. As a result, bad feelings linger and rifts between two people, often two friends or family members, widen rather than disappear. The Four-Part Apology lets the two parties deal with the issue in a thoughtful and supportive manner rather than in an angry or defensive way. Here’s how it works:
When a situation arises at home where you could make things right by offering an apology, give the Four-Part Apology a try. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Integrity – The First of the 8 Keys of Excellence Students in Junior Forum and Senior Forum learn the 8 Keys of Excellence during their 10 days of SuperCamp. We introduce Youth Forum campers to the Seven Rings of Success, which are similar to the 8 Keys, but are geared to the younger students. We will cover one Key in each of the next eight issues of ParentConnect, starting with Integrity. Simply put, living in Integrity means aligning our actions with our values. If you value honesty, you tell the truth. If you value commitment, you do “whatever it takes” to reach your goal. If you value compassion, you are caring toward others. Why live in Integrity? Living in Integrity allows you to have a clear conscience, gives you a strong character, and lets you feel good about yourself. Those are three very good reasons. The concept of Integrity is a chance for teens to ask themselves, “What do I value?” Related questions that arise from this introspection include, “What do my current actions say about me?” and “Am I spending my time with the people I value?” At SuperCamp we have an activity that encourages students to reflect on what they value. We have each camper stand on an elevated platform on stage and say “I am (full name). One thing I value in my life is ______________. I will show this by ______________. Tonight I take a stand for my greatness.” This exercise is significant to the campers. We tell them that clarifying and committing to their values will help them reach their goals because people who are successful have a clear set of values to steer them in the right direction. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Moving Outside Your Comfort Zone At SuperCamp, students are encouraged and empowered to take the risk of moving out of their comfort zones. We all have a comfort zone that includes the things we feel comfortable with: activities, people, foods, places and ways of being. Most students tend to want to stay in their comfort zone because it's easy, familiar, and yes, comfortable. Everything outside may seem too risky, shaky, or dangerous. As with anything too comfortable, our comfort zone can become boring and stagnant and if we stay in there long enough we run the risk of getting stuck in a rut. With the right encouragement, students will slowly peek out and finally venture out of their comfort zone, in spite of their internal voice screaming, Don't go out there – stay here where it's comfy! Initially that first step makes us all feel weird and shaky, but soon the discomfort subsides and eventually we find that our comfort zone has expanded! By moving out of our comfort zone we have experienced something new, we have learned, we have grown. And interestingly, as comfort zones expand so does self confidence, so encourage your children to try something new! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
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An important key to SuperCamp’s success with students is that our facilitators and team leaders model what they teach. By living the 8 Keys of Excellence and practicing the many effective communication and interpersonal life skills taught at camp, our staff builds instant credibility with the students.