| We began Southwoods knowing the kind of | | | | taking was sending children to summer camp. |
| relationship we wanted to develop with our camp | | | | Mom and dad are not at camp, and what better |
| parents. A relationship that was bi-directional, a | | | | place can there be for children to learn about |
| partnership with good communications that | | | | making good choices and taking safe risks without |
| allowed us to continue to progress all the hard | | | | mom and dad than at Camp. |
| work our parents where doing at home. In | | | | Risk taking is a good and healthy part of |
| continuing to develop that relationship, we are | | | | development when it is combined with safe and |
| happy to introduce this new parents section to | | | | positive activities. For many children the first risky |
| our newsletter. Each month we will try to include | | | | thing about camp is getting on the bus and saying |
| articles or books that you may find helpful in this | | | | goodbye to mom and dad. It is normal and okay |
| wonderful, crazy ride called parenting. We hope | | | | for both your child (and you) to be nervous about |
| you enjoy and find value in them. | | | | camp. Risk taking, even when it is in positive |
| Nurturing Good Children Now by Ron Taffel | | | | activities, can be scary. While getting on that bus |
| The Romance of Risk by Lynn E. Ponton | | | | may be extremely difficult for some children, it is |
| Parent Piece | | | | the first accomplishment in a long list that children |
| We recently attended a child development | | | | are going to have during their camp experience. A |
| conference called the Joe Kruger Educational | | | | good camp environment helps a child feel |
| Conference. Keynote Sessions were given by Dr. | | | | emotionally safe. It has good staff that helps |
| Lynn Ponton a psychiatrist, author and professor | | | | guide children into good decisions. All of the things |
| at the University of California, San Francisco and | | | | campers see as risks during the four weeks at |
| Dr. Ron Taffel, noted child and family therapist, | | | | camp, some big and some small, will have an |
| speaker and author. While both spoke about the | | | | impact on the person that you see at the end of |
| risks facing our children, each speech focused on | | | | the summer. Teaching a child that healthy risk |
| a specific type of risk. Dr. Ponton spoke about | | | | taking is a positive tool for discovering, developing |
| risk assessment, (helping children learn the | | | | and consolidating his or her identity is not easy. |
| importants in making good risk decisions), normal, | | | | In a world where there are too many risks to |
| healthy, growth inspiring risks like attempting an | | | | imagine, it is nice to know camp is a safe place |
| activity that scares you as well as unhealthy or | | | | where kids can be kids, making choices and |
| dangereous risks like something that can hurt you, | | | | learning from their mistakes. |
| is illegal or immoral. Dr. Taffel spoke about the | | | | If you have chosen to send your child to camp |
| risks we are faced with in our ever changing | | | | you already know the value of organized camping |
| world and how these risks, fears and situations | | | | on children. You probably know that your child will |
| affect our children and their emotions. | | | | become more independent, hone their athletic and |
| Dr. Ponton listed ways to best help children grow | | | | artistic talents, make new friends and learn how |
| and take healthy risks... talk to your children, ask | | | | to be a better one. But, we also want you to |
| questions about what they are doing, get to | | | | know that by sending your child to camp, you are |
| know their friends, give them boundaries and | | | | also helping them learn about risk assessment and |
| enforce family rules and be a good role model... | | | | how to make good choices while being surrounded |
| we all nodded our heads in agreement that these | | | | by people that will guide them through this |
| things were important but the last one really | | | | process. Camp is a place for exciting, fun and |
| resonated. Dr. Ponton added that the most | | | | safe risks. |
| powerful tool in helping children learn good risk | | | | |