February, 2012

Keys to Quality Youth Development

Note to Readers: This blog from Cape Cod Sea Camps, a traditional New England summer camp and premier provider of summer education opportunities for children and young adults, is offered as a resource on youth development for families. Positive youth development is the name of the game.  In “Keys to Quality Youth Development,” the University of Michigan point to the work of Gisela Konopka and Karen Pittman in identifying eight critical elements essential to such development.  We think you’ll recognize a lot of them from camp!

Summer Camps Develop Competencies in the 3 Cs

Skills for the 21st Century – Daniella Garran Now, more than ever, America’s youth is being treated as adults-in-training rather than as children and teenagers. Parents are rightly concerned about preparing their children for college and a career but often forget to let their children enjoy childhood. In today’s schools, teachers are forced to focus on content mastery and standardized tests rather than on fostering creativity and curiosity among their students. However, being able to solve Calculus problems, recite the Preamble to the Constitution and achieve high standardized test scores does not necessarily mean that one is prepared socially, emotionally, or even intellectually for what lies ahead. Enter summer camps.   READ MORE

Summer Camps and Engaged Communities

Note to Readers: This blog from Cape Cod Sea Camps, a traditional New England summer camp and premier provider of summer education opportunities for children and young adults, is offered as a resource on youth development for families. According to the Search Institute, kids need engaged communities to fully experience success.  In many ways, summer camps define engaged communities.  They are also an important part of the larger fabric of positive influences in young people’s lives. Check out What Kids Need: An Engaged Community.