Tag: summer camp

Growing up Global

作为父母,我们常常听到人们预测说我们的孩子们需要为一个新的“全球”世界作准备。但是有些人却认为全球互动的根基在多个世纪前就已经准备好了,我们当前所拥有的电子和交通技术让世界各地的人们更加互相联系和依赖。因此,如何才能让我们的孩子们准备就绪并给予他们能够变得全球化的经验? 诚然,旅行是一种帮助孩子们提高他们文化通货的显著办法。但是,去野营也能够以特殊的方式帮助他们培养全球化思维的技能。夏令营是一个让来自世界各地和美国各地的孩子们互相连结的场所。他们可以在这里建立终生友谊,一起尝试新事物和实践生活。以在AFSC夏令营为例,虽然只有少数露营者是来自国外,但却给露营生活和整个社区带来很多东西。每个人都从露营中的不同孩子们身上得到益处。孩子们可以练习一门语言,而且肯定能在日常互动中了解到不同的风俗习惯并有时间对这些进行吸收。 最重要的是,他们将学会如何尊重有着不同观点的人并与他们相处,这些人做事的方式可能会不同。 Homa Sabet Tavangar 在她的书 籍《Growing Up Global: Raising Children to Be At Home in the World》中说道,发展一个世界观的第一步就要求能够 “拥有一个去交朋友和与人成为好朋友的心态”。交朋友指的是练习全球性的品质(如,移情和尊重)。在露营中与别人建立长久的友谊是整个体验过程中的重要部分。 我们的辅导员和员工们都经过培训,随时准备帮助露营者们在露营中得到成长,在必要时能开发新技能并关心他人。Tavangar认为,“黄金法则” 或者“你希望别人怎样对待你,那么你也怎样对待别人”的观点渗透了各种文化和信仰传统,这些在她的书中也有详细说明。当孩子们有着互相关心的普世价值观时,他们就会变得谦虚,有礼貌且具有同情心,从而能够交到真正的朋友 – 这也让他成为一名世界公民。 因此,不论我们去到世界的哪个地方,打破不同文化因素及能够看到让各种文化相似或相异的东西才是让我们为能够彼此相联系做好准备。 对于孩子们来说,在与新文化沟通时向前迈一小步,就能够克服尝试新食物或者离开家来到各种事物都“不同”的露营地的恐怖。毕竟,每年的每次露营都具有其特殊的特点或文化。 例如,许多露营者必须忍受并学会去喜欢新食物,而正是这种经验让孩子们能够为未来做好准备。 Growing up global并非只是为了如何准备好在经济世界做生意。它还与如何能够拥有意愿去与训练了 一个本地足球队的肯尼亚父亲,一个有着与众不同的时尚风格的土耳其邻居,或者一个期望永不间断电源的美国人轻松相联系息息相关。最后,它所涉及的是对不同事物具有好奇心而不是恐惧感,并重视与我们遇见的不同人们交朋友。 心理学家认为友谊与一个人的健康息息相关,并最终关系到我们的生存能力。因此,友谊是让人在个自的领域以及在我们的地球上感觉舒适自在的关键。 我们的夏令营经验是培养具有全球意识和自信意识的孩子的关键组成部分。在露营时所学到的东西和交到朋友在露营结束后能长久持续。因为露营者会继续扩展他们的视野,并跨越时间和空间的障碍与朋友们保持联系,从而找到他们的生活热情。

Let’s Go on a Trip!

With all of the amazing offerings within camp, it’s hard to believe that anyone would want to leave.  But some of the greatest fun children have at summer camp is actually away from camp on one of the many out of camp trips that are arranged throughout the summer.  Some are small, an evening or… 阅读更多»

A Peek at What’s Happening at AFSC Right Now!

The start of summer 2011 is at hand and the always amazing staffs of America’s Finest Summer Camps assembled this week at their respective camps, excited to be with old friends as well as new and anxious to begin preparing for the campers.   We thought we’d take a moment to share the success of each… 阅读更多»

Growing up Global

Da genitori, sentiamo spesso previsioni sulla necessità dei nostri figli di prepararsi per un mondo nuovo e «globale». Mentre alcuni spiegano che le radici delle interazioni globali sono state piantate secoli fa, le attuali tecnologie elettroniche e dei mezzi di trasporto danno la possibilità a persone che vivono in ogni parte del mondo di essere… 阅读更多»

Got Communication?

Parents: Camp is near.  You’re packing bags, making last minute preparations, and listening to endless stories with increasing enthusiasm about what happened during the summer of 2010 in eager anticipation for summer of 2011 to begin.  You’re checking and re-checking to make sure all of the paperwork has been submitted and the bag pickups have… 阅读更多»

Going Gaga for Ga-Ga

Something you might not know about summer camp:  It breeds passionate athletes in many different sports, even ones that are little known outside of summer camp, such as ga-ga.  Although it’s not well known in America (but becoming more so everyday!), hoards of campers dream all winter about getting back into the ga-ga pit.  Many… 阅读更多»

Do You Know the History of Summer Camp?

Today, we feature a guest blog from Cole Kelly, Camp Weequahic Director. Do you know the history of camping? Most people don’t and it’s too bad. It’s an interesting story and I’m happy to give you my take on it. Back in the early 1900’s, several individuals and families, seeing the swelling slums in the… 阅读更多»

A Glimpse at Orientation…The Training of Camp Staff

Every summer you pack your children up and entrust them to the care of others for the summer.  Have you ever wondered what sort of training is provided for your child’s summer camp staff?   For summer camp staff members, the season begins at least one week before the campers arrive with Orientation. What is… 阅读更多»

Summer Camp Rentals Make Camp Possible for Grownups Too!

Admit it.  You’re jealous.  Your children go to summer camp each summer.  Then they come home and tell you about it, and you wish that you could go to camp, too.  Well, you might be able to.  Did you know that many summer camps offer facility rentals during the “off season”, typically from mid-to-late August… 阅读更多»

10 Things to do before Your Children Leave for Summer Camp

10 Things to do before Your Children Leave for 10. Complete all of the camp paperwork.  This provides the camp with valuable details about your child that they can pass onto their health center and counselors.  Knowing your children’s interests before they arrive helps the camp place them into cabins or bunks in which they’ll… 阅读更多»