Click to view our Winter 2014 newsletter:

True pride only comes from accomplishing something that was difficult.

Grit has become the new buzzword in education and parenting thanks to Paul Tough’s best-selling book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character.

But what is it?

Grit is perserverance and resiliancy. It’s the ability to persist even when you do not initially succeed. It’s a “growth mindset”: understanding that sometimes things will get harder before they get easier, and that’s ok.

There has been a lot of writings recently on how the current generation of kids have become accustomed to instant gratification. They are used to getting what they want, when they want it. The problem is… The rest of their lives won’t work that way, and it can cause a host of problems later on in life including impatience, a habit of quitting, and even depression.

So, how do we help kids learn a growth mindset? They need to learn to delay gratification.

An episode on Modern Family last season featured the dilemma of Haley not having any hardship to write about on her college application.   Her mom created one by dropping her off miles from home and making her walk home.   It was a humorous example of a real problem — Colleges want to see that our kids have some “grit,” because they will need it to complete college.  But for many kids, their lives have not been conducive to developing that particular trait.  Life is often too easy for kids on the higher end of the socioeconomic spectrum.
– Sunshine Parenting

It’s important for children to experience “hardship” in small, healthy doses. Presenting safe, yet challenging situations where a child learns that their OWN actions will determine their own success or failure is what will give them the strength to tackle more difficult situations later on in life. It’s key for them to recognize that failure only STAYS a failure if you give up.

We promote “true grit” at camp every time we introduce a camper to a new activity. They might not make a basket their first try, but they might on the fifth. The magic trick might not work the first time, but with practice, it will. You might have to do several drafts of a drawing before you get it right. Getting kids past that first hurdle so that they have the strength to “do better next time” is what it’s all about.

Every year, we find new ways of adding to our mission of being the “village” that helps raise our campers. Our most exciting addition of 2013 was the creation of our camp necklaces.

The idea behind our necklaces is simple – every staff member and camper receives their own handmade necklace their first week of camp. At the end of each camp session (week) each counselor team awards beads to each camper. The colours and shapes of the beads vary based on their meaning. Every camper receives a bead for each week they attend as well as each camper group they belong to, but there are also rarer beads that may sometimes be awarded, such as beads for exhibiting our core values. Over the course of a camper’s time at camp they can get quite a collection! These beads are an excellent reminder of the memories that a camper creates while at camp, and also recognize the character traits and behaviors that we value most highly.

Beads are awarded during a special “campfire” ceremony that also includes singing and the opportunity to say goodbye to campers who are finishing their session. This ceremony adds closure to a child’s camp experience and is another way that we create a feeling of community at MKDC. It is our hope that campers and staff will return to camp each year with their necklaces, creating a treasured keepsake of their summers with us.

Register now and save your spot for Santa’s Workshop! (Spaces are limited, and usually sell out a few days before the event!) Call us at (613) 464-2468 or register online!

Come in costume, experience a haunted house, and create your own candy-gathering receptical for the big day! $45 includes all materials, snacks, and pizza lunch. Call us at (613) 464-2468 or register online.

A few pics from our party gig on the weekend!

Cupcakes & Loot Bags

‘Star Wand’ Cupcake

‘Popcorn’ Cupcake

Carnival Party Signage

Carnival Games

Halloween Howl (PA Day) – Friday, October 11, 2013 ($45)
Come in costume, experience a haunted house, and create your own candy-gathering receptical for the big day! Includes pizza lunch.

Santa’s Workshop – Saturday, December 7, 2013 ($45)
Our super-popular annual event. Come and make gifts for your family while your parents get some Christmas shopping time. Includes pizza lunch.
(This was so popular that it “sold out” last year – we will be expanding into two age groups this year to accomodate the increasing popularity. Save your spot early!)

Gingerbread Town (PA Day) – Friday, December 20, 2013 ($45)
Today it’s all about gingerbread. Not just a house… a whole town! Make and decorate your own city block and take it home when you’re done… If there’s any left. 🙂 Includes pizza lunch.

Cabin Fever (PA Day) – Friday, January 31, 2014 ($45)
Winter blahs making you crazy? Spend the day at MKDC and we’ll bring back the magic of summer. Includes pizza lunch.

Duct Tape Mania (PA Day)  Friday, March 7, 2014 ($45)
Have you seen all the fancy duct tapes they sell now? Now you’ll know what to do with it! Learn to make flowers, bags, wallets, & more! Includes pizza lunch.

March Break – March 10 – 14, 2014 ($160)
Your vacation at home! Daily rates also available.

Let’s Go Fly A Kite (PA Day) Friday, May 30, 2014 ($45)
Make and decorate your own kite that will actually fly! What better way to welcome spring? Includes pizza lunch.

Let the professionals do it!
This doesn’t have to be you.

Let’s be honest:

Is day camp an excellent place for children to spend their days while their parents are at work? YES.

Does day camp solve the “child care” problem while kids are out of school for the summer? YES.

BUT!!!! Parents, please don’t stop there.

Camp is so much more than that! Even if you don’t require full time child care for the summer, there are still many reasons to consider trying summer camp, even if it’s just for a week or two. I encourage you to think beyond babysitting to the many developmental benefits available for your child:

1) Camp provides social opportunities.

For kids who will be starting school in the fall, camp is a great way for them to practice making new friends and getting along with others. For older children, it gives them an opportunity widen their social circle and meet different peers than those in their regular school cohort. A well-trained camp staff can help children practice healthy social skills through guidance and modelling as they develop these new friendships.

LOOK FOR: A camp that keeps camper groupings consistent, at least over the course of a week. If different kids are dropping in on a daily basis, it is much harder to form strong friendships, or feel a sense of security. Ideally, campers should be grouped carefully by age. Deduct points if the camp puts a wide range of ages in one group. Older children don’t want to hang around with “little kids”, and younger children can be intimidated by the size and attitude of older campers.

2) Camp provides structure & routine.

We’ve all been there – the first week of rest & relaxation is great, but then the kids start sleeping in later and later, eating at random times… The next thing you know it’s September, and trying to get them back on a regular schedule is like pulling teeth. For young kids and for those with special needs (such as ADHD or ASD) a schedule isn’t just a perk but a necessity.

LOOK FOR: A camp that has a detailed, consistent daily schedule that indicates specific activities for each block. Be wary of large blocks of time with vague descriptions. Bonus points for offering a variety of activities over the course of the week, rather than the same activities occurring daily.

3) Camp keeps kids healthy & active.

With the ever-increasing allure of technology, studies have proven that kids today just aren’t getting enough exercise, or time outside. Organized team sports are only one type of activity, so we need to be aware of offering active programming for kids who prefer individual sports, but also other types of programs that offer physical activity without specifically being a sport – such as dance, nature hikes, games, etc.

LOOK FOR: A camp that balances indoor and outdoor play, with a variety of opportunities to be active – not just sports. Bonus points for providing programming that extends skills that may not be fostered in the education system (arts, music, dance, etc)

4) Camp prevents summer learning loss by providing stimulating, inquiry-based learning.

Studies have shown that children who don’t engage their brains in meaningful activity over the summer months actually LOSE some of their progress made during the school year. The trick is that “meaningful activity” DOESN’T necessarily mean school-type work – it can be anything that offers an opportunity to think critically, problem solve, be creative, or expand their social interactions.

LOOK FOR: A camp that has a variety of activities that stimulate a child’s development. Bonus points if the camp also allows campers to make some choices to pursue specific topics that interest them. Deduct points if they regularly use “fillers” that don’t stimulate learning, such as watching movies.

5) Camp exposes kids to non-relative role models.

The 40 Developmental Assets have outlined for us how important it is for children to have role models outside of their family. While teachers are certainly a popular and worthwhile example, the type of role models a child encounters at camp is completely different. Camp staff tend to be younger (late teens & twenties) and the relationship is less formal, making them very relatable to children.

LOOK FOR: A camp that screens staff at the highest possible level. Ask about their application process, staff return rate, and the training process.

Day Camp can be an amazing, memorable addition to your child’s summer, regardless of your child care needs – but it’s important to search for the right camp that will make the difference in your child’s life.