Camp friends!

One of the most important goals of MKDC is to foster self-confidence in our campers. Helping them to build healthy relationships with each other is a key ingredient.

At school, children are separated by grade, and in many cases have been with the same students since the beginning of the school careers. This often means that their social lives are built on maintaining existing relationships, and they may not have much experience with making new friends.

At camp, our campers are coming to us from a much wider area – we even have campers who spend their school year overseas! – so your child will have the opportunity to meet other children who are not already part of their existing social circle. (There’s nothing more heart-warming than watching two little girls who hit it off the year before doing a slow-motion run towards each other when they meet again at camp!)

It isn’t enough, however, that other children are simply THERE. Our schedule is designed to help foster and develop these new friendships. For example:

• Daily opening “flag activities” to energize and break the ice
• Daily cabin team-building and cooperative activities to help campers develop healthy group dynamics
• Closing debrief activities to help campers synthesize and promote discussion
• Special events that provide exciting shared experiences
• Camp rituals such as lunch routines and campfires that help campers feel connected
• Core Values and a bead program that promote healthy social skills in a subtle way

With the necessary skills in hand and a safe environment to practice in, any child can make friends at MKDC!

Thank you once again for an amazing time this summer. I feel so very lucky to have the opportunity to work with such an energetic, caring staff and such good-natured, fun-loving campers. We all had a great time!

It’s time to start thinking ahead to what’s next for Maple Key. Of course, we have big plans for Summer 2010, but who wants to wait that long?

We are currently putting together plans for some Saturday workshops, as well as PA day camps for the fall of 2009. Check out the workshop page for details!

Spa Day!

We learned some yoga, and made a face mask, foot scrub, and bath salts. (It was messy and fun!)

Quote of the Day:

• “My feet feel so soft!” (funny because it came from a seven year old boy!)

A brother and sister team complete the babyfood “Roadblock” during the Amazing Race!