Academic Summer Camp Builds Rapport with Teens

SuperCamp’s academic summer camp for teens and youth not only teaches them communication and relationship-building skills, but it shares this same learning with parents. Parents are provided with some of the tools they can use to support the continued personal growth of their children after their return from our summer camp.

SuperCamp has found the following to be worthwhile elements in building rapport with children:

• Know what they like, how they think, and how they feel about what’s happening in their lives.
• Imagine what they say to themselves, about themselves.
• Know what keeps them from getting what they truly want. If you don’t know, ask.
• Speak the truth to them in a way they can hear it, clearly and gently.
• Have fun with them.
• Treat them as equals.

Many of the beliefs that are taught and practiced at SuperCamp and that are shared with SuperCamp families include:

• Respect and caring – for ourselves and for others – is vitally important.
• Every person is gifted and capable of learning.
• There are no failures, only learning experiences through which we gain greater self-understanding.
• Positive support, a nurturing environment, and good communication are essential – for learning and for life.

Parents who make an effort to build their relationships with their children will also build their feelings of acceptance and trust – which will in turn build their self confidence. Self-confidence is a vital ingredient in the happiness and academic success of teens and pre-teens.

SuperCamp runs pre-teen and teen summer camps at eight colleges across the U.S. More information is available at www.supercamp.com/academic_summer_camps.html and by calling 800-285-3276.