Yup. A good summer camp, where Good Things happen in a safe environment.
Safety is #1.
So far, so good.
A warehouse is safe. Four walls, controlled entry, very strong lights to easily supervise inventory in neat, tidy rows. Bright lights appear to get “better” responsiveness and focus, when in fact this actually is the result of roof-high stress levels, a zombie-like state after sensory inputs were overwhelmed; "effective" to calm gifted kids in totally the wrong way.
Is safety our goal?
Yes, as a starting point; a foundation on which we can now build.
How do WE establish safety? (Obviously, not the "warehouse model!)
Even though I kind of knew it already, it was good to learn about research showing that camps are generally safer compared to other youth activities.
However (there is a however), safety in camps depends on strong health/emergency protocols, good staff training, and clear supervision. We got that.Staff is background-checked, interviewed, then gets 40 hours of paid training following ACA Standards. ACA, the American Camp Association, is a highly respected national body that designs and provides guidance on best-practices, most especially concerned with safety. Anything we do at LSC, ACA Standards serve as a baseline for initial and ongoing training and supervision, for every aspect of a camp operation.
Important to note: we are not yet ACA Accredited being so new and all, but we mean to get us there as soon as we can.
Inspired by and through ACA, we bought-in also the concept of well-being, which takes into account aspects beyond basic physical safety, into social, emotional, spiritual health in the ability of campers and staff to participate fully while feeling safe, supported, and engaged. Staff gets a full 6-hours training on this following the CampWell model.
"Healthy risk-taking" is kind of the core of a summer camp. To try new activities, which fosters growth. Learn by doing. Be inspired by role-models with a track record of good life skills and life choices. Practice being positive examples to others, in this peer-to-peer community. Listen, and be heard and understood by others with shared experiences. Most importantly, gain awareness of the very concept of risk-taking, as an option that each one of us can control intentionally. Somehwere away from the extremes of excessive fear and utter carelessness of self and others, there is a healthy area that life forms in the growing stage can take ownership of, to find comfort and peace.
One fundamental aspect of “geek camps” is the opportunity to both escape the pressure of pretend while teaming up with like. To encourage giftings old and new, to let lose talents. To be the place where a bright kid fits in. Naturally.
Because we must, we attempt to go even one step further.
We also work on social skills. In better understanding the 90% neuro-normals in the curve, among whom we spend the rest of the year, the rest of our lives. The goal here, and a fundamental one for us, is to strengthen our ability to survive emotionally the fact that we are different, then, less encumbered, to grow and flourish. To see and accept the good of being different, as we become more aware and able to control the temptation for pride and hubris that gives others a "valid" excuse to bully and punish what is sometimes seen as offensive and socially inappropriate.
Your camper already good at those survival skills? Yay! Then, a chance to help others learn!