CAMPS
Picture of EFY, maybe picture of girls' camp if I have one
One GREAT way to find some direction, have something to look forward to, and get away from your troubles for a while is to participate in camps. As a teenager, I participated in two different youth camps through my church - one was a yearly, week-long camp up in the mountains where we went hiking, canoeing, had camp fires and sing-a-longs, etc. The other took place at my local college campus and involved classes put on my motivational youth speakers, dances, big dinners, concerts, devotionals, etc. They were some of the best memories I have of growing up. I just wish I had been a more happy and outgoing person back then, because I probably could have made some great and lasting friendships there. Most camps take place in the summer, but you can also find camps available during the school year on weekends or after school. For summer camps, you have a choice between day camps and overnight camps. Day camps might last a week or two, but you usually just stay for a few hours and then go home at night. At overnight camps, you would stay at the camp, usually in a tent, a cabin, or some kind of dorm, for however long that camp lasts (anywhere from one week to a couple of months, depending on the camp). There are camps for just about everything you can think of! From bug collecting to space exploration to painting and math camps, there really is a camp for everybody, so find a camp you're interested in and figure out a way to get there! Below is a list of types of camps you might want to look into and some answers to questions you might have about camps. (The following list is adapted from http://www.summercampsinfo.com/types-of-summer-camps.html)
Academic Camps - There are so many areas of emphasis that you can choose from when looking into academic camps. Basically, pick a subject and you can probably find a camp that focuses on that subject! Pick from math, theater, computers, science (and many subjects within science, like paleontology), history, and much, much more!
Adventure Camps - there are also many types of adventure camps focusing on specific types of adventurous activities (rock climbing, ropes courses, biking, canoeing and kayaking, scuba diving, hiking, etc) and also many kinds of adventure camps that combine some of these activities into one camp.
Art - Again, the possibilities here are endless! You can find camps for dance, acting, creative writing, singing, film, painting, sculpture, pottery, and much more.
Religious - I know that many Christian denominations hold summer camps. I'm not sure about other religions, but whatever religion you belong to, talk to your religious leader(s) and see if they know of any religious summer camps you can attend. These can be a great way to meet people who share your beliefs and values. Most of these camps not only focus on religious instruction and activities but usually also include physical activities, service projects, dances, dinners, etc.
Picture of EFY, maybe picture of girls' camp if I have one
One GREAT way to find some direction, have something to look forward to, and get away from your troubles for a while is to participate in camps. As a teenager, I participated in two different youth camps through my church - one was a yearly, week-long camp up in the mountains where we went hiking, canoeing, had camp fires and sing-a-longs, etc. The other took place at my local college campus and involved classes put on my motivational youth speakers, dances, big dinners, concerts, devotionals, etc. They were some of the best memories I have of growing up. I just wish I had been a more happy and outgoing person back then, because I probably could have made some great and lasting friendships there. Most camps take place in the summer, but you can also find camps available during the school year on weekends or after school. For summer camps, you have a choice between day camps and overnight camps. Day camps might last a week or two, but you usually just stay for a few hours and then go home at night. At overnight camps, you would stay at the camp, usually in a tent, a cabin, or some kind of dorm, for however long that camp lasts (anywhere from one week to a couple of months, depending on the camp). There are camps for just about everything you can think of! From bug collecting to space exploration to painting and math camps, there really is a camp for everybody, so find a camp you're interested in and figure out a way to get there! Below is a list of types of camps you might want to look into and some answers to questions you might have about camps. (The following list is adapted from http://www.summercampsinfo.com/types-of-summer-camps.html)
Academic Camps - There are so many areas of emphasis that you can choose from when looking into academic camps. Basically, pick a subject and you can probably find a camp that focuses on that subject! Pick from math, theater, computers, science (and many subjects within science, like paleontology), history, and much, much more!
Adventure Camps - there are also many types of adventure camps focusing on specific types of adventurous activities (rock climbing, ropes courses, biking, canoeing and kayaking, scuba diving, hiking, etc) and also many kinds of adventure camps that combine some of these activities into one camp.
Art - Again, the possibilities here are endless! You can find camps for dance, acting, creative writing, singing, film, painting, sculpture, pottery, and much more.
Religious - I know that many Christian denominations hold summer camps. I'm not sure about other religions, but whatever religion you belong to, talk to your religious leader(s) and see if they know of any religious summer camps you can attend. These can be a great way to meet people who share your beliefs and values. Most of these camps not only focus on religious instruction and activities but usually also include physical activities, service projects, dances, dinners, etc.
Special Needs - There are many types of special needs, whether physical, mental, or emotional and there are all kinds of camps designed specifically to meet those needs.
Sports Camps - Think of any sport and you will probably find a camp for that sport - archery, swimming, tennis, basketball, football, softball/baseball, running, rock climbing, rowing, etc. Remember when looking for a sport camp that there are camps for beginners and camps for more advanced athletes.
Technology Camps - Computers, digital photography, computer programming, animation, video gaming, computer video editing, graphic design, etc.
Theme Park Camps - Did you know that you can go to summer camps/workshops at Disney World?!?! Yeah, you can! There are also camps at Disneyland and Sea World, and I'm sure there are other theme parks with youth camps, as well. If you're interested in performing arts, film, animation, animals, or just theme parks in general, look into these opportunities:
Disney Camps
Sea World/Busch Gardens Camps
Create Your Own Camp - A great way to make some money over the summer and also gain some new skills is to hold your own camp! If you have a skill that you think you could teach to others, such as sewing, art, music, dance, sports, martial arts, etc., consider holding maybe a week-long or two-week long day camp for an hour or two a day. You could do five days a week, three days a week, or whatever schedule you feel comfortable with. You can advertise your camp in your local newspaper, on Facebook or another social site, and by hanging flyers around your community (libraries, grocery stores, community centers, schools, churches, etc). So, pick a skill or hobby you're good at, decide on age group you're comfortable teaching, pick a few projects you could teach, make a list of supplies you'll need, decide on a good place to hold your classes (make it a place where you won't be alone with any one person just to be safe), decide on a price for your classes (include the price of your supplies and then consider the amount of time and effort you'll put into the classes - maybe even look online at the prices of other similar classes in your area), and then advertise!
Q & A
Where do I find information about summer camps?
There are so many ways to find summer camps! You can just go to Google and type in any area of interest you have along with the words "summer camp" or just "camp" and you'll probably find a lot of information just from that. If you don't find anything that interests you online, you can check the following places:
- your local college or university - most colleges/universities have some summer programs for youth. Check the school's website or call their information line to get information about summer camps.
- your local community center - check at a YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, or any other community center, such as a community theater, community education center, or a community activity center. Most of these kinds of places have many summer activities to choose from.
- your city or county - go online to your city's official webpage (you can google the name of your city and should be able to find it that way). Look around and see what summer activities your city offers. Many cities offer programs and activities during the school year, as well. You will find things such as sports, arts, computers, cooking, etc.
- ask an adult at your school - most teachers probably know of summer or even school-year camps or programs in their specific subject area. So, ask a science, art, music, history, math, dance, P.E., photography, computer, or other teacher if they know of any good camps/programs. You could also ask a school secretary or counselor if they have any information for you.
- your religious leader - as mentioned above, if you are interested in a church-related camp, ask your local religious leader for information. If you don't attend church or are interested in going to a camp that is affiliated with some other religious group, see if they have a website or phone number you can call to get information. If that doesn't work, go directly to the leader of that group and ask for information.
- keep your eyes and ears open - sometimes you might find out about different programs and camps just from hearing about them or happening to see a flyer or advertisement. So, keep your eyes and ears open just in case you hear about something you might be interested in.
How much do summer camps cost?
Summer camps can be quite pricey, depending on your skill level, where you live, etc. Most week-long camps can range from $250 - $2000. The longer the camp, the more money will be required. Look closely when looking up information about camps to find out how much money you will need to attend. Make sure that your food, lodging, travel, and other monetary considerations are included in the cost of your attendance.
What if I can't afford the price of a summer camp?
Many camps are just too expensive to attend, but we can all do something to earn money. If you want to go to summer camp or attend some type of program that you just can't afford, try the following things to earn the money:
- Get a job - talk to you parents about the possibility of getting a job, whether part or full-time. You could do something like a paper route or work at a retail store. You could also offer services to people in your neighborhood, such as babysitting, lawn care, house cleaning, sewing, etc.
- Ask your parents if they can pay for it or if they would be willing to split the cost with you.
- Find some things to sell - you could look through your closet and/or bedroom to see if you have any items you could sell. You could take some old but still-in-good-condition clothes to a second hand store. Maybe you have some old toys, books, DVDs, etc. that you could sell on eBay. I had a friend once who bought nice clothes at second hand stores and then sold them for a profit on eBay. She did pretty well for herself.
- Save your allowance
There's no harm in asking, right? The worst thing that can happen is they'll say no. If you're afraid to ask because of the cost, think about some things you might be able to do to earn some money and then talk to your parents about it. See if they could at least pay some of the cost or if they would be willing to let you go if you pay for it all yourself. If the camp is far away, see if maybe you could make a family trip out of driving you to the camp!
How can I make friends at a summer camp when I already have a hard time making friends?
Making friends can be hard for most people. The good thing about most summer camps is that the kids at the camps have a lot in common with you. That's why they chose to go to that particular camp in the first place! Sometimes, all it takes to spark up a friendship is just starting a conversation with someone. If you have no idea what to say when you meet someone, consider these ideas as conversation starters:
- ask where they are from and ask them to tell you a little bit about their hometown
- ask what their favorite subject(s) in school are
- ask about their family - how many siblings they have and what they like to do together
- ask them how they found that particular camp and what they are most excited about doing there
- ask them about their hobbies
- ask them about their favorite music, sports, tv shows, movies, foods, etc.
There are a lot of things you can ask someone to get a conversation started, and most of the time, if you really listen to what people have to say, you can think of subjects to talk about that naturally follow the conversation you've already started. And remember, most people enjoy talking about themselves, so if you show genuine interest in other people, ask them about themselves, and show that you are interested by remembering what they say, you will be well on your way to making a good friend.
SUMMER JOBS
If you feel like you don't have friends or activities to occupy you in the summer, a good way to spend the time is to get a summer job. Not only will you earn some money but you could also get some good experience and meet some new people. There are hundreds of possibilities for summer work, but here are a few ideas:
- camp counselor - Google camp counselor jobs and you will find plenty of places to apply, both local and all across the U.S.
- fast food worker - not the most glamorous job, but if you work hard it is pretty easy to move up to supervisor or manager positions
- retail - you could go to a mall or any retail store and apply to do anything from clothing sales to book sales and more
- grocery store - you could be a shelf stocker, a checker, a bagger, a deli worker, etc.
- many theme parks and zoos hire extra workers in the summer because the parks are open later and more people are visiting
- server at a restaurant
- You can offer your own services - babysitting, lawn care, house cleaning, pet care, sewing, etc.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Maya Angelou has said:
“If I could give you one thought, it would be to lift someone up. Lift a stranger up--lift her up. I would ask you, mother and father, brother and sister, lovers, mother and daughter, father and son, lift someone. The very idea of lifting someone up will lift you, as well.”
“As soon as healing takes place, go out and heal somebody else.”
Community service may sound like a drag, but it can really be so much fun! It's the perfect way to stop focusing on the difficulties of your own life and instead focus on helping ease someone else's burdens, at least for a while. There are SO MANY ways you can serve, too! You can do everything from serving meals at a soup kitchen to volunteering for a big brother/big sister program to organizing a community jog-a-thon to raise money for a good cause, and so much more! If you don't think you would enjoy community service, I would encourage you to at least give it a try. Pick maybe three things from the list below and try them out. Give it your best effort and do it with a positive attitude. When you're done, you'll at least know whether or not it's for you. And you never know, you may end up finding out that community service is a passion of yours- a way for you to relax and find some happiness instead of something you dread doing. In high school, I volunteered at a soup kitchen a couple of times, sang Christmas carols to little kids at my local hospital, went to nursing homes once in a while to just visit with the residents or put on a musical show for them, and helped clean up trash from the roads in my community. I always came away from those activities feeling happy! Below is a list of resources for finding opportunities for community service:
366 Community Service Ideas (this website has just about every community service idea you can think of! Scroll down just a bit on the page until you see the colored boxes. That's where you'll find all 366 ideas! And you can change and adapt the ideas to fit your comfort level and/or service interests).
United Way (this organization can connect you with a variety of community service opportunities and you can search by interest, skills, location, age group, etc).
Do Something (this website is specifically designed to connect you with volunteer opportunities that are good for young people).
Boys and Girls Club (this is a perfect place to go if you want to get involved with other youth. You can help with homework or play games/sports and do other activities with kids who need somewhere to go after school).
http://www.volunteermatch.org/ (this website can search opportunities for you right in your area using your zip code as well as type of opportunity you're interested in).
http://www.servenet.org/ (another website designed specifically for youth volunteer opportunities)
Here are some of my favorite ideas, just to get you started:
- Organize a jog-a-thon (5K, 10K, half-marathon, marathon, or any distance) to raise money for a good cause
- "Take photos during an event and donate them to the event organizers"
- "Make birthday cards for the elderly"
- "Practice random acts of kindness"
- Volunteer your talents or skills at a charity auction
- Volunteer to help at the Special Olympics
- "Make gifts with friends for kids in the hospital"
- "Build a ramp for a person in a wheelchair so its easier for them to get in and out of their house" (this could be a GREAT project to do with a parent, uncle or aunt, grandparent, etc who knows about building)
- Help put together a small library for a children's hospital
- "Help neighbors paint and repair their homes"
- "Produce a neighborhood newspaper"
Again, look on http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/serviceideas.shtml for LOTS of more ideas!
There are also plenty of other activities you can participate in throughout your community. These activities take place throughout the year and can usually be found by looking on your city, county, or state website, going to your local community theater or center, looking in your local newspaper, or looking at other organizations in your community such as your library, performing arts studios, schools, churches, colleges/universities, public school, and more. Here are some ideas of activities you might be able to participate in:
- community plays
- local singing groups and choirs
- other performing arts (dance, film, instruments, etc)
- classes offered at local schools, grocery stores, libraries, etc., such as: cooking, computers, art, performing arts, martial arts, creative writing, sports, sewing, knitting, ropes, rock climbing, photography, etc.
- public speaking
Remember, whatever activities you choose to participate in, always try to stay positive. Remember that learning any skill usually takes time and effort and you won't be perfect at it right away. Also, enjoy yourself! Use these extra activities as a way to forget your problems for a little while and focus on something that can make you and others happy and fulfilled. If any of you have any other good ideas, post them in the comments section!
