Parent Book Club #3 - Critical Skills Seldom Taught
Today we will discuss Chapter 4 – Twenty-five critical skills are seldom taught, tested, or graded in high school
So what twenty-five skills do our children need to learn by doing and which ones do they learn at camp?
This was my one big question pertaining to youth development and this brief chapter. After going through the list, it’s pretty crazy how many of these skills are practiced every day while at Camp. Here is a quick overview of the 16 skills learned at Camp and some specific examples of just how those play out at Camp.
- Adapting (first time in cabin with kids they may or may not like)
- Analyzing and managing risks (first time off the Critter)
- Behaving ethically (learning from mistakes and finding a moral compass)
- Being a Leader
- Building and nurturing relationships (all day every day)
- Communicating (and having to do so face to face…no texting)
- Creating or Process Engineering New Actions, Processes, and Tools (cabin cleanup)
- Developing security (trust with cabin mates and counselors)
- Efficiently meeting complex needs
- Identifying and using boards of mentors and advisors (counselors)
- Maintaining and practicing stewardship of important systems and capabilities (meal clean up and cabin inspection)
- Making prudent decisions (daily)
- Managing conflict (happens almost indefinitely in the cabin)
- Negotiating
- Scheduling
- Solving problems innovatively
So how valuable is learning really at summer camp? I would say very valuable, so much so that most of the 25 skills are continually honed over and over again as a camper and camp counselor.
Parents, what skill would you like your child to most get out of Camp this summer?