Staff not needed?

July 18, 2012
Staff not needed?

You know it has been a successful summer when you sit down to play a game of Duck Duck Goose and the staff are able to stand back and only provide minimal support. Talk about a moment of triumph!  This game may seem simple to many, but we find that it is actually quite difficult to grasp for many of our kids. It is difficult to understand the "change" in roles when you have been picked, then you chase, then it is your turn to choose......that sequence is very difficult to achieve. It is also difficult to wait your turn while seeing so many others getting chosen ahead of you, it is hard to remember the order of the words to say as well as which word you select to show everyone your "choice", it is difficult to not feel overwhelmed when someone is chasing you down, remembering to sit back down when getting chased is hard, as well as not "tagging" too hard when you are the one pursuing. We play this game multiple times over the summer, and as the weeks go on, we get to see the incredible progress, inch by inch. In the beginning, the staff are sitting with the kids, reminding each camper what to do next and even holding their hands and running with them around the circle; but now, 7 weeks into the summer, the campers sustained about 25-30 minutes of playing this game, while the staff stood back and watched their enjoyment. What an incredible day!