Vlog

This week we wanted to change things by posting a VLOG.

Brick Heck is quirky, but a LOTL favorite, character on the ABC show "the Middle".  He struggles with his interactions and with his relationships, but has a fun and unique way of relating.

Watch a short video clip of Brick navigating his world.

Top Qualities in a LOTL staff

These are the highest rated attributes when hiring LOTL staff:

Playful

Flexible

Confident

Punctual

Reliable

Hard working

Energetic

Child focused

Enthusiastic

A lot of affect

Interest in child development

Open for coaching

Willing to take risks

Willing to try new things

Comfortable in chaos

Adapting to changing situations

Comfortable working as part of a team

High endurance level both Physically and emotionally

Comfortable canoeing or kayaking

Video Blog

Take a look at our latest video, and let us know what you think.

Learning On the Log - Full Video from CinematixHD on Vimeo.

SUMMER CAMP

Top five most wanted Summer Camp activities:

1. Water gun fight
2. "Flying" in the pool
3. Karate
4. Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
5. Medal Ceremony

What to Expect.

When signing up for our programs it is important to know what to expect from us.  Here are 5 expectations that can be counted on:

1. Staff will be child focused and engaged.  This means that all of the energy will be placed on interacting, engaging, and developing relationships with the children.  It is not a time for staff to be socializing, to be passively watching the games, nor to be making afternoon/evening plans. 
2. The social skills learned during our programs are learned in an ORGANIC way.  That means that all of the social skills are learned during natural interactions and during natural relationships.  This is the way all of us learn to socialize, and the way all of us practice these skills.
3. Our programs are active and fun.  The settings we offer include hiking, swimming, team building activities, team sports, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, and tumbling. 
4. We challenge our participants.  Growth can not happen unless we are pushed outside our comfort zone.  Dealing with uncomfortable feelings is a big part of developing social skills, and being properly supported can grow confidence.  Positively navigating outside the comfort zone will grow that comfort zone.
5. Developing MEANING is key to generalizing.  Finding meaning in both the activity as well as the relationships is the secret formula for being able to generalize skills learned with us to other areas in life.  Finding meaning in a peer relationship drives the individuals to work harder to maintaining good interaction and communication, and it becomes a natural way of seeking friendship.  The skills can then be used in a different setting where a meaningful relationship has developed.  

When in Rome...Do as Romans

This is a famous quote that encourages individuals to go with the flow of the environment he or she is in.  When in Rome, Italy an individual should expect to hear a different language being spoken, smell different smells, see different traffic patterns, and experience very different ways of interacting.  This does not mean, however, that an individual in Rome has to give up on a personal goals or aspirations.  It simply means that it would be better to attain an individual goal by going with the flow of the Roman way.

The same applies within our programs.  We always have a clear goal of fostering and growing social relationships within our groups, but the manner in which we do that can be different in each group and in each individual.  For example, we might capitalize on someone's interest in car's, dinosaurs,  or trains.  There is no right or wrong way of accomplishing our goals, but finding the unique and local paths is important to create MEANING in the interactions and in relationships.  The meaning is what helps each individual to carry the skills they learn with us into new social environments.

5 Rules of LOTL

We have thought long and hard and have come up with 5 great rules/suggestions/guidelines for how to support parents, volunteers, or counselors in training (CIT) when they are on our outings.

1. Talk to the kids, not the adults

2. Talk to the kids at their level

·      Adult conversations should be done in private or after the program

3. Our main goal is to develop Relationships, thinking, and meaning, not compliance 

4. Play so that you both have fun

·      Find the inner child in you

5. When in doubt follow the Learning on the Log staff lead