Hanging Rock

August 15, 2012

Hanging Rock

On the Island Ford trail there are several stops on the way, including cave #4 or Hanging Rock.  Here we lift the kids up to a ledge and they hang on for a period of time.  On average 10 seconds is a good long enough, but personal records have been set, broken, and re-broken.  The all time summer camp record of 107 seconds was set in the summer of 2004, and many have come close since then.  Before each child gets lifted into the air, we ask how long they think they can hang for.  The eager kids throw out a large number hoping to be able reach a lofty goal, others are more realistic about this challenge and shoot for 10 seconds, and then there are those kids who are anxious about this exercise and with hesitation only want to be up there for a few seconds.  No matter how long the turn is, each time a camper is safely back on the ground there is cheering and enthusiasm.  A bigger deal is made of a personal best hang time.  We often see determination and grit before, and joy right after, but in every case a big challenge has been successfully completed. 

boys being boys

August 13, 2012

Boys being Boys

Our groups are predominantly over-run with boys. This is due to a few factors: 1--because the 8 out of 10 kids diagnosed with Autism are boys, 2--because the activities we offer are very physical and "out-doorsy" which attracts more boys, and 3--because many children diagnosed with Autism tend to lean more towards playing video games rather than sports, but their parents know they need to be more active. Whatever the reason, all of our programs are predominantly boys. Due to this, we make sure to hire young, engaging, and really fun counselors to get the boys motivated and loving camp. This picture captures a great moment where the boys are all on a team against one of our staff, they are trying to "capsize" him. They are strategizing and planning different ways to attack and are just having a blast. This is a great way for these boys to bond and enjoy this time at camp, they have never met each-other before, but they have come together with a similar desire and are playing so well together. After this, these boys then sought each other out to play more games and to team up in different activities. This is one more example of why we are so selective when hiring our staff, they make all the difference!  

The future of Learning on the Log

Photo found here: http://www.yellowbot.com/emerald-city-overland-park-ks.html

August 12, 2012
The Future of Learning on the Log (LOTL)

We are known for our great programs, our incredible staff, and our ability to engage our campers in social activities. But, do you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes or what we have planned for the future? We are currently in the middle of launching our company to the next level, into a much larger corporation. 

For the first 8 years, LOTL was a very small company, running with a skeleton crew and very limited resources, and therefore limited ability to grow. We have always struggled with trying to find a balance between hiring more staff and at the same time, filling our groups enough to make the addition, worthwhile. Having a 2:1 child to staff ratio is great for the quality of our groups, but incredibly hard to uphold from the business side of things.  

In the last two years, we have worked incredibly hard and long hours to continue to offer our quality groups, but also tackle the business side of things, because we have very lofty dreams and ideas of where we want LOTL to go. We put together an INCREDIBLE board of directors that have, in the last year, launched us into a whole new realm of business. Everyone has been so generous and eager to help us. 

We have received numerous donations of equipments and materials, some from our Amazon Wishlist, as well as used books and toys and games for us to use in our vans and for our upcoming Pre-School. 

We have had some incredible business men putting together a business plan for us and financial projections to help us plan. We have had marketing professionals helping us re-do our logo and our slogan and helping us with print material we can use for fund raising. We have social media experts in England helping us with social media strategies and awareness plans. We have people planning fund raising events and hosting dinners and parties, where we will have the opportunity to meet and connect with more people who might be able to propel us forward. We have people guiding us in the grant writing process as well as trying to put together a "vision" for LOTL that will help us brand ourselves. 

We have also tripled our full-time staff, and have plans in place to continue to grow those numbers.

The number of people and the amount of work that is going on behind the scenes, is incredibly overwhelming, but in nothing but a WONDERFUL way. 

As you know, we are launching our first ever morning program, our Enrichment Pre-School, that will offer an academic piece, where students will sign up for the entire school year. An intense social skills experience that will emulate Summer Camp, all year long. 

What you may not know, is that we have plans (hopefully within two years) to open our own facility that will include gymnastics/tumbling equipment, swimming indoors, enclosed sports arena, 25 ft rock climbing walls and obstacle courses......and so much more! We also plan to offer parent support groups, sibling group outings, a parent council, teen programs, overnight camps, homework tutors, family programs and outings, and much much more! 

We have big plans and we hope you stick around! We would love to tell you more about what we have planned and where we could use your help. Let us know if any of this sounds good to you and if you have any special skills you would be willing to share or any contacts you would be willing to introduce us to. 

Structured Games

August 11, 2012

Structured Games

We constantly wrestle with the balance between too many and not enough structured games.  One of the strengths of this staff is it's ability to interact, relate, and communicate with campers during free play.  Many creative and fun games are played, and relationships are built and deepened during those times.  Structured games such as 'Simon Say's' or 'Swim skills practice' prove to unite the group in positive way.  All of us put our hands in the middle to start the activity, all of us are jumping or spinning in Simon Say's, and all of us are kicking our legs during swim skills practice.  These shared physical experiences are building blocks for a shared social experience.  Finding the right amount of structure and free play changes with each group we have and becomes a judgement call of the lead staff, but our ability to do so makes us different from most other programs.

Nap Time

Nap Time

The summer time schedule is fast paced and very active.  We utilize every minute of every day to interact, relate, communicate, run, stretch, hike, swim, paddle, or play team games.  There are times where fatigue does set in and some campers take the opportunity for a quick nap.  Even with conversations, activity, and music around, some are simply so tired and need a little shut-eye before they can participate in the next part of the day. 

Bouncing on the River

August 9, 2012

Bouncing on the River

There are many ways in which we enjoy the trip down the Chattahoochee River.  Some paddle hard, some engage in water gun play, some can't wait to go swimming, some have great conversations with their boat partners, while some like to bounce.  Take a look at how we can bounce down the river.

Smiling faces

August 8, 2012

Smiling Faces

In case you haven't heard enough about our wonderful staff at Learning on the Log, here is one more post about them! I love looking at all of our photos and seeing image after image of not only the kids having fun, but the staff smiling from ear to ear. Why is this such an accomplishment? Here are a few examples of situations they deal with each day: arguments, mis-understandings, melt-downs, whining kids, HOT temperatures, 11 weeks in a row of work, the stress of keeping 20 kids together.....Working together with other staff whom you have never met before, having to give up every sense of "me" because they have to focus all their attention on the kids....And overcoming their own personal feelings of being uncomfortable in different situations because they have to help the kids through those same uncomfortable situations.....just to name a few. But, even though we are nearing the end of the summer and everyone is EXHAUSTED, physically, emotionally, psychologically, the staff are STILL SMILING. We are so proud of them, and so grateful to them for all of their hard work. We could not do it without them. We always say that our programs are only as good as our staff, and this group has launched us to another level of productivity and enjoyment, as we have heard countless tales from parents and campers alike, with nothing but positive feedback about our staff. 

Do you have any stories to share about our wonderful staff?