Homeschool Tutoring Retreat

We're excited to announce that we're hosting our first-ever Homeschool Tutoring Retreat this weekend, October 10-12. A few homeschool moms and their children will attend, helping us start small as we venture into more sustainable ways to make use of our camp facilities throughout the year. Parents will have their own rooms at the retreat, while students will be housed together upstairs. The fun begins at 6:30 on Thursday evening with a family style dinner at camp. On Friday morning, tutoring and observations will begin, working with one child at a time. While one student is in his/her tutoring session (with Susie observing and coaching the homeschool moms along the way), the others will be outside picking apples, hiking, or baking pies. We'll spend Saturday on an all-day outing, possibly checking out the local Spruce Pine Potters Market annual exhibition or heading to the lake with bag lunches. We'll return to camp in time for dinner and continue tutoring and observations on Sunday.

If you'd like to be involved in future weekend retreats or have ideas for themes you'd like to share with us, please don't hesitate to reach out. This is an exciting time of expansion and outreach for Camp Spring Creek and we welcome your input.

Deeper Learning: How 8 Innovative Public Schools Are Transforming Education in the 21st Century

41XdqWyJFLL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_We're pretty excited about a book published this spring by The New Press, called Deeper Learning and thought we'd offer the basic info here. From their website: "In Deeper Learning, education strategist Monica R. Martinez and sociologist Dennis McGrath take us inside eight schools that have set out to transform the experience of learning. In these schools, we meet teachers and students who show us just what 'Deeper Learning' looks like. The examples from these pages—from high school kids developing energy-saving solutions alongside engineers to young people discovering the complexities of sustainability on an oral history expedition to Appalachia—offer an inspiring and expanded vision of what’s possible in schools today. An accessibly written showcase of schools and practices designed to empower educators and students alike, here is a book for all who are concerned with the dual need for American schools to be genuinely innovative and to embrace what works. Deeper Learning demonstrates how students in their teen years can become passionate learners and global citizens ready to take on a world increasingly defined by new technologies, economic shifts, and profound social challenges."

For example, as the book states: "A particularly vivid example of putting students in the driver’s seat of their own education is the way they handle what traditional schools refer to as parent-teacher conferences. At these time-honored encounters, it’s not uncommon for students to stay home while the adults discuss their progress or lack thereof. At schools built on Deeper Learning principles, the meetings are often turned into student-led conferences, with students presenting their schoolwork, while their teachers, having helped them prepare, sit across the table, or even off to the side. The triad then sits together to review and discuss the work and the student’s progress. The message, once again, is that the students are responsible for their own success."

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In Her Own Words: Marguerite van der Vorst, Camp Counselor (& more)

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PastedGraphic-1We briefly surveyed some of our camp staff at the end of this summer and would like to share some of their inspiring responses. This week's reply comes from camp daughter Marguerite, who has also served as lifeguard, counselor, and all-around helper and motivator. Here's what she had to say: Camp Spring Creek: Explain some of your impressions as a Counselor for Camp Spring Creek. What proved most challenging? What proved most rewarding?

Marguerite van der Vorst: As a camp counselor there were both rewards and challenges. It might sound cliche, but the most challenging part of camp was watching all the children who I had grown so close to, leave. There were other challenging parts of course, but nothing as challenging as their departure. The most rewarding part was watching the kids improve not only in their academics, but also in their self-confidence and, for me, their swimming and water skiing abilities. Seeing that sparkle in their eyes when they achieved something they didn’t think they could just melted my heart.
CSC: As a role model to young campers, what were you most surprised by once you got to know the campers and felt comfortable in your role as Camp Counselor?
MV: I was most surprised by the connections I built with the campers so quickly. I knew I would grow close to them over time, but never realized that in four weeks they would feel like family. On a humorous note, I was surprised at how well I could deal with vomit and sick children.:)
CSC: Where are you now and what are you up to? (Job, school, city, country.)
MV: Right now I am currently in school at UNC Wilmington. I just started my sophomore year and couldn’t be busier. I just got accepted into the Honors College which added to my workload. I also have gotten quite involved with my sorority and plan to run for Scholarship Chair in December.
CSC: Finally, if you have a fave photo that you took this summer, please share it with us.
MV: I couldn’t choose between the two, so enjoy both!
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Video: Susie's Back to School Basics

Interested in more of our training videos, tutoring tips, and snapshots from camp? Subscribe to our YouTube channel on the right side bar, or click the Resources category (also at right) for the archive. Today, enjoy this new video from footage taken this summer as Susie addresses parents coming to pick up their children. Heading into the school year, it's helpful to hear these tips and supplement them with information from leading resource, Wrightslaw.

 [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5qgsHF7W6o&w=640&h=360]

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In Their Own Words: Advice from 2014 Campers

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DSC03473In a short survey conducted at Camp Spring Creek this summer, we asked campers to write down what advice they would give new, incoming campers. Their responses were a delight. Here are a few of our favorites: "Eat your salad early!" (Jack)

"Stay behind the barrels in paintball." (Milton)

"Do you laundry when you still have clean clothes left." (Bruce)

"Four weeks is not that much, so don't think about your mom and dad a lot." (Chase E.)

"Double-check what the counselors say." (Stefan)

"Be prepared to work." (Ethan)

"Always have a positive attitude and never let the bad times get to you. Be yourself. Don't think that your learning disability is a punishment. It's an amazing gift." (Emily)

"Don't be afraid, because everyone's your friend here." (Michelle)

"Make lots of friends!" (Cynia)

"Don't think about home." (Jazel)

"Eat your salad!" (Chase O.)

"Bring a swim cap and drawers for your clothes!" (Caroline)

"Try your best." (Morgan)

"Be kind to everyone and work hard so you can keep the stuff you have learned. Also, you'll have very good memories and listen to the counselors." (Ana)

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In His Own Words: Jeppe Thanning, Camp Counselor

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Today’s post is a message from much-loved Camp Spring Creek counselor Jeppe Thanning. After camp, Jeppe traveled for 3 weeks and then returned to his home country of Denmark. He just moved to a city called Aalborg to study Social Science at the university. His (American) football team, Triangle Razorback, just qualified for its 10th straight semifinal. Here’s Jeppe, in his own words: Camp spring Creek is a place with a lot of passion and pride for the things it does. I was really happy when Susie and Steve gave me the opportunity to come to camp and experience that firsthand. I don’t think many people realize how hard the van der Vorsts work; it is incredible. I can’t talk about this summer without mentioning the great staff we had. We had so much fun as a group and I think that was part of our success! It was wonderful to meet a lot people from all over the world. I remember that after one week of camp I thought: This is going to be a lot of hard work, but it’s going to be worth it!

A typical day for a counselor started 15 minutes before we woke up the kids and we were on duty from that moment forward. We helped the kids get ready for the day and assisted those who needed extra help. Then came all the fun!

I personally loved reading hour. I loved listening to the kids read and hear how they improved over the summer. Reading hour was also a good way to get closer with the kids. Counselors also helped in the woodshop, art room or by being lifeguards at the pool until the late afternoon, during “Outdoors” period, which involved new activities every day. Every counselor had a couple of periods off every day, but mine were often spent walking around watching swim classes or hanging in the woodshop. I was really impressed with the level of creativity the kids had in the woodshop. Later, when the kids had study hall, counselors often spent the time with lifeguard practice or meetings. Then we all tried a new activity every single night after dinner. My favorite activity was going to Bakersville to play Capture the Flag (and I think a lot of campers loved that, too). After the evening activity, the kids had a little cabin time before bedtime.

There’s no doubt that working at CSC as a counselor is hard work, but it is totally worth it! It was so rewarding to help the kids and see them improve in so many ways. Some off the kids needed a “big brother” at camp—someone they could trust and rely on—and I can’t think of a bigger compliment than when a kid picks you! I got so close to those campers in particular that they felt like my actual younger brothers and sisters.

One thing that sometimes felt a little tricky about being a counselor and a role model was the age difference between the campers. Some campers needed teenage advice, while others needed a little help with practical stuff. Some needed a firm counselor. Every camper is unique and should therefore be treated a little differently. I used a lot of the experience I have from my former job at a school for ADHD kids, so it felt kind of natural for me to try and see the strength in every child as well as help them with their weaknesses. I hope the campers learned something from me, because I learned a lot from them.

To all the campers: Thank you for making my summer a great one! You guys are always welcome to send me an email or a letter and I promise to write you back!

 

On the Road

ncycalogo2Yesterday, Susie and Wendy headed to Arapahoe, North Carolina to attend the North Carolina Youth Camp Association Fall Meeting, hosted this year at Camp Sea Gull. They will be networking, talking with other directors to learn how their camps operate, and brainstorming ideas for year-round programming to support the larger mission of Camp Spring Creek and its Outreach Center. Of course, we love your feedback and ideas as well, so please reach out to us if you have thoughts on expanding our programming. According to their website, NCYCA's mission is to strengthen and expand the educational, environmental, and recreational opportunities provided by all organized camps in North Carolina by encouraging cooperation among camps, sponsoring camp-specific research, communicating camp industry information, and building relationships with various private, non-profit, public and governmental interests and agencies. We're excited to check things out and will report back soon!

Susie featured in "Women & Education" Issue

We're pleased to announce that Susie has been featured in the September 2014 issue of Western North Carolina Woman, a much-loved print publication in the region with worldwide readership on the web. Please read this up-to-date interview with Susie on the future of education and, if you're moved by some of what she says, consider sharing this link with your friends, teachers, and colleagues. We're overjoyed to be featured! Here is the link to the article in full: http://www.wncwoman.com/2014/09/03/teaching-creativity-an-interview-with-susie-van-der-vorst-on-the-future-of-education/.

Taking a Break

We've officially wrapped up another successful camp season and are happy to announce that we'll be taking the next two weeks off (from the blog, at any rate). We love researching new posts and creating video clips to share with you and welcome any requests or suggestions that you have. Just drop us a line via our Facebook page and we'll do our best to incorporate your ideas into our content. Meantime, Steve and Susie are going to put their feet up for a few minutes (not!) and exhale. Be sure to keep up with our blog via your email subscription (on the right sidebar), our YouTube Channel, and enjoy our series of inspiring interviews with professionals in the field. Our goal is to make this an exciting, informative, empowering site that draws attention year-round and serves as a vital resource to the families, kids, and dyslexia advocates we care so much about.

Upcoming Orton-Gillingham Training

Camp Spring Creek will begin Orton-Gillingham training for Certified I on August 31st. We have three ladies from North Carolina and one joining us all the way from Switzerland. What is Orton-Gillingham?

Orton-Gillingham teaching sessions are action-oriented and involve constant interaction between the teacher and the students and the simultaneous use of multiple sensory input channels reinforcing each other for optimal learning. Using auditory, visual, and kinesthetic elements, all language skills taught are reinforced by having the student listen, speak, read and write.

Do you want to know more? Check out Camp Spring Creek's YouTube video highlighting tutoring ideas from one of our Associate level trainings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yFjyC75hd8

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Video: Vocabulary Words with Tutor

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Here's one more quick video snippet of a tutoring session from this year's camp season. Here, the tutor assists the camper with a growing list of vocabulary words. Notice how she slips in last week's challenge words and how she coaches the camper toward a process of elimination with his new challenge word for this week. Her tone of voice is gentle, her delivery is kind and consistent, and the student responds with positive, clear thinking and engaged learning. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn9ZePa9RPQ&w=640&h=360]

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Video: Tutoring Victory with Spelling Rule

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We are so proud of all our campers and just happened to luck out one afternoon when we got this video clip of excellent work being done by tutor Valerie and camper Cole. High five to both of them (with a little help and observations from Susie on the side). Check out what they discovered in just one, short session:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_z2um_YXuA]

Back to School Book Recs (for parents)

Screen Shot 2014-07-21 at 4.27.52 PMMore than any other book about your rights, the rights of your child, and the roles of teachers and schools--this book, Tests & Assessments published by Wrightslaw--will get you through the ins and outs of the school year logistics. Susie recommends it highly. The founder of Wrightslaw, Pete Wright, even spent some time with us on the phone last year so that we could publish an interview with him on this blog. Learn more about his story from personal experience to Supreme Court by clicking the links. Pete's grandson also happened to go to camp this summer! View additional book recs and research articles here.

Video Clips from Early Summer

In case you missed this series of "sneak peek" videos from our first half of summer,

we thought we'd share them here on the blog. We're always a week or so behind with our photos on Facebook,

because we live without Internet at camp (yay!). These videos should tide you over until next week. Enjoy!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90f6S4PzSB0?list=UUTBl6_O5vTjJeQPlcoeAJaA]

View 4 more clips by clicking the "playlist" option in the upper left, or right here on our YouTube Channel.