Camp Arowhon
Parenting
Bullying Awareness Week is November 18 – 24
Members of the Arowhon family know about our camp commitment to stop bullying. We know from experience that the vast majority of bullying incidents are caused by problems kids are having in their relationships – so our commitment at Arowhon is first to know what’s going on in kids’ relationships and second to give them the help […]
ContinueBuilding a Giving Child
I cut my foot rather badly one day this fall. It was a stupid clumsy stumble -whilst carrying a large and heavy vase. The result was a lot of blood, and the partial severing of my big toe nail. It happened, by coincidence, while both my kids (ages 24 and 28) were nearby. The male […]
ContinueIn Homesick and Happy, Michael Thompson writes about a study where people were asked about their happiest childhood memory; more than 80 percent name a parent-free moment.
My Daughter Went Away to Camp and Changed By John Dickerson Children in summer camp can be their essential selves, not worrying about how their parents might react.Photo by Christian Science Monitor/Getty Images When I look at my phone, I see my daughter leaving for camp on my home screen. She stands at the bottom of […]
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Teach a Kid to Fish
Taking Action on Bullying I think it is wonderful that bullying is getting so much attention these days. There are countless foundations, awareness-raising groups, clubs at schools, and even promises of national legislation against bullying. But although recognizing and condemning it is an important first step, it’s not going to solve the problem. I always […]
ContinueHalloween – an opportunity for parents
It’s kind of strange that we put so little thought into what is – for kids – the most important holiday of their year. Ask a kid how important Halloween is to them compared to other holidays. Halloween is big. Really big. Why? Obviously there’s all that sugar, which pretty much every child craves. Secondly […]
ContinueWhat did you do when you were 15?
I heard an interview with Malala Yousefzai on the radio the other day. After being shot in the head by the Taliban for going to school, the 15 year old has gone on to become a world-famous advocate for girls’ education. She spoke more confidently and articulately than I (with my Ivy League grad degree […]
ContinueHow to choose a summer camp
The American Camp Association has great advice on it. See http://www.campparents.org/campvisits
ContinueWhy camp, now more than ever?
The radius of play for young people has shrunk to 500 feet. They are spending 5 1/2 hours a day in front of screens, and their outside time has reduced by 25% over the last 20 years…. None of which matters – unless you believe that children need the outdoors, they need direct interpersonal […]
ContinuePreparing kids for college? Does camp help?
What’s Needed to Prepare Your Child for the Future? The Answer May Surprise You…. from the Huffington Post by Todd Kestin Since Junior’s birth, you’ve been socking away savings from every paycheck to ensure he has money for college. After all, that’s what responsible parents do, right? Making sure he has the education to prepare […]
ContinueKids and Friends: Who Gets to Choose?
I sent my daughter to UTS so she would hang out with smart kids and not do drugs, drink or have sex. I sent my son to Upper Canada College so he would be influenced towards better work habits and the pursuit of excellence. My daughter managed the trifecta (and then some) and my son […]
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