CHALK TALK: how summer camp boosts self-esteem and builds social skills

The end of the school year is fast approaching. How will you keep your child engaged during the three months of summer vacation? Summer camp is the perfect answer. More than just a daycare provider, summer camps are extremely beneficial for all types of children to foster what the American Camp Association calls “resiliency skills.”  As noted in their post Benefits of Camp: Psychological Aspects, the ACA states that summer camps provide a great environment for children to learn to apply life skills, pro-social behaviors, and boost self-esteem and self-reliance.

Just how do summer camps grow your child’s social skills and self-esteem? By removing the structure of the classroom, children are more apt to explore new situations and develop new methods of creativity. Camp allows children to reach beyond their immediate peer group and make new friends. Summer camps also create “risk-taking” situations, such as learning a new game, going to a new place, or introducing themselves to new people. By engaging students in these potentially unfamiliar activities, summer camps gently stretch children to explore areas outside of their comfort zone and help them to grow emotionally.

Summer camp also works to make your child feel special and involved in a specific community. Children who attend summer camp are immersed in a camp culture that is unique, which creates a collective identity and comradery among campers. This teaches children the importance of teamwork and taking pride in the group to which they belong.

Since the creation of Fairmont Private Schools, Fairmont Summer Programs has fostered a special feeling of community steeped in the Fairmont culture of academic success and character building. Visit www.fairmontsummerprograms.com to view summer school and camp offerings, and register before April 30th to receive an automatic 10% discount!

Contributed by Rebecca Merrell, Fairmont Private Schools

Image by Poconomoms

FAIRMONT FIVE: good reasons for attending summer school

The last day of school--students look forward to it throughout the school year (even if they secretly love to learn).  Students, teachers, and parents yearn for the slightly less structured days of summer and look forward to a well-deserved break from tests and homework! The tricky thing about summer is that students have a tendency to get a little rusty in mastering academic skills. Education circles call this the “summer brain drain phenomena.”

Did you know that students lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during the summer months?  When you compare standardized test scores taken at the end of the school year with the same test scores taken at the end of summer, there is a significant dip in student achievement.  Summer brain drain is a fact, but it's not inevitable.

Studies show that quality summer programs keep the learning going all year long. This boosts a child's academic achievement and confidence ahead of the new school year. Here are five reasons to consider summer school for your child:

1. Extra practice and review of key concepts in reading, writing, and math help reinforce academic skills and fill any gaps in a child’s education over the past year.
2. The smaller class sizes often available in summer school classes foster closer student and teacher engagement. A child may feel more confident to speak up and ask for help.
3. The relaxed environment that summer school provides is more beneficial to a child’s brain development than hours of watching TV or playing video games. Plus, during summer camp, a child has opportunities to engage with friends while building character and participating in a variety of rewarding activities.  
4. The slower pace of summer school allows a child to "play" while learning new subjects, discovering new areas of interest, and developing important problem solving skills.
5. Overall, summer school helps children build confidence in academic abilities, and a little confidence can go a long way in helping your child to succeed in the coming school year.  
   
   
   Find out more about Fairmont's summer programs including day camp, summer school, and enrichment programs by visiting www.fairmontsummerprograms.com.  Save 10% on summer school and summer camp if you enroll by April 30th!
   
   Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools 

A to Z: Plan a Summer of Fun, Discovery, and Life-Long Friendships for Your Children

“Surf’s Up!” This Summer with Fairmont!
The days are becoming warmer and, before you know it, summer will be upon us! Fairmont Summer Programs offer a one-stop destination for children to have fun in the sun, foster confidence in academics, and gain personal enrichment. The theme this year is “Surfin Through Summer With Fairmont.” Yes, SURF's UP!, and we are looking forward to an "EPIC" summer! The buzz is now out about the many exciting opportunities that await your children. Register today by visiting www.fairmontsummerprograms.com.

Since 1953, Fairmont Private Schools has provided children with countless summertime memories of fun and adventure while sharpening their academic skills in preparation for the upcoming school year. At the end of summer, children leave with a greater determination to succeed in life, a deeper appreciation of teamwork, and a broader understanding of the importance of character.
 

Our Summer Program is Accredited!
At Fairmont, we take our summer programs very seriously. We are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), the leading 100-year-old authority on youth development working to preserve, promote, and improve the camp experience. ACA accreditation guarantees that the Fairmont Summer Program meets or exceeds more than 250 standards for student health, safety, and program quality.

The ACA highlights the four "C's" of the camp community: compassion, contribution, commitment, and character. These important values practiced during summer camp help students grow personally and develop essential leadership qualities. Camp counselors provide children with a network of caring adults to look up to, and an organized camp program creates a safe environment for discovery and exploration. 

The ACA lists the following benefits and anticipated outcomes of the camp experience:

Social Skills Development 

Leadership 

Communication 

Participation

Self-Respect and Character Building
Responsibility 

Resourcefulness 

Resilience

Community Living/Service Skills 

Caring
Fairness
Citizenship
Trustworthiness 

Developing these key life skills and character traits at a young age gives children an advantage as they grow and mature.  We are looking forward to giving your child a wonderful, fun-filled summer of discovery and adventure.  

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER august 8

Highlights of the week:

Soaking it up in the sun at the Long Beach Aquarium

North Tustin Campus - Twin Day

Anaheim Hills Campus - Bowling Champions

This week, Fairmont Summer Programs wrapped up another exciting, fun season of discovery and learning. Many fond memories were made under the bright Orange County sky. Fairmont is grateful for everyone who made this year's Summer Programs a tremendous success. We especially appreciated your children for joining us and being a part of our vibrant community of adventurers. We look forward to seeing our little campers next summer!

Anaheim Hills Campus
Historic Anaheim Campus
North Tustin Campus

Contributed by Doug & Neha, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER august 1

Highlights of the week:

Knott's Berry Farm!

Swim Day Smiles

Relaxing in the Sun!

Summer Talent Show

This week summer campers went to Knott's Berry Farm for a day of Snoopy-filled adventures and rides.  Campers also had the opportunity to participate in a Talent Show and Quiddich Match, enjoy Swim Day, along with many other fun activities!  Please check your campus weekly newsletter for upcoming field trips and specific items your child needs to bring and/or wear for the field trip.


Weekly Newsletters:

Anaheim Hills Campus 

North Tustin Campus 

Historic Anaheim Campus

Contributed by Shirin, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER july 25

Highlights of the week:

Raging Waters

Tourist Day

Fashion Camp

This week little campers enjoyed numerous exciting adventures, including a day of water activities at Raging Waters in San Dimas.  Campers also had the opportunity to participate in Fashion Camp and Jedi Training, enjoy Swim Day, dress like a tourist for Thursday Theme Day, watch a reptile Show, and much more!  

For the upcoming field trip campers will head off to visit the Long Beach Aquarium, which is home to an array of aquatic animals.  Please check your campus weekly newsletters below for more summer camp news and information on what your child needs to bring and wear for the field trip.

Weekly Newsletters:

Anaheim Hills Campus

North Tustin Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

Contributed by Shirin, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER july 11

Highlights of the week:

Lil Lakers fans - Historic Anaheim Preschool

Angels Game

Angel Stadium

Beach Fun

This week campers experienced a day of fun at the beach in Orange County.  Campers also attended an Angels game at the Angels Stadium in Anaheim.   

For the upcoming field trip campers will visit Raging Waters in San Dimas, California's largest water park with numerous water attractions.  Our little campers will certainly be entertained and amused all day by the vast options of water slides, wave pools, and other attractions available! Please check your campus weekly newsletters below for more summer camp news and information on what your child needs to bring and wear for the field trip.

Weekly Newsletters:

Anaheim Hills Campus

North Tustin Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus 

Contributed by Neha, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER june 27

Highlights of the week:

Floating Island Electric Slime

Western Day

Queen of Castle at Medieval Times

Western Day

This week's theme was "King of the Road". Our campers had a lot of fun with activities such as Ninja Garden Slime, Swim Day, and learning several fun line dance moves. The theme Thursday was Western Wear and all of the campers rocked the look.

For the upcoming field trip campers will visit Sky High Sports in Costa Mesa, a trampoline park which offers children the opportunity to engage in exciting activities! Please check your campus weekly newsletters below for more summer camp news and information on what your child needs to bring and wear for the field trip.

Anaheim Hills Campus
Historic Anaheim Campus
North Tustin Campus

Contributed by Neha, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER june 20

Highlights of the week:

Castle Park field trip - Anaheim Hills Campus

Our little SUPERHEROES - Historic Anaheim Preschool Campus

Thursday Theme Day  "Superhero" at Historic Anaheim Preschool Campus

Peace, Love & Tie Dye - North Tustin Campus

Future Champs - Anaheim Hills Campus

Summer Camp Fun!

Week 2 of Summer Camp was another great experience, and our little campers surely had a lot of fun. From Theme Thursday "Superhero" to Tie Dye, Tiny Bubbles, some even mixed smoothies. And the week ended with a field trip to Castle Park!

Next Friday, campers will head to Medieval Times in Buena Park.  Students will travel back in time as they take in the pageantry of a live jousting tournament, held inside a replica 11th century castle. For more summer camp news and information on what your child needs to bring and wear for the field trip check your campus weekly newsletters below.

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus

Contributed by Neha,Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER june 13

Highlights of the week:



Congratulations 8th Grade Class of 2014!

What a fantastic year it's been! Congratulations especially to our 8th Grade Class of 2014 who we said goodbye to in our promotion ceremonies last week. We wish you all the best in your future adventures and look forward to sharing more memories with you!  

Swim Day

Theme Thursday: Neon Day

Field Trip: Anaheim Hills Campus 

Summer Camp Kick off!

This week marked the beginning of Fairmont's 2014 Summer Camp season! This year's summer theme is Road Trip USA and our little campers enthusiastically got into the spirit of  Summer Road Trip.  We welcomed our new campers with fun activities such as Swim Day, our first Themed Thursday, "Neon Day",  and a Road Trip to the Anaheim Hills Campus. 

During next week's Friday field trip, campers will travel to Castle Park in Riverside. Check out your campus weekly newsletters below for tips about what your child needs to bring and wear for the day.

Weekly Newsletters:

Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus

Contributed by Neha,Fairmont Private Schools