West Newsmagazine 4-5-17

38 I SUMMER CAMPS & OPPORTUNITIES I
Countryside
Montessori School
12226 Ladue Road
Creve Coeur
Summer Camp
Give Your Child a
Summer to Remember
June 5 th -August 11 th
Ages 1-6
Daily Pony Rides
Montessori Activities
Arts & Crafts
Daily Swimming
& Water Play
Half Day, Full Day &
Extended Care Available
Hours: 7:00am - 5:30pm
Also Enrolling for Fall 2017
Call 314-434-2821
for registration materials!
www.montessori4children.com
A Co-Ed Residential
Camp for Ages 8-15
located on the Black River
in Lesterville, Missouri
1, 2, 3, 5, 6 & 8 week sessions
Transportation provided
FRIENDSHIP
CAMP SPIRIT
CARING COUNSELORS
FUN ACTIVITIES
• Horseback Riding
• Ropes Course
• Zipline
• Canoeing
• Caving
• Mountain Biking
• Trips
• Fishing
• Creative Arts
Contact Nick Smith at 314.993.1655
www.taumsauk.com
April 5, 2017
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
By JESSICA MESZAROS
“Make new friends, but
keep the old,” isn’t just a rule
for Girl Scouts to follow. The
advice extends to kids of all
ages, especially with a variety
of camps and new friends
on the horizon this summer.
Summer camp is a prime
opportunity for kids to
expand their social circle outside
of the typical classroom
environment.
“When students have the
opportunity to interact formally
through controlled and
collaborative interactions in
the classroom, there’s benefit
to that, but informal connections
are also incredibly
beneficial for kids,” Jennifer
Stanfill, director of Parkway’s Choice Programs,
said.
But for some kids, it can be difficult
to step outside their comfort zones and
master the technique of expanding their
circles. Below are tips from local guidance
counselors and school staff members that
campers of all ages can keep in mind when
making new acquaintances this summer:
Keep it natural
It can be intimidating to take that first
step into a camp environment and getting
up the nerve to meet new people. But the
best advice for students is to be themselves
and don’t try to “put up a front.” Also, it’s
helpful if mom and dad don’t try to help.
“Most socialization should happen naturally
and, as kids get older, it should be less
and less coached and forced and arranged,”
Todd Minichiello, Rockwood’s coordinator
of prevention and guidance services, said.
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WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
Tips for making, keeping friends at
summer camp
Ridgefield Arena
Where loving horses begins!
1410 Ridge Road • Wildwood
(636) 527-3624
www.ridgefieldarena.com
Keep it real
While kids range from extroverted to
introverted, everyone is in the same boat
on the first day of a new experience.
“It’s normal to have some anxiety when
making friends, going to a new place and
meeting new people,” Minichiello said.
“That stress is universal, which means that
there are a lot of kids that think they’re the
only shy one. In reality, everyone that gets
off that bus on the first day is a little shy.”
According to Stanfill, the presence of a
theme at camp can inspire some campers
to make friends simply by bonding over
a similar interest. However, experiencing
a diverse camping environment also provides
tangible benefits and plenty of opportunities
to socialize.
“I think the greatest benefit is that you
meet people that are like you and you meet
people that aren’t like you,” Stanfill said.
See FRIENDS, page 41
Boarding ~ Sales ~ Year Round Lessons
Shows ~ Clinics ~ Camps
Spring Break Camp • March 16th
Call to reserve your spot!
Camp 1: June 12-15
Camp 2: July 10-13
Camp 3: July 17-20
Camp 4: July 31-August 3
Advanced Camp: June 26-29
Come See Our Shows
April 8 th & 9 th
June 3 rd & 4 th
September 23 rd & 24 th