Good Morning!! We are sure the kiddos are super excited to see you all today! If you are planning to come to the Kieve workshop this morning, and you are intending to take your child home with you, please be sure to check in with Mrs. Muncey to sign your child out! :)
This has been one of the most incredible, rewarding weeks here at Kieve. Even one of the Educators stated yesterday that he had his most awesome day at camp since he's been here. All of us have seen so much growth in these children; now the key is to work together in order to keep up these positive behavior!!
Have a safe trip, and we'll see you when you get here!
Friday, April 10, 2015
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Kieve Day 4-Afternoon
Good Afternoon! Today is the last full day the students have at Kieve, and they certainly made the best of it!
During Skills and Relationships, the students did an activity called Profiles. Their Educators gave them 3-5 words that described themselves and encouraged the students to write down whatever popped into their heads about each word. The Educator then revealed that the words were descriptors of themselves. This led to a discussion about stereotypes, why we use them, how harmful they can be.
For Decisions, the students did various activities, depending on the groups. There was another blind maze, where the students needed to lead a blindfolded teammate through a maze. A few groups were given a challenge of rolling a marble (then a larger ball) down a man-made half pipe into a bucket. The challenge grew with newer and more difficult levels that the students took on with gusto. Another activity was where the students were separated into two groups, not to compete against each other, but to work together, and they needed to use foot long blocks to get from one corner of the room to another. The students were not directly told they were not competing against each other, but they automatically assumed they were. When they finally realized they could work as a whole large group, the activity went more smoothly and was more successful.
At solo time, the students wrote a letter to themselves that we will hopefully be handing back in the future; possibly at 8th grade recognition.
Adventure today was purely partner climbs! It was very fun to watch as the students worked together to climb HUGE implements together, pulling each other up, cheering each other on. It was incredibly rewarding to see how far everyone has come with their confidence in their climbing.
I think that even though the students have loved having this week to try all of these new things, they are going to be very excited to come home tomorrow. They will have so many stories that they will want to share. Please encourage them to do so!
During Skills and Relationships, the students did an activity called Profiles. Their Educators gave them 3-5 words that described themselves and encouraged the students to write down whatever popped into their heads about each word. The Educator then revealed that the words were descriptors of themselves. This led to a discussion about stereotypes, why we use them, how harmful they can be.
For Decisions, the students did various activities, depending on the groups. There was another blind maze, where the students needed to lead a blindfolded teammate through a maze. A few groups were given a challenge of rolling a marble (then a larger ball) down a man-made half pipe into a bucket. The challenge grew with newer and more difficult levels that the students took on with gusto. Another activity was where the students were separated into two groups, not to compete against each other, but to work together, and they needed to use foot long blocks to get from one corner of the room to another. The students were not directly told they were not competing against each other, but they automatically assumed they were. When they finally realized they could work as a whole large group, the activity went more smoothly and was more successful.
At solo time, the students wrote a letter to themselves that we will hopefully be handing back in the future; possibly at 8th grade recognition.
Adventure today was purely partner climbs! It was very fun to watch as the students worked together to climb HUGE implements together, pulling each other up, cheering each other on. It was incredibly rewarding to see how far everyone has come with their confidence in their climbing.
I think that even though the students have loved having this week to try all of these new things, they are going to be very excited to come home tomorrow. They will have so many stories that they will want to share. Please encourage them to do so!
Camp Kieve Day 4-Morning!
And this is what the children will be waking up to this morning…….
Reports to come in later this afternoon!!! Enjoy your snowy day!
Reports to come in later this afternoon!!! Enjoy your snowy day!
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Kieve Day 3
Good Afternoon Parents, Siblings, Friends!
We woke up to some pretty chilly temperatures this morning, yet again, but the kids are still powering through the activities like champs!
Skills/Relationships-Most of the groups played a game called Poker Face. Each student gets a card and is not allowed to look at it. They put it on their forehead and walk around the room to mingle with others. The idea is that they are to treat one another according to the number on their cards. The example given to them was to think of a 2 as a serf and an Ace as the "Big Cheese". This activity showed the students how we treat others, and how it isn't appropriate to treat others without respect just because society says they are unpopular or popular.
One of the other groups created a community map. They were split into smaller groups, given paper and markers, and asked to draw their community as a group. The students had some great discussion afterward about their communities, tourism, and how they feel about it.
Decisions-During decisions today, the students had to make their way through a maze….blindfolded! we will not divulge the way to get out of the maze; they can decide to tell you or not. It was a really great exercise that generated a lot of great discussion during the debrief and made the kids think a little about when to use this particular skill throughout their life.
Team-During their Team Building class today, the students learned about Passive, Aggressive, and Assertive behaviors through an activity call the Bull Ring. During this activity, the students each held onto a string or two that were attached to a central ring. They realized very quickly that they needed lots of communication and team work in order to complete the activity successfully. During the debrief, they talked about what types of characteristics show passive, aggressive, and assertive behaviors, and how these types of behaviors have a positive or negative effect on the groups' success.
Solo-During Solo Time today, the students filled out their Goal Trees while overlooking the (frozen) lake. In their Solo books, there is a specific page where they state their goal, give three ways to accomplish their goal, then give more specific examples about how to accomplish said goal. As stated yesterday, this time is a time for them to Reflect, Relax, and Rest in Silence, Stillness, and Solitude.
Adventure-During adventure time, the students spent their time inside on the climbing wall. Almost every single student took the challenge to climb today! It was really amazing to see the looks on their faces as they were propelling down the wall!
It is very obvious that these kids are becoming more comfortable taking risks and throwing themselves into slightly uncomfortable situations. It is really amazing and rewarding to see the growth that has been made in such a short amount of time!
Quote of the day: "I love this place. I don't want to go home. I want to become one of these counselors."
We woke up to some pretty chilly temperatures this morning, yet again, but the kids are still powering through the activities like champs!
Skills/Relationships-Most of the groups played a game called Poker Face. Each student gets a card and is not allowed to look at it. They put it on their forehead and walk around the room to mingle with others. The idea is that they are to treat one another according to the number on their cards. The example given to them was to think of a 2 as a serf and an Ace as the "Big Cheese". This activity showed the students how we treat others, and how it isn't appropriate to treat others without respect just because society says they are unpopular or popular.
One of the other groups created a community map. They were split into smaller groups, given paper and markers, and asked to draw their community as a group. The students had some great discussion afterward about their communities, tourism, and how they feel about it.
Decisions-During decisions today, the students had to make their way through a maze….blindfolded! we will not divulge the way to get out of the maze; they can decide to tell you or not. It was a really great exercise that generated a lot of great discussion during the debrief and made the kids think a little about when to use this particular skill throughout their life.
Team-During their Team Building class today, the students learned about Passive, Aggressive, and Assertive behaviors through an activity call the Bull Ring. During this activity, the students each held onto a string or two that were attached to a central ring. They realized very quickly that they needed lots of communication and team work in order to complete the activity successfully. During the debrief, they talked about what types of characteristics show passive, aggressive, and assertive behaviors, and how these types of behaviors have a positive or negative effect on the groups' success.
Solo-During Solo Time today, the students filled out their Goal Trees while overlooking the (frozen) lake. In their Solo books, there is a specific page where they state their goal, give three ways to accomplish their goal, then give more specific examples about how to accomplish said goal. As stated yesterday, this time is a time for them to Reflect, Relax, and Rest in Silence, Stillness, and Solitude.
Adventure-During adventure time, the students spent their time inside on the climbing wall. Almost every single student took the challenge to climb today! It was really amazing to see the looks on their faces as they were propelling down the wall!
It is very obvious that these kids are becoming more comfortable taking risks and throwing themselves into slightly uncomfortable situations. It is really amazing and rewarding to see the growth that has been made in such a short amount of time!
Quote of the day: "I love this place. I don't want to go home. I want to become one of these counselors."
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Kieve Day 2-Evening
A few more photos from the ropes course this afternoon!
Students were tasked with the challenge of making it across a peanut butter pit on a rope swing - and here they're trying to figure out how to get the rope without using any other tools! They worked together to find a solution. See those jackets they're tying together?
Every single one of the students made it across the pit one way or another, and their team mates ushered them onto the "jelly" platform. After this activity, students debriefed about the roles they all took on during their challenge; they found that they each rotated between "captain," "crew," and "passenger," and that flexibility helped them to reach success!
That's a student way up there at the top! This is a wonderful feat for the students who make it part way, or all the way to the top, where they leap from the tip onto a trapeze before descending. Don't worry, they have all kinds of harnesses, safety checks, and belay teams to keep them safe.
Above, one of our students (left) walks along a wire (with supports) after climbing up that tree - belayed by a team (right) and cheered on by their peers. The cheering for peers has been one of the most beautiful things to watch, as our students open up and support each other and forge new relationships during their time here.
The sun finally came out for afternoon choice time, and the kids had a blast playing outside, continuing to climb, or doing cool arts and crafts. We had delicious American Chopsuey and Caesar salad for dinner, and a fun photo scavenger hunt for the evening activity.
Day two came to a close with a beautiful clear sunset over the slowly melting snowy landscape, everyone ready for sleep.
Peanut Butter Pit
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Every single one of the students made it across the pit one way or another, and their team mates ushered them onto the "jelly" platform. After this activity, students debriefed about the roles they all took on during their challenge; they found that they each rotated between "captain," "crew," and "passenger," and that flexibility helped them to reach success!
The Climb
That's a student way up there at the top! This is a wonderful feat for the students who make it part way, or all the way to the top, where they leap from the tip onto a trapeze before descending. Don't worry, they have all kinds of harnesses, safety checks, and belay teams to keep them safe.
Above, one of our students (left) walks along a wire (with supports) after climbing up that tree - belayed by a team (right) and cheered on by their peers. The cheering for peers has been one of the most beautiful things to watch, as our students open up and support each other and forge new relationships during their time here.
The sun finally came out for afternoon choice time, and the kids had a blast playing outside, continuing to climb, or doing cool arts and crafts. We had delicious American Chopsuey and Caesar salad for dinner, and a fun photo scavenger hunt for the evening activity.
Day two came to a close with a beautiful clear sunset over the slowly melting snowy landscape, everyone ready for sleep.
Day Two: Afternoon
Good Afternoon Parents and Friends!
The Kieve staff has had nothing but great things to say about our BMS students! This is so exhilarating to hear and experience.
Skills/Relationships classes focused on feelings today. They talked about how other people feel, not just themselves, and brainstormed some ideas of how they could step in, and not just be bystanders. This also included various team-building activities with debrief discussions afterward.
During decisions class, the students talked about Risky Behaviors, what they are, and what it means. They played some games relating to this topic in order to help relate it back to their lives.
Today was the first day that the students were introduced to Solo Class. This is a time where they are able to think about the three R's and the three S's: Rest, Relax, Reflect and Silence, Stillness, Solitude. It was pretty incredible to watch the students quiet right down and reflect on their lives at the moment and where they may see themselves 5-10 years down the road.
For adventure, the students were able to really get out onto the outdoor ropes course! We saw and heard many things about students climbing and jumping off the famous telephone pole! To watch their faces light up as they tell their stories is quite an amazing experience!
We will be heading back up the hill for dinner and the Evening Program shortly, so look for another posting later on! For now, I leave you with a quote from one of our very own:
"I think some of us understand that you're trying to teach us about teamwork, and it's actually really exciting!"
The Kieve staff has had nothing but great things to say about our BMS students! This is so exhilarating to hear and experience.
Skills/Relationships classes focused on feelings today. They talked about how other people feel, not just themselves, and brainstormed some ideas of how they could step in, and not just be bystanders. This also included various team-building activities with debrief discussions afterward.
During decisions class, the students talked about Risky Behaviors, what they are, and what it means. They played some games relating to this topic in order to help relate it back to their lives.
Today was the first day that the students were introduced to Solo Class. This is a time where they are able to think about the three R's and the three S's: Rest, Relax, Reflect and Silence, Stillness, Solitude. It was pretty incredible to watch the students quiet right down and reflect on their lives at the moment and where they may see themselves 5-10 years down the road.
We will be heading back up the hill for dinner and the Evening Program shortly, so look for another posting later on! For now, I leave you with a quote from one of our very own:
"I think some of us understand that you're trying to teach us about teamwork, and it's actually really exciting!"
Good Morning-Day 2
Hello again, snow! That won't stop BMS from going outside today to try the outdoor ropes course!
We teachers are going to go to breakfast around 8am to see how the first nights' sleep went. Looking at the schedule of the days' events, next post will be around 9:00pm!
Have a wonderfully snowy day!
We teachers are going to go to breakfast around 8am to see how the first nights' sleep went. Looking at the schedule of the days' events, next post will be around 9:00pm!
Have a wonderfully snowy day!
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