Posts Tagged ‘Academic Summer Camp for Teens’

I'm loving my life. My work at Spelman College in Atlanta is done after teaching a month long College Prep Institute for 53 girls. I've had the great pleasure of teaching as part of the program for the past five years and this year they hired me as the camp director. It was a rich and amazing experience. I lived on campus with the girls and not only did I have the opportunity to "direct" I couldn't relinquish my spot teaching accelerated learning and components of the PhotoReading program and there was never a dull moment for any of us!

We had 2 – two week sessions back to back and girls came from all over the United States to participate in this wonderful program. I was so immersed I didn't even have time to tweet or post anything! The girls had my undivided attention.

As the director, I added some elements this year which enhanced the program. In addition to the academic classes the girls take, I had them engage in more personal development work. I brought in outside experts for evening workshops and the favorite was the marvelous Dr. Torri "Love" Griffin, a therapist and relationship coach. Her amazing program is called LiSense 2 Date. I realize that often there are other concerns that get in the way of focus on school work and I thought Dr. Torri's program was just what was needed to have those conversations so that the girls could get down to business. And what an excellent addition it was as young people need more help than ever learning to navigate the rocky and uncertain territory of relationships these days.

The girls also embraced the Simply Ridiculous workshop and learned to LIGMO – let it go and move on. In deeper workshops, they illustrated themselves as a "MeMe" and wrote about their commitment to let those ridiculous behaviors go in favor of the wonderful life they are learning to choose and create. The drawings will be posted on the LIGMO website in the coming weeks.

I have tons of pictures and footage I will be posting so stay tuned on comments from the girls on their expeience. It was a life-altering experience and the bonds that were forged will be in place for life. And that was just one of the many benefits! My work at Spelman is done this summer but a new life for the students has just begun. They have a new perception of themselves as GHB's – growing human beings and have finer tools to help them create beautiful lives filled with adventure, discovery and contribution. Hats off College Prep Ladies!

I'm up to something BIG! I'm putting on an exclusive, one-of-a-kind PhotoReading Academic Summer Camp for Teens at the Enota Mountain Retreat center in Hiawassee, Georgia, Summer of 2011. I've been teaching PhotoReading to Teens for the past 5 years at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia as part of their Summer College Prep Institute. I'm proud to say that my program has been a favorite.

I've deeply moved by students and their need to develop reading skills necessary to manage the massive reading load. We live in the information age and what students need are more practical ways to get their reading done with improved memory and comprehension. Time is of the essence and its the one thing none of us can get more of, so students need to learn to make the best use of the time they have in school – and PhotoReading helps to do just that. The goal is to help students use their "whole  mind" and not just the fraction or small 10% that we often hear about.

Each year at Spelman, smart parents who want the best for their daughters made the investment and brought their girls to this great program. I exposed groups of approximately 50 girls each year to Accelerated Learning, efficient reading strategies, including PhotoReading, improved vocabulary and a host of other learning activities like Brain Gym exercises, and how to get into the optimum state for learning using methods developed by the Institute of HeartMath.

This year I'm looking foward to having an exclusive two weeks with those who love to learn so that I can help increase their joy. And for those who despise reading – I'm going to transform their awareness and help them see that reading is just a conversation with the author. I'll teach them to be active in the conversation and get what they need, use it for their assignments and get on with the business of living. Students positively love my courses as it offers a new way of looking at reading and a new new approach to it.

I'm pleased with my new alliance with Suan Freed, the director of the Enota Retreat Center. She is a retired chiropractor and a holistic person. Her center is a self-sustaining eco-facility with gorgeous cabins, 4 waterfalls, an organic farm, complete with animals, fresh mountain air, cool stuff to do, and much, much more! This is going to be the best experience ever for students and I can hardly think of a better place I'd like to hold it (other than the beach). Life is not a beach. Its what we make it. – We're going to make something incredible happen with learning at Enota this summer.

Stay tuned for more details!