A Visual Snapshot
Thank you to the Channel3000 news team for the footage!
Local News Coverage from "Time for Kids: Time to Talk Video Series" was used for the promo video.
Local News Coverage from "Time for Kids: Time to Talk Video Series" was used for the promo video.
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Camp Beginnings
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Parent/Guardian Resource Hub
Helpful Links
Grab & Go Handouts
Thank you to friends & previous instructors to Camp Beginnings:
Mary Michaud, MPP, Sarah Delany, MS, OTR-L, and Megan Barrow, MS, OTR-L
Thank you to friends & previous instructors to Camp Beginnings:
Mary Michaud, MPP, Sarah Delany, MS, OTR-L, and Megan Barrow, MS, OTR-L
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Jedi Beginnings, Ages 4-7
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July 29 - August 9, 2019
Monday - Friday | 9am - 12pm The entire two-week session will be Star Wars themed for 4K - 2nd graders, allowing kids to move through the 'ranks' as they master yoga and mindfulness skills like Yoda. Sensory exploration at nearby parks in the great outdoors will serve as a great connection point between mindfulness and outdoor play. We will try to be outside as long as the weather permits. Luke trained in nature and so will we! Focused on learning self-regulation strategies, this week is a must for parents looking to help their 4-7 year olds be more self-aware and able to express / understand their emotions. |
Watch out though.... they may start reminding you to take Jedi Breaths!
See Registration Page for more info & FAQs
See Registration Page for more info & FAQs
Family Camp, Ages 8-15 (and younger siblings)
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Dates: August 16-18, 2019
12pm Friday - 10am Sunday Registration Deadline: July 15, 2019 Ready to experience something new? Introducing Family Camp - a chance for parents and their children to breathe, explore and grow together outside in nature! The goal: create long-lasting memories while celebrating a community that values mindfulness and nature connection. |
what sets us apart
we breathe together every morning to find solutions
After campers arrive, we come together to build community by learning new breathing skills and practicing playful yoga to help focus the mind and calm the body. We also spend time learning about what it means to be a leader and how we can better learn to work together. Children will feel stronger, supported, more confident and creative after each morning community circle. We help provide strategies to deal with life's common struggles, while giving the campers encouragement and recognition for their strengths.
small teacher to student ratio for quality education
Being a part of a large group can be anxiety producing. For many, it is overstimulating, which can lead to poor decision-making and behavior problems. Hike and Heal Beginnings programs are small on purpose. Big numbers impact the quality of instruction. Our teaching team cares deeply about your child's education and sees the benefits in quality teaching. Small learning pods will be used so that we can target the whole child and meet individual needs.
After campers arrive, we come together to build community by learning new breathing skills and practicing playful yoga to help focus the mind and calm the body. We also spend time learning about what it means to be a leader and how we can better learn to work together. Children will feel stronger, supported, more confident and creative after each morning community circle. We help provide strategies to deal with life's common struggles, while giving the campers encouragement and recognition for their strengths.
small teacher to student ratio for quality education
Being a part of a large group can be anxiety producing. For many, it is overstimulating, which can lead to poor decision-making and behavior problems. Hike and Heal Beginnings programs are small on purpose. Big numbers impact the quality of instruction. Our teaching team cares deeply about your child's education and sees the benefits in quality teaching. Small learning pods will be used so that we can target the whole child and meet individual needs.
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intentional curriculum to help campers love who they are
We have developmentally designed Camp Beginnings so teaching is scaffolded, building on top of itself for advanced learning. Each week targets a specific age group, with opportunities for older campers from the previous year to register as a peer mentor. Even though each week brings a different focus, every session has three main learning components: nature, mindfulness and leadership. There's room for free play, creative expression in art and music, time to explore & wander, as well as opportunities to grow through facilitated fun. We want campers to LOVE WHO THEY ARE and be confident in their unique abilities. Questions we hope campers can answer after one week with us: How can a deeper connection to nature ignite our passions? How can mindfulness through yoga, sensory awareness and emotional learning equip us to handle the ups and downs of life? What aspects of leadership do we currently practice, and which ones do we need to add to our toolkit? Camp Beginnings is for everyone, and we believe all children can benefit!
We utilize the 8 Shields Mentoring Model, developed by Jon Young. This is a globally known model to help develop deep nature connection using the 8 Attributes: love and forgiveness, quiet mind/presence/creativity, inner happiness, vitality, a commitment to paying it forward, empathy/respect for nature, being truly helpful, as well as full aliveness. We use this model to develop the full summer program, each week and each day which then drives our teaching and learning. For more information on the 8 Shields Model, go to http://8shields.org/
We have developmentally designed Camp Beginnings so teaching is scaffolded, building on top of itself for advanced learning. Each week targets a specific age group, with opportunities for older campers from the previous year to register as a peer mentor. Even though each week brings a different focus, every session has three main learning components: nature, mindfulness and leadership. There's room for free play, creative expression in art and music, time to explore & wander, as well as opportunities to grow through facilitated fun. We want campers to LOVE WHO THEY ARE and be confident in their unique abilities. Questions we hope campers can answer after one week with us: How can a deeper connection to nature ignite our passions? How can mindfulness through yoga, sensory awareness and emotional learning equip us to handle the ups and downs of life? What aspects of leadership do we currently practice, and which ones do we need to add to our toolkit? Camp Beginnings is for everyone, and we believe all children can benefit!
We utilize the 8 Shields Mentoring Model, developed by Jon Young. This is a globally known model to help develop deep nature connection using the 8 Attributes: love and forgiveness, quiet mind/presence/creativity, inner happiness, vitality, a commitment to paying it forward, empathy/respect for nature, being truly helpful, as well as full aliveness. We use this model to develop the full summer program, each week and each day which then drives our teaching and learning. For more information on the 8 Shields Model, go to http://8shields.org/
Contact Moira to Volunteer or Inquire for Employment
Camp instructors are certified educators in schools or clinical settings, and many double as certified yoga teachers!
parent testimonials
We can't thank you enough for such a richly wonderful week for Liam and Rumi and their fellow campers. On Monday morning when we dropped them off, and after 2 weeks of no school, things were very bumpy at home. But over the week, we have witnessed both kiddos connecting with the most peaceful, joyful, emotionally aware versions of themselves. Your camp has been a gift for our whole family.
--2017 Camp Begin Parent of two 7 year olds
Part of the joy of winter, for our family, is in starting to think about our summer rhythms and routines. For Shiras, she was very clear that the one thing she wanted to do this summer was return to Camp Begin. I was glad to hear this choice, because I know Camp Begin provided her with strong social-emotional learning and practice that carried over into her life at home and school.
--2017 Camp Begin Parent of a 10 year old
I just wanted to write a quick note to tell you how much Lilly enjoyed her weeks with you and your team. Also, Andrea and I HUGELY appreciate the daily summary and write up. No other Summer Camps do that, so it was a really nice touch. In any case, we are looking forward to next year already.
--2017 Camp Begin Parent of a 6 year old
the research
The Children & Nature Network
The Children & Nature Network
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Studies find that youth benefit from learning mindfulness in terms of improved cognitive outcomes, social-emotional skills, and well being. In turn, such benefits may lead to long-term improvements in life. For example, social skills in kindergarten predict improved education, employment, crime, substance abuse and mental health outcomes in adulthood.
-from Mindful Schools Organization
Research shows that children’s social, psychological, academic and physical health is positively impacted when they have daily contact with nature. Positive impacts include the following: 1) supporting creativity & problem solving, 2) enhancing cognitive abilities, 3) improving academic performance, 4) reducing symptoms of ADD/ADHD 5) increasing physical activity, 6) improving nutrition, 7) improving eyesight, 8) improving social relations, 9) improving self-discipline & 10) reducing stress
-from NC State University's College of Design
-from Mindful Schools Organization
Research shows that children’s social, psychological, academic and physical health is positively impacted when they have daily contact with nature. Positive impacts include the following: 1) supporting creativity & problem solving, 2) enhancing cognitive abilities, 3) improving academic performance, 4) reducing symptoms of ADD/ADHD 5) increasing physical activity, 6) improving nutrition, 7) improving eyesight, 8) improving social relations, 9) improving self-discipline & 10) reducing stress
-from NC State University's College of Design
adult books
great research for play, nature connection and mindfulness
great research for play, nature connection and mindfulness
children's books
great for teaching yoga, mindfulness and nature connection
great for teaching yoga, mindfulness and nature connection
