Our Kids Blog

Camp Minds Podcast 2 – The one with the banjo

Camp Minds Podcast 2: Staff Retention (…the one with the banjo)

We would love your feedback. We are just getting started and want to know what you, as a camping professional, would like to hear. Please leave us a comment, send us a message on twitter http://twitter.com/ourkidsnet (hashtag #campminds) or email me directly: travis@ourkids.net.

Your Hosts:

Dan Weir – Frost Valley YMCA (New York) http://twitter.com/danlovescamp

Gabrielle Raill – Camp Ouareau (Quebec)

Joe Richards – Pearce Williams Christian Centre http://twitter.com/yoyojoer

Travis Allison – Our Kids Media http://twitter.com/zoic

Show Notes – Camp Minds – Episode 2

Links

• Build your own front gate security system
• Dan Pink is the author of “A Whole New Mind: Right Brainers will Rule the Future”. His blog covers everything from fostering creativity to motivation in the work place.
• Email Marketing Benchmarks for Small Business: Great Tips

News/Discussion
How can we get more alumni to fund raise on for our camps? Inspired by this article.

Pick of the Week
Travis: Google Sketchup
Dan: Google Calendar
Joe: Hootsuite
Gab: Mosquito-Less (garlic bug spray)

Please remember that this is just our second attempt. We will be changing things up (I think we have now settled on the name Camp Minds) as we keep up with podcasting.

What would you like to hear about camp?

Tags: Camp, camp director, Camp Minds, director, leadership, learning, overnight camp, podcast, summer camp

The Week on Twitter: 2010-01-31

• @BTMurr @peterskillen @girlguidesofcan @TRoxCa Thanks for all of the recent RT's. Much appreciated. #
• Our 1st Camp Minds podcast is available: http://bit.ly/8XR3nl full of info for #summercamp Directors. #2 coming this week. (Plz RT, tks!) #
• RT @lisadsheridan: Top 10 benefits of sending your kid to camp http://bit.ly/7prvoT #
• Fifty Dangerous Things you should let your kid do. http://bit.ly/5cl8IW #
• RT @admbrown: where can I send questions for the camp minds podcast? ~Post them here using #campminds or email to travis [at] ourkids.net #
• RT @TheGreenPlanet: The young and the “green”: Educating our youth about sustainable living http://bit.ly/6vFXel #
• RT @empowerautism: Teen on the spectrum shares her artwork! http://bit.ly/4CTCNU #
• RT @sanborncamps: RT @YMCARockies: 16 Tips To Change Your Child's Diet From Habit To Healthy. http://bit.ly/a46rek #
• Tonight at Bannockburn School in Toronto, author of 'Montessori Madness' speaks. http://www.ourkids.net/school/school-profile.php?id=19 #
• Summer camp gives coddled kids a break from parents – Parentcentral.ca: http://bit.ly/cdHkzu. See Dr. Mogel at the OCA conference Sunday. #
• RT @benlucier: Startup-101 RT @Rypple: article on BNET- Can't pay your employees what you'd like? Praise them instead. http://bit.ly/as2WOk #
• RT @FreeRangeKids: Now our kids aren't even supposed to goof around during RECESS: http://bit.ly/dAccVY #
• Join in and help #Haiti – The challenge: For every student in Canada to raise $100 http://www.ourkids.net/blog/index.php/haiti-relief-student-211 #
• Camp Minds Podcast #2 – The one with the banjo.
  It's a bit longer this time – we are going to try to aim for… http://bit.ly/d6u7yW #
• RT @slls01: A MUST SEE for any1 in tech, disabilities, or art!!! >>RT @CreativityBoost: Creative, inspiring, amazing: http://j.mp/7X7MqP #
• Camp Minds Podcast – Episode 2 http://bit.ly/aE3TSi #
• Camp Minds Podcast – Episode 2: The one with the banjo http://bit.ly/aE3TSi . Become a Fan on FB and dwnld our #summercamp podcast (Plz RT) #
• RT @AgnesStawicki: 'Meeting of the Minds – Marketing for Summer Camps' at 6:00 tomorrow (Friday) at the OCA Conference. Hope 2 see u there. #
• Meeting of the Minds – Marketing for Summer Camps' at 6:00 tomorrow (Friday) at the OCA Conference. Hope to see you… http://bit.ly/9B1WGz #
• RT @RedwoodsGroup: RT @CampLeadership: Camp Safety: What to know before kids go http://bit.ly/aOdlGj #summercamp #parents #
• RT @CampLeadership: 7 Ways to Fix Rude 'Tween' Behavior – http://bit.ly/59jBTz #summercamp #parents #
• RT @MeadowridgeNews: Meadowridge School came together to raise over $7600 in support of MSF efforts in Haiiti! ~ Congratulations! #
• RT @canadahelps: RT @MSF_canada: #Haiti: #MSF full update DAY16: Successful creation of more medical facilities – http://bit.ly/dh1fdj #
• Meeting of the Minds – Today! http://bit.ly/9mroaK #
• Camp Questions section of OurKids.net: Can I find out how my child is doing at her first overnight camp? http://bit.ly/9inXo4 Your answer? #
• Camp Questions section of OurKids.net: Can I find out how my child is doing at her first overnight camp?… http://bit.ly/cq3mAE #
• RT @TeachingPassion: Using Google Docs 2 Teach 21st Century Skills: school systems across the US… http://bit.ly/b5WngM #
• RT @pmacoun: RT @dwarlick: If we want students to be tinker'ers, experimenters, explorers, teachers, should be practiced at tinkering #
• Had a great time at the OCA Conference. Looking forward to the Camp Fair on Sunday. http://bit.ly/9aVqj2 #

Tags: twitter

iPad and Education

How can the new Apple iPad be used in education?

There is certainly a buzz about Apple’s new iPad computer/book reader/media machine.  We thought we should take some time (previous article) and consider whether or not the iPad will have any value in the education field.   At first glance, I think there are lots of possibilities.

Reducing Costs – Maybe not the first thing people consider when they see a price tag around of $500 but let’s consider the cost of text books.   I don’t know how much it costs to outfit a high school student with his/her textbooks for four years but, if I look at what we are spending on texts for 2 university-aged sons, I bet it’s a lot.  Even if it’s half of what we are paying for our boys then we can estimate $2000.

$2000 versus $500 plus the cost of digital versions of texts on a machine that will have a lifespan of about four years.   I think we’re ahead.  The bonus is that the textbooks can be updated constantly as new knowledge is acquired.  (Aside: In high school, I once had an English book that had belonged to a friend of my fathers – a friend from when he was in grade 12.  Time for an upgrade)

Plus, when the web is as easily available as your textbooks you get access to all of the world’s knowledge – sitting at your desk.

Environmental Impact – Yes, I know it’s a computer made with nasty chemicals but I wonder if you balance that out against all of the paper, inkject cartridges and copy toner that would be used over four years in a school of 1000 students.  With the iPad you could have your students take their tests (remember to shut off the classroom wifi) and send them to you without even using up one tree.

Another positive change in portable computers is the benefit of low wattage components and great battery life.   Laptops (and therefore a tablet computer) will use up less juice than a desktop computer.

Engagement – I am a big believer in the power of peace and quiet (heck, I was a camp director in Muskoka for 15 years) but I also think that education needs to engage students.   Having a computer like this in every pair of hands means that your lessons can include video, audio clips and great photography.  Poetry can be so much more interesting when you can hear Dylan Thomas reading his own work.  That is how we gain an appreciation of a topic.

The other piece of this is how teachers can use the technology to keep students focused on the lesson in front of them.  It’s a perfect interactive tool. You can have a place for students to post their questions (even the quiet kids can get equal attention), you can share a common calendar and have a class assignment board available to the student at home, in the class and at the library.

Life Skills – Media literacy has become an imperative topic in a modern education. But, besides learning how to filter the good from the bad on the internet, with a personal computer like the iPad students can learn how to produce content for the new economy.  Writing for the web, video content created in collaboration for a project, large scale photo essays, discussions, wikis – these are the skills that students are going to need to succeed in this century.

For some further reading check out Campus Technology: Pioneering Mobile Learning

My final thought: There are going to be lots of possibilites now that people can start to develop for the iPad format.  I could never have guessed all of the cool things that I can now do on my iPhone back when it was announced. Still, it seems to me that it will be worth waiting two years to see what is in the second generation iPad.  That, I think, will be when we have our minds blown just a little bit.

What changes would enable full scale education adaptation? Leave us your answer in the comments.

Tags: Apple, Apple iPad, Education, iPad, iPhone, learning, private school, school, student, teacher, Technology

Reading is for more than just passing time

Today while in the car, the song “what a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong came on. It brought a tear to my eye, as it always has, since my oldest first learned to read. A book he brought home was an illustrated copy of the song lyrics. He was so proud of himself; he sat his younger brother and I down on the couch and read to us.

When he got to the part, “I hear babies cry, I watch them grow, they’ll learn much more, than I’ll ever know…” I broke down. Neither of them said anything, they both looked out of the corner of their eyes at me, and the oldest continued his reading. It is a moment I will always cherish.

Now many years have passed. Both are competent and avid readers. I’ve been read to on more than one occasion. At times I have to ask my younger son to stop; he’s so keen to share during our family reading time, that it gets distracting! But reading truly is one of the best gifts we can give our children.

I’ve heard it debated frequently these days, about how the amount of TV and computer time is going to affect the next generation. I just got back from a business trip, in which I spent my downtime indulging in something I don’t often do – watching TV. Never mind the content of what I was watching, I did notice one big difference. Usually, I read before bed. It tends to settle me down and relax me, again, never mind the content.

When watching TV though, it did not have a similar effect. Although it was mainly garbage I was watching, I could have gone on and on watching though the night.

My husband has had a blackberry for work for a few years. At a certain point, he stated emailing me, using the texting style slang. I don’t think that’s something he will repeat doing with me, because I was not impressed! “You can take the time for proper grammar with me!” I told him.

Of course, with two young boys, swearing has come up. I’ve told them, it’s not the swearing itself I object to. We all have moments in life that warrant a good expletive. The issue for me, as I’ve told the boys, is that it has become a lazy adjective. There are all kinds of words to express ourselves, it seems sad to limit it to 4 or 5 overused words.

Reading really needs to be promoted in today’s world. Yes, TV, videogames, computers, are all out there and (perhaps sadly), unavoidable. But reading not only is a learning experience for a time and place outside of your own, but is also a great opportunity to improve communication skills in a world where they are going downhill.

Yes, my boys will know more than I will ever know. It’s evident in their computer, TV and technological skills related to the two. But I still love curling up and reading with them. Although no one necessarily reads to anyone anymore, it is still great quality time that you bring anywhere.

The Apple iPad tablet for students and education

Today’s reveal of the iPad by Apple has many interesting features that will not only change learning in the classroom but bring the same learning home. iBooks and iWork are two features that quickly stand out for education on the new 24 cm high device. Right now iBooks might help children and teenagers become interested in reading; allowing them to read an entire library of books at any moment, anywhere they are. But given a bit of time, students will have all their textbooks available too. Educators will not have to worry whether students have brought their books to class, instead it will all be in the iPad.

Secondly, iWork designed especially for the iPad will allow students to collaborate, take detailed notes and work on assignments at all points during the day. In a world where children are busy and stressed, this helps them maximize their learning during class hours.

The iPad, costing over half ($499 US) of the cost of a comparable Apple laptop, offers students a chance to browse the web, research, be in contact with other students around the world, read newspapers and plan their schedules. Although it won’t do everything a laptop might, it does handle most classroom and education needs. There are applications already that provide extensive calculators and graphic editing tools. If the software isn’t available as an app yet, then it likely will be.

The iPad will not radically change education in the short term, but it will make the technology more mobile, accessible and functional. And hopefully, it will get students and teachers excited about learning and reading. If it can do that, it is worth any price and all the hype.

How do you think the iPad will change learning and education for our children?

Haiti Relief from Grade 9 Student

The January 12th earthquake in Haiti has touched all of us. Since we first blogged about the relief works focused on this Caribbean island we have been trying to draw attention to students and what they are doing to help.

Today we introduce you to UNICEF Ambassador Bilaal Rajan, a Grade 9 student at Lakefield College School.  Bilaal’s quest is get every student in Canada to raise $100 for Haitian disaster relief.

Bilaal has been involved in fundraising for causes from around the world for more than half of his life.  His first small project was selling fruit door-to-door in his neighbourhood to raise money to help earthquake victims in India.  From there his passion grew.

Bilaal has been working to end poverty around the world and had always focused on the effects of these tragedies on children.

His Latest Project – Haiti

Bilaal is calling on every student in Canada to raise $100 for Haitian earthquake relief.   Starting at home, he has a commitment from Lakefield College and its students to raise $35 000. More »

Tags: Bilaal, Bilaal Rajan, boarding school, Haiti, Lakefield, Lakefield College School, private school, relief, student

Lakefield College School Alumni Teaches Kids How To Travel

SUBMITTED BY:  EVAN HADFIELD. LAKEFIELD COLLEGE SCHOOL ALUMNI AND FOUNDER OF BIG BROTHER BACKPACKING.

When I was a student at Lakefield College School , I was a dreamer. I would spend my days dreaming about anything and everything — the future, the arrival of summer, the girl sitting next to met in math class, but most of all, traveling. I effectively spent a majority of my time thinking about how I wanted my life, and my education, to work for me and allow me the future I desired. I wanted to see every country, take in every sunset, and climb every mountain. I wanted to have the whole world feel my feet — not on some all-expenses vacation, and not under the wheels of a tour bus. I wanted to do it, and I wanted the world to open up to allow it for me.

The thing with dreams, however, is that they’re generally yours and yours alone. No matter how much I searched during high school, I never found a way to actually learn from traveling. Every company I found tried to offer the cheapest and least educational opportunities. I found hundreds of companies offering tour buses that only stopped at ‘postcard’ sites. I found many opportunities to go on exchange and live in another country, thereby attempting to recreate home in a foreign environment. I found bike tours, adventure tours, eco tours and all the rest. But, what I never found was a way to actually learn how to travel – or learn from it. I never found anyone willing to offer their students the reigns, or show them what goes on behind the scenes. I never found anyone willing to tell me it was my adventure, not just another tour with their program. My biggest dream during high school was to learn to travel, and I never found anyone willing to abide. More »

What’s On: Week of Jan. 26 – 31 , 2010

Welcome to What’s On, The Our Kids blog’s weekly roundup of interesting and exciting events on tap for the week. To help make sure we know about all the best events be sure to leave a comment below or send an email to travis[at]ourkids[dot]net. Now on with the week ahead!

Tuesday January 26

Information Session | CAMP WENONAH, YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMPS CANADA
6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Aurora Camp Fair. Visit us to learn more about Camp Wenonah! Aurora Public Library, 15145 Yonge Street, Aurora.
Camp Wenonah, Bracebridge, ON, View Camp Profile, YLCC, Orillia, ON, View Camp Profile

Wednesday January 27

Information Session | MWS MONTREAL LANGUAGE CAMPS
MWS will be in Mexico City, Mexico for presentations with local representatives on January 27 and 28, 2010.
MWS Montreal Language Camps, Montreal & Toronto, View Camp Profile

Thursday January 28

Open House | TORONTO MONTESSORI SCHOOLS
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Open House for prospective families.
Toronto Montessori Schools, Richmond Hill, ON| View School Profile

Friday January 29

Special Camp Date | THE SECOND CITY TRAINING CENTRE
Summer Camp Registration Opens! Summer Camps beging July 5th. Call
early and register before HST kicks in! 416.340.7270 / 1.888.340.7270
The Second City Training Centre, Toronto, ON | View Camp Profile

Saturday January 30

Special Camp Date | WILVAKEN
Don’t forget the Early Bird deadline!!!
Wilvaken, Magog, QC | View Camp Profile

Open House | ALAN HOWARD WALDORF SCHOOL
The Open House takes place outside of school hours. You are invited to see our school and classes with student work on display. Teachers and staff are available for conversation and our community reps will share with you our lifestyle philosophy. You are welcome to join a pleasant and informative day with us.
Alan Howard Waldorf School, Toronto, ON, View School Profile

Information Session | YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMPS CANADA
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Please come and join us at Lorne Park Public School – 1325 Indian Rd – for an information fair regarding all of the opportunities that are available to your children at YLCC!
YLCC, Orillia, ON, View Camp Profile

Open House | REAL PROGRAMMING 4 KIDS
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Free Assessment. Parents of students who have never done a Real Programming 4 Kids course can call Elliott @ 416-469-9676 to schedule a FREE NO OBLIGATION ASSESSMENT CLASS. An RP4K assessment class helps us determine which level of Game Programming a student can begin with. This assessment class is free but must be booked ahead of time. See www.realprogramming.com for more information on our free assessments or call to schedule an assessment.
Real Programming 4 Kids, Kitchener and Ottawa, ON, View Camp Profile

Sunday January 31

Special Camp Date | ARTECH SUMMER CAMPS
Register before January 31st and save $25 off of camp!
Artech Summer Camps, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa | View Camp Profile

Special Camp Date | MADAWASKA CAMPS
All applications received on or before January 31st, 2009 will receive the Early Bird Discount of $25.00!!
Madawaska Camps, Bancroft, ON | View Camp Profile

Camp Fair | ONTARIO CAMPS ASSOCIATION
1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sheraton Parkway North, 600 Highway 7 East, Richmond Hill