Overview
Grades: 6-8
Duration: 6 Days, 5 Nights
Locations:
- Stanford University
- Cal State Long Beach
- Villanova University
Junior Forum – Middle School Summer Camps
SuperCamp’s Junior Forum is a summer program for students entering grades 6 to 8. Junior Forum takes new and soon-to-be teens and helps them become independent, confident and self-motivated learners ready to succeed at the next level in school and life.
Every student who attends SuperCamp has a personal growth and learning plan available to them from the time they enter middle school up to and including their college years. Students who attend Junior Forum have the opportunity to return the next year on the Junior Forum Leadership Track, if they are still Junior Forum eligible. “L-Track” takes students deeper into the learning and life skills curriculum, while incorporating leadership skills that help them develop their personal leadership style. As they move into high school, they can attend Senior Forum. After their first year in Senior Forum, they can return to the Senior Forum Leadership Team or, as rising 10th graders and graduates of a SuperCamp program, they can attend Leadership Forum.
Our key areas of focus are the following:
Academic Confidence
Students gain specialized academic strategies applicable in any learning situation. Topics covered include effective reading and writing strategies, study skills, creative thinking, meaningful and memorable note-taking, and memorization tools. Our goal is to empower students to excel in all subjects.
Personal Success
Students experience many personal insights during their time at SuperCamp. We help them build self-confidence and motivation and teach them the value of strong relationships. Topics covered include positive communication, conflict resolution, time management, self-reflection, and goal-setting. We inspire students to value themselves and believe in their ability to excel in all areas of their lives.
Leadership
The ability to lead is a fundamental part of academic confidence and personal success. Topics include creative thinking, goal-setting, problem-solving, team building, collaboration, and time management. Campers returning to Junior Forum can be a part of the Leadership Track, in which they discover what their strengths are as leaders, the role they play on a team, and how to bring out the best in other people.
Self-Empowerment
Breaking through self-imposed personal fears and limitations is a vital learning and growth experience for students. Topics include risk-taking, trust, comfort zone vs. learning zone, and setting goals that reflect personal values and beliefs. Students participate in an outdoor challenge course that produces strong feelings that they are capable of doing anything they set their mind to.
Character Development
Our 8 Keys of Excellence teach students to match their behavior with their values, learn from their mistakes, speak honestly and kindly, make the most of every moment, make their dreams happen, take responsibility for their actions, be flexible, and live their best life. When students embrace these principles, they are inspired to strive for personal excellence.
FUN!
We believe that to be effective learning must be fun. At SuperCamp we utilize research-based educational practices to create a joyful and engaging learning environment. We include music, fun activities, entertaining skits, and energetic games. Students participate in their learning at SuperCamp—they don’t just observe! When learning is meaningful, memorable, and joyful, students excel.
6 DAY PROGRAM - OVERVIEW
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4
5
6
As you read these overviews of each day at SuperCamp, note that our academic lessons and other learning activities are designed to engage students, build their curiosity, and gain their active participation. Music and movement help make learning a joyful and memorable experience.
On opening day, students are either met at the airport by our staff or are brought to registration by their parents. After registration students and parents say goodbye as the students begin activities that get them interacting with other campers and staff. After lunch music fills the room as team leaders facilitate “get to know you” activities. Students get an overview of the week ahead and learn their first memory strategy as well as a brainstorming process. After dinner students are introduced to the 8 Keys of Excellence, the guiding principles at the core of SuperCamp, and learn about the Key of This Is It—making the most of every moment and keeping a positive attitude. During team time each student has an opportunity to tell others a little about themselves, and then they experience their first closing session that includes journal time, shares, announcements, and a Let-It-Go song.
On opening day, students are either met at the airport by our staff or are brought to registration by their parents. After registration students and parents say goodbye as the students begin activities that get them interacting with other campers and staff. After lunch music fills the room as team leaders facilitate “get to know you” activities. Students get an overview of the week ahead and learn their first memory strategy as well as a brainstorming process. After dinner students are introduced to the 8 Keys of Excellence, the guiding principles at the core of SuperCamp, and learn about the Key of This Is It—making the most of every moment and keeping a positive attitude. During team time each student has an opportunity to tell others a little about themselves, and then they experience their first closing session that includes journal time, shares, announcements, and a Let-It-Go song.
Teams are a critical part of the SuperCamp culture. On day two students begin to build their team spirit and camaraderie increases. During the morning session, we explore the Key of Speak with Good Purpose (about the power of words and speaking with honest and kind intentions) as well as effective communication strategies and the importance of maintaining positive relationships. We also cover academic skills such as how to focus your attention on a single topic as well as Mind Mapping, a visual notetaking strategy. Students learn about the growth (and fun!) they can experience when they move out of their comfort zones and let go of their FIMAGE (fear of image). In the afternoon students are introduced to the Creative Discovery Process, a technique that helps them generate and refine ideas. After dinner they participate in a series of trust and confidence-building activities and consider what they can learn about themselves and about life during tomorrow’s Outdoor Adventure Day.
Today’s Outdoor Adventure is a metaphor for life. Students challenge themselves to expand their comfort zones in a safe physical challenge activity. Teammates/friends cheer each other on to success, leading students to experience a new level of confidence in their ability to take risks and succeed. After dinner we look at how the Key of Commitment was present throughout the day, as well as goal-setting and the importance of commitment in achieving goals. In the evening students are given an opportunity to explore their inner self, find their voice, and express themselves through poetry.
In our exploration of the Key of Flexibility on day four, students learn the value of being willing to consider a different approach when something isn’t working. In academic break-out sessions on days four and five students are coached in reading (to increase speed and comprehension), writing (how to generate ideas, outline, create drafts, and refine final written product), and brain-friendly strategies for review, focus, and note-taking, plus time management to reduce procrastination. After dinner students learn about the Key of Integrity (matching our behavior with positive personal values) followed by specific communication strategies to maintain positive relationships. Just before our closing session we build self-awareness as we look at rejection and confidence.
Through a fun activity students learn first-hand about the Key of Failure Leads to Success and the concept that failure = feedback. Academic break-out sessions continue. After lunch we explore the Key of Ownership and the concept of “living above the line,” helping students learn the importance of taking responsibility for their words and actions. In the evening we learn about the Key of Balance and what it means to live our best life.
On our last day we share ideas for creating a smooth transition from SuperCamp to home and effective utilization of new SuperCamp skills. Students also identify personal goals and consider the commitment it takes to achieve them as they target one goal, define what obstacles might prevent them from achieving it, and form a plan for success. After lunch students prepare for the “Trade Show” to be held during the Parent Workshop, where they will teach parents the skills they learned at SuperCamp. Then during the emotional closing ceremony, students share SuperCamp moments that stand out for them. Students have learned a lot about themselves, about learning, and about life, and today their transformative SuperCamp experience comes to a close. The closing ceremony ends with great joy and a few tears shared with new friends, parents, and staff members as students celebrate their experience and their growth.
A Typical Day at Junior Forum
7:00 Wake up
7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast
8:30 – 12:30 Morning session*
- “Daily Download” review of previous day’s learning with teams
- Greeting
- Lively music to get students’ bodies and brains awake and attentive
- Learning skills and/or life skills instruction (through fun activities and academic rotation sessions)
- Team time
12:30 – 1:30 Lunch
1:30 – 3:30 Activity time
Activities chosen by students such as:
- outdoor sports
- campus book store visit
- main room games
- conversation, reading, quiet time
3:30 – 5:30 Afternoon session*
- Learning skills and/or life skills instruction
- Team time
5:30 – 6:30 Dinner
6:30 – 8:30 Evening session*
- More learning skills and/or life skills instruction
- Paired shares
- Team time
8:30 – 9:30 Closing session including some or all of the following:
- Journal time
- Shares
- Announcements
- Song
- Nightly review
9:30 Lights out
* Music and fun learning activities permeate all sessions and breaks are regularly provided. Times and activities may vary.
Location Details
STANFORD UNIVERSITY - Palo Alto, CA
CAL STATE LONG BEACH - Long Beach, CA
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY - Philadelphia, PA
LIFE AT SUPERCAMP
Dorm Life. Students share rooms in the university dormitories. Breakfast is at 7:30 AM and the day ends shortly after a closing gathering. Lights out is at 9:30 PM. The student to staff ratio is at least four to one. Team leaders live in the same residence halls as their students, with males and females on separate floors or wings.
Safety. Since its first program in 1982, SuperCamp has provided a safe, secure environment for participants. Students remain on campus at all times. On day one, we assign them to teams of 16 to 20 campers with two team leaders. The nature of our team-building exercises guarantees that your child will immediately feel supported by the team leaders and will quickly form close bonds with other campers. We have a trained wellness person (many are registered nurses) at every program who supports the emotional and physical well-being of all kids at camp.
Dining. Students eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in the university cafeteria.
Program FAQs – Junior Forum
What are your results?
Students are unique individuals with different needs and abilities who benefit from SuperCamp in a variety of areas. Although most students say SuperCamp was one of the best experiences of their life, what’s important is the long-lasting results. After attending SuperCamp, 73% of the students increase their grades (this includes straight-A students), 84% report higher self-esteem, 68% increase their motivation levels, and 98% say they continue to use skills they learned at SuperCamp long after attending. Even parents who attended SuperCamp themselves tell us SuperCamp changed their lives for the better and they continue to use the skills decades later.
HOW DO YOU GET SUCH GREAT RESULTS IN SUCH A SHORT TIME?
At SuperCamp, we use Quantum Learning methods to create a safe, supportive, fun, and inspiring environment aligned with what we know from brain research. We build curiosity and a sense of belonging, we get inside our students’ world and build rapport, and we use strategies that reach all students and enhance their learning.
In a joyful interactive learning atmosphere, we teach students HOW to learn—skills and strategies that can be applied to any subject—building confidence and motivation. We help students understand the science behind how the brain processes information and identify how they learn best. We also guide students in building a positive sense of self and teach them the value of strong relationships. As we artfully orchestrate all of these elements, students experience mini-success moments that build confidence, create a shift in their attitude, and inspire and empower them to excel.
What IS THE BEST AGE TO ATTEND SUPERCAMP?
Students benefit in different ways at each age. Because of our focus on character development, all age groups learn more about themselves every year they attend SuperCamp. In addition, middle school students discover their preferred learning styles and develop skills for dealing with heavier academic schedules and increased social pressures. High school students learn strategies to enhance study skills, embrace leadership, and increase test scores. College-bound students learn how to responsibly manage their time and increased independence along with the academic and personal skills needed to thrive in a university setting. Each program builds on the program before, enabling students to continuously develop their personal and academic SuperCamp skills.
WHAT TYPE OF STUDENT ATTENDS SUPERCAMP?
A broad range of students attend SuperCamp from straight-A students to those who are struggling academically, with the majority somewhere in between. Students with strong leadership and life skills attend, as well as those who are building their abilities in these areas.
SuperCamp is not a therapeutic program and is not appropriate for students who need this kind of support. Due to our unique approach to teaching, which involves a lot of music, high energy, and communication activities focused on team and personal interactions, we have found that children experiencing heightened sensitivity and difficulty with social interactions are not as successful in this environment. When there are questions about whether or not the program is appropriate for a particular student, we consult a third-party advisor to make recommendations based on the information provided by the parent. For more specific information please contact our consultants at 800-228-5327, ext. 2, or email us at info@supercamp.com.
WILL STUDENTS BE SAFE AND SECURE?
SuperCamp has a 35-year track record of creating a safe, secure environment for participants. It is our #1 priority. Students remain on campus at all times, with the exception at some campuses that have a supervised off-site Outdoor Challenge Course. On the first day of SuperCamp, we assign them to teams of 16 to 20 students with two to three team leaders. The nature of our team-building exercises guarantees that your child will immediately feel supported by the team leaders and will quickly form close bonds with other campers. This cohesive unit allows your child to feel safe and supported by team members and staff as they participate in all program activities. In addition, we have a trained wellness person (many are registered nurses) and a site counselor at every program who support the emotional and physical wellbeing of all students.
What KIND OF SUPERVISION DO YOU PROVIDE?
The overall student-to-staff ratio is four-to-one. As mentioned, students are assigned to teams, headed by two to three team leaders. Among other responsibilities, team leaders supervise and support the students on their teams and live in the same residence halls. Male and female students and staff are housed on separate floors or wings.
is there any free time and WILL MY CHILD HAVE FUN AT CAMP?
Every afternoon, SuperCamp students have approximately two hours for supervised “free time” during which they can choose to participate in a variety of activities or sports, visit the campus bookstore, or simply enjoy some down time.
In addition, one of our core beliefs is that all students can excel when learning is fun. To achieve success for all our participants we focus on providing a joyful and engaging learning environment at SuperCamp. Participants often tell us that they never had so much fun while learning!
