The Key of the Month is Balance—Live your best life. Be mindful of self and others while focusing on what’s meaningful and important in your life. Inner happiness and fulfillment come when your mind, body, and emotions are nurtured by the choices you make.

It’s the classic story about balance—one you may have run across before:

An American tourist traveled to a Mexican fishing village.

One day, the tourist noticed a fisherman unloading several tuna from his skiff. The tourist complimented the fisherman on his glistening catch, asking how long it took him to catch the fish.

“Only a little while,” replied the fisherman. “All I need is a few fish to support my family.”

The tourist looked baffled. “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The fisherman shrugged, “I sleep in every day, play with my grandkids, take a siesta, and spend time with my wife. In the evenings, I go out drinking and singing with my friends. I have a full life.”

The tourist scoffed, “I have an MBA from Harvard, and I can help you. You should spend more time catching fish. With the extra money, you can buy a bigger boat.”

“And after that?”

“With the extra money from the bigger boat, you can buy two or three boats and eventually hire more people to operate a fleet of fishing trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can start to negotiate directly with the processing plants.  After a while you would be able to open your own plant. Then you could leave this little village for Mexico City and eventually, New York! From there you could operate the whole enterprise.”

 “And after that?”

“Well my friend, that’s when the fun starts,” explained the tourist, “When the business gets really big, you can sell stock in the company and make millions!”

“Wow, millions. What happens after that?” asked the fisherman.

“Then you can retire to a small Mexican fishing village, where you can sleep in every day, fish a little, play with your grandkids, take a siesta, and spend time with you wife.  In the evenings you can go out drinking and singing with your friends.”

The fisherman just shrugged his shoulders and walked away.

The fisherman is the hero of this story. He throws conventional wisdom about wealth and success to the wind in exchange for a simple, leisurely life with plenty of time to play.

But is that what a balanced life really looks like?

In the 8 Keys of Excellence framework, balance is about identifying your values and making choices that honor those values, your own well-being, and the well-being of others.  It means saying “no” to certain opportunities so you can say “yes” to others.

Balance is also about being flexible. Balance makes room for the natural ebb and flow of life. For example, you may have to skip your workout session one week to finish an important work project. But maybe the next week your work load is lighter and you have time to squeeze in an extra cardio session.

That’s why it’s so hard to nail down exactly what a balanced life looks like. We’re all going to make different choices based on our unique values, and even within our individual lives, priorities are going to vary from day to day and year to year.

Perhaps the takeaway is not that we all need to give up our career ambitions and go live on a beach in Mexico. But rather that we need to clarify our values and honor them in the lives we create.

For some of us, honoring our values will lead us to something akin to the fisherman’s life. But for others, we may find ourselves living the life of the American tourist. Whatever our values are, let’s make Balance one of them.

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“I want to be 100 percent independent, except for that whole money thing.”

That’s essentially what Rachel Canning, an 18-year-old honor student, alleged in a lawsuit she filed last month against her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Canning committed the grotesque error of setting a curfew and counseling their daughter to break up with her sketchy boyfriend. Rachel retaliated by suing them for child support—$650 a month to be exact.

The suit was dropped two weeks later, and Rachel is living with her parents again.

Of course, in your home a teenager seeking independence is anything but breaking news. You may be dealing with this kind of drama every day, although without the attorneys and press coverage.

However, raising teenagers doesn’t have to be “like nailing Jell-O to the wall,” as the saying goes.

Over the past 30 years, we’ve worked with more than 70,000 students at SuperCamp. We’ve seen it all, and we’ve learned a lot—including the fact that a little positive communication goes a long way.

It’s hard not to get stuck in the same negative communication patterns, especially when your teenager is refusing to see things from any other angle besides their own. But enlist these tips from Bobbi DePorter next time you face an impasse or an argument, and you may very well shift the conversation for the better and improve communication overall:

1. Know your teen’s “likes.” At SuperCamp, we often say “theirs to ours and ours to theirs.” That is, in order for you to establish trust and connection, you must first build an authentic bridge into your child’s world. Find out what kind of music your teens like, who they admire, and what they enjoy reading. Even better, listen to your teen’s favorite music together!
2. Use positive language. “Remember your jacket” is more effective than “Don’t forget your jacket.” If someone tells us not to do something, we naturally want to do it. Framing your directions in a positive light bypasses this inclination.
3. Hold back on unwanted advice. How many times has your spouse tried to fix a problem when all you wanted was a listening ear? Unwanted advice immediately shuts down the conversation. Listen first, and then ask how you can help.
4. Be silly, playful, and crazy. Our SuperCamp grads form amazingly strong, often lifelong friendships with each other. Why? Because nothing bonds two people like fun. Schedule a family outing once a month, go on vacation together, and share inside jokes. You’ll be amazed at how emotional walls crumble when you’re laughing and playing together.
5. Lend an ear. The simplest way to connect with your teen is to listen. We often sabotage conversations by being too quick to give feedback or with body language that communicates we aren’t fully present. Take your teen out to dinner and really pay attention to what your child has to say.
6. Experiment with OTFD. It stands for “Observations, Thoughts, Feelings, and Desires.” When feelings are hurt, most of us resort to one of two behaviors—stuffing our emotions or exploding at the person who hurt us. OTFD gives us an alternative by helping us to express our observations, thoughts, feelings, and desires, which usually diffuses the situation and leads to a peaceful resolution.
7. Practice the 4-Part Apology. We all mess up sometimes. Take ownership of your mistakes—and encourage your teen to do the same—with the 4-Part Apology. An honest apology goes a long way to repair trust.

OTFD and the 4-Part Apology are examples of the communication strategies we teach at SuperCamp. It’s no surprise, then, that 77% of SuperCamp grads report an improvement in their family relationships. We even have a special parent session at the end of the camp, so you can reinforce your teen’s newfound skills at home.

SuperCamp enrollment is underway. Get in touch with an enrollment specialist today at 800.228.5327 to find out more or enroll online.

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As we all know, reading is a valuable skill that your child will use throughout life. In middle school and high school, students are expected to complete reading assignments both in and outside of school. College-bound students should prepare themselves for two hours of studying for every one hour of class time. It is imperative that your student can absorb large amounts of content with increased speed and comprehension. Last summer at SuperCamp, your child learned Quantum Reading, which uses a combination of enhanced interest, highly focused concentration and specific reading strategies to increase speed and comprehension.

There are 5 steps to becoming a successful Quantum Reader:

1. Prepare: Prepare your Attitudes, Beliefs and Commitment (ABCs). It’s also important to create a positive learning environment for yourself. Claim a study space of your own—a quiet one, if possible. Use furniture that fits your style, and ensure that you have proper lighting. Your space should be well lit without hurting the eyes.
2. Get Into State: …alpha state, that is. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and imagine a peaceful place. Look up, look down, open your eyes, and wa-la! You’re in alpha state. Alpha state is a state of relaxed concentration. You’re calm and alert, absorbing material and making connections. Baroque music can help put your brain into alpha state—try Bach, Handel or Vivaldi.
3. SuperScan: Spend 2-3 seconds per page skimming content. Quickly expose your eyes and brain to every page. Move fast!
4. Read: Return to the beginning and read the content. A visual guide, such as running your finger along the words on the page, keeps your eyes from skipping around. In fact, using a visual guide can double your reading speed! Our brains are able to take in entire sentences at a time (not just one word at a time), so allow your eyes to flow quickly over them and your brain will actually register it all.
5. Review: Within 5 minutes, review what you’ve just read so that it sticks. You can do this by mind-mapping, writing out notes or telling yourself or someone else what you’ve read.

Review the Quantum Reading procedure with your student, and ensure that they are using these strategies in school.

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The Key of the month is Flexibility: Be willing to do things differently.

Recognize what’s not working and be willing to change what you’re doing to achieve your goal!

You’re working on a science project, and the cotton ball cloud parts simply will not stick to the cardboard. You glue, let it dry, it falls out. You glue, let it dry, it falls out. After a while, it would seem a bit crazy to just keep using the same glue when you’re getting the same results, right? This is where flexibility comes in.

The key of flexibility is about maintaining the ability to change what you’re doing in order to get the outcome you desire. If your current strategy isn’t working, try something different! Keep trying  until you find what works.

In our everyday situations, we need to look at our actions to see whether we are being rigid or flexible. If a set of actions repeatedly fails to help us reach our goal, then it’s time to change our strategy.

It’s not always easy to recognize or admit that we’re doing something that just isn’t working. The first step to being flexible is admitting that something needs to change. Remove your ego from your actions and take an objective look at what you’re doing. See your failure as feedback, use that valuable information to make adjustments, and move on! By exploring numerous potential solutions, you’ll discover avenues for success that you never would have previously considered.

How have you used the key of flexibility? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section. Click “leave a reply” at the top of this page!

Without flexibility, we’re all bound to go a little insane!

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This month’s Key, Integrity, is closely related to how we communicate with each other and how we show up in relationships. Communication skills are essential in fostering healthy relationships, and having the right tools at our disposal leads to better relationships and more success in life.

Mistakes are inevitable. We ALL know that Failure Leads to Success! But even when we do our absolute best to live a life of integrity and honor, emotions can sometimes take over. We may sometimes find ourselves saying things we don’t mean or doing things we know we shouldn’t do. When an apology is needed, the 4-Part Apology is a communication tool that allows us to resolve conflict in a thoughtful and supportive manner instead of in anger or defense. It’s an effective strategy to use with friends, family, students and even teachers. Here’s how it works:

Acknowledge: Take responsibility, or ownership, for what you’ve done. There’s no such thing as a sincere apology without an acknowledgment! Use “I” statements to show that you’re the one behind the actions.

Example: “I acknowledge that I hurt your feelings when I said those things about you.”

Apologize: The words “I apologize” are much more powerful than just “sorry.” Apologize using these words outright! Acknowledge the cost to anyone involved. If you’re unaware of the cost, then just ask.

Example: “I apologize for hurting you and I realize that I may have upset our friendship.”

Make it Right: Ask the person or people affected by your actions, “Is there anything I can do to make it right?” If they don’t have anything specific in mind, offer something.

Example: “What can I do to make it right?”

Recommit: Make a recommitment to appropriate behavior in the future! Express that you plan on doing your best to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “I agree to try and speak with good purpose from now on.”

Clearing the air with the 4-Part Apology relieves tension and helps us to genuinely resolve conflicts. It releases positive energy, creates synergy between all those involved (especially if it’s been building up for a long time) and allows everyone to just move on! The power of the 4-Part Apology lies in its ability to demonstrate that we’re taking responsibility for our actions (ownership). When the people in our lives realize that we’re willing and able to do that, they’ll be more open and trusting with us and our relationships will be better. And as Bobbi DePorter once said, “Communication is the universal relationship fuel. Communication grows relationships and relationships grow success.”

 Want more? Here’s a video from Steve on the 4-Part Apology.

The post Communication Tools Foster Healthy Relationships: The 4-Part Apology appeared first on SuperCamp.

Demonstrate your positive personal values in all you do and say. Be sincere and real. 

Have you ever made a promise and not followed through? What would you do if you caught someone glancing at your test answers? Ever heard of the “boy who cried wolf”? Breaking promises, cheating and lying are all examples of living without integrity. Many people act the way they feel like acting and find some justification for what they did (“But it wasn’t me that was cheating!”). Highly successful people, in contrast, reflect and then act, because they choose to have their actions harmonize with their values.

Integrity activity: trace your hands on two pieces of paper. Draw a big “V” for values on the left hand and a big “A” for actions on the right hand. Write a value on each finger of the left hand and the corresponding action steps required to demonstrate each value on the right hand. Flip them face-to-face to see how they match up. Do your values match your actions?

Ensure that your behavior reflects your values and you’ll move through life with authenticity, sincerity, and wholeness. When you live with integrity, it’ll show! People will trust you almost instinctively, and they’ll think of you as a person of your word. You’ll be known for your strong character. When you live with integrity, you’ll enjoy a clear conscience and feel good about yourself. Those positive feelings from others and within ourselves reinforce our values and build our reputation and self-esteem, which leads us to greater success in all areas of our lives. And who doesn’t want that?!

Align your actions with your values:

• Live what you value.
• If you value honesty, be truthful.
• If you value keeping your word, follow through.
• If you value being fair, do what you expect others to do.
• Your identity is who you are. Your integrity is an expression of who you are.
• Importantly, always do the right thing. 

For your consideration:

• What do you value?
• How do these values show up in your life?
• Do your current actions support your values?
• First define your values. Then, align your actions with your values.

Affirmations for INTEGRITY:

• I have stated beliefs and values.
• I know and understand them.
• My behavior reflects them.

“SuperCamp taught me that integrity isn’t just an SAT word for honesty, but a way of living so that your personal values match up with your behaviors. For this reason, integrity is a little bit different for everyone. In my life, I value friends, family, and my education above all else. SuperCamp helped me to realize that to live in integrity, I had to make my values a priority. For example, I now make a conscious effort to set aside time to spend with friends and family and to continue my education, no matter how busy I may be. I have found that focusing on living my life with integrity helps me to avoid regrets and be the best version of myself!”  

Hannah Heppner attended SuperCamp in the summers of 2009, 2010, and 2011. She was a team leader in the summers of 2012 and 2013 and is currently a student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

The post February Key of the Month: Integrity appeared first on SuperCamp.

1. Reinforce the tools & strategies that you learned at camp last summer

Remember last summer, when you doubled your reading speed? Why stop now? Steve Snyder, creator of our speed reading method, casually reads at 5000 WPM and sprints at 10,000 WPM with complete comprehension. Imagine the impact it could have on your life with reading speeds at half that pace! With increased reading speeds, NotesTM and POWER PEGS, you will study smarter, retain more information, and get better grades. Imagine all the time you’ll save, allowing YOU do to MORE of what YOU want. SO MANY ACTIVITIES!

2. Try a new program.

Quantum Academy

We know the secret to having all 3!

Quantum Academy: Let’s face it…college is going to be different. In 6 days, learn how to manage your time, energy, and finances. Explore Greek life and dorm living while mastering academic strategies that will help you to take brilliant notes and ACE those final exams. Go on…set the curve!

3. Continue adding to your academic portfolio.

You are aware that Senior Forum gets one high school credit, right? Colleges appreciate students that demonstrate commitment to their education. Not only is repetition the secret to sustained success, but we are always making updates and improvements to provide the most up-to-date and highly impactful Quantum Learning strategies!

4. College readiness

Not only will you fine-tune your study skills, boost your confidence and complete a rigorous ropes course, but you’ll be doing it all in a university setting. Live the life of a college student! Sleep in the dorms, eat fantastic cafeteria food (did someone say unlimited dessert?!) and familiarize yourself with what it’s like to roam a college campus.

5. Get on L-Track (leadership track)

We’re talking to you, Senior Forum. The world needs someone to step up, model excellence, and lead others to do the same. If you have ever felt the desire to lead, make this summer it! The world needs someone to step up, model excellence, and lead others to do the same. If you have ever felt the desire to lead, make this summer it! Leadership skills are a great addition to that college application (it’s never too early to start thinking about this) and after next summer, you’ll be eligible for LeFo!

6. Reunite with friends & make new ones

Eleanor Roosevelt once wisely stated that “many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” Coordinate with friends from SuperCamps past and pick a new location! Or go back to your old stomping ground and you’ll feel right at home.

7. Travel the United States

East coasters, go west! West coasters, go east! Step outside of your comfort zone and into your learning zone – experience a different part of the country, and for some, a different part of the world! All of our SuperCamp locations offer the same great experience and staff, but each part of the country has its own unique sights, sounds, and look. It’s a great way to check out new college campuses and see what life is like in a new part of the country.

8. Have a deeper, more meaningful SuperCamp experience

Remember the moment when all of those strangers in the main room became some of your closest friends? Take advantage of a place where great people are all working harder on becoming even greater. Where else can you be around people encouraging each other to live their best life?! Now that you’ve been through the program, YOU GET IT. Imagine what new strategies and deeper connections you can focus on now that you are comfortable calling SuperCamp your home turf. This is it!

9. Fulfill the SuperCamp journey

Where are YOU on the SuperCamp journey?

10. Reflect on past goals and set new ones

Remember breaking those barriers last summer? How is your progression towards achieving that goal? Have you been working on it? Success is addicting. Once you realize that making a plan and committing your time and resources to achieving your goals is a duplicable process, anything becomes possible. Set NEW goals and break MORE barriers!

11. Step out for what you believe in

“I am…One thing I value is…I will show this by…Tonight I take a stand for my greatness!” One can never step out too many times. How have your values changed in one year? Have you been standing out for what you proclaimed last year? Reaffirm your values and recommit yourself to upholding them.

12. Use Your Voice

….for rapping, singing or writing. Now that you know what Poetry Night is, you’ll be able to prepare for your moment of greatness!

13. Celebrate YOU

We think that you’re pretty darn great, and we would love to hear all about your success this school year and how you are making a difference back at school and home. We can’t wait to see you back at SuperCamp in 2014. Shed that Fimage, get your dance on, and see you next summer!

So go on….text your SuperCamp friends, pick a campus, and go bug Mom and Dad to invest in you again this summer! POWER WOOSH TO YOU!

As a thank-you for coming back, enjoy $200 off (return grads only) until April 15. Spots are limited—your first choice may not be available if you wait. 

Register online for SuperCamp 2014 or call your enrollment counselor: 1-800-285-3276 ext. 200

The post 13 Reasons To Come Back To SuperCamp appeared first on SuperCamp.

High schools are not preparing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel after graduation. In fact, only 26% of high school students graduate college-ready in the four core subjects of English, reading, math, and science.

SuperCamp teaches study strategies to help students retain information taught in the classroom. Students will learn a wide range of specialized strategies applicable in any learning situation. Knowing how to apply each one in the appropriate setting is just as important as learning the strategies themselves. Quantum Strategies include Notes:TM, Theta Scan, Quantum Reading and Mind-Mapping. Students learn simple ways to make learning and studying more effective and, importantly, more enjoyable.

73% of SuperCamp grads experience an increase in grades and 81% enjoy a boost in confidence along with improved motivation, communication and social skills.

Every person is smart. People learn differently, and when students find out how they learn, they feel smart. Determining your personal learning style means knowing how everything you experience enters your brain and naturally makes sense to you. When you know that your learning-style preference is visual (seeing), auditory (hearing) or kinesthetic (movement/touching), you set yourself up for more success. Being aware of your focus gives you valuable insight into your own reactions and to those of others–having this knowledge will help you to be a better learner.

As parents, you know how crucial this concept is. You understand the value in working smarter, not just harder. The most successful students are inspired to take responsibility for their own learning, and SuperCamp helps students to do just that.

Help your child achieve a brighter future in academics and in life! Spots are filling quickly for 2014–enroll now!

The post Report Cards Are In: Are You Happy With What You See? appeared first on SuperCamp.

“There is so much to say and express about Zeke’s SuperCamp experience that I don’t think it will show on paper as well as it is intended. Zeke had a wonderful time at camp. He could not stop talking about the new friends he made and the life-changing moments he experienced while at camp. The first thing he showed us was a raw emotion when we met him at the airport. After letting him hug and cry for a little, I knew he had experienced something that he had lost along the way. He found his compassion and love for his family and gratefulness for what he has. My son had not hugged or shown me his emotional side since elementary school—we were all crying with him.”

“The next day, Zeke and I sat down to talk about his days at camp. He had such emotion and joy in his voice, it was wonderful to see him so excited, positive and passionate about something. He spoke of the ropes course, the new learning techniques, the board he broke in half and how he prepared for the SAT and ACT. I can’t wait for school to start so he can start using some of his new-found skills. I think this year he will experience the best school year he has ever had.” —Maribel Garcia

What a story! We are so grateful to all of our campers and parents that share their SuperCamp experiences with us. If you have a story to share, we would love to hear it! 

Create stories and memories of your own! Spots are filling up quickly – enroll now!

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THIS IS IT! – Make the most of every moment. Focus your attention on the present moment. Keep a positive attitude.

My ‘This Is It’ Notes:

How you show up is a choice! Make the most of every moment and opportunity.

Every day you are given 86,400 seconds to spend. How do you make the most of every single one?

What this means to some of our SperCamp LMU Junior Forum campers:

• “Having a challenging day but making the most of it.”
• “Always be positive.”
• “Appreciate being here.”

Take everything we can back home with us, apply at home, in school.

‘This Is It’ means keeping your chin up, knowing that ‘This Is it’ and making the most of each moment.

Set your goals and work to achieve them. This was a great motivational, personal development session.

We took a little break and then went into our academics. I started with the “Memory Upgrade” session where we learned the narrative chain and 10-24-7 memory strategies. Very cool!

Now it’s on to another academic session and then lunch and then play time! Um, what was I thinking not wanting to come to SuperCamp?!

I’m in Math Mastery now, learning that Math is “Mmmmm mmmmm Good!” Hmmmm… must learn how math is mmm, mmm good!

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Later…

In our afternoon academic session, we learned how to focus deeply by getting into Alpha State and using the SLANT technique which is all about how to use our bodies to tell our brains that it’s time to learn and show our teachers that we are listening.

After dinner we learned about our comfort zones and all the endless possibilities that are beyond our comfort zone, in our “Learning Zone.” We shared some of our dreams and what we need to do to achieve those goals. So, with the dream and a plan in hand, why are we not achieving these dreams? We learned that we have the potential to achieve anything we want and then we discovered what’s stopping us: FIMAGE!!! This is our Fear about our IMAGE (what others might think of us). To overcome this FIMAGE, we must Face our Fimage and Develop our Image into what we want it to be. This principle is true for everyone, regardless of our age or stage in life.

This picture is funny. Lead Facilitator Karen said “Raise your hand! Raise your other hand! Now thank your neighbor for showering today!!!” She was illustrating that a tiny bit of FIMAGE is healthy to help us function in society (like taking showers so we’re not the stinky kid). So awesome! The students got a kick out of it, and got the point, for sure. A little FIMAGE is good, but a lot is not. This is just one reason SuperCamp is an excellent summer enrichment program for teens. 

Tonight we learned ‘Speak with Good Purpose.’ It was a really inspiring, kind of intense session. You could really feel the effects on these kids of their experiences with not speaking with good purpose. It was sobering to hear the things these students have heard or said about themselves. I like that we learned some good vocabulary to help deal with situations and communicate effectively.

SPEAK WITH GOOD PURPOSE – Speak honestly and kindly
Think before you speak. Make sure your intention is positive and your words are sincere.

Following our Speak with Good Purpose key talk, we learned OTFD. This is a “potent and powerful communication technique to express feelings in a positive manner.”

OTFD:

Observations — Facts only, not emotions.

Thoughts — Explain what you thought.

Feelings — Explain what you felt.

Desires — Express your desires for the future.

This can be used to express positive OR negative feelings.

Then, we learned the 4-part Apology or ‘AAMR’:

Acknowledge — what you did wrong

Apologize — (“I Apologize for _____” – not ‘sorry’)

Make it Right? — “What can I do to make it right?” It is a question because the other person needs to tell you how to make it right for them.

Recommit to _______________ [whatever they requested to make it right].

I love that our Facilitators use the term “What questions can I answer?” rather than “Are there any questions?” and other positive languaging through all of their conversations. Our Facilitators and Team Leads provide such wonderful modeling for everyone around them all the time. It’s amazing to me that so many people can be so consistently great.

I now understand why this is among the best academic summer programs anywhere.

The post SuperCamp LMU Junior Forum Journal – Day 2 appeared first on SuperCamp.