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.

The post Quantum Reading: Tips for Becoming a Better Reader appeared first on SuperCamp.

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!

The post March Key of the Month: Flexibility appeared first on SuperCamp.

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.