| Today I walked into Sidleterra, a place of wonder | | | | This is a huge bonus, as research has shown that |
| and imagination where children don't just watch an | | | | excessive TV or computer time can impair sleep, |
| adventure, they live it. Upon arrival we entered | | | | while physical activity has been shown to enhance |
| the "Gate of Destiny" and were greeted with a | | | | it. |
| loud "Huzzah!". Gwen (age 12) stated, "It's like we | | | | Campers also work on social skills as they plan, |
| stepped back in history! It's weird, but a totally | | | | negotiate, build alliances and enlist aid from others. |
| awesome kind of weird." Actually, Sidleterra is the | | | | Morgan Kuberry, the director of the day camp, |
| Wizards and Warriors sleep-away summer camp, | | | | states that many of the children's goals have |
| where children get to be the heroes of their own | | | | nothing to do with martial arts, but are actually |
| stories. The site is a re-creation of a medieval | | | | more focused on improving social skills. Playing a |
| village, tucked away in Charlton, MA. | | | | character gives the kids the freedom to try out |
| It's hard to find summer or after school activities | | | | new things in a supportive environment. |
| that children enjoy which don't involve TV or | | | | Most importantly, what do the kids think? Every |
| video games. The Guard Up Family Fencing and | | | | hero I talked to had similar things to say. When |
| Swordsmanship school of Burlington, MA, runs | | | | asked what they liked best, most said, |
| afterschool programs, classes, overnight and day | | | | "Everything!" |
| camps including Wizards and Warriors. In this | | | | Adam, age 13 exclaims, "It's so awesome! I love |
| stimulating environment children get plenty of | | | | being imaginative. We even get to make armor!" |
| physical activity, opportunities for social | | | | John, age 11, who has gone to several other |
| development and fun, intellectual challenges. Their | | | | camps, says he loves Wizards and Warriors camp |
| imaginations come alive as they choose to be | | | | much more. "It's fantasy. It lets you use your |
| warriors, wizards, healers, and so on and develop | | | | imagination. Instead of having to sit around all day, |
| the history and personas of their characters. | | | | you're getting up and running around. It's |
| Every part of the camp is designed to meet the | | | | awesome!" |
| individual needs of the campers. Those who are | | | | Evan, age 9 states, "I love it! It helps me get my |
| combat fans can bound headlong into battle with | | | | energy out. I like being with people that have the |
| foam swords swinging. One camper stated, "I | | | | same interests as me. I fit in here." |
| prefer to use the mind as a weapon, not the | | | | Two young maiden sisters agreed: "It's great!" |
| body." He and his like minded friends can take an | | | | Although, neither of them had been at sleep |
| alternative approach as a healer or scout. There is | | | | away camp they both quickly fell in love with |
| room for all. The motto, "Honor, Courage and | | | | Wizards and Warriors. |
| Compassion" teaches the kids to understand that | | | | Besides being fun and exciting there is a deeper |
| courage is not only about bravely going into | | | | layer of benefits that lie beneath the surface. The |
| battle, but also knowing when to honor their own | | | | physical and mental advantages of dramatic play |
| feelings. | | | | are clearly indicated by over forty years of |
| In this setting, kids hone their executive | | | | research findings. |
| functioning skills without even knowing it. In | | | | There are many great forms of enjoyable |
| Alchemy, for example, they use deductive | | | | physical activity. One impressive point about |
| reasoning to combine potion ingredients. | | | | Guard Up is that the staff is trained in "Positive |
| Organization and attentional skills are constantly | | | | Coaching"; The focus on winning is secondary to |
| relied on as they seek clues, solve puzzles, and | | | | learning life lessons through activity. At the end of |
| develop strategies to defeat monsters and villains. | | | | one skirmish, I watched a counselor process with |
| As one parent put it, "It promotes organization, | | | | the kids what they did well and what they could |
| initiation, and communication; all the things we | | | | work on further. The kids recognized the |
| want him to be able to do at school. It teaches | | | | importance of teamwork and said they would |
| critical thinking. Thinking out of the box is | | | | have been more successful if they stayed |
| promoted and encouraged." | | | | together and communicated. |
| Participating in mock battles, kids get a cardio | | | | As an Occupational Therapist, I am very aware |
| workout and enhance their balance and | | | | of the power of meaningful activity in physical and |
| coordination. "It's a place to be creative and | | | | mental development. As a mom, it's a pleasure to |
| physical and not have to be competitive", | | | | watch these kids so completely engaged in body |
| remarked the parent of one day-camper. At night | | | | and mind. Without a doubt, we are fortunate that |
| they return exhausted, but happy after a full day. | | | | programs like this are available for our children! |