Kid/T(w)een Summer Group Session 7

Los Encinos State Park

Today was our visit to Los Encinos State Park where (most of them) were videotaped as typical students on a tour, given by Jennifer, the Park Interpretive Specialist.  She's really great with the kids, very patient, prompts them to make eye contact, helps them with asking relevant questions.  I view it as good practice for taking them on a tour, going to a museum, or similar cultural activities.

Afterwards, she offered the group food to feed the ducks and geese.  It was interesting that some of the group members insisted that we pay for it, because it said "25 cents" on the box.  Those same members had trouble with the idea that she was giving it to them.  It strikes me as an honorable intention on their park... somehow gone wrong, since it creates an opportunity for them to receive something gratis, thank the person, and again, "move on" (I'm a big fan of "moving on" over little things).

One of the group members isolated himself from others and began to play with his Pokmon pedometer.  He appeared startled when one of the counselors approached him, saying "Hi ___ come and join the others," he responded by walking away.  This sometimes happens with kids who are having trouble figuring out what to say to others or become preoccupied by a gadget.  It is also why we request that your kids not bring toys or other objects with them, since they often use it as a vehicle for disconnecting from others.

I had a chance to flex my frisbee skills (which have clearly improved over the course of groups!) and worked with several kids on throwing accurately.  This primary involved MM, ND, EJ, and SG and they seemed to have a good time of it.

While still at the park AJ, at one point, said he was surrounded by "idiots."  Carli, one of the counselors, immediately gave blue raffle tickets to all of those who did not react to his comment, and did not say anything to AJ.  Moments later, they became involved in a discussion about aliens, which AJ seemed to be taking a bit too seriously.  However, both AJ and NR worked on problem solving and received raffle tickets for their efforts.  AC had problems with body boundaries, appearing to inadvertently push JW over a bit so he could sit down.  When JW did not react, he received a blue ticket and AC spontaneously apologized to him.

We went to Octopus, Japanese food, for lunch and it was well-organized, with most kids enjoying what they ordered.  Lunch there usually takes a long time, so we are constantly looking out for who is engaged in conversation versus who is isolating.  We also had a chance to practice appropriate requesting from the wait staff.  Fortunately, most of them were engaged in conversations throughout, plus they either enjoyed their meals or found portions of them that they could eat.  We headed back to the office briefly for a little "down time" where we viewed videos of them that would be shown to the parents.