"I also read novels. Fiction such as Hindu Kush and The Kite Runner never allowed me to forget the humanity of the people whose country we were invading. It is far too easy to stereotype and caricature those you're in conflict with, which only makes you cynical, hateful, or overconfident -- or all three." - pages 62-63
This quote really stood out to me as I was reading. While Wes Moore is commenting on the humanity of the civilians in Afghanistan where he was being deployed, I feel that in some ways it is relevant to the work we do with the kids.
I think it's easy to write the kids off as "bad" or "good" reducing all the traits to either of those to things, but that's oversimplification. While they are only seven to eleven years old, these campers are complex individuals with thoughts, feelings, and experiences that shape them before, after, and while they are with us.
It's tempting to just think of them as a project for the summer -- a job, an internship, some extra spending cash, or even a way to beef up our resumes. But, they aren't. They are people and it's important that while we are caring for them we remember that. Because while this camp is only six weeks, how we teach these kids and more importantly how we treat and care for them, can have long lasting effects on them.
We aren't soldiers going to war. There aren't enemies we are fighting against, but if not careful, if not considerate, we could still do some serious damage.
Omg I love this so much. You are so right, Diamond. I found myself doing that the first week of camp, but the second week my thoughts have changed. I am able to see my kids now as individuals. Yes, I have my "bad" kids who are typically cutting up, but I know there is more to them then just "being bad." They could be acting out for attention, they could be acting out because they are bored. No one knows the reason. But I do know that categorizing them into these boxes of good and bad is not beneficial and desensitizes me their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Great post.
ReplyDeleteDiamond- I really like how you applied this post to SuperKids Camp. It is so important that we do not classify or put campers in 'boxes', as we only limit their growth by doing this. It is easy to want to group kids in the 'good' and 'bad' category, without taking into consideration how it is they landed themselves with these labels.
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