1. Moments, Messages and Mindsets
Steve Baskin
LOM Conference
November 7, 2018
What we do is incredibly important and impactful. I will begin talking about that. HOW we do it in such a short period of time is harder to explain. We all know many of the important aspects of camp that make it effective: parental separation, engaged adults, true friends, being outside, self-directed learning. But I want to suggest an arrow that is almost unique to our quiver. Bo is 174 cm and 66 kilograms

2. Intro
This is a talk that hopes to explain why camp can be so powerful. Why do camp friends become lifelong friends part of bridal parties. Why does these experiences stick with us so? Why have so many of us committed our entire lives to this work?
This talk is an effort to explain that. It is somewhat theoretical. I want to provide a way to think about camp and how we impact children.
Business world, but went back to camp. Obsessed with the question – why is camp so powerful?
Bo is 174 cm and 66 kilograms

3. The Greatest Gift

4. Narratives

5. Mindsets and Narratives
Brandwein – his son complemented the sad boy about his effort and hard work.

6. Narratives Define Experience
Narrative – the mental framework that interprets the world around you

7. Narrative Example: Being “Lucky”
“STOP! THERE ARE 43 PHOTOS IN THIS PAPER IF YOU TELL THE EXPERIMENTER YOU SAW THIS YOU WILL GET $250!”
Richard Wiseman

8. Sources of Negative Narratives

9. Camp Can Create Positive Narratives

10. Warrior vs worrier

11. Disruptive Moments

12. Disruption and the Brain

13. Camp is rich in Disruptive Moments

14. The sponge brain vs

15. Giving the Right Messages
(What Does the Sponge Absorb?)

16. Filling the Sponge
Optimism
Growth Mindset
Compassion
Faith

17. Sample Message

18. The Great 8 Critical Thinking Creativity Collaboration Communication
Leadership
Tenacity/Grit
Self Control
Optimism

19. Know Your Outcomes Forgiveness Leadership Collaboration Tenacity/Grit
Faith
Self Control
Gratitude
Optimism

20. Bringing these Ideas to Your Camp

21. Choose your Narratives?

22. Identify your camp’s Disruptive moments
First year campers
New language
New traditions
Cabin living
All campers
Special activities
Challenging activities
Rites of passage
Unplanned, but inevitable moments
Cabin conflict
Weather or other disruptions

23. Design New Disruptive Moments
Identify campers who are familiar and have few Disruptive Moments
Returning campers
Older campers
Create specific experiences/moments for these groups
Examples

24. Train Counselors! Understand framework Recognized disruptive moments
Understand each camper’s narrative
Have a vision for an improved narrative for each child
Have messages at the ready when disruptive moments happen

25. Summary of the Model
Disruptive
Moments
Messages
Powerful
Narratives

26. tale of Barnacle boy

27. Thank you!