G.O.D. International’s Camp Drillz Teaches Perseverance to Middle School Youth
Have you noticed that most kids don’t like to perform or try new skills BECAUSE they are not good at them? That has been my observation as an educator. Why are kids like this? How can kids expect to be good at something that they haven't practiced?
Camp Drillz helps youth overcome the difficulty of trying new things. During the first week of camp, the coaches at Camp Drillz introduced the students to new sports like Pickleball and Basketball. Through this experience, coaches addressed all the emotional challenges that youth face in trying something new: hesitancy due to unfamiliarity, fear of failure, and mistaking a lack of proficiency with disinterest.
We dealt with these issues from day one. Looking over some of the activities on the first day, the campers were not enthusiastic. As one student told us, “I don’t like basketball because I’m not good at it, and I like to win.” We took a moment to hear their perspective and to help them evaluate why they held these strong opinions.
Through the conversation, students began to realize the importance of learning to try new things. One student was reminded of something their mom had taught them: “My mom tells me that when I try new things, I can’t give up so quickly. She tells me I need to develop more endurance and be less frustrated with myself. I know Jesus doesn’t want me to be hard on myself, but I am.” The conversation ended up being amazing, and the week got better and better. By the end of the week, campers wanted to play more of the very games that they had been against trying days prior.
The change in the student’s attitude has been noticed by their parents as well. One parent told us, “My daughter was NOT looking forward to participating in the sports weeks of Camp Drillz. She only wanted to participate in the two dance weeks. My husband and I decided that we were going to make her participate in at least one week of sports camp to challenge her and teach her new lessons. By DAY TWO she was already asking to be signed up for the second week of sports camp! It only took a day to convince her because she realized camp with her friends is a good opportunity for her during the summer months. Thank you for offering this camp for my daughter!”
We want students to love trying new things, not fear it. It is an essential skill for life, and Camp Drillz offered youth the invaluable opportunity to practice new skills week after week.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
-2 Timothy 1:7
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