It’s just the beginning of summer vacation, and your kids have already begun to whine and complain about having nothing to do. Add to this the worries you may be experiencing about the challenges your tween will face in the upcoming years. The result is parental pandemonium that may last for years.
One answer to these challenges will be available for free in Montgomery County. Volunteers for Mental Health will offer a free camp to a small group of intermediate students from the county’s three school districts. This opportunity was made possible by the support of Todd and Amanda Douglas and Central Indiana Rubber Company through its Inches for Impact charitable promotion in December.
The Meet Me in the Middle day camp will run 2-5 p.m. July 20-23 at the Montgomery County Boys & Girls Club. The camp seeks to help young people to navigate through the tough challenges faced by students who have just completed fifth or sixth grade. The goals of the camp are to help the tweens learn confidence and social skills, plus techniques for coping and self-regulation. The students will also work toward gaining skills in communication, conflict resolution and success strategies.
Jamie Selby, clinical social worker and therapist of Mesa Waa Gii Therapy Services, will serve as leader of the camp. Selby will be supported by Pamela Darby, a middle-level school mental health professional, and assisted by Denise Booher Walker, licensed K-12 teacher and board president of Volunteers for Mental Health in Montgomery County.
The camp will feature information and instruction mixed with activities and applications. Joining the camp for guest appearances will be local speakers who are masters in motivation, wellness, teen safety and stress-reduction techniques. Students who complete the camp will receive free support materials and content to enhance the camp content.
Additional follow-up sessions will be offered to the campers during the academic year.
Enrollment will end when the number of enrollees reaches 18. Registration is required in advance and may be completed online. To learn more about the camp and to register, visit www.vmhmc.org.
