What Parents Are Saying About Confident Kids Camp
“I feel hopeful about my son’s future! I believe that he will be able to speak freely and confidently in time and this week is the first step...Thank you, thank you!”
Confident Kids Camp utilizes one-on-one support and group therapeutic techniques in simulated classroom environments to give campers the opportunity to practice verbal communication skills with other children and adults.
Each child will be paired with an adult counselor, trained by Dr. Kotrba in behavioral intervention. Daily camp activities attempt to mirror a regular classroom day, with the goal of significant increases in verbal communication through practice, shaping, desensitization, and rewards systems. These significant increases in speech and confidence have been shown to generalize successfully to the child’s school setting when they return home after the end of camp.
“I wanted to share an update—our son, XX, who attended camp this summer, just had his first day of school today. He talked over 20x in 90 min (they have a short day to ease kids in) and participated in all activities. Last year he didn’t say a single word all year to anyone. Camp changed his life...
Thank you for everything you do for these kids and families.”
“We arrived back home after an exhilarating week in Michigan. And we don’t know how to thank you both and your entire team for what turned out to be a truly transformative experience for our son, and by extension, our entire family. My son has continued to use his “brave voice,” even in the short time we have been back. Just a little vignettes: today, we did a Facebook call with grandma (and others who were at her house), and he carried on a full conversation with her, using his voice at normal volume. She was stunned at the progress and had to hide her tears. We understand that the skills he (and we) learned at camp will require constant practice and reinforcement, but we are certain that he is a boy transformed by the CKC experience: confident, empowered, happy.”
“I wanted to send an update on our son’s progress since Confident Kids Camp because the change has been remarkable. We were blown away by his progress during camp and have been equally surprised by his success since that time. Here is our good news.
First of all, our son has called a friend from camp pretty much weekly. He dials the number all by himself, and makes a point to ask questions on every call. At age 11, this is our son’s very first friend.
Additionally, he is on his 2nd brave chart since being home earning 3 date nights so far with all his “brave work points”. Date nights have been either going out for dinner or ice cream and ordering for himself. He is now working towards his 4th date night. He is SO proud!
Last, but not least, our son recently asked to join a church youth group for 6th graders. Prior to Confident Kids Camp he would not go anywhere without a “talking” family member with him. Although a little nervous he feels confident enough to go to youth group on his own, participate, and do some brave talking while there. When we had a question about the check out process he bravely walked up to a staff member and asked our question without being challenged to do so.
We think our son is the bravest person in our family conquering SO many fears in such a short time. He is living his best life and we think he is unstoppable. Thank you for helping him find his brave voice. We are SO thankful for Thriving Minds and Confident Kids Camp. ”
“Last Summer our daughter attended confident kids camp and we thought you might be interested in an update. The school year (1st grade) started pretty well and with some hard work by her and her teacher (reward charts, etc.) she was fully verbal with her classmates and teacher within about a month of the school year starting. Last year it took until about February or March for her to begin even whispering to a teacher. She’s been able to do assessments in front of her teacher, begun talking pretty freely to specials teachers, and has even gotten several “unexpected” marks for talking too much to her friends in class (something we’re thrilled about!).
Anyway, [in our school] part of the yearly rhythm is each grade taking one chapel time and leading it. 1st grade was last week. Each kid in the class takes a portion and leads it - so, some were in a skit, some led the song, and some led a couple of different prayers. [She] came home about a month ago with a sheet in her hand with 4-5 sentences of a prayer that she was going to lead for the whole school and any parents in attendance of chapel that day. We were a bit shocked but trust her teacher and figured it was a good push for her that she felt ready for. We didn’t question it and steered clear of anything that would introduce SM type anxiety for her with it because she seemed really eager to be part of the class leading it. She never showed any fear or anxiety about it until the day before when she said, “I’m a little nervous because we’ve never practiced it in front of anyone outside of my class.” I just encouraged her that what she felt was a very normal level of nervous and asked her if she felt like it was SM or different and it was clearly different so I just coached through that a bit and affirmed her and encouraged her. The morning of chapel came and, in front of the whole school (about 100 kids), all the teachers, and 20 or so parents of classmates, she did it!
This girl who, just a year ago, was unable to do a reading assessment in front of her teacher read with zero hesitation in front of the entire school.
This is one highlight example of the myriad ways that she has grown in conquering her anxiety. She continues to order for herself in restaurants, her speaking circle has expanded dramatically, and - while the SM anxiety still rears its ugly head in some unexpected ways, she is crushing it.
So. All that to say - CKC changed her life. We read the testimonials of parents who said the same prior to registering and knew it was a possibility but when we step back and look at how far she’s come it’s almost unbelievable the progress that she’s made in such a short time.
Keep up the great work!
”
If you have additional questions, please email Director Dr. Aimee Kotrba at akotrba@thrivingminds.info. Please include your name, email, phone number, and any questions you might have! We look forward to hearing from you!