Sly Park Prep Adventure Awaits Community Circle

Encouraging Language How can you encourage people at Sly Park?
Does encouragement always have to be public? Does it always have to be in the form of cheering them on?
How else could being encouraging look?
Do all people want to be encouraged in the same way?

Ask your buddy how he/she might want to be encouraged!<br>

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Until recently, scientists believed that your intelligence was fixed, that people were born with a certain amount of intelligence or potential. NOW we have lots of proof that our brains are flexible and can grow depending on how hard we work! It’s like a rubberband!
A fixed mindset means that you shy away from new experiences and might take the easy way out. You also might be more concerned with image or competition.
A growth mindset means you know that challenges make you stronger and is an opportunity to grow and learn! You know that failure is just a way to get better!

Which type of mindset is going to benefit you at Sly Park?<br>

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Sometimes we convince ourselves and others that we can’t do something. Sly Park is designed to be hard. You will be challenged. The hikes are long and steep, the rock wall is high, and the night hike is scary. It is designed this way to stretch you, and to present you with challenges. You will be so proud of yourself when you finish! Cheating yourself out of the experience, or taking the easy way out, will also cheat yourself out of the amazing feeling of accomplishment. Allow yourself a chance to feel good about yourself by pushing through challenges!<br>

Growth Mindset Practice Complete the chart with a buddy after we do some as a class. Be ready to share out.
What other words or restrictions do you think people might place on themselves?<br>

Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend Watch the reading here!
How might this connect to Sly Park?
What makes you nervous about meeting new people?
What tricks might there be to starting a conversation with a stranger?
Discuss ways to spark conversation with someone new. Now, let’s practice!
In an inside/outside circle, practice making conversation with a pretend stranger. Totally disregard the fact that you have known your classmates all year! :)<br>

Is It Worth It? There will be loads of awesome kids at Sly Park! So many new friends! But of course, we might not get along with EVERYONE. It’s human nature to not like some people. But this is only ONE week! We can handle almost anything for just a week.
Don’t let anyone ruin your trip! This might mean letting some things go and not reacting so that you can continue to have a positive experience. Think to yourself… is this worth it?
Think about the big picture… is an uncalled foul on the basketball court during rec time worth getting upset when the bigger experience is all about nature, science, and growing as a person?<br>

We All Have Stuff Everybody in the whole wide world has stuff that they are dealing with in different ways. Some people’s “stuff” is on the outside where everybody can see it, and other “stuff” is on the inside where it might not be visible to others.
Think about your own stuff. Do you have a something that is obvious to others like being vision impaired or perhaps a broken leg? Are you dealing with a tricky situation at home that might be distracting you? Do you have a parent who is sick and that is causing stress? Is money tight in your family right now?
On our class poster of a paper doll, write your “stuff” (if you’re comfortable) on a post-it and place the post-it either inside the doll or outside depending whether or not it’s visible to others. You don’t have to include your name if you don’t want to.
Knowing that everyone has stuff that they are dealing with, how might this bring empathy at Sly Park?<br>

Different Experiences One of the best parts of Sly Park is getting to interact with kids from all over the greater Sacramento/Northern California area. Kids from all different backgrounds and walks of life will be there!
What past experiences might shape your experience there?
Access to nature?
Science background?
Fitness level?
Being away from home?
Culture?
Hobbies?
Anything else?
Does everybody come to Sly Park with the same background? How should this shape your empathy and understanding of others?<br>

Impact of Exercise on Our Body With a buddy, use your paper doll to label everything that might happen when a person exercises.

Watch this video and learn why our muscles get sore!

The BEST thing to do when your muscles get sore is to KEEP MOVING! This will help get rid of the lactic acid that builds up in your muscles and help repair them. Water will help flush out the soreness so drink up!<br>

Impact of Altitude on Our Body Sly Park is about 3500 feet above sea level. This has a big impact on our body and we might not even realize it!
This means you’ll feel out of breath quicker
Your body will lose more water than you would at home.
You might get a headache, stomachache, or feel tired.
You might feel dizzy at times.
Your body needs more food so at mealtimes make sure to eat a lot so you can keep up your energy for all the fun to be had!
Drink water! Lots and lots of water! This will “cure” almost all of the impacts of altitude on your body!<br>

Other Adults The adults at Sly Park have worked so hard to get you there and they want you to have fun! Yes, this means EVERY adult there! Other school teachers, Sly Park teachers, chaperones, maintenance… EVERYONE!
If an adult gives you a reminder (either for behavior, safety, etc) it is because they don’t want any problems and for you to keep having fun in a way that is best for everyone. All you need to do is respect their intention and correct yourself. That’s it! Promise!<br>

Buddies You’re bound to get sick of your buddy, even if it’s your super bestie. Sometimes when our nerves are frayed, we’re tired, we’re cold, etc. we can become extra irritable.
You don’t have to be attached to your buddy the entire time! You socialize with all the people in your cabin and hiking groups! Your buddy is for safety and, quite frankly, comfort. If you need to go back to your cabin for a forgotten jacket, bring your buddy. If you are hiking, make sure your buddy is safely with the group. Use your buddy for accountability, but they don’t need to be the ONLY people you talk to!
IF you are really feeling frayed, talk to your teacher about this. We can help!<br>

Promise Letter Think about all we’ve learned to get ready for Sly Park:
Types of courage
Encouragement
Open-mindedness
Meeting new people
How to let some things go
Body’s response to exercise and altitude
Being empathetic to other people’s backgrounds
Write yourself a promise letter. YOU know yourself best. Create a goal for yourself and give yourself reminders on what to do if things get hard. You and I are the only people that will see this letter. I will bring them with me to Sly Park in case you need a reminder of your intention while we’re up there. What do you want to get out of this experience and what promises can you make to yourself in order to be successful?<br>

Add to next year’s slides… Homesickness
Parent communication to kids
You’re not going home<br>