Summer Responsibilities - Part 2

Responsibility at T Bar M Camps starts out first thing in the morning. I love walking through camp before breakfast and seeing a coach / camper sitting on their porch reading God’s Word.
 
I see many coaches exercising with campers that are competing; be it swimming laps in the pool, working out on the field, hitting tennis balls, hitting volleyballs or shooting drills for basketball. Every camper (and coach) “gets to” make their beds, clean floors, bathrooms, dishes, put up equipment, and take the initiative to serve others.
 
Age appropriate responsibilities are important in the development of your child and their character. We’ve all experienced adults who struggle because they have never learned the disciplines of hard work. All your patience, persistence and reinforcement will have huge dividends when your children go off to college and enter their careers. Cultivate an atmosphere of fun in tackling their tasks and celebrate their accomplishments. Reinforce the purpose of the responsibility, which will teach them to appreciate the worth of an object, privilege or person as well as protect their value.
 
Parents, give your children meaningful, age appropriate tasks and chores to learn responsibility. Certainly do not lower your expectations. Kids will rise up to the level of the expectation set. Be sure that you both have a clear understanding of what is acceptable and unacceptable as far as "clean" goes.   Then, inspect what you expect.
 
Cultivate an atmosphere and an attitude of gratitude in doing our responsibilities as unto the Lord. The key to success is, “us” – yes, we, as parents, need to consistently set the example. Parents, let’s not waver in taking the responsibility of parenting.  A key to remember...“major in the majors and minor in the minors” which means not making things bigger than they need to be when expressing disappointments and frustrations.
 
Challenge your family.  We do at camp and we all benefit from it as we grow closer. 
 
Each night at camp we have either a cabin huddle or tent time where we talk through the day highlighting accomplishments. Try it, you might see a new fervor for taking personal responsibility from it. Affirmation helps others to soar.

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Camper Corner
Why is it easier to take on personal responsibilities at camp than at home? What responsibilities are you ready to take personal ownership for and lead with?
 
Bottom line: only you can be responsible for your development, maturity and actions.  Taking responsibility and following through would be a huge rite of passage into securing more trust, ownership and leadership.