I volunteer at Camp Med, a licensed daycare program sponsored by the City of South Pasadena, facilitating their sports hour. During the summer about eighty children from 5 to 11 years old participate.
In terms of my experience, I have had the privilege of working the Olympics every two years and other sporting events and have received sponsorship memorabilia and memorabilia.
Two years ago, at the end of summer camp, I felt compelled to present an award. In front of the other campers, I read a speech and gave a watch from the Athens Olympics to our:
honor camper
Your consideration and care are greatly appreciated. The kind words you have
spoken with your campmates and with the monitors have not gone unnoticed. Your effort and good sportsmanship have been Olympic. To honor him, Camp Med would like to give him a special watch that celebrates the Olympic Games and name it our Honor
To camp.
This created a lot of excitement among the children, so much so that the following summer they asked me if I was going to give away another watch. I did, as well as eight other awards. I also gave out prizes at random times throughout the summer. This is what I learned during the process.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
When I was a kid, half of the awards I received were generic in nature. These awards meant little to me, although some of them were large marble trophies. The most exciting award I received was a small blue ribbon in second grade that said “Most Improved.” I liked the award because it was authentic and true.
One of the most personal awards of the summer went to a kid whose math team won the regional, then state, then western states, then national competition and has a wonderfully neutral personality like Mr. Spock:
The Pythagoras Prize
Pythagoras was a great mathematical genius of ancient Greece. He believed that numbers were the ultimate reality. Pythagoras was also known to be a keen observer, a good friend to many, and very wise.
To camp Medical You have had the great fortune to have a Pythagorean among us, and now we honor him.
He received a bust of Pythagoras.
SPEECHES
I always give the child a copy of the speech as a reminder of what was said and as something they can show their parents. The speeches are usually short, the children are eager to see what the prize is (the prize is always wrapped or covered) and who walks away with it. So, in a nutshell, strive to communicate an essence:
kindness award
I recognized your kindness from day one. It is always a pleasure to have you here with us at Camp Med.
Children also like prizes that sound good. This one caught their attention:
ninja soccer girl
You are like a ninja in the field, calm, elegant, very efficient and determined. It’s a joy to see you on the field with a soccer ball.
I wanted to suggest to this unassuming guy that he is NOW fully capable of doing special things on the soccer field:
King of Football
You have steadily improved throughout the summer, but what has really impressed me is your heart. You are willing to play in much smaller teams against an army of kids.
There is an element of poetry in your game. You know when to pass, where to position yourself, when to accelerate, how to curve the ball and how to lead down the pitch.
ABUNDANT RECYCLING
During the summer, my wife and I clean out our garage. She discovered a pretty pin with little jewels. She didn’t want it anymore, but I saw an opportunity, one of our best soccer players at camp was also very stylish.
Camp Med Soccer Girl
There was a day in the middle of summer when you had a near perfect game. You were in a zone. Defensively, you took the ball away from everyone who got in your way and then kicked the ball downfield or made a great pass. You did this for 45 minutes straight. It was so exciting to watch.
He had worked at the 1994 World Cup and received a limited edition silk scarf to celebrate the event. Where does one find a happy home for such an item?
Most Improved Girl Award
This summer, you didn’t just start taking shots on goal, you started scoring goals.
It has been a pleasure getting to know you better. You bring a radiant and elegant presence to Camp Med.
I remember this young lady gracefully taking the large scarf out of its little box and then calmly and meticulously folding it again. From the loving way she handled the scarf, I could tell she appreciated it.
When I set my sights on giving out awards that summer, I discovered there was an interesting dynamic at work. In the case of the soccer girl, he knew he wanted to give her an award and then the award came along. In the case of the scarf, the prize appeared and then the perfect recipient was revealed. This intuitive process continued throughout the summer. As each new revelation appeared, I felt as if I was cracking a code. I never thought there would be nine awards, maybe three tops. Strangely, it seemed like I wasn’t in charge, I just listened, cooperated, and went with the flow.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE
During a game, the rubber tip of a plastic hockey stick broke. At the end of the game, I announced that the MVP of the game would receive the rubber tip. This made the children laugh and they all wanted to receive it. There was a buzz of excitement in the air. Kids taught me that prizes can be silly too.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Meanwhile at home, we also went through our Christmas decorations that filled our garage. I thought, well, if the kids wanted the rubber tip of a hockey stick, they would probably like some Christmas items and I announced that for one week (while it was over 90 degrees in Southern California) it would be Christmas in July and I would be delivering Christmas items throughout the week. Every day, he would bring a brown bag with a Christmas item inside and the kids couldn’t wait for the awards ceremony to see what was inside.
During the week, a boy came up to me and said he wanted a prize. I asked him what he wanted and he told me without hesitation: “I want a Santa Claus”. Every child wanted an award, but with this child, there was an additional need for recognition.
The next day, I came with my brown bag. She quickly came up to me and asked if that was her Santa, he was so eager and excited. At the end of sports time, I gave her the brown bag and told her that she would get this award for being so sweet on the inside. She opened it and took out the Santa Claus. The children cheered and clapped for him. He just stood there in awe of his Santa Claus, vulnerable, wide-eyed, fully supported. He later told me affectionately that he felt, “a little embarrassed.” It was one of the most beautiful moments of the summer.
It’s an example of how by taking a positive action step (providing Christmas in July), sometimes an opening magically occurs for something even greater to emerge.
FREECYCLE.ORG
Not everyone has an overflowing garage. There is a wonderful free organization called freecycle that is dedicated to reducing waste from landfills. Members essentially play give and take, asking for what they want and posting what they have to give away. You can send an email to the group asking for anything you want, for example: old trophies and jewelry, children’s toys in good condition, etc. You will probably receive some very interesting articles, all at no cost.
GIVING A WATCH
A watch turns out to be a perfect prize. They can be modern, colorful and fun. It is practical. You can take it to school. He is with you all day. It feels special. The kids love them. This was the speech of the winner of this year’s watch:
MVS Award for Most Valuable Support
After only a few days of summer camp, I knew from his supportive actions that he was destined for an award. As it turned out, what I found for you, however, was completely sold out in Southern California, Oregon, and Minnesota. I finally found a store in Chicago, Illinois that had one last one.
You have helped me so much. I appreciate you so much, words can’t even say.
This award goes to who has been my right hand and has been wonderful and supportive throughout the summer camp.
this November, Sixty minutes did a piece in millennial children whose childhoods were said to be “full of trophies and adulation”. The paradigm represented here is quite the opposite: recognition and heartfelt thanks to the children who, with their mere presence, give much more than they receive.
CONCLUSION
When I was a child, I used to ask myself, “Am I valuable?” “Who I am?” “What am I good at?” In powerful ways, certain awards gave me some answers. The answers were very clear (I’m good at swimming, for example), but on a deeper level, the items were constant reminders that I was good. An award can go a long way in supporting a child’s self-esteem.
As an adult, I have found the process of giving the award to be a powerful and multidimensional way to connect with a young person. It can be done through humor, drama, or warmth. It’s a very true and direct way of saying, “I value you.”
