Wenlee's Blog

How do you explain magic? It’s near-impossible to simply explain the magic of the camp experience in a blog post. And this is coming from us, youth development professionals who spend every waking moment thinking about camp! Nonetheless, we can’t keep the good news to ourselves. Here is our effort to summarize the many benefits of going to summer camp. Connect without Technology Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of going to summer camp, especially sleep-away camp, is that it allows campers to   unplug . For one thing, this is key for developing personal connections and practicing social skills. What’s more, it helps relieve social media pressure—comparing popularity and self-worth based on numbers of followers. At camp, kids choose to do what makes them happy because it’s what they want to do. Not to impress others or get digital ‘likes’ for doing it.   Among campers themselves , the consensus is they don’t even miss technology!   Grow to be Independent Camp offers a ta...

People give gifts for all kinds of reasons: holidays, birthdays, or random Tuesdays. And kids like few things more than a surprise gift just for them. But learning how to give gifts and be generous is a skill that will turn them into well-rounded, thoughtful teenagers and adults. This article explains how generosity “rewires” the brain, how generosity is best learned, and ways that you can engage your children so generosity becomes a shared family value. Remember! Children younger than 2 years old don’t have the ability to understand generosity or empathy. Most children don’t fully understand the concept of generosity until they are 4 or 5 years old. So feel free to start introducing the concept to your children at any age, but don’t expect it to “click” until they are in preschool.  The Science of Giving Any time an activity or action makes us feel something, science is happening. That’s because all of our feelings and emotions are tied back to our brains. There can be very strong...

  Here are just a few of the many skills that kids learn at Summerkids. We believe all of these are important to their success both now and later in life! Teamwork & Cooperation There’s not a lot of solitude at camp. Campers are together the whole day. But that’s a good thing! Activities are more fun when they are accomplished together. This might be something as simple as coming together as a team for a game. Capture the Flag only works if a team operates coperatively—one person can’t win the whole game alone. Or it might be helping another camper with a craft who is struggling to figure out how to start the lanyard or make the friendship barcelet stitch. Decision-Making Choice is baked into the DNA of our camp operation, and campers must learn to make decisions in order to navigate through the day. This means choosing what activities to do and what campers to meet, among other things. We find that campers make decisions using all kinds of rationale: they might choose to do “b...

  Starting school for any child is challenging enough. It can be even harder when your child is starting at a new school after already being in school for a while. There are many reasons why a family might want/need to have their child transfer to a new school. Regardless of the reason, if your child has developed a relationship with their peers and teachers, switching schools can be especially heartbreaking and confusing for them. Many of the tips provided in this post can also be applied to children who are just starting school for the first time, however, extra care should be given to children who are switching schools. The most important thing you can do is to tell your child in advance what is going to happen. Tell your child/children as soon as you find out that they are going to be switching schools. The longer you wait to tell them, the worse the transition is going to be for your child. Telling them in advance helps your child process the change and will hopefully make the...

  Ah, the sweet, boundless curiosity of a child! Those tiny hands exploring the world around them, little feet taking their first steps into a universe of knowledge, and those sparkling eyes gleaming with the pure joy of discovery. Preschool is a place where every moment is a new adventure, every day a treasure trove of learning. Today, let’s take a gentle stroll through the lanes of Northridge, CA, and explore how preschools, especially our little haven, Petite School House, are crafting beautiful beginnings for our tiny tots. A Journey Begins with Tiny Steps Imagine the first day of preschool. With her tiny backpack, Little Sarah steps into a world where learning and play meld into one. At Northridge, these first steps are not just about learning the ABCs and 123s but embracing a world where every child is a unique flower, ready to bloom in their particular way. Petite School House, nestled in the heart of Northridge, is more than a preschool. It’s a place where little dreams tak...

        Welcome to Yang Fan’s  Dublin Preschool , where we lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning in a caring and inspiring atmosphere. Catering to children between 2 to 5 years of age, our Dublin school is a place where each child is valued for their individuality and inherent ability to flourish. The curriculum at our Dublin City preschool location is meticulously designed to stimulate curiosity, support individual learning styles, and achieve developmental milestones in a playful and engaging manner. Our dedicated teaching staff ensures that every child in our preschool class receives individualized attention and support, contributing to their intellectual and social success in a warm and inclusive environment. Dublin Preschool . Our Family. Our Community In our Early Childhood Preschool Program at Dublin’s Yang Fan Academy, we emphasize the importance of building strong community connections. Our partnership with the local residents, businesses, organ...

  Welcome to Yang Fan’s   Summer Camp Program in San Ramon ! Here, embrace a season brimming with adventure, friendships, and personal growth at our vibrant location. More than just a retreat, our camp stands as a dynamic community where thrilling explorations and enriching learning opportunities converge, designed to cater to children of all ages. Yang Fan is a place where the individuality of each child is celebrated, recognizing their unique interests and talents. Our program is expertly designed to offer a wide array of pursuits, all aimed at engaging, challenging, and motivating every young mind. From the creative arts and fascinating science projects to energetic sports and cutting-edge tech adventures, we provide a variety of experiences. These are carefully tailored to meet the inquisitive nature and vibrant energy of every keen learner and adventurous spirit. Our School Camp. Our Family. Our Community We are thrilled to present the  Yang Fan Summer Camp - San Ram...