Welcome to the Summer Camp Leadership blog. For those of us who lead summer camps, making a positive difference in the lives of young people is our passion. Turning that passion into a reality, however, takes more than the ability to lead songs, teach archery or plan craft projects. Creating camp experiences that truly transform lives takes leadership. Leadership that creates a vision for the future, leadership that inspires and engages others, leadership that remains focused and stays the course. My hope is through this blog you'll find ideas, inspiration and tools to help you be a great summer camp leader.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Power of Your Mindset



Mindsets are powerful sets of assumptions. Carol Dweck from Stanford University has identified two opposing mindsets that people possess regarding achievement and success.

Those with a fixed mindset believe that success is based on genetic ability. Achievement stems from our innate intelligence and talent. Our fixed abilities determine what we're capable of accomplishing.

On the other hand, those with a growth mindset believe success comes from hard work and practice. Dedication and effort lead to achievement. We start with a base level of ability and can go as far as we want to as long as we're willing to put in the effort.

As camp professionals who are committed to the positive development of young people (our campers and staff), Dweck's mindsets provides a very useful model. If we can help young people move from fixed to growth mindsets, we can help promote future achievement and success. 

For more information on mindsets, their impact on achievement and how they can be changed go to Dweck's web site, mindsetonline.com.