How do we help build & grow great kids?
Growing great kids is all about building character, self-confidence and integrity. At Belle Vie, we are only one part of an entire community of people who will be part of children's lives. Even so, we are committed to helping children develop skills that enable them to create a life filled with joy and friendship.
The values that BVF holds dear are authenticity, compassion, wisdom and courage. At our camps and programs, our core mission is to help children grow these values by offering them skills to learn and practice them. In all things we do - from animal care and gardening to artistic creations and forest adventures - our focus is centered on how we can help kids learn and practice authenticity, compassion, wisdom and courage.
Authenticity is the quality of being true to one's own character or spirit. Even adults have trouble sometimes staying true to themselves, especially in situations when peer pressure is intense. At BVF, we infuse our daily activities with opportunities for children to practice authenticity and to support others in being themselves.
Compassion is a skill that allows individuals to become aware of another person's distress. That awareness helps motivate people to relieve the suffering of others. Compassion is an essential skills for children to learn and practice in order to create a life filled with joy and connection. Our farm and forest environment is ideal for learning and practicing compassion. Animals such as ducks and bunnies are small and need gentleness from kids in order to feel safe. Children instinctively want animals to feel safe. This compassion, practiced well with farm animals or nature, can expand to people as children become confident in their ability to connect gently with others.
Wisdom is the ability to discern what is good and right. Wisdom also includes common sense or "street smarts." Wisdom assumes a level of patience that can be challenging for all people, not just children. Learning and practicing the grace-giving PAUSE before taking action can change everything for the better. Before children can learn discernment, they must have many opportunities to practice pausing when they are triggered by someone's words or actions. At BVF, we often talk about pausing or "do nothing" - the idea that someone else's act/word does not need immediate reaction. This pause opens the door for wisdom, compassion and self-kindness. We pay very close attention to how children's relationships are developing at camp. We step in to offer support and teach skills when children are unable to handle conflict or big feelings. These moments lead children down the path of wisdom.
Courage is the feeling or state of mind that allows children to face fears, resist peer pressure and overcome hardship. We teach children that courage is not the absence of fear. It is feeling fear but moving forward anyway! Children learn courage every day at BVF. From petting the donkey they were afraid of to trying out the zip line that seemed terrifying, children find courage because the activities they want to do are thrilling to them. Fun provides the motivation needed to build courage and overcome fears. Every time children practice courage, they grow their self-confidence.
