The STARC Philosophy
The STARC summer program is founded on several key principles. These principles drive the design and development as well as our processes.
1. You GET to be physically active!
Participating in sports, games and other similar activities is a privilege. It is a privilege that is available to the vast majority of individuals, and yet few take full advantage of the resources around them. The STARC program seeks to make families more aware of the resources available and provide opportunities for youth to enjoy these activities and make them a life-long habit.
2. Support the community that supports you!
Several features of the program are designed to help promote the community in which we serve. When we travel to off-campus venues, we help support local businesses. We offer high school students a unique opportunity to earn community service hours. We also offer free movie nights open to the public. These, and other program features, are important because we value the community that supports us. The STARC program is meant to create an environment of mutual benefit. Where more parties can benefit, there is a higher probability of long-term growth.
3. Character is more important than the victory!
Often times, too much attention is placed on "getting the win" while neglecting the character building that needs to take place in order to have a quality winner. Teaching a child to "go for the gold" and "be the star" can overshadow the importance of teaching that child how to work with their teammates. Consequently, that child may not incorporate the team concept into their gameplan.
Although STARC offers games where one person may be able to be a star, we also feature activities that require participants to work together. When climbing the rock wall, for example, the climber and the belayer must communicate well and work together. This is extremely important for safety reasons and developing a successful strategy while climbing the wall.
4. It is important to teach through instruction and experience!
STARC programming adapts to participants' abilities. We specially design our programming so that a first-grader is not doing the same thing as a sophomore in high school. Reasons for our dynamic programming include safety concerns, activity content and age-related development constraints. Although we teach the importance of a belayer and how to belay to a younger participant, we will not allow them to be the only one belaying a climber.
Some of our activities, such as taking care of a car, require different content for each age group. It is more practical, and of higher interest to the student, to teach a high school student how to change the oil or a tire than it would a first-grader. Although the younger student may want to learn about the inner workings of the vehicle, safety issues arise concerning younger children handling vehicle parts and fluids. Consequently, younger students focus on a basic introduction to car care and place a higher emphasis on designing their own derby car.
5. Engage the staff so they can engage the student!
At the root of STARC is a design answering the question, "What do I wish I could have done at that age?" We offer lots of games, activities and opportunities that engage each age level, including our staff! We encourage personal and social growth through a quality group interaction.
STARC's programming is unique. Not only do the students enjoy it, but the staff get to enjoy it as well! Our counselors in training or "squad leaders" are encouraged to participate in all of our activities. We want them to take on that extra leadership responsibility while learning and participating. Furthermore, our professional staff is welcome to participate in many of the activities.
When a person can be excited about the material they are responsible for teaching, students pick up on the instructor's perception of the activity and respond accordingly.
6. Gain confidence through competence!
We value the many facets of science and art that are involved in the teaching and learning processes. If an instructor were to not be fully prepared for a lesson, students would pick up on that and will not have the same level of confidence they would have in a more prepared instructor. Consequently, many of our staff members have strong backgrounds in Physical Education, Exercise Science, Community Health Education, Elementary Education, Recreation, interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics as well as other areas that provide a mutual opportunity for growth between the participants and their instructors.
An important part of learning is being able to ask questions. We seek out experienced instructors so students and their families can feel confident in the answers they receive.
For more information, contact:
Matt Nemmers
Program Director
850-474-2592
MNemmers@uwf.edu