this year was yet another fun-filled week that鈥檚 packed with self-discovery and growth at YMCA Camp Shady Brook! Campers ventured out to try something new, made lasting friendships and attended many impactful workshops that are designed to nurture balance within.

Some people say it takes a village to raise a child. At Yunasa, it takes a tribe to build this camp. For many, it鈥檚 their first sleep-away camp and the longest time apart they have ever spent from their parents. This year, we had 23 new campers! Being mindful of this, our returning campers and counselors actively reached out to new campers and included them in group activities. Some campers are more introverted and reflective than others, but would ensure that they too have a space to share and be heard throughout the week.

From the youngest camper at ag 10 to our most senior elder at 85, Yunasa is a space filled with intergenerational connection and nurturing. Our workshops are designed to nurture balance in all five aspects of self 鈥� intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual and physical.

In campers practice guided imagery meditation exercises. The goal is to integrate the conscious self with the unconscious. In the process, campers open a wide flow of energy from their intuition, inspiration and creative energy to the logical self. In the workshop called kindness, campers learn about the biological and physical benefit of practicing kindness and did several meditations in the session. In building and walking the labyrinth, campers constructed a single path in a serene setting. As they walked the labyrinth, they followed a single path that at times appeared to be a 鈥渨rong turn,鈥� but each turn actually leads them to a new beginning and ultimately the 鈥渆ye鈥� of the path. It symbolizes a spiritual journey and the tools needed for transformation. In art-based workshops, campers practiced focus, relaxation, trusting their intuition, self-acceptance and expression through activities such as Intuitive Mandala and Soul Collage.

Yunasa also offers outdoor activities in a traditional camp setting. Campers expand their comfort zones in a safe environment as they try ziplining, rappelling, and rock climbing. They learn about teamwork and build trust on the giant鈥檚 ladder and low ropes. They practiced focus with archery and tomahawk throwing. There are also waterfront activities such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing and paddle boarding.

We hope all of our campers and volunteers have been able to get some rest this week. We cannot wait to see you all again in 2020. Until then 鈥� may your year be filled with joy, growth and loving kindness!

the entire Yunasa West photo album on 优蜜视频鈥檚 Facebook page. To learn more about Yunasa

How do you manage your emotions and your sensitivities聽while raising your super intense super smart children? How do you raise聽your children聽without unconsciously repeating the patterns set down by your own parents?

I鈥檓 guessing that you think about this a lot. Especially at 3am when you鈥檙e desperately trying to sleep. Or when you hear your mother鈥檚 criticism spewing out of your own mouth directed at your 4-year-old. Or when you notice your father鈥檚 rage lurking behind your eyes.

Living with rainforest-minded kids when you yourself have those same traits can be overwhelming and even a tad frightening. All of that energy and sensitivity roiling around. All of your kids鈥� questions, curiosities and meltdowns flying hither and thither. Not to mention the less-than-ideal parenting you may have received. Or the judgment from other parents who think you have it easy. Or the judgment from yourself that you aren鈥檛 the perfect parent. That鈥檚 a lot to handle.

Let me give you a hug right now. For starters. You are not alone. This is not easy. Hug.

Here are some thoughts:

1. There鈥檚 a lot of empathy for you online from parents who are right there with you. You can read their experiences, guidance and resources and . Read a sampling of their blogs and bookmark your favorites. There鈥檚 also a psychologist online who has raised gifted kids. Find her .
2. Make a list of ways to to , and to find . Then DO THEM. Your kids will benefit. You know this but you still don鈥檛 do it. Am I right? Remind yourself that your will be good modeling for your kids. When you feel guilty,聽tell yourself that you鈥檙e doing it for your them.
3. When you lose your cool, which you will, apologize. Your children will not be damaged irrevocably when you blow it. The apology allows your children to see that they don鈥檛 have to be perfect and that they can apologize聽when they鈥檙e not perfect. Imagine how your life would be different if your parents had apologized to you for their mistakes.
4. When it comes to not of your parents,聽well, it鈥檚聽complicated. And depending on how dysfunctional things were, it can聽feel overwhelming or impossible. As you can imagine, there鈥檚 no quick fix. But you can . You probably already have to some extent. Of course, you know I鈥檓 going to recommend if you were raised with any kind of abuse. That said, there are many creative self-help tools for you to explore. Some are: Seena Frost鈥檚 , , yoga and other , techniques, making art/ playing music, spiritual practices, and .
5. To get support for your and to find join this growing .
6. And, finally, read !听Your Rainforest Mind: A Guide to the Well-Being of Gifted Adults and Youth to be released mid-June 2016. Along with untangling聽the complexities of the rainforest mind, I describe聽client cases from my counseling practice and explain聽how we addressed both their childhood issues and their giftedness. There are many self-help strategies and resources included. Buy copies for聽your , relatives, kids, teachers, neighbors, physician, ex-partner, mail聽carrier and anyone else who might need help understanding you.

This post originally appeared on and has been reprinted with permission.

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