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For Rising Middle Schoolers

Is your child starting middle school in September? This two-session program can help them get ready.

• What can I expect in middle school?

• Facts vs. myths about middle school

• How will I make new friends?

• Change can be stressful!

• Study and organizational skills (because middle school is different from primary school)

This program is offered three times during the summer: twice in person and once virtually, via Zoom.

In-Person:

July 16 & 17, 2024 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

August 21 & 22, 2024 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Virtual:

July 9 & 10, 2024 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Cost: $50 for the 2-session program

Learn to Handle Big Emotions through Theater Exercises!

(ages 8-12 and 13-16)

Does your ‘tween or teen love drama? Theater exercises are fun and a great way to handle some of those challenging emotions.

Laura Shapella, group leader, is Aldersgate’s Prevention Coordinator and SAP Liaison. She holds a BA in Communication Studies and Theater and an M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology. Her favorite acting roles include Ursula in The Little Mermaid, Lady Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, and Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. Laura has been theater co-director at Indian Crest Middle School since 2022 and has worked behind the scenes as stage manager, producer, costumer, lighting operator, and props master for countless shows.

This 90-minute program is conducted in-person.

For ages 8- 12:

June 26, 2024 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

For ages 13 - 16:

June 27, 2024 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Cost: $30 per session

Fearless Friends

Facing Anxiety with Confidence

(ages 6-8 and 8-10)

Anxiety can be scary! It is especially scary for a child who is just learning how to navigate the world. The good news is that there are many ways to help your anxious child. During this six-session summer group series we will use various activities to help your child learn how to manage fear and anxiety.

Week 1: What is Going On?

6-8 year olds: June 18, 2024 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

8-10 year olds: June 20, 2024 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Understanding what anxiety is and that you are not alone! We will meet each other, learn about anxiety, and start identifying coping skills.

Week 2: Establishing Safety

6-8 year olds: June 25, 2024 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

8-10 year olds: June 27, 2024 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

“I don’t even know where to start!”

This week, we will learn to identify what you are feeling, understand it, and then control it.

Week 3: Catch Your Worries

6-8 year olds: July 9, 2024 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

8-10 year olds: July 11, 2024 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

“I have so many stressors and I don’t know what to do!”

This week we will organize our worries or stressors so that we can deal with them when we are ready.

Week 4: Flipping Our Lids

6-8 year olds: July 16, 2024 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

8-10 year olds: July 18, 2024 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

What’s happening in our brain when we lose control? We will discuss age-appropriate explanations for what happens in our brain and how we can get back to baseline.

Week 5: Helpful or Harmful?

6-8 year olds: July 23, 2024 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

8-10 year olds: July 25, 2024 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Sometimes our automatic thoughts can be harmful. By changing our thoughts, we can change our feelings and behaviors. This week, we will learn how to change our thoughts, feelings, and actions into more helpful ones.

Week 6: Calm Down Box

6-8 year olds: July 30, 2024 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

8-10year olds: August 1, 2024 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

“How will I remember this in the moment?”

This week we will make calm down boxes with reminders, activities and comfort objects.

Cost: $300 for six-part series

Early Bird Special: $250 for six part series if registered by May 15, 2024