The fun of giving prizes

I volunteer at Camp Med, a licensed daycare program sponsored by the City of South Pasadena, facilitating their sports hour. During the summer about eighty children from 5 to 11 years old participate.

In terms of my experience, I have had the privilege of working on the Olympic Games every two years and other sporting events and have received sponsorship souvenirs and souvenirs.

Two years ago, at the end of summer camp, I felt compelled to give out an award. In front of the other campers, I read a speech and gave an Athens Olympics watch to our:

honor camper

Your consideration and care are greatly appreciated. the kind words you have

spoken with your campmates and with the monitors have not gone unnoticed. Your effort and good sportsmanship have been Olympic. To honor him, Camp Med would like to give him a special watch celebrating the Olympic Games and name him our Honor.

To camp.

This created a lot of excitement among the children, so much so that the following summer they asked me if I was going to give away another watch. I did, as well as eight other awards. I also handed out prizes at random times throughout the summer. This is what I learned during the process.

MAKE IT PERSONAL

When I was a kid, half the awards I received were generic in nature. These prizes meant little to me, although some of them were large marble trophies. The most exciting award I received was a little blue ribbon in second grade that said “Most Improved.” I liked the award because it was authentic and true.

One of the more personal awards of the summer went to a kid whose math team won the regional, then state, then western, then national competition and has a wonderfully neutral personality like Mr. Spock:

The Pythagoras Prize

Pythagoras was a great mathematical genius from ancient Greece. He believed that numbers were the ultimate reality. Pythagoras was also known to be a keen observer, a good friend to many, and very wise.

To camp Medical You have had the great fortune to have a Pythagorean among us and now we honor you.

He received a bust of Pythagoras.

SPEECHES

I always give the child a copy of the speech as a reminder of what was said and as something they can show their parents. The speeches are usually short, the children are eager to see what the prize is (the prize is always wrapped or covered) and to know who gets it. So, in a nutshell, strive to communicate an essence:

kindness award

I recognized your goodness from day one. It is always a pleasure to have you here with us at Camp Med.

Children also like prizes that sound good. This one caught their attention:

ninja soccer girl

You are like a ninja in the field, calm, elegant, very efficient and determined. It’s a joy to see you on the field with a soccer ball.

I wanted to suggest to this modest boy that he is NOW fully capable of doing special things on the soccer field:

King of Football

You have steadily improved throughout the summer, but what has really impressed me is your heart. You are willing to play in much smaller teams against an army of kids.

There is an element of poetry in your game. You know when to pass, where to position yourself, when to speed up, how to curve the ball and how to lead down the field.

PLENTY OF RECYCLING

During the summer, my wife and I clean out our garage. She discovered a pretty brooch with small jewels. She didn’t want it anymore, but I saw an opportunity, one of our best soccer players in camp also dressed very stylish.

Camp Med Soccer Girl

There was a day in the middle of summer where you had a near perfect game. You were in a zone. Defensively, you would take the ball away from everyone who got in your way and then kick the ball upfield or make a terrific pass. You did this for 45 straight minutes. It was so exciting to watch.

He had worked on the 1994 World Cup and had received a limited edition silk scarf to celebrate the event. Where does one find a happy home for such an item?

Most Improved Girl Award

This summer, you didn’t just start shooting on goal, you started scoring goals.

It has been a pleasure getting to know you better. You bring a radiant and graceful presence to Camp Med.

I remember this young woman gracefully taking the large scarf out of its box and then calmly and meticulously folding it back up. From the loving way she handled the scarf, I could tell that she appreciated it.

When I set my mind that summer on giving out awards, I found there was an interesting dynamic at work. In the case of the soccer girl, she knew she wanted to give her an award, and then the award showed up. In the case of the scarf, the prize appeared, and then the perfect recipient was revealed. This intuitive process continued throughout the summer. As each new revelation came along, it felt like I was cracking a code. I never thought there would be nine prizes, maybe three maximum. Strangely, it seemed like I wasn’t in charge, just listened, cooperated, and went with the flow.

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE

During a game, the rubber tip of a plastic hockey stick broke. At the end of the game, I announced that the MVP of the game would receive the rubber tip. This made the children laugh and they all wanted to receive it. There was a buzz of excitement in the air. The kids taught me that prizes can be silly too.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Meanwhile at home, we were also going through our Christmas decorations that filled our garage. I thought, well, if the kids wanted the rubber tip of a hockey stick, they’d probably like some Christmas items and announced that for a week (while it was over 90 degrees in Southern California) it would be Christmas in July and I’d be handing out Christmas items throughout the week. Every day, he brought a brown bag with a Christmas item inside, and the children couldn’t wait for the award ceremony to see what was inside.

During the week, a boy came up to me and said he wanted a prize. I asked him what he wanted and he said without hesitation, “I want a Santa Claus.” All the children wanted a prize, but with this child, there was an additional need for recognition.

The next day, I came with my brown bag. She quickly came up to me and asked if that was her Santa, he was so anxious and excited. At the end of sports hour, I gave her the brown bag and told her that she would get this award for being so sweet on the inside. She opened it and took out the Santa Claus. The children cheered and clapped for him. He just stood there in awe with the Santa Claus of him, vulnerable, wide-eyed, getting all the support. He later told me affectionately that he felt “a little embarrassed.” It was one of the most beautiful moments of the summer.

It’s an example of how when taking a positive action step (giving a Christmas toast in July), sometimes an opening magically occurs for something even greater to emerge.

FREECYCLE.ORG

Not everyone has an overflow garage. There is a wonderful free organization called freecycle that is dedicated to reducing landfill waste. Members essentially play give and take, asking for what they want and posting what they have to give away. You can send an e-mail to the group asking for whatever you want, for example: old trophies and jewelry, children’s toys in good condition, etc. You will probably receive some very interesting articles, all at no cost.

GIVING A WATCH

A watch turns out to be a perfect prize. They can be modern, colorful and fun. It is practical. You can take it to school. It’s with you all day. It feels special. Kids love them. This was the speech of the winner of this year’s watch:

MVS Award for Most Valuable Support

After just a few days of summer camp, I knew from his supportive actions that he was destined for an award. It turned out that what I found for you, however, was completely sold out in Southern California, Oregon, and Minnesota. I finally found a store in Chicago, Illinois that had one last.

You have helped me so, so much. I appreciate you so much, words cannot even say.

This award goes to who has been my right hand and has been wonderful and supportive throughout the summer camp.

this november, Sixty minutes did a piece on millennial children whose childhoods they said are “full of trophies and adulation.” The paradigm represented here is the opposite: a heartfelt recognition and gratitude to children who, with their mere presence, give much more than they receive.

CONCLUSION

As a child, I used to ask myself, “Am I valuable?” “Who I am?” “What am I good at?” Powerfully, certain awards gave me some answers. The answers were very clear (I’m good at swimming, for example), but on a deeper level, the items were constant reminders that I was good. An award can go a long way in supporting a child’s self-esteem.

As an adult, I have found the award-giving process to be a powerful and multidimensional way to connect with a young person. It can be done through humor, drama, or warmth. It’s a very true and direct way of saying, “I value you.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top