Summer@CIP Webinar Q&A

Will the students have their cell phones with them?

Yes, we ask that students bring their cellphones to the program as we want them to have access to their devices when we are out in the community. During the curriculum, we ask for each student to place their phone in a box to prevent the temptation for them to access their device. We also set clear expectations with students at the beginning of the program as to when it is and isn't appropriate to have their cellphones out.

For example, not having it out during recreational activities and meals as we want students to be engaged with each other, not on their devices. Students are able to utilize their cellphones during scheduled downtime in the evening, however, if students are watching a movie or YouTube video on their phone we encourage them to invite others to view with them. If a student resorts to always being on their cellphone during evening downtime we will develop a plan with the student allotting a portion of their downtime (30 minutes) being able to access their cellphone and the remainder of the time to engage in another activity with their peers.

How many students for the Long Beach, CA location?

Each summer program location will accept up to 24 students. Our Berkshire, MA location is the only site that has the capacity to enroll 36 students.

What is the general age range? My son is 18 and a Jr in High School.

The Summer@CIP sessions are geared towards students entering their sophomore year of high school to students graduating high school this spring. Ages range from 15 to 19 years old with the average age being 17 years old.

Will you encourage the students to exchange information; phone number, email, etc? It can be difficult for these students to think of this on their own.

Absolutely! CIP Staff is aware that maintaining connections with peers once they have established a friendship tends to be an area of challenge for our students. The last day of the program we have scheduled a time and list available in each student's binders for them to request contact information from their peers that they formed close bonds with during the program.

During our social relationships curriculum, we cover strategies that students can be aware of to assist them with maintaining connections and friendships with others. During the summer program follow-up with families and students, we ask if students have maintained contact with any of their peers from the program. We typically learn that students have stayed connected via text messaging or formed social media messaging groups.

What is the ratio of girls to boys in Long Beach program?

We currently have 7 females and 13 male participants. We are still accepting applications at this location.

What is the ratio of counselors to students?

Our summer programs are a 1:6 staff to student ratio. During the evenings when students are asleep we will have two staff who will be staying on campus in the dorms with the students. Once wake-ups occur at 7:30 am, the 1:6 staff to student ratio will be set back in place.

Will you model how to make connections, get other student contact information?

Yes, we will model for the students as well as discuss in our curriculum ways to feel comfortable and confident entering different social situations, introducing themselves, reciprocal conversations, not dominating the conversation with your preferred interests, nonverbal communication, and body language, oversharing, and maintaining connections after they have been established.

What about free time after dinner and the use of cell phones- concerned about "hiding" out at night with his cell phone

We encourage students to engage with their peers during downtime in the evening whether this is playing board games, card games, yard games, or utilizing the on-campus facilities. While students are able to utilize their electronic devices during downtime in the evening if it appears that a student is continuously resorting to their room to use their cellphone rather then engage with others we will set up a plan with the student to allow a certain amount of time to be used on electronics and the remainder of the time to be engaged with their peers. We know that students use their electronic devices as a way to decompress at the end of the day but many times also as a way to avoid social situations. We are able to work with them on creating a happy balance!

What is ratio of girls to boys in Berkshire program?

There are currently 9 females and have 21 male participants. We are still accepting applications for this location.

What if my son doesn't show up for activities on time?

Many students attending the summer program struggle with executive functioning and time management skills. We provide a structured scheduled throughout the program to assist students with their time management skills. If a student is struggling to get to the curriculum or recreational activities on time we will work with the student around creating a solution that works for them. For example, setting an alarm on their phone 10 minutes prior to the activity to alert the student that they need to gather their items to leave.

We also have discussions with each of the students around how their time management affects the remainder of the group as we will not start an activity or curriculum until all students are in attendance. Students arriving late then results in the schedule being altered for everyone in the group. Staff reviews with students that if they arrive at a college class or job 10 minutes late they may be told they can’t enter the class or may be written up by their employer as a consequence. We want students to be aware of how their behavior impacts others as well as themselves.