Our culture in undergoing an interesting transformation. It seems as though everywhere we turn, we're asking kids to grow up faster, get a jump start, try to be ahead of the class before their peers get there. They have to win. They have to get good grades. They have to perform in Athletics. There's an overwhelming amount of pressure on today's kids, so much so; they've lost the ability to just grow up and be kids.
I was talking with a friend yesterday and he told me the story of his own teens. "My middle son was a pretty good football player, so the last three years of high school all he did was play football, condition, and lift weights. He was consumed.
My daughter was a better swimmer, but she was getting tired of swimming when she entered her Junior year. I told her, 'Do what you want. Live your life. Take a break.' And as I watched her develop she was happier than my son.
It was almost like the thing my son wanted the most was draining the life out of him. But when I gave my daughter the freedom to explore who SHE wanted to be; it was naturally refreshing."
It's happening all over our country. Kids are being pressured more and more into stressful lifestyles, and they're missing out on developing their own gifts and talents. The result is frustration, depression, and lack of direction.
Fun is ok!
Remember going in the back yard and make believing you lived in a different world?
Remember writing stories in class and you let your imagination flow?
What happened to the days when we could walk down the street free from fear and ingrained in every child was the ability to create their own story?
For 15 years I've been involved with teenager, parents, and the family relationships going on around the country. I'm convinced more than ever, to create a personal story we've got to usher up opportunities for our kids to make sure they know how.
They need to know how to go outside and be creative.
They need to know what it means to get into relationships, outside of social media.
They need to experience success of overcoming something hard, and the laughter of being in the middle of something fun.
Creating a story has to be learned through experience, not through just busy-ness.
We've created a place in Colorado where teenagers can be teenagers. At KIVU we help kids explore personal relationships, mountain top adventures, and we invite them to a faith experience unlike any I've seen. (and I've traveled around the world quite a bit.)
I'd would like to invite you, over 75K Journey readers, to consider spreading the word about a little slice of heaven outside Durango Colorado, where we're trying to help encourage Teenage Stories.
Check this out.
If you have friends or family interested in helping teenagers create their own story, feel free to visit us at www.campkivu.com. Hit the Camp Dates button, and you'll be well on your way to exploring a Unique Colorado Adventure this summer.
We can't wait to see you!!
