Summer camp with etiquette/social skills instructor Patricia London: Welcome, new WSB sponsor

Here’s a new way for your kid(s) to spend part of the rest of their summer: Learning “life skills” with Patricia London. We’re welcoming her as a new WSB sponsor, and here’s what she would like you to know about what she is teaching:

Patricia London is the Executive Director of LiNKS Independent Living Services and a certified Etiquette Factory instructor. Patricia has been employed in the Social Services field for over 10 years and Educational Training Field for 6 years. Additionally, she worked in varied settings as an Independent Living Services Director, Supported Living Director, Activity Director in a Rehab setting, and as a special-education teacher. She brings a broad base of experience and enthusiasm for children of all ages with varying learning abilities.

As a a Certified Etiquette Instructor and ILS and Social Skills Professional, she will help children learn manners, communication skills, social and life skills, with a strong focus on respect and value for others, integrity, and putting people at ease. The goals of what she offers include:

– To provide children with organized and structured recreations activities which contribute to intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth.

– To provide a variety of activities, which educate, empower, entertain, and motivate children.

– Promote each child’s appreciation of fair play, advocacy and consideration of others.

– Provide experience, which will allow each child to increase one’s self-esteem and self-confidence.

More than 50 different Life Skills will be covered, using games, role playing, props and kind discussion.

Exclusive Program:

Introductions
Kindness
Personal Space
Proper Hygiene
Self-Advocacy
Dealing with “Bullies”
Empathy
And Much, Much More

To register for upcoming sessions and/or find out more, call 206-551-4436 and/or e-mail linksilssummercamp@gmail.com.

We thank etiquette/social-skills instructor Patricia London for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

Taj August 4, 2015 (7:51 pm)

This is amazing. I think it is very important for kids to learn these great skills. Unfortunately, many people think kids will learn these through osmosis. In a supportive learning environment why not.

XXX August 4, 2015 (9:03 pm)

Its a sad commentary that children need to be carted off to a class to learn what should be taught at home.

WSB August 4, 2015 (9:25 pm)

Hi, XXX! Actually, it’s mostly the modern version of what they called “charm school” when I was a kid, very very very long ago. Probably minus walking with book balanced on head. – Tracy

XXX August 4, 2015 (10:03 pm)

Hi WSB! Not sure that “kindness” and “empathy” are on the same level as learning which utensils to use when at a dinner table, or how to do a waltz. Fair play and proper hygiene and the aforementioned strike me as something a little more along the lines of basic human decency. But thanks for the reply!

Salt Spray August 4, 2015 (11:24 pm)

I come out somewhere between XXX and Tracy. The bottom line is for kids to have the opportunity to learn social skills that will take them [good] places in their lives. It’s a bit sad that it might take going to camp instead of learning at home, but if we stay focused on the objective of kids learning, it’s great!

XXX August 5, 2015 (12:39 am)

@Salt > this is true… Main thing is we get kids to learn proper social skills… All for it

sam-c August 5, 2015 (12:11 pm)

Thanks Salt Spray for the non-troll version of disappointment that this type of thing would need a class. I have been teaching my child many of these things. Thankfully he is empathetic. I’ve tried to teach him some of these other things.. personal space, social skills (looking people in the eye when talking to them, etc).. and we are still working, progressing. Maybe some tips from someone else would help.

HOWEVER, I don’t know how to teach him about dealing with bullies, another interesting topic offered above. My son was upset after a week in soccer camp; at least 3 of those days, some kids in his camp threw parts of his lunch at him. (was happy to find out those were food stains on his shirt and not blood, natch) I didn’t know what to tell him about the bullies except to ask them to stop. (that didn’t work obviously) maybe some of those kids could go learn kindness and empathy and my kid could learn how to deal with your bullies.

nomorevu August 10, 2015 (2:25 pm)

We are a family that participated in the social skills group conducted by Ms. Patricia and have to say that it was a breath of fresh air. Sadly, these social skills are not a universal practice. I grew up in a culture where it was universal to reprimand neighborhood children without the possibility of getting a law suit slapped on you for “offending” the child. And yes, I have witnessed it happen in a friend’s family, in West Seattle. Yes, we do actively practice these skills regularly (even prior to the class), however, cultivating a whole community where it is safe and supported to look out for one another can only help our kids support living in an inclusive environment. I highly recommend this class!

Stephanie Poole August 13, 2015 (5:08 pm)

My daughter participated in Ms. London’s class and she had a remarkable time! We teach these skills at home, but it was exciting to see my daughter enjoy implementing the skills of managing her own time, getting her own breakfast ready, being helpful to her younger siblings and many more critical skills. Ms. London is kind, compassionate and has a lot of fun with the kids. I would highly recommend this camp.

LiNKS ILS August 19, 2015 (1:15 pm)

Good Afternoon West Seattle,

I would like to thank you for your comments. My camp teaches LIFE SKILLS for Elementary through High School. Etiquette is part of life skills but I teach children skills in positive communication, decision-making, standing up to bullying, problem-solving, self advocacy, organizational skills and many more..It would be my pleasure to have your child/children participate and I welcome any questions or feedback you have but please contact me via website or email.

I appreciate your time

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