Middle Adolescence — Age 14 to 16
Developmental Milestones
Increase their hypothetical reasoning abilities
Conduct increasing future planning
Experience further sexual maturation and explore issues of sexual identity
Exhibit greater complexity of moral reasoning, including abstract principles such as unselfishness and altruism
Tend to rely increasingly on similarity of values and shared interests to form friendships
Spend majority of time with friends, less time with parents
Refine interests and aptitudes, gain proficiency in one or more activities
What's on Their Minds
Describe themselves in more varied ways and struggle with the concept of a "real self"
Express concern about identity—who they are and will become
Develop feelings of sexual attraction and think about an appropriate person to love
Rely on friendships and peers to affirm "who they are"
Feel pressure to answer questions about their future
Building Parent-Child Relationships
Express faith in young person's abilities
Listen and try to understand
Be a positive role model
Respect their opinions
Guide adolescents by openly discussing choices and consequences
Spend pleasurable time together
Respect their increasing need for privacy
Maximize the Camp Experience
Select camp together by discussing important aspects to each of you
Differentiate camp from school
Look for camps that enhance self-esteem by providing opportunities for success in one or more activities that are important to your child
Allow child to assume responsibility for camp preparation (e.g., help to shop for necessities, help to pack, help to complete registration forms)
Consider longer camp stays as appropriate at this age
Consider junior counselor or leadership training options for some camps/campers
Read More
Teens at Camp, Camp and Teens
I Believe in Camp
Healthy Kids
Research Matters
Child/Adolescent Development
Parent — Child Relationships
Camp Benefits
Special Needs
Links
Find a Camp
- See more at: http://www.campparents.org/14-16#sthash.tDYL8zfD.dpuf