Morning meetings can be a great way to start the day in a summer camp setting for middle school students. Here are some best practices to consider:

• Set a positive tone: Begin the meeting with a warm greeting and encourage students to share positive experiences or things they are looking forward to. This helps create a positive and supportive environment.

• Icebreakers: Include icebreaker activities to help students get to know each other better. These can be fun games or questions that promote interaction and build connections among the group.

• Agenda and goals: Share the daily agenda and goals with the students. This helps set expectations and provides a clear focus for the day. Allow students to contribute their ideas and suggestions for activities they would like to engage in.

• Sharing time: Allocate time for students to share experiences, thoughts, or any challenges they might be facing. Encourage active listening and create a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves.

• Team-building activities: Incorporate team-building activities that foster collaboration, trust, and problem-solving skills. These activities can be short challenges or games that require students to work together towards a common goal.

• Celebrations and achievements: Recognize and celebrate individual and group achievements from the previous day or week. Acknowledge effort, progress, and positive behaviors. This boosts morale and encourages continued participation.

• Daily reflections: Allow time for students to reflect on their experiences and learning. Ask open-ended questions about what they enjoyed, what they found challenging, and what they learned. This promotes critical thinking and self-awareness.

• Announcements: Share important camp-related announcements, such as schedule changes, upcoming events, or reminders. Ensure that students are well-informed and have a clear understanding of what's happening around them.

• Engaging activities: Include interactive activities that stimulate creativity, curiosity, and active participation. These could involve brief discussions, brain teasers, or group problem-solving exercises.

• End on a positive note: Wrap up the meeting with a positive message, encouraging students to have a great day and embrace new opportunities. Remind them of the fun activities and learning experiences that await them.

Remember to be adaptable and flexible in your approach, catering to the specific needs and interests of the middle school students. By implementing these best practices, you can create an engaging and inclusive morn

ing meeting at your summer camp.

Here are some examples of morning meeting activities for middle school students that are highly recommended:

• Two Truths and a Lie: Each student shares three statements about themselves - two true statements and one false statement. The rest of the group tries to guess which statement is the lie, promoting communication and getting to know each other better.

• Question of the Day: Pose a thought-provoking or fun question for students to answer. It could be something like, "If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?" This activity encourages critical thinking and helps students express their opinions.

• Team-building challenges: Engage students in quick team-building challenges, such as building the tallest tower using limited supplies or completing a puzzle together. These activities promote teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Word of the Day: Introduce a new vocabulary word each day and encourage students to use it in a sentence or create a story incorporating the word. This activity helps expand their vocabulary and encourages creative thinking.

• Mindfulness or Breathing Exercises: Start the day with a short mindfulness or breathing exercise to help students relax, focus, and prepare for the day ahead. Guided breathing techniques or brief mindfulness activities can set a calm and positive tone for the morning.

• Morning Journals: Provide students with journals or worksheets to write or draw about their thoughts, feelings, or experiences. This allows them to reflect and express themselves creatively. You can also provide prompts or specific topics to guide their writing.

• Brain Teasers or Riddles: Present a brain teaser or riddle for students to solve. This activity encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration as students work together to find the answer.

• Share a Good News Story: Invite students to share a positive news story they've come across recently. This promotes awareness of current events and highlights positive aspects of the world around them.

• Gratitude Circle: Encourage students to share something they are grateful for each morning. This activity fosters a positive mindset and helps students appreciate the good things in their lives.

• Energizers: Incorporate energizing activities like quick physical exercises, dance breaks, or stretching routines to get students moving and energized for the day. This can help improve focus and engagement.

Remember to vary the activities to keep the morning meetings engaging and interesting. Adapt the activities to suit the specific interests and needs of your middle school students.