T.I.G.E.R. and "Pay it Forward"

Meadowbrook's unique T.I.G.E.R. program helps us build a strong community at Camp and teaches our Campers what we believe are 5 important, life-long values that are crucial for success.


We positively re-enforce demonstrating these values at Camp in a variety of ways:  T.I.G.E.R. stickers; T.I.G.E.R. "Warm & Fuzzies"; T.I.G.E.R. Camper of the Day in each Group; Weekly T.I.G.E.R. Camper in each Division; and the T.I.G.E.R. Cup which is awarded to the Divisions that does the best job demonstrating T.I.G.E.R. qualities each week.

While we are strong believers in positive reinforcement of good behavior throughout Camp, the ultimate success is when those in our Meadowbrook Community (Campers, Parents, Staff) practice T.I.G.E.R. qualities even when they think no-one is watching.  Our goal is for everyone to get to the point where you don't do it for the positive reinforcement...you do it because it is the right thing to do!  Some refer to this as "Pay it Forward."  I often speak with member of our Meadowbrook Community about this topic, both in terms of re-enforcing positive behavior and discouraging negative behavior   I remind them "you never know who is watching, so with everything that you do, assume that someone is watching you do it, even if you don't think anyone is...."

Check out this nice "Pay it Forward" video: "If you give a little love you can get a little love of your own"...

Pay It Forward Video

A Camper's Perspective

As we move into high gear getting ready for another great Summer at Meadowbrook, we would like to share a moment at Camp from a Camper's perspective.  This is an essay from a writing contest entered by one of our Meadowbrook Campers (we did change his name in the essay).  It very nicely captures the Meadowbrook Experience!

As I climbed the pole of the zip line my feet trembled.  I was at Meadowbrook Day Camp, my division head Steven who led the juniors division cheered me on. “You can do it Joe”, he shouted enthusiastically.  I knew I must keep going. The height of the pole made the climbing part tough. When I got to the top I didn’t know what to do. From way up there everything seemed small. Steven yelled “Doing well so far!” The rock wall which usually seems bigger appeared smaller in the distance. I was so high I could almost touch the tops of the trees.

I started to go, then didn’t.  I sat down on the ledge but didn’t go off.  I felt scared to slide off the ledge.  I started to sweat and my heart was beating as fast as the speed of light. Finally I said “It is very high up here”. Steven reassured me that if I wanted to come down, I could be lowered. So I started going down.

When I got to the bottom, Steven suggested I go on the mini zip line to get the feeling of what it would feel like. Even though I was nervous, I agreed to try that. So when Group 37 was at fishing, I went to the mini zip line with Steven. I got a harness on and I went up the stairs to get to the platform of the mini zip line. I was connected to a long rope that a person who works at the bottom of the small zip line would hold and guide me like a dog on a leash. The miniature zip line was close to the ground so I wasn’t nervous. The feeling was a little weird but it was also nice at the same time. The next thing I knew, I said I wanted to go faster then I said, “faster again!”  Finally, I decided to go on my own without the rope.  I made a deal with Steven, if I went on the main zip line alone so would he.  He agreed to my deal.

It was the day I was to go on the main zip line all by myself. When it was time, I slowly put my left hand and right foot on the ladder and then I moved my opposite foot and hand on. When I got to the top I almost regretted this but I knew I had to have courage. I wanted to succeed and I did not want my fear to overtake me.  I wanted all my work to pay off. When I got in position, I waited a few minutes and kept thinking “you can do it”.  The owner of the camp, Jed, who I didn’t see come by said “Go Joe!” My commitment and determination to doing this allowed me to finally jump off and I zipped. By having courage and determination I learned that I really enjoyed it!!

I decided it was a fun thing to do. I could feel the wind in my face as I flew through the air.  Not only did I overcome my fear but also learned I can do anything I put my mind to.  In order to achieve my goal of doing the zip line, I had to demonstrate several of Jackie Robinson’s Nine Values.  I had to have courage to face my fear of the height and speed of the zip line. I also had to have determination to keep trying and not give up on my goal of doing it. Lastly, I had to have a commitment to success.