News and Updates

Stephen’s new feature article for the January/February 2023 edition of Camping Magazine, “How to Run a Teen Program at a Summer Camp Wary of Teenagers,” discusses the value-added of experiential learning for adolescents and points to reasons why camps should embrace this particular cohort. This topic will be the basis of his presentation at the

Stephen’s new feature article in the November/December issue of Camping Magazine, “Lost Boys: Finding Their Way at Summer Camp,” explores the circuitous path of optimal youth development for boys and how, ultimately, many find their way at summer camp. It includes a deep dive on identity formation in adolescence, new learnings about youth mental health,

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. In his new Psychology Today article, “Why Kids are Anxious, Lonely, and Depressed,” Stephen takes a deep dive into the precedents for mental illness and addresses what we can do to help our kids.

Stephen’s new column on Linkedin, “August and Everything After,” discusses young people’s transition from high school to college and includes tips on what parents of college-bound teens may want to talk about prior to their departure, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness. and relationship management. It also covers subjects such as substance use, peer pressure, sexual behavior,

Stephen’s new feature article in Camping Magazine, “How to Make the World a Better Place,” focuses on the role that summer camps play in extending favorable youth development. It includes original research from the American Camp Association and includes the voices of eight young people who attended camp.

Stephen’s new essay on Linkedin, “Scars, too.” reveals the construct of cumulative grief, in his case caused by the deaths of young people with whom he worked in his role as a camp director.

Stephen’s new article for Psychology Today, “The Ongoing Epidemic of Youth Suicide in America – Answering the Why? Question,” cites the rapid rise in youth mental illness and suicide. It references Josie Jacob’s book, “Why Did You Choose to Die?“, suicide prevention pioneer Dr. Scott Poland‘s innovative S.T.E.P.S. school-based prevention, intervention, and postvention initiative, Bob

Stephen’s new feature article for Camping Magazine, “Lean In – A User’s Guide to Relational Camping,” speaks to the value of camp counselors (and directors) who choose a relation-based approach to their work as opposed to a transactional approach, which values logistics over meaningful connections. May/June is the staff training edition of the magazine.

Stephen’s new Psychology Today article, “Post Pandemic: Why the Kids May Not be OK,” looks at the current mental health crisis in America and looks ahead to a post-pandemic world in which youth are likely to still be suffering.