120: META-Fitness

Our programs for the youngest children are conducted by mentors with parenting and teaching experience, and bring to the table professional training in the following techniques:

• Child development: Constructive and proactive Adlerian and logotherapy approaches, emphasizing self-esteem building, holistic individual behavior analysis, identity and social context, and community entrepreneurship. The works of Alfred Adler, Deborah Tannen, Rudolph Dreikurs, and Susan Tordella are central to the conceptual approach.
• Team-building: Application of team-building exercises modified for education, integrating goal-oriented teamwork and practice skills from team and individual coaching methods (soccer, basketball, tennis, yearbook planning, etc.). Such thinkers as Peter Senge and methods of experts such as Cornerstone Team-building are integrated into Coflict^TM sessions.
• Root-cause analysis: Using System Dynamics as a methodology for modeling the domain allows a uniquely practical approach for determining where to best allocate time, energy and materials to set the stage for future intellectual and emotional growth of young children. The tool used, Stella, is widely applied in advanced school systems for hard science experiments, but rarely if ever for modeling social behavior and “soft variables”, as it is in Coflict^TM. 
• Heuristics: All aspects of the program are designed to be self-teaching and “exportable”, such that the youngest may take the practices and apply them in daily life outside the workshop environment and build confidence and skills. We stress basic critical thinking skills and the nature of good sourcing. Theories promoted by thinkers such as Susan Blackmore and Douglas Hofstadter are central to this process.

Each activity is specifically tailored to this age group, and has been tested on multiple continents over many years. These activities are engaging and fun for the children, who often do not even realize they are learning fundamental life skills. Unlike many similar programs and children's camps, these are designed to give the optimal results in the shortest amount of time.

• Our programs build a child’s mental skills, physical fitness, and emotional strength
• We use system dynamics to explore root behaviors and boost creativity & self-esteem
• Children from any background or temperament will feel safe, have fun, & find new talents
• Our programs are practical, yet based on proven science such as game theory, etc.
• No private information is ever given or shared
• We complement the work of families, schools, religious institutions, and social workers
• We blend traditional and modern values into a balanced ethical framework

We combine advanced interactive learning games and activities with mediation methods from Yale and Quinnipiac University programs in a unique fun learning experience

• Critical thinking + physical fitness
• Empathy, creativity, self-confidence
• Enhanced skill-sets for girls and boys
• Emotional channeling into teamwork
• … while ensuring kids have fun

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Coflict core fitness refers to a person or group’s ability to have the confidence and skills to overcome challenges, resolve conflicts and achieve objectives, whether these conflicts and challenges arise internally or from interactions with other individuals or groups. Coflict is based on dynamical systems principles, emphasizing the power of reinforcing and counteracting feedback loops in personal growth or deterioration

Each of the exercises in a counseling session emphasizes the importance of creating reinforcing feedback loops in the mental, physical, and spiritual growth of the individual or group. Growth is defined as measured progress toward defined objectives, with the counselor guiding the individual (“acter”) or group (i.e. “group acter” or “cohort”) in delineating a balance between long and short-term objectives. Reinforcing feedback loops are the essence of cascading improvements, or multiplicative power, as contrasted to linear degenerative activity.

The four “T”s refer to the four layers of Coflict personal and group training – Trust, Time, Trial, and Touch. Each of these works in tandem to grow an aspect of an acter’s internal power and to remediate internal conflict that presents barriers to personal growth and achieving objectives. These principles and techniques can be equally applied to group dynamics.