Brainworks® - From New Mexico to Brainworks' Summer Camps
Success Stories
From New Mexico to Brainworks' Summer Camps
As a mother of a daughter who has attended Brainworks for two years of summer camps, I cannot recommend the center highly enough. I am so sold on this exceptional program that I try to bring my daughter, Natalie, from New Mexico to Texas for two weeks every summer.
The first sign I had that the center was unique was in 2004. My daughter was chronically ill from a reaction to a vaccine. At the time, she was on oxygen 24/7 and was highly allergic to almost everything! She had little strength and was suffering from brain inflammation as a result of the vaccine. Her medical condition handicapped her ability to think and remember what she was being taught during home schooling. As her teacher, I could see such a discrepancy in her learning. Reading was her gift, yet her brain would go into a "brain fog" during math lessons. Not being an educator, I needed someone to explain what was happening and how she needed to be taught to master the math skills she would need.
Fortunately, one of her doctors in Dallas recommended that she be tested by Brainworks. Carla Crutsinger, the founder, did an evaluation. Carla totally understood what was happening. Natalie's brain was in overload. Her brain and body were sick. Any task that was easy for her did not drain the brain and body of energy. However, if it was difficult, the brain shut down; it went into a fog.
Carla laid out a plan in which her strengths would be enriched and her weaknesses would be corrected. She needed to be taught with math manipulatives when a new concept was introduced, so she could demonstrate and explain what she was learning in her own words. If she could use this strategy, she would not have to do as many practice problems to master a concept. (Handwriting quickly would drain her body of energy.)
Not only was the Brainworks staff interested in her academic skills, but they were concerned about her social and emotional needs. Because of health issues and being an only child schooled at home, Natalie had little contact with children her age. Therefore, she was deficient in social interaction skills. Brainworks' unique program uses high school and college students to implement the lessons prepared by the licensed teachers. This one-on-one aspect of their program sold Natalie on the camp. She changed instructors every 30 minutes and went to lunch with them. They made learning so much fun that she looked forward to each new day. These young role models taught her how to engage in a conversation with a peer, to listen to a variety of opinions, and how to give feedback. Her self-esteem seemed to blossom each summer. These teens, both boys and girls, really cared about her and inspired her.
I particularly like their summer camp program because the progress happens so quickly. It is hard to believe it will hold, but I can vouch that her skills did not slip. We made sure to implement their suggestions for the school year. I do think the staff's enthusiastic approach gave her the confidence to continue the work during the fall and spring. Recently, she has begun the transition into private school and is excelling in her classes.
I am willing to travel from New Mexico to Texas for this one-of-a-kind program because it simply is not available anywhere else. I am aware of packaged tutoring centers, but they cannot do what Brainworks does. The cost for this one-on-one service has been worth every penny. I consider the money an investment in my daughter's future. Their personal touch has helped Natalie have the emotional and intellectual support so necessary for our young people.
Kathleen Prlich