Gentlemen’s Corner w/ Colin Furcht – The Gentlemen’s Guide to helping your kids find their ‘next cool thing’
Colin Furcht
When I was growing up, my parents did everything in their power to keep me out of the house, except for homework, meals, chores and sleeping. Today with the challenges of a two-income household, sometime kids don’t have as many opportunities to find their niche. Video games, cell phones and the Internet have been, quite discouragingly, the nanny. I believe this not to be controversial but to offer some suggestions on easy, low-cost activities that even many local towns offer. Giving your kids something fun to do that is theirs will not only build their confidence but potentially get them more friends and even some physical activity!
How do we help them choose?
As important as it is for you to help guide your kids, it is equally, if not more, important to let them choose. If it’s their idea, we know they will be more focused and driven to engage more. If it’s treated like a chore or homework, it will be very short lived.
What kind of time will this require? Time is the one thing we can never have enough of any always wished we had more of. Will this new endeavor be after school? Nights and weekends? Do we need to be there for these events or is it more of a drop-off activity? Working with your spouse to manage the calendar to be there for your kids is going to be a challenge at first but every problem has a solution. Maybe reach out to other parents that have kids in that activity and possibly split the driving? Dividing up the team can only help.
What programs does my Town offer? Most Town’s here at the Lake have programs and activities that each Town sponsors and manages. Checkout the Parks and Rec websites for your Town and see what great programs they offer. Here are a few links to those websites:
Not only are there summer programs in many of these cities, but some also have on-going programs throughout the year.
Is it a sport or something more cerebral? The easy answer is always a sport. As a kid who played something every season, there was always practice or games several nights a week. But in today’s world, the activity doesn’t have to be physical. There are so many clubs, organizations or programs that aren’t necessarily focused on sports. I’ve put together a short list of fun and valuable things kids can do that possibly even gives them a career idea:
Performing Arts (Acting, Music, Dance): Children can join drama clubs, take music lessons (instrument or voice), or explore dance styles like ballet, tap, or hip-hop. Acting Out Studio Cornelius and LKN Perform Dance, Music & Acting Studio offer these types of classes in Cornelius, NC.
STEM Clubs (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math): Robotics clubs, coding workshops, and science-focused after-school programs foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a love for scientific exploration. Examples include programs using VEX Robotics or Scratch coding.
Community Service & Volunteering: Kids can contribute to their community by volunteering at local animal shelters, assisting with food drives, or participating in environmental clean-up initiatives.
Board Game & Chess Clubs: These clubs improve strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and social interaction skills. Many local libraries or community centers may host these activities.
Creative Writing & Storytelling: Encouraging kids to write stories, poems, or even scripts can improve writing skills, boost creativity, and enhance self-expression. A Creative Writing & Storytelling Club offers a supportive environment to practice these skills.
Cooking & Culinary Activities: Learning basic cooking skills and healthy eating habits can be a fun and rewarding experience for kids, teaching them independence and creativity.
Special Interest Clubs: Children can explore unique interests in clubs like Model UN, foreign language clubs, or filmmaking clubs. The key is to find activities that genuinely spark their interest and provide opportunities for growth and enjoyment.
Father with son warm near campfire, drink tea and have conversation
Where does the Brotherhood fit in with all of this?
You know it couldn’t be a Gentlemen’s Corner story without the Brotherhood. If you are fortunate enough to have brothers with sons, do things with them as a group. Camping, fishing, trail riding, on and on the list goes. Get a few activities on the calendar with your boys and make it great learning and bonding experience. Trust me, your sons will never forget those times. Now, if you are lucky enough to have a daughter, there is no reason you can’t do the same or any other activities with them. Not to say the Mom’s can’t do these things as well, but as a Dad, Uncle or Grandfather, we want to influence our young women to show them what a good man is. Spending those valuable times with them is equally as important. At the end of the day, being there for your kids, showing them what friendships are all about and building them up, especially in today’s world, will pay it back 100 times over.
Take care of yourselves and your brotherhood!
Colin Furcht
Colin Furcht- Candidate for Cornelius Town Commissioner – BRO Beard Products CEO
Colin has been a long time Lake Norman resident and has been very active in the community. From Commissioner to founding the Lake Norman Lighted Christmas Boat Parade to a featured Author and small business owner! His desire is to bring men together and encourage them to reach out. He has always said, ‘look out for yourselves and each other.’ All men need a Brotherhood.
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