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Our Impact

of parents surveyed would recommend The Isle of Skoo to a friend.

Mentee Testimonials

The fundamental purpose of all the Skoo programs is to teach children the importance of using healthy coping skills to deal with the emotions that come with daily life. Being self-aware and understanding emotion and the appropriate response to changing emotions is what The Isle of Skoo is all about. We stress the significance of feelings and the need to recognize that not everything can be solved but we can all benefit from community and honest, empathetic connection. Children identify and communicate with teaching artists (and with mentors in the Skoo camp) so that children observe and experience the conflicts and issues of the puppet characters in the lessons provided. We give a safe and loving atmosphere for those feelings to be examined and honored. The Isle of Skoo Programs strive to reinforce the value of connection and community.

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Parent

“This program is brilliant and meaningful and makes such a lasting impression on the participants. We're very happy this is offered and thankful to all who make it possible!”

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Parent

“Thank you thank you thank you for this program! My typically shy and somewhat withdrawn son came home each day and told us about the characters and their personalities, feelings, and experiences. This has had such an impact on him! We will be returning to Isle of Skoo camp next year!”

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Parent

“Our child struggles socially, he needs that extra support that a mentor provides. This was his best week ever and you truly impacted him for the best. Thank you for that.”

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Parent

“This camp is the most influential and exciting camp for our daughter. She absolutely loves having a mentor for the week- especially the outgoing and upbeat one she had this year, Sophia! Our daughter came home each day and shared what she did for the day and was beyond excited to go back the next day! The mentorship and life lessons are huge reasons why we love this camp and hope to return next year! Thank you!”

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Parent

“My husband and I were blown away at how great of a program the Isle of Skoo is. We had both of our children enrolled this last week and cannot say enough great things about the program. The award ceremony on the last day and the puppet show was amazing and appreciated!”

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Parent

“We had another great year at Isle of Skoo. The mentor relationship was a huge draw but so was the drama, the art, and the fact that everyone is included. My daughter cannot wait to go back.”

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Parent

“My son loves this program and can’t wait to attend next year. As a parent, I think this is an incredible program and recommend it to everyone I know.”

Mentor Testimonials

The Isle of Skoo creates opportunities for high school-aged and junior high school-aged participants to help younger children in their local community by volunteering as mentors one to one with each mentee, and junior mentors helping with the whole camp, creating and strengthening community ties and thereby empowering the mentors to make a difference.

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Alana BennisonChildren’s Librarian at C.H. Booth Library in Newtown, CT

“Throughout the years, Francine has offered several interactive musical and theatrical programs to children at the library. In my 32 years as a children’s librarian, I have worked with many performers, and I can honestly say that Francine ranks among the very best. She is a talented singer, song-writer and actress but most importantly a gifted teacher. I highly recommend the programs offered by Francine and the staff of Ben’s Lighthouse.”

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Junior Mentor Since 2019

“From being a mentor for The Isle of Skoo, I feel as though it has given me great experience with learning how to work with younger kids. Getting to mentor different kids each session and seeing how each is different and unique in their own ways has been really interesting. I feel more confident around helping/spending time with younger kids as a result of mentoring at The Isle of Skoo.”

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Junior Mentor Since 2019

“Being a mentor gave me a lot more confidence and helped me feel more sure and secure in myself. It also has given me an incredible community that I feel very lucky to be a part of.”

Outreach

View the locations where we have impacted communities across the country with our outreach trips from the past.