Upcoming summer camps at the Upstate School of Etiquette aim at helping children understand the power in social graces, according to Director Ronda Ellison.

Ellison said that she often runs into parents who don't know the full scope of social graces – and what they can do for their children.

“Parents say, 'Yes, I want my children to say thank you and use those magic words,' but it goes so far beyond that,” Ellison said.

The benefits of knowing – and practicing – social graces and etiquette empowers children in a number of ways, she said.

“It builds their self-esteem, helps them establish new friendships, increases social intelligence and introduces them to the idea of civility,” Ellison said.

The etiquette camps are “fun and interactive,” she said.

“We learn in practical ways,” Ellison said. “We role play real life social situations, we discuss them and just interact in learning the skills.

“It's skills like how to make introductions, how to have skillful conversations, like 'How do you carry on a conversation with somebody new when you meet someone?'” Ellison said.

Learning the social graces is so important these days, Ellison said.

“The idea of tact is a skill hard for adults, let alone children, to learn, but it's so needed today, to know how to handle rudeness and use tact,” Ellison said.

Other topics included in the camps include telephone manners and image management.

The camps touch on topics that Ellison covers in her more extensive courses throughout the year.

“There are probably 20 plus topics that we cover,” Ellison said. In
the camps, I briefly discuss 'good-to-know' skills and spend more time on
immediately useful skills."

The value of the summer camps is that participants “get an introduction here to so many of these social graces that they can use immediately,” Ellison said.

The camps are split up into age groups.

The camp for rising third through fifth grade students, male or female, will be held June 18-22.

The summer camp for rising middle school students will be held July 9-13^th.

The camp for rising high school students will be July 23-27.

“Camps are Monday through Friday from 9:30am - 11:45am,” Ellison said.

The camps are $99 each.

“There are multifamily member discounts and 'Bring a Friend' discounts,” Ellison said.

For more information, visit www.upstateschoolofetiquette.com

“That will give them a little more information on the dress code and behavior expectations,” Ellison said.

A $25 deposit is due upon registration. That deposit is taken out of the $99 camp fee, so the balance due would then be $74, Ellison said.

There is only space for 8 students per camp, so sign up quickly.

“They get individual attention that way,” Ellison said of the small camp class sizes. “These spaces get taken quickly.”

To register for the camps, call Ellison at 864-859-6407.