MODULE 3
Our Why – The Change We Want to See
⏱ 15 min
MODULE THREE · OUR WHY
The Change We Want to See — and Be
Understanding why Perfectly Me exists — and why it works — gives everything you do this summer deeper meaning and greater power.
"We believe every kid has the capacity to be a superhero — strong, smart, kind, compassionate, courageous, fearless, and awesome. We want kids to show up differently in the world because they came to our camps."
— Raquel Whiting Gilmer, Founder & CEO, Perfectly Me Living LLC
Our Approach: How We Make the Change Real
1
Community Building First
Every day starts by building community through Morning Meeting. Connection before content — always.
2
Intentionally Curated Activities
Every activity is designed to build a specific HeroValue. Nothing is filler. Everything has purpose.
3
Careful Grounding in HeroValues
Before each activity, counselors explicitly name which HeroValue campers are practicing and why it matters.
4
Reinforcement with Power Bands
When a camper masters a HeroValue, they earn a Power Band. This is a critical part of the program — recognition makes values visible and celebrated.
5
Living Out the HeroValues
We can't teach kindness while modeling unkindness. We can't teach honesty while being dishonest. Every counselor is a walking, talking HeroValues demonstration.
6
Everyone Belongs
Inclusion isn't optional. We create an environment where every camper belongs — not just fits in. There's an important difference.
7
Accountability Without Shame
When we redirect behavior, we do it in a way that creates growth, not bad feelings. The goal is always restoration, never humiliation.
RESEARCH: WHY NAMING VALUES MATTERS
"When students understand why they are learning something — not just what they are learning — intrinsic motivation increases significantly."
— Self-Determination Theory, Deci & Ryan (2000)
Self-Determination Theory research shows that when young people understand the purpose behind an activity (autonomy and meaning), they are far more likely to internalize the lesson. Step 3 of the Perfectly Me approach — explicitly naming the HeroValue before each activity — is directly supported by decades of motivation research. "We're doing this because we're building resilience" is not just an announcement. It's a motivational tool.
Our Impact Data
88%
families reported campers more likely to reflect SuperValues after camp (2022)
+13pts
average rating increase from pre to post survey on prosocial behaviors (2023)
Top behavior gains in 2023: treating others the way they want to be treated · patience and impulse control · helping out at home unprompted.