KIDS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

What It Is

Kids in the Spotlight (KITS) is an evidence-based 5-day performing arts retreat experience that facilitates phenomenal breakthroughs for children, youth, and their families. Founded by Denise Goldbeck using a secret recipe of developmental psychology, Satir approaches, and the performing arts KITS catalyzes awe-inspiring growth for children helping to transform the whole family.

Over the course of five unforgettable days, children and youth of all ages create and perform in a musical production. Along the way, they learn to collaborate, communicate, express themselves confidently, overcome challenges, respect themselves and others, and heal from difficult experiences. Over the course of the program, Denise leads the parents and caregivers in informative sessions where the material in the program is explained so that parents can take learning home. By the end, each child has taken a fun, inspiring and transformative journey while they parents are equipped to maintain the benefits at home.

UPCOMING KITS DATES 2024 SPRING & SUMMER

The Haven on Gabriola Island, BC

SPRING BREAK – Mar 17-22

SUMMER –

LAUNCH June 30 – July 5

KITS 1 July 7-12

KITS 2 July 14-19

KITS 3 July 21-26

KITS 4 July 28-Aug 2

KITS 5 Aug 4-9

KITS 6 Aug 11-16

NEW VENUE: Prince George, BC

March 25-30

Testimonials

“My two children have been going KITS every summer for 9 years and have been provided with opportunities to learn communication skills, to learn to take risks and to learn to engage in a meaningful and collaborative process with children and youth… This program offers such a rich experience for young participants, all the way to youth leaders, and it is unparalleled in our community.”

Hazel Choy

“Maddy was 8 years old when we started attending KITS. They say it “takes a village to raise a child” and KITS was part of our village. Maddy felt fully accepted for who she was and that is not always the norm in society. Her Dad and I are so grateful that she has had this safe place to learn and grow and now give back! KITS helped me to be a better parent… knowing when to hold on and when to let go and to let go gracefully as she grew up. I met parents who shared the same feelings and thoughts and sharing these made the journey more special and not as scary or alone! The week at Haven also allowed me to recharge and that was priceless.

Thank you Denise for all you have done over the years to help these children become well-rounded loving adults. KITS prepares them for the outside world in a loving, supportive environment. IMMEASURABLE.”

Mary Ann Marchildon

“As a family, we have been attending the Kids in the Spotlight program for the past 5 years. The program has helped our daughter to develop a level of confidence in an environment of recognition and acceptance, and offers ongoing opportunities for her growth. Denise Goldbeck offers her knowledge and experience of child and adolescent development and has intentionally woven this into the program – for the children as well as the teen leaders… It is very meaningful to me that my daughter is now able to have her own experience at this very special place.”

Randy Wong

“As a grandparent I am so keen to provide opportunities that foster independence, creativity, compassion, friendships of all ages, confidence, all in an environment of healthy living and relationships to my granddaughters that I feel privileged to be a part of the KITS adventure… all that happens in our 5 day sojourn is a wonder. The memories will last a lifetime. “

Karin Sipko

“I was first introduced to KITS as a participant along with my 3 siblings, 28 years ago. We attended for many years and it was ALWAYS the highlight of our summer and something we looked forward to all year.

My best friend, who I met at KITS 28 years ago, and I now bring our 2 young kids to KITS (along with our moms and my sister and her daughter!), and again this is a highlight that we all look forward to each year! I am always amazed and grateful to see the strong friendships our kids form with the other participants and the very talented interns and I love witnessing the remarkable areas of growth they go through within those 5 days. KITS is now a legacy tradition for our families that I feel very honoured to be a part of.”

Briana Sinatra

How It Works

KITS is hosted at various venues across the world, with 8 programs held annually at the Haven on Gabriola Island, B.C.

Children and youth leaders have sessions punctuated by snack and meal breaks beginning at 9:00 am in the morning ending at 8:00 pm in the evening. Evening sessions for younger children involve free play and are optional.

KITS is a family-based program and parents or guardians stay at the Haven or nearby accommodation. Parents or guardians attend the opening session on the first evening of the program, the performance on the last evening and collect their children at 11:30 am on the last day with the program ending at 12:00 noon.

Over the course of the program there are 3 one-hour sessions where Denise and youth leaders present material used in the program so that parents can bring the learning home.

Activities that build confidence, communication and collaboration

The group creates a child-led, child-centered culture through playing games and creating the show. Children are cast in roles, tailored to them, according to which roles will benefit them the most. A complex story board is created to support cognitive and reading skills. Emotional regulation skills are woven into the mix. Youth (not the website now says “You” instead of “Youth”) leaders support the children helping the to develop self-confidence and social skills. Fun is had by all!

KITS Kids Gain:

Self-awareness
Increased confidence
Increased poise
Greater social understanding
Increased social interaction skills
Leadership ability
Enhanced family relationships
Improved academic performance
Increased ability to hold attention
Sense of belonging
Understanding of one’s own development
Ability to participate in small and large groups
Ability to participate in mixed-age groups
Learn to scaffold and be scaffolded by others

LAUNCH: Taking the Next Step

Launch is a leadership program for youth, aged 13 to twenty-something, who apply their shiny new leadership skills to facilitate the KITS program.

LEARN MORE

FITS: For the Whole Family

Families in the Spotlight is a program to help whole families build stronger relationships, a better understanding of their family purpose and wonderful memories.

LEARN MORE

Our Summer Venue – Not Just For Your Kids

An experience for the whole family! Enjoy a beautiful ocean-side resort.

The Haven

Denise Goldbeck has been leading Kids in the Spotlight at the Haven since 1987. The Haven Institute is an accredited educational training center that offers courses in personal and professional development, focusing on communication, relationships, and self-understanding.

Families attending KITS book rooms and meals with the Haven. To book your room and meals contact Shannon or Maureen at registrar@haven.ca or call 1-800-222-9211 ext 1.

The program takes place in the famous Phoenix Auditorium, a spacious yet child-sized facility – perfect for the energetic and theatrical nature of the program.

Looking to Register or Ask a Question about KITS? Contact us!

Want to bring KITS to your community?

When counselor and Developmental Psychology MA Denise Goldbeck created KITS, she wanted to use the performing arts as a vehicle for awe-inspiring child and youth development. And 35 years and 5,000 program graduates later, the evidence-based KITS experience is transforming lives across the planet.

But is it missing from your community?

Join the KITS movement by inviting this programme to your city or town. The KITS “formula”— powerful development, learning, and leadership experiences through the performing arts for mixed age groups of children and youth—works well in many formats. Whether you want the classic KITS 5-day retreat experience or an after-school program, the benefits will still look the same—and they will be awesome!

Help kids and youth in your community to develop confidence, social skills, well-being, and harmonious relationships with family and friends.

.

How it could work

KITS is about creating community—and that can happen anywhere. The KITS programme is flexible and works well in a number of different formats. Here are only a few approaches we could try:

The classic 5-day approach

If your community has the right kind of facility, we could run the program the way we usually do: as a 5-day retreat for parents and kids. (See above for an overview of how that works.)

A day camp

Is there a church or a community center in your community that could host a day camp? We could get the group together for a weekend, a day, or whatever works.

An after-school program

The KITS experience makes for an amazing after-school program, where kids can have fun, create deeper friendships, and learn about themselves after class is dismissed.