Building Confident Youth Through Positive Peer Culture: Dr. Ansley LaMar
By Lana Reid | January 7, 2026
As part of the Black Men Matter Series, Lana Reid sits down with Dr. Ansley LaMar, Founder and Director of SuperKidz Kamp, to discuss building confident youth through positive peer culture and experiential learning. Dr. LaMar shares how his own childhood experiences with summer camp helped shape the vision behind SuperKidz Kamp, a youth development program rooted in the belief that all children are gifted and talented. The conversation explores how intentional community-building, mentorship, and outdoor learning environments support confidence, accountability, and leadership in young people.
In this episode of The Male Perspective, Dr. Ansley LaMar offers a thoughtful and experience-driven conversation on youth development and mentorship.
Dr. LaMar explains how SuperKidz Kamp was designed to move beyond traditional summer programming by intentionally creating environments where children learn cooperation, responsibility, and self-confidence through positive peer culture. He discusses how nature-based, outdoor experiences allow youth to develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and a stronger sense of self through shared responsibility and teamwork.
Throughout the conversation, Lana Reid and Dr. LaMar explore the role of mentorship and consistency in youth development. Dr. LaMar shares how counselors, many of whom are college students, serve as role models while gaining leadership experience themselves. He emphasizes that mentorship is most effective when it is consistent, values-driven, and rooted in genuine care for young peopleโs growth.
The discussion also highlights guidance for parents and caregivers. Dr. LaMar offers insight into how families can remain engaged in their childrenโs development beyond camp, what to look for when selecting youth programs, and why experiential learning environments play a critical role in social and emotional development.
This episode reinforces the importance of positive peer culture, intentional mentorship, and experiential learning in creating spaces where children are encouraged to thrive and recognize their own potential.
About the Guest
Dr. Ansley LaMar is the Founder and Director of SuperKidz Kamp, a youth development program focused on positive peer culture, outdoor experiential learning, and leadership development. His work centers on helping children build confidence, accountability, and a strong sense of community through intentional programming and mentorship.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฟ. ๐๐ป๐๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ:
https://www.superkidzkamp.com
About the Series
This episode is part of the Black Men Matter Series, highlighting Black men who are educators, mentors, and leaders creating impactful spaces for youth development and community growth.
About the Host & Organization
The Male Perspective is hosted by Lana Reid, founder of Conversations in Color, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots organization dedicated to providing uplifting and community-building spaces of dialogue for Black voices.
Conversations in Colorโs Current Initiatives
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The purpose of The Male Perspective is to dispel stereotypes and increase awareness of the experiences of Black men through open discussions, thought-provoking interviews, and the sharing of personal experiences that highlight the diversity and depth of the Black male experience.
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Sistas Rebuilding Sisterhood is an intergenerational community of Black women who come together for relaxed, non-judgmental gatherings to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate in a collective effort to improve the quality of sisterhood interactions in everyday life.
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The Tapestry of Black Voices Awards honors local communities and showcases the creativity, brilliance, and lived experiences of Black voices across the United States.