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If you would like to chat more about any of the information Please call 630-654-8036 |
Once you've made the decision to send your
child to an Overnight Summer Camp, the next
step is to find and choose the right
program. With over 5,000 summer camps in the
United States, this can be a daunting task. Ia a perfect world you would start
searching for a camp a full year before you
sign up. That way you can visit the camps
while camp is in session. That way you can
look over the camp facilities, the campers,
while giving you a chance to get a feel for
the program and its personality. You may
even save a little cash from signing up
early. Having said that, Few of us are that
organized so, don't lose hope. And start by
late Winter or early Spring. Some camps do
fill up quickly and you may not be in luck
with a late start. Even if you think that you have already
decided, it is always a good choice to take
a look at other programs before making a
commitment, so that you can compare
different programs. Some ways to find camps include: Word of
Mouth, Churches or Synagogues, Library,
Newspapers & Magazines, Local Camp Fairs
and Private Camp Adviser's. However the most
popular theses days is the internet. . By
using google and typing the summer camp plus
the state a huge array of camp listings will
show up. Camp directories are another way to
find a summer camp. These have many camps
listed and a short overview of each camp.
However, one of the best is American Camp
Association or in the Midwest I'd look at
CampsRUs.com It is important to have a goal in mind a
check list of what your looking for in a
summer camp experience. With that in hand
start your search and use a check list to
help narrow down your search. Once you have
narrowed your search to four or five
possibilities, call or e-mail the camp to
ask for information. In addition to printed
materials, most private camps also have a
promotional video. Understand that these
videos are promotional tools, but they will
give you a visual image of the camp and the
children. Try to make a journey to camp while they
are in session.You will learn the most
through talking and seeing what camp is
really like. Call and ask the Camp Director
for a toure and most will even invite you
for lunch. If you can, review the camp's
promotional materials beforehand so you have
good questions and might even have specific
areas you want to see. To learn more on finding the RIGHT Summer
Camp visit this Free informational website. Swift Nature Camp is a , a
non-competitive, traditional Coed Summer
Camps for Boys and Girls (6-15 years). At
this Science Summer Camp, Children enjoy
animals and nature as well as traditional
camping adventures. This Minnesota Summer Camp
specializes in programs for the First Time
Camper as well as Teen Campers. An Important
decision in choosing a summer camp for
your child is whether it will be a Coed
Summer Camp or a single gender (all boys
or all girls). There are virtues to both
single-sex and coed camps. So read the
below benefits of both and choose the one
best for your family and child. "Our world has 2
genders...we are not alone," As Director
of Swift Nature Camp, a coed camp summer
camp in Wisconsin, I will tell you that
coed camps prepare children for the real
world. Our goal is to guide children with
their interpersonal skills in healthy
ways. We want our campers to be friends
with the other sex and learn how to be a
friend rather than always think from the
gender-role stereotypes that are learned
at school and from advertising. Boys have
an opportunity to see girls as leaders and
athletes; girls see boys in nurturing,
expressive roles. It is important that
coed camps set the boundaries for the
children and stop any flirtation and
flaunting while promoting opportunities
for respectful relationships and true
personal growth. We work hard with our
staff to ensure that they are good role
models nonromantic, polite, genuine
male-female interactions we want campers
to follow. A single gender camp
provides children an experience that is
different and uniquely supportive. At a
single-sex camp, children see balanced
role models and avoid romantic
distractions. Girls interact with women
who are both tenacious and tender,
confident and caring. Boys interact with
men who are both strong and compassionate,
assertive and attentive. At a single-sex
camp, Kids can be themselves, they don't
have to worry about how the other gender
sees them. During their time at camp they
have had a chance to increase confidence
and understanding and are reenergized to
go back to the coed world. Single-sex
camps tend to promote that which is
stereotypically feminine and
stereotypically masculine. It is important
that these attributes are presented in a
balanced way and that staff are trained to
keep attitudes in check such as bravado
and machismo at a boys' camp or gossip and
diffidence at a girl camp. All in all its
important that the atmosphere promotes an
environment where boys and girls feel an
enhanced sense of emotional safety. Their are many
options to consider when choosing an
overnight summer camp. Coed or single
gender is only one of these. Regardless of
your choice its most important thing is to
select a quality camp that you feel
comfortable it will provide a positive and
safe experience for your child. Consider
the needs of you child, look at how they
socialize, where they will feel more
comfortable and where the greatest growth
will take place. this summer will Summer
Camp be a toss back to earlier days and a
chance to practice wholesome coed
situations or a place to rediscover their
own identity as a boy or girl and play
with out be self conscious.? Summer Camp Advice a
free website with information on Choosing A Summer Camp. Swift Nature Camp,
Traditional, Non-competitive, Coed Overnight Summer Camp . Campers enjoy
Adventure trips and in camp activities. We
also get kids involved in protecting and
preserving the environment at this Animal Summer Camp Shortly, nearly 10 million children be
going to Summer Camps. But before they go,
health experts are issuing strong new advice
to both parents and camp directors, and
recommending new precautions to protect
campers' health. The American Academy of Pediatrics along
with the American Camp Association created
an official policy statement about camper
health and Summer Camp responsibilities.
Edward Walton, M.D. is lead author of the
paper. The new policy statement for the first
time advises parents to thoroughly assess
whether a camp is right for their child's
mental, emotional and physical well-being,
as well as their interests and skills. That means, Walton says, that camps should
provide parents with a complete picture of
what their programs involve, whether it's
strenuous sports, rough wilderness camping,
horseback riding -- or intense music or
computer practice. If an activity raises
risk for kids with certain medical
conditions, for instance scuba diving and
asthma, camps should tell parents about
those risks ahead of time. Homesickness prevention, the authors
write, should start weeks before a child
goes off to camp, and can be led by parents
with the help of the doctor or other health
care provider who performs the child's
pre-camp health assessment. Parents should also avoid making
pre-arranged plans with their children about
picking them up if they get homesick. This
only gets kids thinking about the way out of
camp. Only should parents discuss camp
positively, avoid expressing doubts about a
child's ability to avoid homesickness. With the new guideline, the AAP also
recommends that its members -- the
pediatricians who treat many of America's
children -- get involved with camps in their
local area to make sure that health policies
and standing orders are up-to-date. They can
also act as medical backups to the nurses
and paramedic-trained camp health officers
on site at camps -- instead of the local
emergency room or urgent care center, which
Walton's study found was the case 75 percent
of the time. The guideline recommends that parents
teach their children how to use rescue
inhalers or EpiPens, before the kids go to
camp. Parents need talk with camp directors
about conditions that might require children
to use their devices. Delay in not having these items handy can
have real health consequences for the child. The new guideline do not give
recommendations for summer camps that serve
of children with special needs. However, it
suggest that local pediatricians take part
in such camps, and help establish programs
specific to them. Finding the Right Summer Camp for your you
is no easy task, Si, visit a FREE resource
Summer Camp Advice at Summer Camp Swift Nature Camp is a <a
href='http://www.swiftnaturecamp.com/minnesota.htm'>Minnesota
Summer Camp</a> for boys and girls
ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional
outdoors summer camp activities with that of
a Science Summer Camp that promotes an
appreciation for nature. As parents we love
our children and we want the best for
them. Yet, what is our goal? As much as we
love them its to get our kids out of the
house. Yes, we need to launch them into
the real world. In order to make this
happen successfully we need to raise
independent, self-sufficient human beings.
Accomplishing this goal requires prent to
always be thinking. What is the best route
to take between helpless infancy and
independent adulthood? Independence is best
built gradually. We want to build such
skills as making sound decisions, caring
for one's own needs, taking action to meet
goals, being responsible for one's own
actions, and seeking out the information
we need to guide choices. None of these
things will develop magically or over
night, however. Kids need a range of
experiences, from simple to complex, in
order to learn these skills. Let's take a
quick look at each of these areas. Wise decisions begin
with baby steps. We wouldn't dream of
turning our young adults loose in a car
with out training and supervised practice.
So why would we not do the same in
decision making. Small children need to be
allowed to make decisions as soon as they
are capable of choosing between two
things. This can with guided choices "Do
you want your striped pants or your green
pants today?" or "It's your turn to choose
what veggies do you want for supper." Now
here is the important part. What do you
say after the decision? Do you process the
results from their decisions? Point out
the advantages and disadvantages of each
choice, and then allow your child to
choose. Be sure you are intentional and
only suggest acceptable choices sot here
is no chance of making a wrong choice. As
kids grow open the door to making choices. Children need
practice and experience to make good
decisions. After all, humans tend to learn
more when things don't go the way we
expected. A common error for parents is
not to give children practice in making
mistakes. Often because it is quicker or
easier. Yet, we need to give our children
responsibilities. Spent time to teach your
children how to do personal and household
tasks. Kids will try very hard to learn
these skills. Plus, when the child does
finally become proficient, you will have
eased your own burden in many ways and
they feel satisfied in their
accomplishments. Children's Summer Camp is a wonderful place
that challenges your child to become
responsible for their stuff and actions.
At camp children are supervised but not
coddled so clothes left on the floor need
to be picked up, their is no maid service.
Parents often tell us that the true
benefit of summer camp is the increased
self confidence and initiative to get
chores done around the house. Findi a<a
href='http://www.summercampadvice.com'>Summer
Camp</a> at SummerCampAdvice.com Swift Nature Camp is
a Overnight Summer Camp for boys and girls ages
6-15. We blend Traditional camp activities
with that of a <a
href='http://www.swiftnaturecamp.com/science-atcamp.htm'>Science
Camp</a>. Children that are
Home Schooled can benefit greatly from the
summer camping experience. Despite, age,
gender,grade level or religious
background. Home School Summer
Camps provide a special area
where children can be independent, and
that's a key part of growing up. Camp
counselors model perseverance, listening,
teamwork and appreciation of differences.
Helping children see successful behavior
and away from the family. This in turn
brings new found independence in line with
your at-home teachings. After all as
parents we understand somethings just
can't be taught by us. How do you know you
are picking the right camp for your
homeschooler? I suggest you first look for
a small camp, that can give your child
individual attention. Often Home Schooled
children get lost in the crowd. When
picking a camp do your work in advance
this will help ensure that your child has
an enjoyable summer. Summer Camp Benefits
For Children Residential (overnight) camp
offers home schooled children a wonderful
opportunity to socialize with other
children in a new and exciting
environment. Often long-lasting
friendships are forged at summer camps
each year. Campers often return year after
year making camp their summer home. Some
continue on till they are past camper age
and participate in a Counselor in Training
program for teens or even become
counselors passing on the traditions of
summer camp. Jeff Lorenz Director
of Swift Nature Camp a Children's Summer Camp in Wisconsin says
"Summer Camp provides children the chance
to be independent and assume leadership
roles. Without parents or siblings around
campers often show their responsibility
thus improving self-confidence when they
return back home". The many activities
available at summer camp gives children
the opportunities to try new things and
discover new skills. From canoeing and
Arts & Crafts to Swimming, Hiking and
Horseback riding the list of activities
available at different camps are of the
utmost benefit to the children who attend. When choosing the
right summer camp Look for a program that
fits your child's comfort level. If the
child has never been away from home and is
seven and under a day camp program may be
more suitable. If your child is used to
overnight sa sleepaway camp may be a
better fit. Usually overnight camps start
at around age 8. But do not be afraid to
challenge your child by giving him or her
new opportunities. As parents of a
homeschooler we know our kids are a bit
more attached to us than other kids. Yet
we know sour goal is to get them ready to
head out on their own. Summer camp is a
great place to practice. There is comfort in
the familiar so pick a camp that has some
activities your child feels comfortable
with. Maybe a Non competitive camp would
be best for your child? Traditional summer
camps provides opportunities in many areas
giving a child comfort in some things a
child has tried before as well as
activities that ask him to leave their
comfort zone. If possible take
your child to an open house. This allows
parents and children to come and visit for
a day and tour the grounds. For other
camps this is not so easy, yet they might
offer a local open house to meet staff and
other campers. Work weekends at camp are a
great way to get to know the staff and the
grounds. This is a perfect venue to put a
child's fears at ease and make sure a camp
is the right one. Don't pick a camp just
because all your child's friends are
attending. Camp is about making new
friends in a new place. Testimonials from
old campers and or youth counselors are
also vital tools in deciding if a camp is
a good fit. Don't be afraid to ask them
about their feelings and experiences.
Older campers are usually happy, if not
eager, to share about the role summer camp
has played in their lives. Camp accreditation
is a vital step in choosing a camp. Most
States have a camping regulations, which
hold camps accountable. But the American
Camp Association is the best source to
ensure camp quality. So be sure the camps
you are looking at are (ACA) approved. Probably the most
important part in selecting a summer camp
is to chat with the Camp Directors.
Discuss your concerns and your feelings
with the camp owners. They should be able
to help you feel comfortable in your
decisions, if not , it's the wrong camp
for YOU and your child! For more information
on <a href=How to Pick a Summer
Camp
A free website giving parents information
on finding that perfect summer camp for
their child. Swift Nature Camp is
a Overnight Summer Camp for boys and girls ages
6-15. The focus is to blend traditional
summer camp activities with that of a Science Summer Camp. A first time camper
program is available as well.
Choosing a Children's Camp
Consider Sex When
Picking A Summer Camp
Health Care At Camp
Summer Camp
Instills Responsibility
Home Schooled Kids
Need Summer Camp
Not All Camps Are the SameClearly, none of the SUMMER CAMPS meets the needs of every children. Therefore you must do some research to find the right summer camp for your child. Much of this research can be done right from your computer. Here is a list that will assist you to find the best summer camp.
Camp Size The level of program organization will determine the extent that the size of a camp matters. While you don't want a camp that is so small that your child is limited in activities or friends, you also don't want a program where your child is lost in the shuffle. The issue is not only numbers, but more importantly, how the camp breaks down the campers into manageable groups. Too small a camp can mean cliques can form, leaving children out, while a large camp may be intimidating to a first time camper. When a program is too large, it becomes harder for the camp to offer all-inclusive activities, like campfires and cookouts. These circumstances make it difficult to build a sense of camp unity and spirit. Also, in a smaller camp you tend to know the Director more closely and feel comfortable asking question or just calling to see how your camper is doing.
Advantages of a coed camp: If you have children of the opposite sex, it can be easier if you can find one camp that suits them both. The mechanics of getting children off to different programs may be too complicated. Coed camps can be less competitive than single sex camps. Because there is a more social atmosphere in camp the intensity of play is reduced. A good coed camp will focus not on coed relationships but on coed friendships. This can be an important part of becoming a mature adult.
What About Friends? Should at-home friends go to the same camp? Going to camp with a close friend can lessen pre-camp jitters and to some extent, lessen homesickness, but when best friends are bunkmates, it can complicate adjustment to camp. Some things to consider are: * Friendships may not be able to survive the effects of living together 24 hours a day. * An old friendship can limit the development of new relationships.* If one child is having more trouble adjusting, the other may feel responsible for 'taking care' of her friend and ensuring her happiness.* Jealousy can develop if one camper begins to bond with others, leaving her friend out.* It's important to ask the camp what they do to help new campers feel comfortable.
Find the Right Summer Camp at a FREE service filled with information.
Lonnie Lorenz is the director of Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, traditional coed overnight Summer Camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature, animals & science along with traditional camping activities. Swift specializes in programs for the First Time Camper as well as Teen Summer Adventure Camp. |
Top Reasons for CampHe was 10 and I knew he was looking for more than a summer of day care and TV shows. So i wondered if SUMMER CAMP was the right place for my son. My son, currently 15, has attended Swift Nature Camp for four years and we are going to send him back for as long as we can. He loves it. He has ADHD and is very smart, but has trouble at school with attention-seeking ploys. The counselors and directors at SNC have a great, hands-on approach to leadership, social skills development and confidence-building. Jeff and Lonnie, along with enthusiastic counselors, provide an excellent atmosphere that encourages positive traits to rise to the surface. My son has developed greater peer understanding and empathy, greater self-confidence and trust, better leadership skills, an understanding of group dynamics and fair process and many other valuable lifelong skills. At first I felt nervous sending him to a place I had never seen, but it was really worth it! I talked to Jeff and Lonnie over the phone before I signed him up for the Discovery Camp . A special program for the First time at Camp Their willingness to discuss any question I had and their understanding of my fears made the decision easy. My son took the bus there, but I picked him up at the end, so I got to see first-hand all of the wonderful places he got to explore. He was so excited about camp that I'm not sure he drew breath on the 8-hour journey home! The SNC website tells you everything you need to know and I love how the camp is set up. The cabins are by gender and age and do activities together, including laundry (!) In the afternoons the campers can pick from a variety of typical camp activities (arts & crafts, archery, swimming, etc.). n top of this, the camp is dedicated to environmental awareness and nature preservation. They have a nature center with microscopes and frogs and tadpoles and lots of hands on activities. There is also a small petting zoo of well-adored animals. Of course there is plenty of laughter, games, campfires, food, sports, fun, drama, singing, etc. that makes overnight (residential) camp an experience one remembers for their entire life. As a parent, I appreciate that this isn't a "sports camp" or "math camp" or something ultra specific. Kids at SNC get to be kids and by experiencing all sorts of different activities and a diverse set of campers and counselors, learn more about themselves than at a specialized camp. My son has learned so much from this camp in the four years he has been attending. We have noticed a HUGE difference in his attitude, manners and abilities. He is more mature, pleasant and competent. We would pay any price for the experiences and social education he has gained from SNC. We used to joke that you can find math, reading, or science tutors but no tutors in social skills. Well we were wrong! This is exactly what my son needed at exactly the right time in his life. If you are thinking about away-camp for your child, please consider SNC. Primarily I think of it as a non-competitive, confidence-building camp where kids get to be kids. I know it is the best thing we ever did for our son. Thanks Jeff, Lonnie and all the fabulous counselors, cooks, nurses, etc. We hope our son will join your camp as a counselor when he is older (it is a new goal of his)! You can also find more information on how to pick a summer camp at this website FINDING a CAMP |
It is being
lost! Today less and less children are
getting to go to summer camp. The
wonderful experience of summer camp
has been a way of life for generations
of American children. Sleeping away
from home and making new friends is a
time of increased independence and
maturity.For others who did not get
the opportunity to go to Outdoor Camp they just don't
understand the importance. In many books
and movies summer camp has been the
scene. To name a few, "The Parent
Trap" and "Indian Summer". Yet, the
majority of these movies and books are
not realistic. Either they sugar coat
the camp experience or they make it
just horrible. Summercamp! , the documentary
is one of the most realistic true
stories about kids at summer camp.
Filmed at Swift Nature Camp in
Wisconsin, it truely shows how the
kids interact and what makes camp so
special. During the filming over 300
hours of film was shot to make this
charming 90 minute feature. This
documentry shows camp like it really
is, this is no glossy brochure or
promotional DVD, it just shows kids
living life with new friends and in
new siuations. These days
parents heavily schedule their
children making it more difficult to
plan for summer camp. In addition, we
parents, have given much more
importance to technology than nature.
After all the boogie man outside
rarely comes in to harm your child.
Thus making the world of mature
unsafe. It is estimated that most
children spend nearly 6 hours a day in
front of some sort of screen. Famed author>Richard Louv, of Last Child in
the Woods: is alarmed by this
untouching of nature. He calls it
Nature-deficit disorder and sad
situation in child development. He
feels there is a link between lack of
outdoor play and and increase in
obesity, attention disorders, and
depression. Summer Camp is
just one place that can help children
learn to appreciate nature as well as
teach children independence and
friendship. Connection with nature and
other children are important in
raising a generation that sees the
importance in protecting this planet.
Most camps today are specialized in
sports, acting or math. So, how do we
find a traditional camp that
encourages good values and a focus for
nature? • What about
technology? All electronics can take
away from the true camp experience.
Ipods and cell phones allow children
to hide in their electronics rather
than participate with the cabin. Louv
says that tent mates with video games
or text messaging can easily distract
your child. At first most campers are
not so keen on this idea but after a
few days at camp they see a reson to
take a break. • Does the camp
have an Outdoor Focus? Louv suggests
some camps are trying to be all things
to all people. No longer are camps
seen as a traditional time in the
woods. Historically, summer camps used
their natural settings, and encouraged
chidren to to play in a outdoor
environment. Today this is no longer
true, many camps take place on college
campuses. • Can children
play without direction in Nature?
Nature-deficit disorder is nearly
always due to parents overscheduling
kids. Louv suggests this gives kids
less time and energy to explore their
natural world on their own. Summer
camps have figured this out and design
structured and nonstructured play.
When children play on their own, they
have to figure it out and work
together, what a wonderful learning
experience. • Is there
Environmental Education? Does camp
schedule time where nature can be
explored and discovered? These times
should be hands on and not like
school. Does a theme of the outdoors
run within all activities? Are "WOW"
moments created that hightlight the
wonders of nature? Does the summer
camp try to reduce its environmental
footprint? Does it compost and
recycle? • Kids eat 3
times a day. So the food has got to be
good. For years children's summer
camps have had a poor reputation for
their meals. This has changed at many
camps. More vegetarians have caused
this change. Ask about fried foods? Is
there a salad bar with fruits and
yogurt? Can the camp cope with your
child's food allergy? Still meals must
taste good and be kid friendly. If any of this
sounds like something of interest to
your child, try looking at Swift
Nature Camp. This is a small coed camp
for children 6-15. It has a very
strong emphasis not only on developing
a desire to learn more about nature
but also undrestanding why we need to
respect it. This Outdoors Camp engage
kids in hands on, fun-filled learning.
A child's natural curiosity and
self-discovery make this program
work... This Environmental Camp is NOT
School. Campers can
bring their own small critters from
home and let them live in the Nature
Center for all to see and learn about.
Combined this learning with the
beautiful natural surrounding and
canoe and backpack trips, children
cannot help but form an appreciation
for the nature. Each summer, a
wonderful community developes as
children from around the world come
together to learn more and appreciate
the natural environment of Swift
Nature Camp. A community such as camp
provides support and encouragement
that helps a child to mature and grow.
Self-reliance is promoted along with
being undrestanding to others.
Children result in being more
sensitive and understanding. The world
needs to be a little more like camp
with more understanding of others
while needing to respect nature. If
you feel your child might benefit from
just such a place Swift Nature Camp
might be the place for your child this
summer. If you are just
starting to look at summer camps and
would like more information, please
see Summer Camp Advice Camp Guide
THE RIGHT
CAMP MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Ask yourself
these questions before selecting your
child's summer Camp:
Summer camp isn't just for young children.
Children Summer Camps such as, Swift Nature
Camp offers a coed teen summer camp program
that is just for teenaged campers up to 15
years of age, and a Counselor in Training
Program for ages 16 and 17. Like its summer
camp programs for pre-teens, Swift Nature Camp
offers an amazing range of camp activities.
Hiking, climbing, ceramics, horseback riding,
tennis, kayaking, and whitewater rafting are
among the most popular programs among teen
campers. Teen Camps provides teens a special
opportunity to make friends in a relaxed and
fun-filled environment, build self-esteem and
independence, and meet the challenge of new
physical and creative activities. Most teens
want to do things for themselves and are bored
by even the thought of a "normal" camp. Swift
Nature Camp has created the Adventure Camp
program, loaded with opportunities for cabin
mates to leave camp and go out into the big
open wild. There are opportunities to take
trips to the Apostle Islands, go to the
International Wolf Center, or find the way to
the Mississippi River. Swift Nature Camp offers a small, intimate,
friendly and non-competetive environment for
all of its teen summer camp programs out of
the belief that all children, expecially those
in their teenage years, enjoy this break from
the competition of the "real world". A
positive, encouraging environment that fosters
acceptance brings a welcome balance to young
lives. First time campers quickly and smoothly
fit in and feel at home in such an atmosphere. Today's teens grow up too fast and need time
to play. An Adventure Summer Camp should
challenge your teen to try new things, but not
in a stressful way. Camp is not school!
Interaction with animals can be a perfect way
for a child to learn by the natural discovery
of play. Besides all the fun and excitement of
a traditional camp, the kids have the joy of
discovering Nature and the world we live in. After living life in a beautiful natural
setting among caring staff and instructors,
teens come to love summer camp. Many teen
campers return summer after summer, returning
to see friends and enjoy the excitement,
self-direction, and goofy fun characteristic
of camp life. Summer camp is a great place to
be oneself and a perfect place to make
lifelong friends. Away from the pressures of
home, school and competitive sports, teenagers
discover themselves and thrive. You can learn more about selecting a
wonderful Teen Summer Camp by visiting Summer
Camp Advice Summer camps are an American institution.
Since the early 1900's youngsters have been
leaving the city and enjoying the fresh air of
the country while learning camping skills. No
longer is summer camp only about campfires.
Now computer screens and Surfing camps have
passed by the nature trails to. Many of
today's camps are not in the country but take
place in the city. One Befit of Summer Camp is kids are given
the choice to try new things and take safe
risks. This voluntary nature makes children
more open to new experiences, with personal
satisfaction as their motivation. Not only are
there opportunities to try new things, but
camp offers many areas for children to excel
in. At a good general interest camp, the
non-athlete can shine at arts and crafts,
woodworking, or dramatic programs, while the
athlete can also find many outlets for their
skills. Perhaps most importantly, the two
campers learn to live together and become
friends despite their varied interests. Learn
about a great general interest summer camp.
Animal Camp Summer camp offers children many
opportunities to become competent at both new
and old skills,. it makes sense that there
will be improvement. Novices have chances to
learn, while those who are more experienced
can improve. Building self-esteem is a goal at
camp, through Learning new skills and
improving on old ones. Children become more
independent and self-reliant at camp with
their new found skills. Many years from now campers may not remember
capture the flag games or the words to a camp
song, Yet, the life lessons learned at camp
will remain. Campers learn how to take
responsibility. The child who has never before
made a bed, will learn how to smooth out
sheets and blankets and tidy up a locker.
Counselors are always on hand to encourage
campers to take responsibility for themselves
along minor health issues, a camper learns to
articulate what hurts and how to get help. All
of this personal responsibility further
fosters a sense of independence and
self-esteem. Social skills also increase by
making new friends and learning how to reach
out to strangers. At camp, children learn to
get along with others, all while living
together 24 hours a day, learning about
courtesy, compromise, teamwork, and respect is
no small task. For campers from a foreign country Camps in
USA provide a unque opportunity for children
to learn about America from local kids. All in
a fun and encouraging environment. Not to
mention daily using the English language. Learn more more about American Summer Camps
visit Summer Camp Advice. Camp Information While choosing the right Teen Summer Camp
may be more complicated than selecting a
general interest camp for a younger child, the
rewards can be even richer. A teenager is in
the midst of an incredible growth spurt. There
is a literal physical change that you may see
when your teen arrives home, but equally
important are the emotional, spiritual,
intellectual, and social changes that a
challenging summer program can produce in a
child in this age group. Although finding the right summer program
for teens is different than finding a program
for a nine year old, some of the basics are
the same: you still want a safe, secure, and
appropriate environment. However, teenagers
need and are ready for new challenges and
greater independence. As your child matures,
you may find that you need to reexamine your
choice each year as his interests expand. It is important to keep in mind when
choosing a program for teens that the needs,
interests, and abilities of a 13 year-old are
quite different from that of a 17 year-old.
When considering programs, you should also
keep in mind your child's maturity as well.
Parents often express concern about the level
of supervision in many of the programs
designed for teens. One great resource is
Summer Camp Advice Summer Camp Information If you're living with a teenager, you're
living with part kid and part adult. Planning
a summer program in November may be more
difficult for an adolescent than a younger
child, because your teenager's interests and
emotions are going through such enormous
changes. However, because many good programs
fill up fast, you will want to try to focus
early so that you and your child have the
widest range of choices. The best way to start your search for a
summer program is to sit down and talk with
your child. Searching for a good summer
program is a way to strengthen your
relationship with your teen. This is an
opportunity to discuss with your child his
interests, concerns, and values. You need to
talk with your teen about what each of you
want the summer to be. But be ready to
Listen...even if they "don't want to do
anything." Their are many teen programs available and
its important to try to find the right one. As
a parent do not give up right away. Sometimes
you have to really look hard to find the right
answer. The internet is a very useful tool for
this. But it is helpful to know if your
thinking serving, traveling, adventure or a
little of all. One of the best ways to reconcile your goals
with your child's is to piece together the
summer with activities from both of your
lists. Although it is more difficult and
figuring things out may be more time
consuming, your teen will get a broader
experience for your work. If you decide that your teen will choose a
local program, it is important to establish
summer rules, expectation, chores, and
schedules. This will be especially important
if this will be the first summer in years that
your youngster is spending at home. A suggestion is to look at Swift Nature Camp
for your Teen next summer. Swift Nature Camp
is unique among teen summer camps in that we
provide teens a special opportunity to make
friends in a relaxed and fun-filled
environment, to build self-esteem and
independence, and to challenge themselves with
new physical and creative activities. We
realize teenagers want to do things for
themselves and are bored by a "normal" camp.
So we provide an Adventure Camp program with
loads of opportunities cabins often leave camp
and go out into the big open wild and see the
Apostle Islands, go to the International Wolf
Center or find themselves canoeing down the
Mississippi River. Camp for Teens Last and most importantly remember youth is
limited and no adult ever looked back and
recalls the good old days of just watching TV
all summer! Camp can be just as educational as school,
with the added dimension of children learning
through experience. Through activities and
play, children learn a wide range of skills
and develop physically, emotionally, socially,
and intellectually. At camp, children learn by
doing, living, and experiencing things for
themselves. It's one thing to watch a nature
program on television, but quite another to
experience nature in real life. Residential camps can be downright
expensive, even if the experiences are worth
every penny. If you're trying to figure out
how you can afford to send your child to
summer camp, consider the following cost
saving ideas.Cheap Camp Families that in the past have sent their
children to private upper end overnight camps,
especially on the east coast, are now looking
at alternatives that might be far less
expensive. One suggestion is to look in the
midwest for a camp that might offer very
similar activity programs at a cost 25-30%
less than the equivalent east coast camp. For other families who still want to send
their children to private camps, one way to
save on summer camp is to look for alternative
programs that might be similar to what you
have done in the past yet less expensive. This
is just a matter of shopping on the internet
for price.Adventure Camp For other children the answer may be to
leave the private summer camp programs
altogether and choose a less expensive
overnight camp program, such as a YMCA or a
even a church program. These summer camps can
save nearly 30% or more compared to the
private camps. In most local areas park districts offer
some form of day summer camp. These are
usually the most cost effective, however, day
camps generally do not offer the same array of
activities and benefits that an overnight
summer camp provides. Summer camps do have discounts and
campership programs, but seldom are these
programs FREE. Each summer camp decides how to
run their own discount program, so it is
important to ask the camp director how to
become a part of their particular program and
see if it will help make camp affordable for
you. If these areas still leave summer camp out
of the question the ACA (American
Camp Association) recommends: *
Parents should inquire into whether the camp
participates in income-eligible subsidy
programs, for instance through Title XX. * A
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
allows parents to be reimbursed on a pre-tax
basis for child care or adult dependent care
expenses for qualified dependents that are
necessary to allow parents to work, look for
work, or to attend school full time. Visit the
FSA Feds Web site for more information. * In
certain circumstances, day care expenses,
including transportation by a care provider,
may be considered dependent care services and
paid with pre-tax dollars. Visit the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) for more information. *
Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: The IRS
allows an income tax credit of up to $6,000 of
dependent care expenses if you have two or
more dependents (up to $3,000 for one
dependent). The amount of the credit is based
on your adjusted gross income and applies only
to your federal taxes. This applies to
qualifying day camp expenses as well. Visit
the FSA Feds Web site for more information. Remember, all camps are not created equal
and cost is often reflected in quality of
programs. It is imperative that you do your
homework to ensure a quality experience for
your child. One areas where camps cut costs is
staffing. Some camps use volunteers while
others have paid staff. Look at
counselor-to-camper ratios to determine how
many campers are sleeping in each cabin with
how many children. What age are the
counselors? If they are not over 18, parents
should be wary. Be sure to ask the director about the
actual, true total cost of the camp. This
should include not only tuition, but
transportation, canteen and spending money,
laundry, off-site trips, and uniforms (if
required). Ask the director about how much of
a deposit is required and if it is refundable.
When must the camp fees be paid in full? Ask
about what the policy is if the family's plans
change and they withdraw the child from the
program before the start of camp. What if
problems arise during camp and the child must
come home? Safety is the most important area of any
Summer Camp. Regardless of cost, you want to
ensure that your child will be safe and will
return home at the end of the program. One way
to make sure your selected camp is safe is to
verify that the camp is an accredited member
of the American Camp Association. The ACA
ensures that over 300 standards are met in
their accreditation process. Lastly, It is important to try to remember
the experience of being a kid. Summers are
long, and the experiences at camp create a
lifetime of memories. For many adults, these
recollections are some of their fondest. Do
what you need to to suit your needs, but don't
let this summer pass your child by without a
summer camp experience
So you are thinking about a
Minnesota Summer Camp for your
child. GREAT! Here are the top 10
questions to ask a summer camp
director. This list was compiled
by the American Camp Association. What's the camp's philosophy? Is
it one you're comfortable with? Is
it a good match for your child? Is
competition or cooperation
emphasized? If it's a camp run by
a religious organization, what
religious observances or practices
are part of the program? If you're
looking at a sports camp that
touts an affiliation with a
celebrity athlete, how much
time--if any--will the sports star
actually spend there? How does the camp recruit,
screen and train its staff? Do
counselors have criminal
background checks? First aid
training? Drug Testing? What about return rates? How
many counselors are returning this
year? The ACA says at most camps,
50 percent of the staff returns.
If the number you're given is
lower, ask why. How many campers
return? Fifty percent is good, and
more is better. Still looking for
that perfect camp Check out this
Summer Camps in Minnesota What's the ratio of counselors
to campers? ACA guidelines for
overnight camps call for a 1:6
ratio for ages 7 and 8, 1:8 for
ages 9-14; and 1:10 for ages
15-18. Day camp guidelines call
for 1:8 for children ages 6-8;
1:10 for children ages 9-14; and
1:12 for ages 15-18. How old are the counselors? The
ACA recommends that 80 percent of
the staff be 18 or older and that
all staffers be at least 16 and a
minimum of two years older than
the campers they supervise. What medical staff work at the
camp and what backup facilities
are nearby? The ACA recommends
that an overnight camp have a
licensed physician or registered
nurse on the site every day, and
that day camps should have direct
phone access. If your child takes
medication, has food allergies or
a chronic medical condition, be
sure you are comfortable that the
camp will be able to handle your
child's needs. How does the camp handle
conflicts and Discipline? Find out
what the camp's rules are and what
breaches would result in a camper
being sent home. You should be
comfortable that the camp's
practices are in line with your
parenting practices. What does a typical daily
schedule look like? This will help
you decide if your child will be
happy with the level of physical
activity or the amount of time
devoted to arts and crafts. Ask
how much freedom a child has to
choose activities. Will the camp be transporting
the children? What vehicles are
used and how often are they
inspected? Who drives them and
what training do drivers have? Ask for references. Finally and
most important, get the names of
parents with children the same age
who have attended the camp. Still looking for that perfect
camp Check out this Summer Camps
Minnesota When you are trying to get a
good feel for what a summer camp
is like it is a good idea to check
out the Summer Camp Blog. Here are
just a few things you might find
at Swift Nature Camp's Blog. Expect to capsize and swim
occasionally when paddling a
canoe, kayak or raft - it's part
of the sport! But when you hit the
water unexpectedly, even strong
swimmers need a lifejacket, also
known as a personal flotation
device (PFD). It allows you to
concentrate on doing what's needed
to execute a self rescue and will
allow you to assist others. Nearly
70% of all drownings involving
canoes, kayaks or rafts might have
been avoided if the victim had
been wearing a lifejacket! We at Swift Nature Camp believe
that your child's safety is the
most important part of camp. That
is why we have a strict Lifejacket
rule. Everyone must wear a PDF
when in a boat. No exceptions,
staff and campers alike. THis is
true if on a river canoe trip or
on on our own camp lake. Water is
so much fun and kids love it but
it is dangerous and we must be
prepared. We even have a special
"titanic test" to ensure that our
lifejacket fits nice and snug in
case of an emergency. Campers
learn this the first day of camp. It seems as if we are learning
more that Summer Camp helps
children grow into mature adults.
A new British study finds that
most modern parents overprotect
their kids. Half of all kids have
stopped climbing trees, and 17
percent have been told that they
can't play tag or chase. Even
hide-and-seek has been deemed
dangerous. And that dreaded
stick..."will put out someone's
eye". It is easy to blame
technology for the decline in
outdoor play, but it may well be
mom and dad. Adrian Voce of Play
England says 'Children are not
being allowed many of the freedoms
that were taken for granted when
we were children,' 'They are not
enjoying the opportunities to play
outside that most people would
have thought of as normal when
they were growing up.' According
to the Guardian, "Voce argued that
it was becoming a 'social norm'
for younger children to be allowed
out only when accompanied by an
adult. 'Logistically that is very
difficult for parents to manage
because of the time pressures on
normal family life,' he said. 'If
you don't want your children to
play out alone and you have not
got the time to take them out then
they will spend more time on the
computer.' The Play England study
quotes a number of play providers
who highlight the benefits to
children of taking risks.
'Risk-taking increases the
resilience of children,' said one.
'It helps them make judgments,'
said another. We as parents want
to play it safe and we need to
rethink safety vs adventure. The
research also lists examples of
risky play that should be
encouraged including
fire-building, den-making,
watersports, paintballing, boxing
and climbing trees. Summer camp
provides an excellent opportunity
for children to get outside take
risks and play, all while still
while being supervised by
concerned young adults...we call
counselors. See how Swift Nature
Camp can put Adventure back into
your childs life. The Russell W. Hogrefe Fresh
Start Fund was established by
Russell W. Hogrefe during his
tenure as Executive Director of
the American Camp Association,
Illinois Section. He served in
that position from 1979 until his
retirement in 1996. Russ spent his
entire professional career
providing children's summer camp
and other services to families
with very low income. Teachers,
social workers, counselors or
other professionals refer campers.
ACA Illinois Section staff and the
person making the referral select
an appropriate day or resident
camp program. Camps must be
accredited by the American Camp
Association. The camper's family
is encouraged to pay whatever they
can afford for the camping
experience. The camp provides a
partial campership and the Fund
pays the balance. If you would
like to donate fund to help an
underprivileged child attend
summer camp in 2009 please send a
check or make an online donation.
Summer camp is an experience that
enriches lives and all children
should have the opportunity to
attend kids summer camp. To learn
how Swift Nature Camp can help
your child attend camp visit our
website. Over the past few years I have
been happy to act as the Vice
President of the Midwest
Association of Independent Camps
(M.A.I.C.). We represent the very
best independently owned and
operated summer camps in the
Midwest. MAIC includes kids'
summer camps in Wisconsin,
Minnesota, Michigan and Indiana.
Our organization educates and
inspires camping professionals to
be their very best. MAIC is a
group of camp professionals who
are dedicated to promoting high
quality standards in organized
camping, while offering children
and their parents the best
possible summer camp experience.
Members of MAIC have been meeting
together and sharing ideas,
methods and practices since 1960.
To parents looking for a top
quality resident camp or day camp
in the Midwest: we are a great
place to start your camp search.
CampsRus.com is a camp directory
that represents over 45 of the
very best summer camps in the
midwest. If you are looking for an
amazing summer camp job working
with children, be sure to choose
an MAIC camp and start your search
here! Remember MAIC camps are
family run camps that are
concerned for each child?s safety
and emotional development. Above
all else M.A.I.C. camps = fun,
fun, fun, fun! Jeff & Lonnie Lorenz, are
Directors of Swift Nature Camp a
Non-competitive, Traditional coed
overnight summer camp in
Wisconsin. Boys and Girls Ages
6-15. enjoy Nature, Animals &
Science along with Adventure
camping. Thinking of sending your child
to summer camp? But what about
Homesickness? You don't have to be
a camper suffer from homesickness.
A strange, new place can trigger
separation anxiety. It is a normal
part of childhood for many kids.
It is evidence of the loving,
trusting relationship you have
built with your child and
therefor, separation for the first
time often is scary. A overnight Kids Summer Camp
often is difficult for a child,
even if they know the seperation
is followed by a family reunion.
Children can easily get
overwhelmed when adjusting to
living with new people in a
different place, . Even for
children who enjoy new adventures
a short bout of homesickness is a
common reaction for kids new to
summer camp. Regardless of outcome, don't
measure success as a parent by
your child's adjustment to camp.
Should your child do well and not
feel homesick does not mean that
they do not love you and need you.
Also, if your child does poorly
adjusting to camp, it does not
mean that you have failed to
create an independent child. For
some campers , it feels as if they
may never see you again . Be sure
to put your child's reaction into
context, often all they need is
comfort and reassurance that all
is ok. Homesickness is not about your
child loving or trusting you
enough, or about her independence
or willingness to take risks.
Homesickness is a temporary
feeling that can be beaten with
the support of camp staff. Beating
homesickness it is a huge boost to
to a childs self-confidence and
self esteem. Helping kids get over
home sickness is what camps do
well. Be Sure to talk to the
director if you feel this may be
an issue for your child There are times that with a
great deal of thought and
awareness a choise is made to
bring your child home. Failure is
a feeling that often is associated
with an early leaving of camp.
Sometimes a child is just not
ready for camp or the camp is just
not a good fit. If, after a real
trial (7-10 days), and your child
is not getting better, it's time
to make that trip to camp. ITalk to the camp director about
your decision to to bring your
child home. Support your child
fully through what they feel is a
failure. Reevaluation is best
saved for many days after the
return. You need to figure it out
with them. Help your child to
understand that even though it did
not work, he is not a failure.
Suggest another sleepaway camp
program at another time because
you have confidence in him. Should you feel overnight camp
maybe difficult for your child
find a program that has a special
"first time camper program." Swift
Nature Camp offers a unique SUMMER
CAMP FOR KIDS that is designed
only for first time camper. This
program works because it is long
enough for campers to not get
stuck at a place of homesickness,
but rather helps them to get
through those feelings. With a
limited amount of campers and only
first timers it sets a level
playing feel for all campers. Find out how to pick a summer
camp at Summer Camp Advice. Camp information Here are some things to consider
when visiting a camp, watching a
video or flipping through the
brochure. iPlease note many of
these areas may affect your
child's stay at summer camp. Be
sure to ask the camp director if
you can not find information that
you feel is a top priority for
your child.Summer Camp Facilities Be careful to look at
the condition of the facilities.
Do the buildings well maintained,?
Or do they show signs of neededf
maintenance. Rustic buildings are
perfectly ok, make sure that they
are not being neglected. Specific
things you'll want to look for and
ask about include: Bunks: * Do children live in
cabins, tents, or dorms? * How
many beds are in each cabin? * Are
they bunk beds or individual cots?
* How do the campers choose which
beds they want? * Where do the
campers store their belongings? *
Are the cabins to crowded? Is
there enough storage space? Has
the camp overbooked and crowded
extra campers in? * Are the cabins
clean? Are beds made by the
campers and belongings stowed? *
How many counselors sleep in each
Cabin? Bathrooms: *Does each bunk have
it's own toilets or is there a
common bathhouse? How far away are
the toilets? * Do children have to
walk alone at night? Is the path
lighted? * Where are the showers?
* If the camp is coed, how
separate are the shower and toilet
facilities? * Who cleans the
bathrooms, and how often? Waterfront or Swimming Pool:
*Can pool accommodate all of camps
swimmers? * Is the waterfront
areas for swimming, boating, water
skiing and diving separate and
clearly marked? * What waterfront
equipment is provided? * What is
the supervision and ratio of
lifeguards to swimmers? * Are life
jackets worn during water
activities? * Is swimming areas
marked? * How are swimmers counted
and watched? Buddy board? The Grounds: * Are playing
fields freshly reseeded and mowed?
* Are the trails clearly marked? *
Is the equipment in good
condition? Dinning Hall:Your child will
spend alot of time in the Dinning
Hall. Be sure the Camp understand
this and work to make it a clean,
exciting and nutritious experience
If you have special dietary needs
don't be forget to make sure they
can accommodate your nees. <a
href="http://www.swiftnaturecamp.com">Kids
Summer Camp</a> *Can the
whole camp to be served in one
seating? * Do cabins eat together
or split up? * How are meals
served, buffet style or family
style? * What if your childr
doesn't like the main meal? what
are the alternatives? Is there a
salad bar? * Are snacks served?
How and what are the snacks? *
What is a typical menu? * What are
ther credentials of the cook? * Is
the kitchen inspected by local
authorities? What are the safety
and cleanliness standards? Remember this article has to do
with the comforts of camp and not
with safety at camp. The American
Camp Association has a
certification program that looks
at over 300 different aspects of
camp. It is always best to select
a camp that has been ACA
Accredited. You can learn more about
selecting a wonderful Teen Summer
Camp by visiting Summer Camp
Advice Finding a Summer Camp So you are thinking about a
Summer Camp for your child. First
decide if your going to a Camps or
a Girls Camps. Each have their own
benefit. Maybe a Coed Camp is best
for your child. Next, work with
you child to find a camp that will
increase their interests or expose
them to new activities. After all
that, here are the top 10
questions to ask a summer camp
director. This list was compiled
by the American Camp Association. What's the camp's philosophy? Is
it one you're comfortable with? Is
it a good match for your child? Is
competition or cooperation
emphasized? If it's a camp run by
a religious organization, what
religious observances or practices
are part of the program? If you're
looking at a sports camp that
touts an affiliation with a
celebrity athlete, how much
time--if any--will the sports star
actually spend there? How does the camp recruit,
screen and train its staff? Do
counselors have criminal
background checks? First aid
training? Drug Testing? What about return rates? How
many counselors are returning this
year? The ACA says at most camps,
50 percent of the staff returns.
If the number you're given is
lower, ask why. How many campers
return? Fifty percent is good, and
more is better. What's the ratio of counselors
to campers? ACA guidelines for
overnight camps call for a 1:6
ratio for ages 7 and 8, 1:8 for
ages 9-14; and 1:10 for ages
15-18. Day camp guidelines call
for 1:8 for children ages 6-8;
1:10 for children ages 9-14; and
1:12 for ages 15-18. How old are the counselors? The
ACA recommends that 80 percent of
the staff be 18 or older and that
all staffers be at least 16 and a
minimum of two years older than
the campers they supervise. What medical staff work at the
camp and what backup facilities
are nearby? The ACA recommends
that an overnight camp have a
licensed physician or registered
nurse on the site every day, and
that day camps should have direct
phone access. If your child takes
medication, has food allergies or
a chronic medical condition, be
sure you are comfortable that the
camp will be able to handle your
child's needs. How does the camp handle
conflicts and Discipline? Find out
what the camp's rules are and what
breaches would result in a camper
being sent home. You should be
comfortable that the camp's
practices are in line with your
parenting practices. What does a typical daily
schedule look like? This will help
you decide if your child will be
happy with the level of physical
activity or the amount of time
devoted to arts and crafts. Ask
how much freedom a child has to
choose activities. Will the camp be transporting
the children? What vehicles are
used and how often are they
inspected? Who drives them and
what training do drivers have? Ask for references. Finally and
most important, get the names of
parents with children the same age
who have attended the camp. Still looking for ideas to help
you make an informed decision?
Check out Summer Camp Advice Summer Camp Directory This question wouldn't even occur to most
people who went to summer camp as a child ~
most of them can tell you long cherished
stories they still remember in detail. The
memories of summer camp are reminders of
experiences with a lifetime's worth of value.
Children's camp can provide a child with
opportunities for never ending daily fun the
way few other places can. Pure, nonstop fun
would be reason enough for anyone to want to
be at a sleep away camp, but resident camp
offers even more to a child's unfolding life,
and the best camps offer a wealth of benefits.
Summer
Camp Summer camps are healthy! Exercise is a part
of any child?s life of play, and camp is a
natural provider of constant, safe,
imaginative physical play. This brings
opportunities for every camper?s intellect and
imagination to get plenty of exercise at the
same time. Camp offers a chance for kids to learn
social interaction in a creative and
independent way. Guided by capable adult
friends called counselors, campers get an
independent chance to apply what they have
been taught at home in a larger world. If a
summer camp is a coed camp, there is even more
opportunity for kids to learn how to relate
with members of the other gender as friends
and equals rather than what advertisers
promote.Summer Camp Given our current economy sleep away camps
are easily the most affordable summer care
choice available. Yet, summer camp is so much
more than childcare. It's a place and time for
kids to gain independence, enhance their
skills, make new friends and above all have
fun. Campers grow to find and be themselves, in a
natural setting that gently challenges a child
to newer and higher standards for their own
behavior. The kids camp daily context is
activities that encourage perseverance,
listening skills, teamwork, and the ability to
recognize similarities and appreciate
differences in each individual. If it?s a
nature camp or an animals camp, kids get even
more opportunities to relate with the
creatures of the natural worlds around us.
Self discovery can become a habit that lasts a
lifetime. Camp provides opportunity to rediscover a
growing life. At overnight camp kids come to a
new place and try new things and make new
friends. Everyone starts as an equal with a
chance to just be oneself around others.
Summer camp is so much more than the most
affordable childcare choice parents can make? Swift Nature Camp is one of the few camps
nationwide that offers a beginning camp
experience only for the first time camper. Summer camp is a very special experience
that 12 million children participate in each
and every summer. Yet, finding that perfect
Children's Summer Camp can be a daunting task. However, parents and campers alike can go to
a special camp rating page. Rate
Camps That will help you by
letting you read about past campers time at a
particular camp. Remember, this is no
substitute for doing proper background work.
Yet, it can help. Swift Nature Camp is a Non-competitive,
Traditional coed Summer Camp for Kids in
Wisconsin. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. enjoy
Nature, Animals & Science along with
Traditional camping activities. Session length is 2, 3 and 6 weeks. Plus
they specialize in knowing the needs of the
first time camper. They even have a special
program only for children that have never gone
to camp before. To learn more about what campers are saying
about this summer camp here are a few camper
and parents quotes. Swift was the BEST camp i have ever
attended! the staff was carring, the whole
camp was maintained perfectly and every cabin
participated in frequent and awesome
activities. They pay attention to table
manners and make them fun. SNC has changed me
as a person inside and out. with a limit of
around 2 or 3 candies a week, it was a very
healthy 2 weeks. I wait eagerly for the summer
so that I can attend once again. The Swift Nature Camp offers kids an
opportunity to mature and be on their own
while having the support and help from the
staff. The kids can bring their pet to the
camp and get in touch with the nature. After 6
weeks at the camp, my 13 years old son became
more responsible and thankful person. He is
better organized at home and in school. He is
going to the Swift Nature Camp this summer
again. Science Camp Since it was going to be the first time my
daughter was away from home, I did alot of
research on away camps. I did not know anyone
who had sent their son/daughter to away camp,
so I had to rely solely on my research, visit
to the facilities, and gut instinct. At the
end of camp, after I picked my daughter up, I
knew I had made the right decision with Swift
Nature Camp. She had nothing but memorable
experiences to share on the way home; I knew
the camp had made a positive impact on her
life. This is a great experience for those who
love the outdoors, or for those who have not
had enough exposure to the outdoors and need
more. In addition you can find more about great
summer camps at Summer Camp Advice Summer Camp
Information Summer Camp in the North woods of Minnesota
is more than the pristine beauty of lakes,
forests and eagles flying overhead. To me,
Summer Camp is another home with another
family. But camp isn't just any family or any
home, Swift Nature Camp is a special home. This summer home is filled with acceptance,
love, encouragement, and true, down to earth
friends who you will end up calling your camp
family. Your counselors act as parents, older
siblings, etc. They are great people to look
up to. The campers are great friends for life.
You may even end up looking at them as
siblings. Acceptance is everywhere, no one
kicks you out of the cabin because of who you
are. Your uniqueness is celebrated. This is
the main reason why I love Swift Nature
Camp...it's so much more than just having fun. When you're not on canoe or backpack trips
and just at camp, there is so much to do, you
can never fit it all in. Other fun activities
to do at camp are archery, swimming, fishing,
boating, tubing, and riflery. I loved being
active all day. What is real neat is rather
you are a beginner or an expert in an area its
ok. The counselors help you get better. All
activities are noncompetitive and so we all
support each other, rather than worry who is
best. When I think of Swift, I think of trips.
I'll never forget the Superior Hiking Trail or
going to Ely. What an adventure! I loved the
trails, nature, and sights of the forest. It
was fun getting to know the other persons that
hike with you. The wildlife you see is
extremely cool. We saw hawks, bald eagles,
deer, ospreys, trout, and carp. This is why I
love Minnesota Camps Life in a cabin is about learning from
others and with others. It is becoming a team
of understanding. Sure, sometimes we had our
fights or minor issues, but almost always they
were resolved and we grew closer as a team for
them. I always loved the Nature Center. It is a
great place to learn about Nature and the
Environment. The Director is always fun and
teaches us loads of cool things but its not at
all like school. There are all sorts of
animals that are fun to observe and hold. One
day they even made me feel a little more
comfortable when I was homesick. I'm returning to Swift Nature Camp for all
these reasons. I love camp and hope to be a
Counselor in training when I'm sixteen and
then a counselor when I'm eighteen. So, I'll
see yawl in the North woods of Minnesota this
summer! At camp, children are given the choice to
take risks and try new things. This voluntary
nature makes children more open to new
experiences, with personal satisfaction as
their motivation. Not only are there
opportunities to try new things, but camp
offers many areas for children to excel in. At
a good general interest camp, the non-athlete
can shine at arts and crafts, woodworking, or
dramatic programs, while the athlete can also
find many outlets for their skills. Perhaps
most importantly, the two campers learn to
live together and become friends despite their
varied interests. Summer Camps Camp offers children many opportunities to
become competent. Practicing both new and old
skills on a regular basis, it makes sense that
there will be improvement. Novices have
chances to learn, while those who are more
experienced can improve. Learning new skills
and improving on old ones builds self-esteem.
Children become more independent and
self-reliant at camp with their new found
skills. Sending your child to camp is giving them an
opportunity to try something new. No matter
how many after-school programs or lessons a
child takes, its likely they will never have
the opportunity to try all that is offered at
summer camp. In a supportive environment, the
child can try at something new. The
interesting twist to these activities is that,
since campers often don't know anyone else at
camp before they go, they are more willing to
try activities that their friends at home
might not expect them to. The athlete can try
out for the camp play, while the artist may
dabble in sports. At camp, children can try
new things and set their own goals for
success. Though years later, your child may not
remember capture the flag games or the words
to a camp song, the life lessons learned at
camp will remain. At camp, a child learns how
to take responsibility. The child who has
never before made a bed, will learn how to
smooth out sheets and blankets and tidy up a
cubby. Though counselors will remind and
encourage, campers quickly take responsibility
for personal hygiene, and for more minor
health issues, a camper learns to articulate
what hurts and how to get help. All of this
personal responsibility further fosters a
sense of independence and self-esteem. Camp
also improves a child's social skills by
making new friends and learning how to reach
out to strangers. At camp, children learn to
get along with others, all while living
together 24 hours a day, learning about
courtesy, compromise, teamwork, and respect.
Minnesota Camps During a recent survey of campers in 20
different camps that where accredited by the
American Camping Association provided answers
to questions like "What did you learn at
camp?" "How are you different in school
because of what you did at camp last summer?"
"How do you feel differently about yourself
since you've been to camp?" American
Camp Association Can you think of things you learned and did
at camp last summer that helped you in school
this year? * I learned to have more patience
and to appreciate the things I have. (10 year
old female) * I feel that I am better at
interacting with friends and family. The
people skills learned at camp affected me
dramatically when I went home. (15 year old
male) * Leadership, organization,
water-skiing, make my bed, keep my stuff
clean, to keep in touch with my friends,
respect, how to handle pressure. (13 year old
female) If explaining camp to friends, what would
you say you learn here? * You learn mostly how
to interact with different kinds of people and
are open to different ideas. You learn how to
cooperate well with others who share and don't
share the same opinions as you. (15 year old
female) * I learned to have fun, be a leader,
discipline, and most of all - respect. (12
year old male) * You learn how to make new
friends, learn different sports, and learn
that camp can be a very good part of summer!
(9 year old female) Do you feel differently about yourself when
you are at camp? * I feel differently because
I feel like I am accomplishing something by
being here. (13 year old female) * At school
there are defined groups of people, but at
camp, everyone feels wanted. (15 year old
female) * Yes, because I'm with people my age
and people who respect everyone. (11 year old
male) * At camp I think that I can do more and
be proud of myself. (13 year old female) * At
camp I have a personality that is different
from home. I'm less cautious to do fun or
exciting things. I don't feel as alone as I
sometimes do at home. (14 year old male) *
When I'm at camp I feel that I can be more
open with myself and others. I tell people
things at camp I wouldn't speak of back home.
I feel so much more in tune with myself here
and I can discuss issues so much more openly.
(15 year old male) * I don't have to be fake
to anyone. Everyone here accepts me as I am
and I'm not judged or criticized. (15 year old
female) Given the benefits of a sleepaway camp, it
seems that all children should enroll. There
are camps for almost all children, including
those with special needs. However, there are
certainly children who are not ready for an
overnight camp experience. Be sure you and
your child are ready to leave home. America celebrated the first Earth Day On
April 22, 1970. It was a need celebration to
bring to light how polutio was killing this
world. Today, Earth Day is no longer
celebrated nationally but is celebrated around
the globe. The earth is in better shape than those
early days yet, there is a staggering divide
between children and the outdoors. Richard
Louv, child advocacy expert, directly blames
the lack of nature in the lives on today's
wired generation. He calls this phonomenon
nature-deficit order and he links it to some
of the most alarming trends for our kids.
Including rises in obesity, attention
disorders, and depression. His recent book,Last Child in the Woods, has
spurred a national dialogue among educators,
health professionals, parents, developers and
conservationists. It clearly show we and our
youth need to spend time in nature. Schools have tried to use nature in the
class room for some time. At Holman School in
NJ, Ms. Millar began an environmental project
in the school's courtyard. It has become quite
an undertaking--even gaining state
recognition. It contains several habitat
areas, including a Bird Sanctuary, a
Hummingbird/ Butterfly Garden, A Woodland Area
with a pond, and a Meadow. My students
currently maintain the Bird Sanctuary--filling
seed and suet feeders, filling the birdbaths,
building birdhouses, even supplying nesting
materials! In addition, this spring they will
be a major force in the clean up and
replanting process. They always have energy
and enthusiasm for anything to do with "their
garden". Despite schools doing their best to get kids
in nature , we as a nation have lost the
ability to just send our kids out to play.
Summer Camps are a great wayto fill this void.
A recent study finds that todays parents
overprotect their kids. Kids have stopped
climbing trees, been told that they can't play
tag or hide-and-seek Not to mention THE STTICK
and how it will put out someone's eye. Can technology be the blamefor the decline
in outdoor play? Adrian Voce says "Children
are not being allowed many of the freedoms
that were taken for granted when we were
children," "They are not enjoying the
opportunities to play outside that most people
would have thought of as normal when they were
growing up." According to the Guardian, "Voce argued that
it was becoming a 'social norm' for younger
children to be allowed out only when
accompanied by an adult. 'Logistically that is
very difficult for parents to manage because
of the time pressures on normal family life,'
he said. 'If you don't want your children to
play out alone and you have not got the time
to take them out then they will spend more
time on the computer.' Many play providers see the benefits to
children of taking risks. "Risk-taking
increases the resilience of children," said
one. "It helps them make judgments," said
another. We as parents want to play it safe
and we need to rethink thr benefit of
adventure in a childs life. Examples of risky play that should be
encouraged include fire-building, den-making,
watersports and climbing trees. These are all
activities that a Summer camp can provide. At
camp children to get outside take risks and
play, this while being supervised by
responsible young adults. Swift Nature Camp is a Traditional OUTDOOR
CAMP in Wisconsin. Where Boys and Girls Ages
6-15. enjoy Nature, Animals & Science
along with Traditional camping activities.
Swift is a Nature Camp that develops a childs
desire to know more about nature but also on
acquiring a deep respect for it. Our
philosophy is to engage children in fun-filled
learning through active participation and
natural curiosity. Our Noncompetive atmosphere promotes all
skill levels. Swift Nature Camp provides
activities that allows children to excel and
enjoy thus, giving each camper the opportunity
to participate and have fun, rather than worry
about results. Out-of-camp trips, such as biking, canoeing,
backpacking and horse trips are a great way to
get kids out in nature. Kids love to discover
new worlds and learn to be comfortable in
them. This is why Swift is so much more than
just a SCIENCE SUMMER CAMP. Earth day has provided so much..but their is
more we can learn from nature. This summer
help your child regain their appreciation for
nature by sending them to Swift Nature Camp.
This is an opportunity that will be treasured
the rest of your child's life. At Animals Camps Kids find out about animals
at summer camp, if you choose a camp that
includes animals in the programs they offer.
Science camps offer sophisticated learning
programs, but there are summer camps that
include animals as a part of more playful
programs. Getting to know animals through firsthand
interaction reawakens a childs sense of
connection with nature. Experience with
animals as a camper can begin a growing and
lifelong respect for nature. Swift Nature Camp best known as Outdoors
Camp has a pond aquarium that offers a unique
way to see the world from the perspective of
another animal: pond life from a frogs point
of view. The Wisconsin camp also maintains a
live animal collection they call Natures
Neighbors. Campers can bring their own small
animals to camp with them where the animals
can live in the camps Nature Center and be
available to all the children Swift Nature Camp offers campers wider
experience to understand animals and how we
coexist with them by arranging field trips to
a fish hatchery, goose banding projects and
butterfly counts. And what child will ever
forget a close up visit with a live owl? Animals are a part of Swift Nature Camps
voluntary merit program, in which campers can
earn special patches by learning skills in
categories such as insects, bird watching, pet
care, and horseback riding. Acquiring skills
is never separate from the fun and play that
is a part of being a camper. The summer camp you choose should facilitate
a blend of play and challenge that is free of
the stress of the school environment. The
presence of animals in a natural environment
can open the door to discovery, adding depth
to the fun of going to a traditional summer
camp. To accomodate that range with a voluntary
merit program that includes experience with
animals. A camper\'s interaction with animals
can be refined into skills involving horseback
riding, insects, pet care and bird watching.
These opportunities never come at the expense
of fun! Discovering nature and the world we live in.
Living in a natural environment Like camp is a
perfect way for kids to play and grow. When
children play with animals rather than just
receiving information, they learn. Camp is
more about fun and has far less stressful than
school.
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