Minnesota is blessed with many natural resouces and a rich natural back drop. Yet, Minnesota is becoming increasingly urban, not just Minneapolis or St Paul, so too is the percentage of Minnesotans living in Greater Minnesota’s cities and towns. In 2010 census, 73.3 percent of Minnesotans lived in urban areas.Yes, Minnesota life has changed! No longer are children exposed to nature as they used to be. Try this at home, ask a child 8-10 years old to describe an elephant or a bunny many will reach for a screen of some sort and want to show you. Yes, a picture is worth a 1000 words and yet something is lacking when we just reach for a screen.

I have asked many teachers over the years: "How is a Minnesota child's Environmental Science knowledge?" and most would say that the average child in Minnesota has less outdoor knowledge than thier grandparents. Some go as far as to say that some children have never touched a pine cone or picked up a worm on a rainy day. We have lost contact with the Environment. These same tachers say that they would love to teach more Environmental Education and take our kids outside, but they are so scheduled with what to teach that it gives them little opportunity.

Environmental Education Summer Camps are just one easy way a parent can empower their child's learning and reduce today's nature deficit. The urbanizatin of Minnesota reduces children's exposure to the the natural environment. It is more important than ever that our children get outside and reconect. Environmental education has numerous benefits, like helping children become good stewards and to think globally, as well as observe and  act locally. Environmental education does more than just teaching about plants, animals and the world we live in.  It is a valuable tool that encourages kids to think critically, observe nature and even sit quietly without a screen, all things we can use in our everyday world.

At Swift Nature Camp we take Environmental Education seriously, but not too seriously. Each day children will have the opportunity to be a part of our Nature Ceter activities. Many of the science activities are part of Nature Quest, the award-winning environmental program designed by the World Wildlife Federation,thus creating an amazing  Environmental Camp. Our Nature Center and zoo at camp provide a dynamic setting for learning, as campers find themselves doing science experiments, conducting environmental testing, learning about the local wildlife, or participating in our camp recycling program. At Swift Nature Camp we even have a pond aquarium that campers can fill with their freshly caught turtles, frogs and fish.  Our Nature's Neighbors live animal collection provides opportunities for up-close study and care of several common Northwoods residents, as well as a few exotic immigrants. Campers with their own small animals are encouraged to bring them to camp to share with others. The animals live in the Nature Center and camp Zoo, where all campers can enjoy and learn about them. As part of our environmental education campers can even adopt the pets while they are at camp, this gives a child responsibility while learning about their pet.

If you feel your child needs to get off their screen and be out in nature at a Minnesota Environmental Education Summer Camp then Swift Nature Camp is a wonderful place to make it happen. We even have an exclusive First Time at Camp program, perfect for the child who is new to spending the night away from home.

Science & Nature Summer Camp
in Minnesota

Often Parents from Minnesota, ask us "Where has this camp been"? Well Swift Nature Camp has been giving children a wonderful overnight Summer Camp experience since the 1960's. But what I think they really mean is that they have been looking for a special overnight summer camp that meets their child's needs. You see they are looking for an Animal Summer Camp or a Nature Camp, maybe a Science Camp all near Minneapolis. Why? Because their child generally is not sportsy type and really thrives being outside going on frog hunts and doing other Nature activities.  So when a parent finds a small camp like SNC, they are very happy that their child will have the opportunity to play and be with kids who are also Nature Nuts.

You See at SNC we are not school so children learn about animals and nature hands on. Matter of fact one of our favorite activities is going on a frog hunt. See at SNC we believe when campers see, they remember. But when campers do, they understand. If we can increase a campers  self discovery and natural curiosity, it entice children to learn about and play Outdoors in NATURE and if children value our environment they will in the future see a reason to protect it.

What many parent enjoy is that camp is only 2 hours form Mpls., so on a weekend they can stop on by and see how their camper is doing or even take him or her out of this Animal Summer Camp for Lunch. It allow parent to stay in contact with their camper. However, don’t be surprised if your child has other plans, so often parents are happy to see that their camper has found a nature summer camp they can call home. But, get discouraged when their child would prefer to play in nature or do science experiments rather than go out for lunch. But that's OK, camp is all about helping children feel comfortable in their new surroundings and giving them the independence to do so.

Animals are why kids love Swift Nature Camp, we have plenty.  Each summer children enjoy adopting a pet and taking care of it. They need to be responsible to feed, water and play with it before any play time. This helps build responsibility and empathy for their pets. Speaking of Pets, SNC is one of the few camps that allows children to bring their animals with them to summer camp. How Cool! Little Billy can bring his pet hamster with him, one less thing for parents to worry about while your camper is at summer camp.

But it is more than just an active Nature Center, Pet Zoo, and Department of Natural Resources sponsored programs that keep bringing campers back to Swift Nature Camp it is our special recreational activities that include canoe and backpack trips, horseback riding, swimming, arts & crafts, team courses, archery, sailing, water skiing, tubing and sports, over 20 different land and water activities.

As a parent to learn more about this Overnight Minnesota Animal Camp, read more about how we encourage children to be more responsible and to be accountable for themselves as well as being kinder. For Campers at this Kids Nature Camp learn more about the cool activities, the friendships and the animals. Hope to see you at Swift Nature Camp