Posts Tagged ‘Summer Camp’

Newer Entries »

A Bear Story, Life Lessons

Friday, January 15th, 2010

A Black Bear, Loon & Walleye: A Fable from the Northwoods a story by Sara Button holds a special place in our hearts. As Directors of Swift Nature Camp an Overnight Summer Camp in the Northwoods of Wisconsin,our campers can see this story unfolding right in front of their eyes. It is so special we keep a copy in our camp library for all to read.

This is a story of three friends–Black Bear, Loon & Walleye, one furry, one feathered, one sporting fish scales–and each wishes for the gifts of another, not unlike many of us. Black Bear longs for shiny scales to look flashy and impress his friends; Loon wants to sport and enviable fur coat; and Walleye wants to fly. One day when their wishes magically come true, each realizes the faults : Bear’s scales can’t keep him warm, Loon can’t fly with fur weighing her down, and Walleye has bad eyesight and is no good at flying even with feathers.

In this rich, modern-day fable, Black Bear, Loon and Walleye take a wild adventure that teaches them lessons that are as universal as they are timeless. The friends learned a valuable lesson that day, to appreciate each other’s gifts, but most of all to value their own. Trying new things is important, because you might find something that you really enjoy. But if it doesn’t work out, you still get to know yourself better. From that day on, the three friends agreed to always appreciate each other’s gifts, but most of all to value their own.

All who read This is a story will remember the importance of trying new things, understanding our own true nature, and having faith that we are all perfectly designed to fulfill our own unique purposes in life. The bottom line, Know yourself well and Value your gifts!

At Summer Camp the opportunity arises daily to promote each child’s personal development by providing fun, friendship and leadership in a supportive and noncompetitive environment away from home. Camp provides children an opportunity to act on their own, be self-reliant and try things for themselves. Camp provides few long lasting consequences, so children know that if it doesn’t work out they can start over much like the stars of our book.

Ech night as our camp counselors read stories to the children a familiar call is heard in the background. As the loon calls it brings this story to life and makes it a special evening. If coming to the Northwoods is not as easy for you use the CD that comes with the book has loon sounds along with a guitar and the story read aloud.

Thinking of a sending your child of to camp? Try Summer Camp Advice a Free reference for parents looking for the Best Children’s Summer Camps.

Swift Nature Camp is a Wisconsin Summer Minnesota Camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional Overnight Summer Camp activities with an appreciation for nature, animals and the environment.

categories: books,reading,summer camp,children,teens,kids,parenting,summer vacation,travel,recreation

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in outdoors | Comments Off

Finding a Teen Adventure Camp

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

While raising Teens have a certain challenge, choosing the right Teen Summer Camp may be more complicated than selecting other activities. As a child get older we see the physical change more important are the emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social changes. We need to met our child’s needs with the proper program

Finding the right summer program for teens is not all that different than that of a ten year old. It is important to find a safe, secure, and appropriate environment. Yet, teens need and are ready for new challenges and increased independence. Yearly, as interests expand and your child matures, reexamine your choice.

All teens are not alike so remember that the needs, interests, and abilities of a thirteen year-old are often very different from that of a seventeen year-old. So, keep in mind your child’s maturity. Supervision in teen programs is often less than for other children programs.

As you know a teenager is part kid and part adult. So planning way in advance may be difficult. Yet, good programs may fill-up fast. Early registration will give you the widest range of selection.

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.

Remember, no Last adult ever looked back at their youth and and remembers the good old days of video games and TV!

TO learn more how to select an Summer Camp visit Summer Camp Advice. Summer Camp.

Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, Overnight Summer Camp for teens. Campers enjoy Adventure trips along with in camp activities: Scuba, Sailing, Skiing and more. To learn more click Minnesota Summer Camps

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in outdoors | Comments Off

Going to an Overnight Summer Camp

Friday, January 8th, 2010

So you have made a decision that you are going to send your child to summer camp. But have you been to the camp you have chosen? It can be difficult for most parents to take a camp tour while camp is in session. Yet, if you can find a way to tour a camp, you will learn so much more than the brochures and video tell you. Be sure to phone ahead for an appointment, to ensure that you can visit on a day when you can see that camp’s programs in action.

Picking the right day is important. Call ahead for an appointment to make sure that you can visit on a day when you can see the summer camp program in action. The director may ask you to come a different day than you request. Your first choice may fall on a day when too many campers would be off camp property, or it might be during visiting day or between sessions when no campers are present.

You should allow at least two to three hours to spend at the camp so that you will have ample time to tour, observe, and chat. Observing activities for an extended period will give you a chance to see how the counselors juggle the demands of campers and to observe the safety precautions that are taken.

Take your child with you on the tour and pay attention to how the guide relates with your child. The way the guide interacts with your child will tell you volumes about the camp’s attitude towards the children it should be there to serve.

Don’t be overly concerned if the camp director cannot guide your tour, but if that is the case you should ask for time to meet the directors before you leave. Be sure you feel as if you can trust the directors with your child for the length of a camp session. Here are a few questions to keep in mind about a camp director: is he or she a hands-on administrator, comfortable spending time with campers and staff, or is the majority of time spent in the office with paper work? Where is the director’s on-camp residence? Does the director know the names of the of the kids he or she encounters?

If the counselors aren’t kind, caring, sensitive, imaginative, and skilled, then the facilities and activities don’t matter. Counselors are directly responsible for making sure your child has a safe and fun summer. Pay careful attention to how the counselors you see interact with campers. During activities, counselors should be supervising and continually attentive to the campers, rather than chatting amongst themselves. Praise should be specific and given to all children in activities, not just the superstars. Make sure that the specialty counselors are not just skilled themselves, but also great teachers who can translate their enthusiasm and skills to children.

If you feel parental concern about sending your child to a summer camp this year, be sure to take the time and visit that camp. It will help you feel more comfortable about your wise choice for sending your child to a summer of great fun.

Looking for morenformation? Visit Summer Camp Advisor, a FREE Summer Camp website filled with information to help parent select the best summer camp for their child

About the authors:Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz are the owners of Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, traditional coed Overnight Summer Camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature, animals and science along with traditional camping activities. Swift specializes in programs for the first time camper as well as adventures for teens.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in outdoors | Comments Off

Summer Camp for Teens

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Choosing the right summer activity for a teen is often more complicated than for a younger child. Yet, the rewards can be even Greater. A teenager is in the midst of an incredible growth spurt. As parents we are always looking to increase our teens emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social Development. Teen Adventure Camp programs are a wonderful way of doing this.

Finding that special summer program for a teen requires some of these basics: a safe, secure, and appropriate environment. Teenagers are looking for new challenges and more independence. So yearly reexamine summer programs as your child matures and as interests expand.

Remeber, interests, and abilities of a 13 year-old are quite different from that of a 17 year-old. So, when thinking programs, you should always keep in mind your child’s maturity. Supervision in many of the programs designed for teens is less than for younger children, so be sure to ask. One great resource is Summer Camp Advice, a free website that offers all sorts of information on how to select a summer camp.

Teens are part kid and part adult. So planning a summer program may be more complex than you think. Because many good programs fill up fast, you will want to try to focus early to avoid disappointment.

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.”

Many teen programs exist its important to try to find the best one. Sometimes you have to really look hard to find the right answer. The internet is a very useful tool for this. It is helpful to know the kind of program you are looking for: sports, serving, traveling, adventure or a little bit of each.

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.

Swift Nature Camp may be the perfect fit for your teenager. 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.

Remember, no Last adult ever looked back at their youth and and remembers the good old days of video games and TV!

TO learn more how to select an Summer Camp visit Summer Camp Advice. Summer Camp

Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, Summer Camps for teens. Campers enjoy Adventure trips along with in camp activities: Scuba, Sailing, Skiing and more. To learn more click Minnesota Camps

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in outdoors | Comments Off

Finding The Best Summer Camp And Childrens Camp For Your Children

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

At summer camp your children can try new activities, have some amazing outdoor and cultural experiences, develop friendships and take away life long memories.

If you are planning to send your child to a summer camp or childrens camp, then you want to be sure that your children will get the most out of the experience and that they will be well cared for. When you send your child to summer camps you want them to have fun in a stimulating and nurturing environment.

It is best to do a little research and investigation before you sign your child up for a summer camp. There are so many different options available and many summer camps have features and activities that will suit your child’s individual needs, preferences and talents. Search the Internet and ask friends and fellow parents for their advice and recommendations.

Before talking to your child about the summer camps they could go to, think carefully about why you want to send your child to summer camp. What is it that you would really like them to take from the experience? Do you want them to be able to improve in certain sports or hobbies that they have and would like extra expert training for them in that area? Do you want them to be exposed to new activities and challenges and develop self-confidence through those challenges? By deciding on your main motivation for sending them to childrens camp, you are one step closer to choosing the right one.

Think about your children’s interests and the things they enjoy and don’t enjoy doing. You should look for a camp that offers a good range of activities in things that your child already has some skill, interest and experience with as well as some activities that are new to them and will help them to grow as an individual. Continuing with activities that they enjoy over the summer is a great way for them to hone their skills.

If your child has any special needs, such as medical needs, then you will also have to carefully consider how well the summer camps are set up to deal with them. Many camps regularly have children with diabetes, allergies, cerebral palsy and many other conditions that might require some special attention and precautions by the summer camp staff. If your child does have a health condition that needs monitoring, you should check that the staff is fully versed in the child’s requirements and have systems in place to ensure they are fully looked after.

Summer Kids Camps and childrens camp are a great way to get your children involved in a range of outdoor and cultural activities. It is a good way to improve your child’s self esteem and their confidence in themselves while meeting different people and broadening their horizons in a safe and caring environment. By thinking about your wishes, your child’s interests and needs you will find the best summer camp for them.

Learn more about Overnight Summer Camp. Stop by Swift Nature Camps site where you can find out all about a wondeful Animal Summer Camp and how much your child will love summer camp.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in outdoors | Comments Off

Summer Camps in Wisconsin

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Northwoods Wisconsin Summer Camp what a great place for your kid. The .American Camp Association suggest you ask these top 10 questions.

What’s the camp’s Purpose? Is it Sports? Is it Traditional? Os it Science? Are you comfortable with this ? Is it a good fit for your child? Is competition or cooperation emphasized? Do you want religious observances or practices? Try to understand all parts of the program

How does the Summer Camp get and train its staff? Do counselors have criminal background checks? First aid training? Drug Testing? What’s the training all about?

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 Wisconsin Summer Camps

What’s the ratio of staff to camper? Guidelines for overnight camps are for a 1:6 ratio for ages for younger children, and 1:10 for older teens.

What’s the Staff Ages ? Eighty 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. Are the staff a paid position or volunteers?

Is a Nurse at hand? The ACA recommends that an sleepaway camps have a physician or nurse on the site daily. If your camper has medications, food allergies or a medical condition, be sure you ask all your questions and are comfortable.

How does the camp Punish and Discipline? Know what your camp’s rules are and what breaches would send a camper home. You should be comfortable with these.

What does a camp Day 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.

How does the camp provide transportation? How often are the van inspected? Who is driving, what’s the training.

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

Still looking for a resource to help you sort out all the summer camp confusion? Try Selecting a Camp

About the authors: Swift Nature Camp is a non-competitive, traditional coed Wisconsin Summer Camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature, animals and science along with traditional adventure camp activities. Swift specializes in programs for the first time camper as well as adventures for teens. Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz have been the Directors since 1996. Summer Camp Wisconsin

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in outdoors | Comments Off

Getting Ready for Summer Camp

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Millions of children go to Summer Youth Camps. Yet before you even commit to find that perfect place for your child experts suggest you make sure it is safe.

Recent guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the ACA (American Camp Association.) suggest parents be aware of their camps health and safety policies. Dr. Walton, is lead author of the paper and official policy statements.

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.

Camps need to give parents a complete and truthful view of what their camp activities involve. All summer camps whether it’s strenuous sports, rough wilderness camping, horseback riding — or intense music or computer practice, need to let the parent know what is expected of each child. Camps need to let parent know that some activities might be more difficult for some children.

Long before camp starts parents need to be talking about homesickness with their child. Parents need to use their resources like with the doctor who does the child’s pre-camp health assessment and fills out the health form.

“If parents discuss camp positively, avoid expressing doubts about a child’s ability to avoid homesickness, involve the child in preparations for camp, and arrange brief trips or sleep-overs away from home, children will be better prepared to go to camp,” says Walton. “Parents should also avoid making pre-arranged plans with their children about picking them up if they get homesick.”

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 increasing numbers of children who have asthma and allergies also bring new challenges for camps. The new guideline recommends that parents teach their children how to use rescue inhalers or EpiPens (allergy-calming epinephrine injection devices) long before the kids go to camp, and to work with camp officials to specify what situations might require children to use the devices. And camp officials are advised to allow children who know how to use such devices to carry them or have them nearby at all times.

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 Illinois Summer Camp 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.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in outdoors | Comments Off

Summer Camp Help

Friday, December 25th, 2009

So you are thinking of sending your child to summer camp! Here are a few questions you need to ask that may affect your child’s stay at camp. If an area is really important for your child and you can not find the information be sure to call the Summer Camp Director and ask questions.

Facilities: Look at the condition of the facilities. Do the buildings they show signs of wear and a lack of maintenance, Though well worn and 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: * Is the pool large enough to accommodate all swimmers? * Are the waterfront areas for swimming, boating, water skiing and diving separate and clearly marked? * What kind of waterfront equipment is provided? * What is the level of waterfront supervision and ratio of lifeguards to swimmers? * Are life jackets always worn during water sports? * Are swimming areas clearly marked? * How do they account for swimmers? Buddy board?

The Grounds: * Are playing fields freshly reseeded and mowed? * Are the trails clearly marked? * Is the equipment in good condition?

Dinning Hall:This is one of the most important areas in camp. Your child will spend 2-3 hours a day in the Dinning Hall. So make sure the Camp Directors understand this and work to make it a clean, exciting and nutritious experience Their are an increasing amount of dietary option and allergy that camps are dealing with. If you have special dietary needs don’t be forget to make sure they can accommodate you Summer kids Camp * Is there enough space for the whole camp to be served in one seating? * Do cabins eat together? After all, this is your child’s best friends. * Are meals buffet style or are campers served? If they are served, who serves the food? * What if the camper doesn’t like the main selection? Are there alternatives? Is there a salad bar? * Are snacks served? Is there a canteen/camp store? * What is a typical menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? * Who is the kitchen director and what are his or her credentials? * What are the safety and cleanliness standards? Is the kitchen inspected by local authorities?

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. ACA CAMPS

You can learn more about selecting a wonderful Summer Camp by visiting Summer Camp Advice, They provide information about Summer Camp

About the authors: Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz are the Directors of Swif Nature Camp a non-competitive, traditional coed Overnight Summer Camp for Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. SNC promotes Nature with Science Summer Camp programs.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in outdoors | Comments Off

Summer Camp The Down Side

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

Thinking of sending your child to summer camp? But reluctant to to your child being homesick? You don’t have to be a camper to suffer from homesickness. Any strange, new place can trigger separation anxiety. It is a normal part of childhood for many kids. It just helps provide evidence of the loving, trusting relationship you have with your kids and therefor, separation for the first time often can be a scary time.

A Summer Camp provides separation followed by a reunion. Yet, emotionally, it can be difficult to accept especially for children. Early on while adjusting to a new environment and living with new folks, children can get overwhelmed and even scared. Kids who enjoy new adventures and love sleepovers with friends may experience homesickness but usually it is limited.

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.

Remember that even adults don’t always act logically when they are very anxious. Homesickness is not about your child loving or trusting you enough, or about her independence or willingness to take risks. Homesickness is a temporary situation that she can over come with the support of adults. And when a child overcomes homesickness, it is an enormous boost to both self-confidence and self esteem. So assist the camp in doing what they do best, helping kids get over home sickness.

Is it ever right to say that it isn’t working and bring your child home? Sure, but you must make this decision with a great deal of thought and awareness of the long-term consequences. Campers who come home before the end of their stay often feel like failures. However, sometimes, even with the best of intentions and efforts on the parts of the parents and staff, a child is just not ready for camp or it’s just not a good fit. If, after a real trial (a week is not to long), and the best efforts between home and camp your child is clearly not adjusting, it’s time to bring the camper home.

Talk 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 figgure 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.

Swift Nature Camp offers a unique Beginning Camper program that is designed only for first time camper. This program gives additional attention to each child. It works because during the 12 days it allows camper to move past homesickness and into self confidence. With a limited amount of campers and all campers at camp for their first time it sets a level playing feel for all children. If your child is reluctant to leave home look for a program that is only for first timers.

Picking a summer camp is not all that simple, Do the research at Summer Camp Advice, a FREE online guide for Summer Camp

Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz have been the owners & Directors of Swift Nature Camp since 1996. Swift is a non-competitive, traditional coed overnight Summer Camp for Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. In addition to traditional adventure camp activities we promote Nature as a Science Summer Camp, with fun hands on activities. So learn more about our first time camper at Summer Youth Camp.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in outdoors | Comments Off

Newer Entries »