Displaying items by tag: Nature camp
As we near Earth Day 2012 it is important that
we all realize that the planting of 1 tree can make a difference.
Read more about How trees change our life
The information provided is in reference to urban forests, but these benefits and values also apply to rural forests.
Canopy, or tree canopy, is a term used to describe the leaves and branches of a tree or group of trees. In an urban forest, tree canopy is important to the potential benefits the forest may provide. In general, the more area it covers and the denser the canopy, the more benefits the trees can provide. Although one tree is better than none, 100 are better still. Whether the benefits are from one tree or many trees, they are all still real and most can be quantified in some way. Often, forest benefits are divided into three categories: social, economic, and ecologic. It is difficult to divide the benefits that the urban forest canopy provides into these categories because so many benefits fall into more than one.
Social Benefits
Just as with a rural forest, an urban forest provides many benefits. Numerous studies have been done about the social
and psychological benefits of “green” in urban environments. The findings of the studies make a strong case for the
importance of urban forests. Urban public housing residents who lived in buildings without trees and grass nearby were
asked about how they cope with major life issues. They reported more procrastination and assessed their issues as more
severe than residents with green nearby.
A study done with children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) found that children with ADD were better able to focus
and concentrate after playing in natural, green settings, than in settings where concrete was predominant.
Apartment buildings with high levels of greenery have been shown to have approximately half the number of crimes
than those with little or no greenery. The results proved true for both property crimes and violent crimes. A similar study
found that residents living in areas without nearby nature reported more aggression and violence than those living with
nearby green. In addition to these specific studies, access to nature also provides humans with other social benefits.
Parks and other green spaces provide a space for people to play, walk, jog, birdwatch, or just sit quietly. These activities
are good for our physical health in a society that is increasingly sedentary. It is also good for our mental health by
providing a place to unwind. Trees also reduce noise levels.
Economic Benefits
The economic benefits of urban forests are increasingly being documented. Economics often becomes the language
used when it comes to urban forest management. Budgets of municipalities must cover an array of services, and the
benefits of an urban ecosystem must often be proven to secure funding. In a study that considered the costs and
benefits of municipal forests in five U.S. cities, the researchers found that for every dollar spent on trees, the benefits
returned were worth from $1.37 to $3.09. A little math tells us this is clearly a good investment.
Trees save money through reduced energy costs. Cities create what is referred to as a heat island. The concrete, asphalt,
buildings, and other surfaces absorb and hold heat from the sun. During hot summer days, cities can be five to nine
degrees warmer than surrounding areas. Shading, evapotranspiration, and wind speed reduction provided by trees help
conserve energy in buildings. A study conducted in Minneapolis, Minnesota, showed that trees placed in the proper
location can reduce total heating and cooling costs by eight percent.
Homeowners not only reduce costs of heating and cooling their homes, but increase the value of their property by
planting trees. Research suggests that property value can increase three to seven percent when trees are present. Trees
also make homes and neighborhoods more desirable places to live. One economic benefit that urban trees can provide,
but often don’t, is one based on products. Municipalities and tree services across the country have come up with ways
to use the wood that is cut from an urban forest. Products range from specialty furniture, to musical instruments, to
lumber for park shelters, to artwork. The income from selling products from the wood of trees being removed could be used to defray the cost associated with the removal, making trees an even better investment.
Trees and Climate Change
The information about how trees impact climate change is taken from the National Arbor Day website
http://www.arborday.org/globalwarming/treesHelp.cfm, and the American Forest Foundation website
www.americanforests.org/resources/climatechange/
Deciduous trees, planted on the west, east and south sides, will keep your house cool in the summer and let the sun
warm your home in the winter, reducing energy use.
Just three trees, properly placed around a house, can save up to 30% of energy use.
Trees or shrubs planted to shade air conditioners help cool a building more efficiently, using less electricity. A unit
operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.
Neighborhoods with well-shaded streets can be up to 6–10° F cooler than neighborhoods without street trees, reducing
the heat-island effect, and reducing energy needs.
Shaded parking lots keep automobiles cooler, reducing emissions from fuel tanks and engines, and helping reduce the
heat-island effect in communities.
Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary gas causing global climate change. Trees retain the carbon (C) from the
CO2 molecule and release oxygen (O2) into the atmosphere. The retained carbon makes up half the dry weight of a tree.
Forests are the world's second largest carbon reservoirs (oceans are the largest). Unlike oceans, however, we can grow
new forests. One acre of forestland will sequester between 150 - 200 tons of CO2 in its first 40 years.
Saturday, September 29, 2012 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
(Please note: You must arrive between 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.)
Forest Preserve District of Cook County Bemis Woods Picnic Grove #7 * 11500 Ogden Avenue Western Springs, IL 60558
*To get to Grove # 7 follow the preserve road north to the most northern grove off of Ogden. Number 7 is where the parking lot loops around and where the hiking trails begin.
//illinois.hometownlocator.com/maps/distance-directions2.cfm?bemis%20woods%This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,-87.9097828" style="color: rgb(0, 89, 0);">Driving directions and park information
Please Note: Registration fees cannot be transferred and are non-refundable.
Event Updates
AT BASE CAMP
Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab
- Learn about the rehabilitation of injured, sick and orphaned birds of prey during this live wildlife display. You’re sure to create lasting memories as you and your children interact with these amazing creatures!
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
- At Base camp, you will have the opportunity to build “nature sculptures” with the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie of the US Forest Service. During this activity, kids will utilize local, natural materials that surround them to create artistic “habitats”.
Cook County Forest Preserve
- This year, the Cook County Forest Preserve will be joined by their very own snake and turtle for an up-close and personal encounter.
Promotional Partner, REI
- REI will have a presentation on PEAK, a hands-on, interactive program where children are taught to have fun outside while practicing responsible outdoor recreation. Children will also learn the 7 Leave No Trace principles: know before you go; choose the right path; pack your trash; leave what you find; be careful with fire; respect wildlife; and be kind to other visitors. REI will also be handing out some cool goodies as well.
ON THE TRAIL
Plant Station
Insect Station
Insects come in all shapes and sizes and play an important role in our environment. At this station, children can make a bug box to observe what critters live around them and what homes they need to survive.
Bird Station
Birds as a species group are one of the largest, and each type of bird has different ways in which it eats. By using common household items they will replicate bird songs, and will learn the call of the wild.
Reptiles Station
Ever wonder what the difference is between turtles and tortoises? At this station, children can follow the turtle trail and hunt for eggs. Fun facts and questions lie within each egg. Collect four and get a turtle sticker. Ever heard of a pet rock? What about a pet rock turtle? Get creative and paint your own!
Mammals Station
Mammals as a species are very diverse in nature. Did you know that dolphins and bats use objects to “bounce” off their communications to identify objects and talk? During this echolocation activity, kids will be able to play “telephone” and communicate with each other through a series of tubing.
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Catching frogs from camps own beaver pond is a huge camp sport at Swift Nature Camp. it is a challenge too. The big Bull Frogs put up a big battle to free them selves. We even have a favorite bull from the biggest meanest frog of them all JIMBO. Yes he is our mascot and is pictured on this page.
Catching frogs is one of favorite things to do at this children’s summer camp. One of the best hunting spots is the lamp poles at night. You see the frogs come up from the pond at night looking for food and all the bugs hanging around the light will do just fine.
One might wonder are you eating all these favorite catches. Nope they gan spend on night up at the Nature Center Zoo where they hang with the other animals anc catches then its back to where they were caught at. Next summer, join us for some serious frog catching..
When Swift Campers think of camp they think of playing outdoors in Nature but they automatically think of the animals in our camp zoo and Nature Center. Our campers are crazy for critters and nature and critters. Not only do we have animals at camp we have guest speakers bring in some animals to camp that we all can appreciate. We have lots of animal related activities and offer the opportunity to interact with animals. Plus, you can even bring your own pet from home. How cool is that? An animal camp that lets you bring your own pets!
click to see more photos
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On April 22, 1970, 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. It was a time when cities were buried under their own smog and polluted rivers caught fire. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually around the globe. Through the combined efforts of the U.S. government, grassroots organizations, and citizens like you, what started as a day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a worldwide.......
by Swift Nature Camp
On April 22, 1970, 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. It was a time when cities were buried under their own smog and polluted rivers caught fire. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually around the globe. Through the combined efforts of the U.S. government, grassroots organizations, and citizens like you, what started as a day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a worldwide campaign to protect our global environment.
Since those early days, we have done a pretty good job cleaning up the planet. Yet , there is a staggering divide between children and the outdoors, child advocacy expert Richard Louv directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today’s wired generation-he calls it nature-deficit-to some of terribler childhood trends, such as the rises in attention disorders, obesity, 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.
Is the Internet and computers to blame for the decline in outdoor play? Maybe, but most experts feel it’s mom and dad. 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.
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 Noncompetitive, Traditional OUTDOOR CAMP in Wisconsin. Our Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. enjoy Nature, Animals & Science along with Traditional camping activities. We places a very strong emphasis on being an ENVIRONMENTAL CAMP where we develop a desire to know more about nature but also on acquiring a deep respect for it. Our educational philosophy is to engage children in meaningful, fun-filled learning through active participation. We focus on their natural curiosity and self-discovery. This is NOT School.
In addition, regarlss of skill level, Swift Nature Camp has activities that allows kids to get better and enjoy. We promoted a nurturing atmosphere that gives each camper the opportunity to participate and have fun, rather than worry about results.
Our adventure trips that take campers out-of-camp on trips, such as biking, canoeing, backpacking. This is a highlight of all campers, they find it exciting to discover new worlds and be comfortable in them. We are so much more than a SCIENCE SUMMER CAMP.
Since the early days of Earth Day We have come a long way in protectin the planet Now its time to let our children play outside. This summer you can help your child appreciation nature by sending them to Swift Nature Camp. Summer Camp sets the foundation for a health life and is remembered for a lifetime by campers.
About the Author:
About the authors: Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz are the directors of Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, traditional coed overnight summer camp serving Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Midwest. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature, animals & science along with traditional camping activities. Swift specializes in programs for the first time camper. To learn more clickAnimal Camps
Do you enjoy Nature? Do you like to take pictures?
Now it’s your chance to make the call! The National Wildlife Federation needs your vote!
Their Magazine has selected the finalists for this Photo Contest. The theme is “Nature in My Neighborhood.” Now we need YOU to help choose the winner!
Vote for your favorite image today! The top vote-getter receives an official NWF field guide and, if not already a member, a free one-year membership to National Wildlife Federation. But we need to hear from you soon: Voting ends April 15!