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Displaying items by tag: Children's Summer Camp

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Eagles at Camp

Swift Nature Camp is known for our eagles. Daily we see eagles in the air, in nests and even swooping down to catch a fish in the lake. But how many knew that once it started to get a little colder and the lake freezes over these eagles migrate south in search of food. They as a pair fly south often along the Mississippi River and finally settle on a winter home in Florida.. Cant say that these birds are dumb! Well after we had a camp show in Minneapolis last week we saw plenty of eagles beginning their flight Northbound. So i can surely tell you we will have American Bald Eagles again this summer at Swift Nature Camp. And that is a wonderful opportunity for all of us at Swift.

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Smorecamp

JOIN SMORECAMP....its alot like facebook but only for Summercamp friends!

Its Free and if you join today you can start meeting staff and campers long before you arrive at SNC!
SmoreCamp.com is a great way to re-create camp memories and continue to make new ones. Through photos, videos, posts, email and blogs, you can re-live your days as a camper and keep that special camp feeling all year long. You can make and listen to your own camp songbook, as well as post your cabin groups (bunks), activities and levels achieved, trips, pranks, traditions, and so much more.

* Keep in touch with your friends!
* Find new Friends!
* Create your own profile page!
* Upload all your camp photos!
* Prank your Friends
permalink=”http://www.swiftnaturecamp.com/blog”>


JOIN SMORECAMP....its alot like facebook but only for Summercamp friends!


Its Free and if you join today you can start meeting staff and campers long before you arrive at SNC.
SmoreCamp.com is a great way to re-create camp memories and continue to make new ones. Through photos, videos, posts, email and blogs, you can re-live your days as a camper and keep that special camp feeling all year long. You can make and listen to your own camp songbook, as well as post your cabin groups (bunks), activities and levels achieved, trips, pranks, traditions, and so much more.

* Keep in touch with your friends!
* Find new Friends!
* Create your own profile page!
* Upload all your camp photos!

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Mary Poppins

Last night we went to see the play Mary Poppins here in Chicago. It was amazing! If you get the chance, you HAVE TO GO. The story was changed from the movie and for me that was a bit of a disappointment. You see as a kid at the age of 7 I saw the movie 7 times, in the theater...none of this at home stuff. So the reworked story was true to the essence of the movie. The cast was great and the songs new and old were fun to hear. Yet, it is the staging that makes this a must see. Every few minutes the set would change and something magical would happen. Tickets are not cheap so I found ours on craigslist so you might take a looksee there. Either way go and wee it.
Go to Mary Poppins to see a clip

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Camp is the Best

Ever since I was seven, I am now sixteen so almost nine years, my mind and heart have resided in the beautiful North Woods at Swift Nature Camp. Anyone who knows me may tell you I was not always the best camper. But as the years went by, I grew from what I learned over the years and especially what I learned at SNC. For anyone who is a new camper this year, one of the best things I could tell you is just relax and don't worry about anything. At Swift you are with family and believe me from the moment you step onto the soft soil or hot asphalt there are smiling faces from people who you will quickly add to your collection of friends. One of the best things about SNC is that you do not have to hide your real self behind a mask or a wall. No one will judge you so just be yourself and trust in those around you.
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During, every year that I have gone, there have been people from other countries and as you read this that may be you. Fortunately for me, I have been give the chance to swap places with you and I will be going to Europe. In late August I will be partaking in a foreign exchange program to Greece where I will live for a year, and I will be coming back in late June of the following year. If you want to help me get there or just see my journey through the following months you can visit greeceandback.com. This is a blog that my brother, Matt, has set up for me so I can record my experiences for all to see. While there, if you want to, you can help by donating a few dollars to my Greece fund. I can't wait to get back to the states and tell you all about it. It is a bittersweet feeling because I am excited for my new home in Greece, but I will always miss my old home at Swift.
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The Right Summer Camp Choice

THE RIGHT CAMP MAKES A DIFFERENCE

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.......

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THE RIGHT CAMP MAKES A DIFFERENCE

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.


Ask yourself these questions before selecting your child's summer Camp:

• 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...

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Zack Plans His Return

In mid-September just a few weeks after camp we found ourselves traveling through Tennessee. So we thought we stop in and see Zack. It was great spending time with him at his local malt shop. We laughed at many camp stories, that know one seems to get unless they are at SNC for the summer. The most exciting thing that came from our time together is that Zach plans on spending his 2011 summer back at SNC in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Yea!

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Scholarship

Every year, Kohl's recognizes and rewards young volunteers (ages 6-18) across the country for amazing contributions to their communities. This year we are recognizing more than 2,100 kids with more than $415,000 in scholarships and prizes. We know our SNC Camp kids are always getting involved. TELL US YOUR STORY and we will nominate you to Khol’s Cares Scholarship Program

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Summer Camp Makes Sense

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. Some may not be mature enough to accept the separation from home. Though some camps accept children...
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as young as six, not all children will be ready for camp at that age. Nor will the parents. One of the advantages to waiting is that a child can read and write more readily giving them letters from home to comfort them, and the ability to write letters home to comfort parents.
However, as parents know, chronological age is never a definitive marker. Some children are more than ready at six or seven, especially those who have an older sibling at camp, while some eight year olds still need a year or two before they are ready to handle the separation of a sleepaway camp experience. Three guidelines can help you to consider your childs readiness:
1) Has your child enjoyed other overnight experiences?
Many children eagerly sleep over at friends or grandparents homes, a sign of readiness. When a child is successful spending the night away, it’s a sign that he or she can function independently. However, if you’ve gotten middle of the night calls and had to pick your child up in the middle of an overnight stay, its an indication that he or she is not quite ready for overnight camp.
2) Has your child had other camp experiences?
It’s helpful if a child has attended day camp prior to going to sleepaway camp. At a day camp, children learn to move from one activity to the next, make new friends, and develop teamwork skills.
3) Is your child adaptable?
Going to overnight camp requires some flexibility, an ability to adjust to new situations, and a willingness to try new things. Though all children experience some period of adjustment, camp adjustment will be more difficult for the child who is fairly rigid and has difficulty in new situations.
Generally speaking if by 11 or 12 your child is still reluctant to go to camp, the time might come to give some gentle persuasion and insist that they go. Then encourage and guide to help make this transition easier for them.

As parents we have to remember that as much as we love our children our goal is to prepare them to leave the home and be a productive part of society. Summer Camp is a basic part of the growth process. Try it this summer.

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Parenting Class

Every Decision You Make Today Is Impacting Your Son's or Daughter's Future Success... Or Failure... And You May Not Get A Second Chance To Get It Right... A new class available

 

Learn To Make The Critical Parenting Decisions That Ensure Your Child's Success In An Age Of Uncertainty

 

Introducing an All-New Tele-Seminar Series For Parents


Begins November 2nd:

Learn How To:
Defuse conflict and tension in your home ... establish high-quality, open communication leading to transparency and trust between you and your child
  • Learn what advice is out there that you must include in your parenting toolbox ... and what advice you must ignore!  
  • Find out how you can help your child "Find Their Bliss" and why this is so much more important than finding their passion (and why "passion" can ultimately undermine everything you hope will be true for them in their future).
  • Create a home life that is a sanctuary from the chaos of the world, one your kids will always want to bring friends to
  • Why knowing what an obscure professor of Social Psychology found out about values is essential to improving your relationship with your son or daughter ... and how using this information will allow you to instill the values, ethics and morals as guiding principals you most want for your child to  have in their life.
  • Learn to spot the signs of change and growth that are a normal part of your child's natural development ... and know exactly what it means and what to do about it when these signs appear.
  • Discover the single most important thing you can do as a parent ... if you can do only one thing for your teen as they are going through adolescence this one thing will carry the day. (HINT: It's all about attitude ...)

SPECIAL OFFER: 
Save $150... When  you REGISTER BEFORE October 31st
 
PARTICIPATE IN ALL FIVE-TELE-SEMINAR SESSIONS FOR ONLY $297

 
[Regular Full Investment After October 31, 2011 - No Exceptions: $447.00]


You Get 

  • . one of the world's leading experts on mentoring youth through their most challenging years

    Five Tele-Seminar Sessions Live with Jeff Leiken, M.A
  • at your convenience .... (Even if you can't make a call you can still get the entire benefit of the program when it's convenient for you ... and you can even make a recording you can listen to wherever you are if you like ... on an MP3 player, your smart phone ... on a CD in your car ... as many times as you like or need to hear this information.)

    Replays Of All Calls On Demand
  • personally hand-selected by Jeff - (This is essential reading for parents and will save your hundreds of hours of trying to read everything that comes out about how to raise your son or daughter in just one year ... remember Jeff is at the cutting-edge in this field so you'll only have to read what's absolutely necessary to get the very best advice out there.)

    A List Of Carefully Chosen Reading Materials
  • (This resource alone will be worth ten times what this program investment will cost you ... if you use the advice you'll get from it just once!!!)

    Intentional Parenting Forum Private Membership for one year
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Feelings About Camp

Saw this video and when I watched it seemed to be what SNC is all about.

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Winter

25 Baybrook Ln.

Oak Brook, IL 60523

Phone: 630-654-8036

swiftcamp@aol.com

Camp

W7471 Ernie Swift Rd.

Minong, WI 54859

Phone: 715-466-5666

swiftcamp@aol.com

Swift Nature Camp

Parent Information

Camper Information

Returning Campers

Summer Camp Jobs