Displaying items by tag: kids camp

Just last week when all the campers had left camp we looked out over the swimming area and there in the lake was a bear. Thats right a bear! He swam right to the steps and walked right up them shook himself off and went on his merry way on down the path to boating. It was quite a site to see.

National KIND Kid Contest

Complete Details

Students in grades K-6 are invited to apply for the Humane Society of the United States' KIND Kid Award. One winner will be selected to win $100 and two runners-up will each receive $50.  Applicants should submit a detailed description of how they have helped animals, including photos.  Enter by January 15, 2011.

Resource Types: Contest/Award 

Audience Served: Families, General Public, Home Schools, Non-formal Educators, Private Schools, Public Schools, Scouts/Youth Groups, Teachers 

Age Groups: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, Adults 

Environmental Focus: Animals/Wildlife, Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecology, Endangered Species, Environmental Health, Habitats/Ecosystems, Marine Education, Nature Awareness, Outdoor Skills/Recreation, Place-based Education, Sustainability 

Academic Focus: Character Education, Interdisciplinary, Science 
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As members of the the American Camp Association, we are pleased to recognize the National Summer Camp Association and accrediting organization, for their 100 years. Camp professionals have looked to the ACA to assist camp directors help maintain Best Practices. As its original name applies the “Camp Directors Association of America.” has been helping camps and their owners for 100 years.

To learn more about the early days of the ACA SEE VIDEO

One of the best ways to share the outdoors with a child is to go for a hike. There is always so much to see and hiking is the best way to really get out there and reconnect with the great outdoors. at Swift we often have short hikes around camp where we are looking for different flora and fauna. Children just love their time out in nature chasing frogs, pick up sticks and rocks, watching birds or whatever else may interest them. Yet the most exciting hikes are our Adventure Hiking Trips. when campers leave camp for 2 or 3 days. It’s knowing that every thing you need is on your back and you must make it to the pickup point on time. This is how we build self-reliance.

Is 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.

My first time on the Mighty Namekagon River

Camp was Over and all of you guys left... camp was sooo lonely, empty and quiet... So we had to do something....I remember the campfire when you guys share your favorite camp memories, and most of them are from your trips! Well, I wanted to experience those Adventure Trips too so the three of us: Jeff, Forrest and myself got our gear ready and set off for the Nam 1 trip. The weather was perfect...no rain in the forecast for this trip :)
Even Super Tom after dropping us off did not want to go back to camp so he also jumped in the canoe and paddled with us for a few hours. It was beautiful... all the wildlife we saw, we even made friends with a great blue heron and named him Billy. Billy followed us the whole first day. When we stopped for a swim, Billy stopped too :) We ate RJ’s, played UNO and spent a night in a tent. We also sang camp songs. I realized then why trips are often your favorite part of SNC. We wished all of you were there then, too.  Love you all, Lonnie

When most folks think of a science they think of school and all those books and studying. However, Swift Nature Camp is all about having Fun while helps children to learn how and why to become good stewards of the environment. It is through direct experience and hands on activities that we inspire kids to be environmentally conscious when they return home. Our first goal is to be a kids summer camp but it is so much more,, it’s our dedication to the environment. Swift Nature Camp is fun with a purpose.