Displaying items by tag: overnight camp information

Meet the Swim Instructors for 2021

Calebrating the 2020 Summer COVID Free, Plus the return of 1/2 of our staff

 See whats new at SNC this fall

Greetings, from Fall / School Camp.       Due to COVID, SNC had the opportunity for the 1st time in 25 years to hold a school/fall camp.  We thought that this was a wonderful chance for campers to come to camp and do camp activities once school was over.  We have a total of 17 campers and 9 staff  here. At first, it took some getting into the swing of studying but now things are smooth sailing and everyone enjoys the socialization and the activities. We started with warm temps and  a chance to go swimming, and most recently we had a snow ball fight with nightly lows in the teens...BRRRR.      Camp started in the fall but quickly turned to winter!       See all Fall Camp pictures on Facebook We would love to see your Pumpkin Creations, Please post your pumpkins on our Facebook page. Camp 2021 Sorry for the delay in opening up the 2021 summer camp application but we have been busy at fall camp.  Please note that the dates are one week later than the 2020 season and that our prices have increased for the 1st time in over 10 years. Since we do not know what the future holds, we believe that COVID-19 will still be with us in 2021, so at this time, the protocols that worked to keep us safe in 2020 will be in place again in 2021.   .  Be sure to see all the 2020 Photos Changes at SNC Last newsletter we had you guess what the picture was of.... Well, it is the new floor that is in the Dining Hall, Heath Center & the Boys Bathroom. It sure makes those areas more cheery. We also resurfaced the DH table tops to make them new and shiny.   Making Snow Men at SNC Bubba enjoys a fall day Exciting News After 25 years of having the same old miserable piano in the Ox Barn, we have upgraded to even an older piano. That's right, with the help of the fall camp boys we managed to move a new to us 400lb piano. In the above photo, Justin is helping to put it back together so that it sounds as good as it did the first day it was manufactured in 1906. 1906 Whitney Piano The Whitney Piano & Supply Company of Chicago was established in1890 by the Whitney Family. In 1895 the Kimball Piano Company acquired the Whitney company to produce a more affordable piano. They were made for over 100 years until Kimball went out of business in 1996. This particular piano was donated to camp in fall 2020. Inside the piano are 2 handwritten initials & dates: 1926 and 1948. This is when we assume it was tuned. With a piano this old, we will all have to take care of it being careful to play and not pound on its key board so it can last another 100 years. Here is a thought: since the Whitney was made, 5 states have been added to the USA and the population of our country was 85 million. Justin Surprised he needed a hat with a Hawaiian Shirt. Justin Says...At the end of summer camp 2019, as we all said goodbye to SNC for the year and started to make plans of returning in 2020, we did not anticipate an obstacle quite like COVID-19. Read More Nick, trying to stay warm in front of the ovens at SNC. Nick Says...As the summer of 2020 came to a close, we had many reasons to be grateful here at Swift Nature Camp. We were grateful for the families who sent their...Read More  Sign up Today SNC Blog

Summer Camp is Coming!

Are you ready for some excitment? Click to See More

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTaB8DdkeFc

Summer Camps in Minnesota has been a part of childhood for over a century. Historically, camp was just a chance to get children away from the cities and get out in nature to learn outdoor skills. Today getting out in nature is just as important as it was over 100 years ago. In addition, the benefits of increased self confidence, being screen free and positive social skill development are just some of theadditional benefits of an overnight summer camp experience. So as parents, we understand that summer camp has a positive impact on our children. Yet, sending our children out into the woods to a camp with people we do not know and with no phone is a very scary idea for most parents. Picking the wrong camp can create a terrible experience for your child and cause them to never want to go to any camp again. So doing your leg work firt is very important.

Here are 3 Must Do's before you send your child off to the Northwoods of Minnesota:

1) Scour The Website
              Every camp has a website. Yet, not all websites are created the same, be sure to look past the smiling campers faces. What is the feel of the site? Was it created by a camp director or was it built by a professional company that puts all the latest bells and whistles on the site to impress you and your child. Next, does the site have the information? Read, read, read, This day and age we all want to do things fast and get them done, but remember, you are sending your most important asset out alone to an overnight summer camp in Minnesota. For instance, at Swift Nature Camp they have a parent section with a section "Policies that Protect Campers" . Having a section like this helps show that they are dedicated to child safety, even the things that are so bad nobody want to talk about them. Remember this, any summer camp can create a website, and all websites are advertising, they are not going to tell you the bad stuff that happened at camp last year, so it is important to know who stands behind the site and the summer camp you are sending your child off too.

2) Talk To The Camp Director
              Every camp has a leader. This position sets the tone for staff development, camper and parent interactions and camp safety. For many camps this is a part time position and often given to a person who is still in their 20's with little experience. I once called a camp in Minnesota and they told me that I could not speak to a camp director because they don't do that. When I inquired why, they mentioned they did not have an overnight summer camp Director yet. By calling the camp directors you have the opportunity to ask questions about the philosophy and feel of the camp. Do you feel the Director understands children and knows how to manage a staff of 18-22 year old staff members. The camp director is the most important person at your summer camp be sure you chat with them and have your questions ready in advance. SummerCampAdvice has a worksheet to help pick the right camp .

3) Ask For References
              References are the key to knowing that the overnight summer camp you pick is the right one for your child.  As parents, talking to references will help give you some insight into what another parent thinks about the camp. The best way to do this is call the camp director and ask for at least 3 references. This will help prove that the camp has relationships with its families and is not just processing children through its program. Questions to ask the parents might include: Was your child homesick? What did the camp do to help? or Why did you select this camp? Don't forget that talking to references can be children as well. So talking to the camper has great insight. Some questions might include: What was your happiest time? Why? Did you ever feel scared? Your child might even put together a few questions they feel are important and then they can ask them of the camper. Talking is important dont text, dialog is important and the tone of the conversation can give you even more information. Remember this is a fact gathering task so be open 

Overnight summer camps in Minnesota have a very good safety record, better than public schools in Minnesota. As parents, we want more than our kids being safe at camp. We want our child to benefit from all that camp provides. We know that summer camp provides a place for kids to learn to swim, sleep in a cabin and sing around a campfire, they can be rewarded with personal development skills that can help them in the classroom, in their relationships and in whatever calling they choose.  At our camp we often talk about the Magic of summer camp and when I ask campers and staff what this means the answer that I most often get is "Swift Nature Camp creates a place where I am my BEST Self" and isn't that the best thing we as parents want for our children summer camp experience?

Swift Nature Camp is an overnight nature camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional summer camp activities while increasing a child's appreciation for nature, science and the environment. Swift Nature Camp offers traditional summer camp activities along with an environmental focus. Campers enjoy an active Nature Center, Pet Zoo, and Department of Natural Resources sponsored programs, plus recreational activities that include canoe and backpack trips, horseback riding, swimming, arts & crafts, team courses, archery, sailing, water skiing, tubing and sports.

Our special Discovery Camp is a nurturing program for first-time overnight campers, offering additional staff to provide support and encouragement to overcome homesickness and build confidence. The program welcomes no more than 50 first-time campers, and the special attention that this intimate group receives is the reason that more than 92% of them wish to return. 

Summer Camp is Expensive
As parents we often make decisions that are hard. Yet, we know these decisions are the best for our children. Summer Camp is no exception. We know deep down that camp will help our Childs independence, empathy and team building skills Yet, camp is expensive. So you want to save money on summer camp? Who doesn't! The best way to save money on Summer camp is to start looking as soon as possible. Here is a quick list of just a few of the ways to save on your Childs overnight camp experience.

1. Summer Camp Special Offer

Many camps may have special offers. It will take research to find them. Some camps will even reduce prices if they need to fill beds at a particular session. So having flexibility in dates and talking with the camp director you may be able to save. Right now Swift Nature Camp is having  A First timer Summer Camp special offer saving nearly 30% off the session price. 

Sleepaway summer camp is filled with fun! Yet as parents we are always looking for a way not to waste a summer...Residential summer camp has this to offer and much more.

1. 1) Kids gain independence
   Going to camp offers kids needed time away from family and regular friend groups. These experiences give them the space to gain independence.
4. 2) Kids develop essential relationship skills
   Unlike school where academic outcomes drive most of their daily activities, camp focuses in on social development, making friends, dealing with conflict and compromise.
7. 3) Kids learn to appreciate differences
   Building and maintaining relationships requires the ability to understand and appreciate differences among people. Camps provide a space where kids can interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
10. 4) Kids connect with nature
    Overnight camps provide a safe space for kids to be outside and explore the natural world, free of a screen.
11. 
    
    1. 5) Kids get to be kids
    In a highly connected and stressful world, there is increased research supporting the benefits of Free Play allowing kids to be kids – and that might be the most compelling reason why camp still matters.

Want to learn more give me a call 630-654-8036

Lonnie Lorenz
Swift Nature Camp
Director since 1996

 Did you know you that you can

see camp pictures online?

Hope it isn’t too late to be in the newsletter!! One of my favorite camp memories is at the end of each session, during final campfire, when everyone is so excited and runs up to join me in singing songs! It makes me feel loved and like all everyone loves camp as much as I do! ?

Thanks!! Christy