Displaying items by tag: sleepaway summer camp

Learn all the latest about summer camp 2020

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. 

 Every day parents search the internet for sleepaway camps near me. Yet. parents often are not searching the right key terms. No, overnight camps near me is not the right way to find a residential camp. The issue is the "near me". When picking a camp it is natural for a parent to assume that the closer it is the better it will be for thier child. Nothing could be further from the truth. Distance should only be one of the factors to consider.  Why? Because systematically asking the right questions will help ensure the success of your child at overnight summer camps. 
Here are a just a few of the more important questions:

• How long are the sessions?
• How are staff trained?
• Is an RN or Doctor on staff?
• Are activities going to be enjoyed by your child?
• Coed or single gender?
• How many children, How many staff?
• Are cell phones allowed?
• What is the cost?
• Is the camp Accredited by the American Camp Association?

To find a detailed list of questions to answer please see Summer Camp Advice.

The above list is only a beginning of question needed. So you can see that when you get to the point of thinking about location many other areas of concern should have already been addressed. Parents need to realize they need to trust the camp and its directors in order to achieve some of the benefit of an overnight camp. This is why it is important for parent to contact the directors and create a personal relationship with the camp.

• Here are a few Reasons to choose a camp farther from home:
  It's worth it: There may be something about a camp that makes the travel worth it. If your child wants to specialize in sailing or mountain climbing, you'll need to choose a camp that meets those need. A parent may have a preference for a camp that they once attended, even if they no longer reside in the area.

• Diversity: While your camper may not see as many familiar faces in a camp far from home, this may be just what he or she, and you, want. Children may want to separate their camp life from the lives they lead the rest of the year, having the opportunity to begin the program with a 'clean slate'. Campers often have a sense of freedom when they go to a camp where they don't know anyone.

• The distance doesn't bother the camper or parents: Many children find traveling alone, even by airplane, exciting rather than scary. Assuming that proper travel arrangements are made, you may be comfortable with a camp away from home.

• So when picking a sleep away summer camp do your homework. Realize that many many considerations need to be made and  and be aware that overnight camps near me should not be your first search term. Using this, you will limit your options and minimize many of the benefits summer camp can provide.

Ramblings of a Camp Director

It was 1966 and it was my first year at Camp Minocqua, a boys camp in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Dr. John P. Sprague, founded Camp Minocqua for Boys in 1905 on Tomahawk Lake.  The history of camp was part of the camp culture. Historically, camp was designed to taking young boys out of the cities and the finer things in life and allowing us boys to live out in nature with others boys, while our counselors just seemed like older brothers.  

Such was the beginning of residential boys camps in America. Later camps for girls were established by the Girl Scouts of America and Camp Fire girls. Sleepaway summer camps continued round World War I when many charities opened summer camps for working-class children giving them a chance to get a way from urban life.

Anyway, here I was at a residential camp where I would be staying for 7 weeks, that was a long time away from my parents. Was I ready? Absolutely not. I cried often during those first few weeks and when the storms came I was even more scared. But, I made friends that I still remember today, maybe better than my school friends. Camp gave me a chance to make decisions without my parents. Some were good and made me feel great, like when I got to name the sailboat “Stormy Weather”. Others were not so good and resulted in me taking a bite out of a bar of Ivory soap. But they were my decisions and the natural consequence fell where they would. From this independence I learned that when I make decisions and fail, I learn more than when my decisions result in success.

I returned to Camp Minocqua for 7 summers giving me almost one complete year living at camp. So I guess it was not all that surprising when at the age of 38 I got this idea to start a summer camp. Shortly there after I opened Swift Nature Camp. Yes, some of camp Minocqua’s history can be seen at SNC but times have changed and so has the overnight summer camp experience. No longer is Ivory soap cut in wedges nor are kids left unsupervised. No, Swift Nature Camp is an intentional place, filled with support and encouragement, a place that comforts children on their journey to adult hood. We help give kids the skills they need to be productive parts of society. Sleepaway camp should be part of every child’s summer.

Now is the time to Commit! You have heard about all the benefits Overnight Summer Camp can provide a child.  Still, it seems a strange concept to send your child away to Swift Nature Camp and in other people's care. Yet time and time again, parents see that their child returns home different (better) than before he or she left. How can this be? What is this Camp Magic?

As a parent, these are the questions that went through my head as I sent my child to a different overnight summer camp. Does sending my kid away mean I do not love them? Does it mean I am selfish? Does it mean I am a BAD parent?

Actually sending your child to Overnight summer camp means none of these things. Often parents need to hear again all the benefits of summer camp, here are a few:

9. Kids are active – These days a child's life is sedentary in school, online and inside. Every moment at camp is filled with motion, from play to learning or even walking to the bathroom.

8. Experience successes – Camp's main goal is to build kids up. So at SNC we find what kids can succeed and that helps them feel more confident.

7. Gain resiliency – Life is filled with setbacks. At camp setbacks can be handled in a positive way. For instance, a group may have a difficult canoe trip, yet together they persevered and made it. Knowing you can make it is an amazing lesson.

6. Unplug – Technology has taken over our life. No time in history have children been so connected to it. In the old days kids watched TV for 2-3 hours a day now a screen is watched 7-9 hrs a day. Get back to real connections.

5. Independent – This day and age kids are scheduled most of the day. Camp gives children the ability to make choices for themselves. A skill needed in life. Wrong decisions can be gently handled and right decisions applauded by peers and non parental units.

4. Play – In nature animals learn by play. We all love watching the wolf pups play, but they are really getting ready for life. Same is true with children, they learn by having unorganized free play. Something that was a staple in kids growing up in the past. Camp still provides this in a safe, child friendly atmosphere.

3. Social skills – Living in a communal setting, like camp, provides amazing opportunities for children to learn personal skills like, empathy, resolving disagreements, teamwork and healthy communication.

2. Enjoy nature – Kids lives have become an indoor life. Nature is missing and all the research shows this is having a negative effect on today's kids. Higher stress, obesity and insecurity. Nature supports healthy child development and enriches kid’s perception of the world.

1. Friendships–Swift Nature Camp has only one mission to help children be their best. We do this in a fun and supportive way. By building friendships with people that truly care. we help child make better friends. Campers will tell you their best friends are at camp. Why? When you live with people, you learn to accept them, you build tolerance and over time your difference become bonds.  The result is a summer family.

So as you are thinking about the adventure your child will be on this summer, don't rule out the Northwoods of Wisconsin and Swift Nature Camp.

Every summer millions of children go to overnight summer camp. But Why? Oh sure, some parents just need day care. But the vast majority of parents that are thinking about sending their child to overnight summer camp, do not take this responsibility lightly. They do their research by: going to camp fairs, talking to friends, taking camp tours and chatting with references. Why do all this? Because when you select the right Overnight Summer Camp for your child, it will be a life changer and an experience they will want to repeat summer after summer. Maybe thats why children from all around the world come to USA Summer Camps

So how does summer camp change kids lives? Not every camp is the same, so I can only speak about our overnight summer camp. Swift Nature Camp is located in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. We cater to children 6–15, with a leadership program for our 16 & 17 year old campers. Our small camp blends old-fashioned camp activities on land and water, with environmental and nature learning. Plus we have a camp zoo, where children who love animals can even adopt one while they are at camp.

Here are ways that children’s lives are changed because of camp:

1) Great Staff- When you get young people who are dedicated to kids full time, your child feels it. Camp counselors have boundless energy and enthusiasm- something parents often loose as they get older. It’s like having the best big sister or brother in the world who really cares about you. They want you to be your best. So children look up to these counselors and since they are role modeling positive values, your child will pick those up and bring them home.

2) Communal Living- Yes, your child will be living in a cabin with 5–8 other children of their own age, building new friendships and developing strong new social circles. For most children this is a new experience. When you live with others, you have to be a little less worried about yourself and be thinking more about others. That is part of the natural progression of kids from self to others. Camp pushes them a little further along this road.

3) Nature-This day and age we live our lives inside. There is a big beautiful world out there that children should learn about and they should not be afraid of. All of science is saying, humans need to be connected to their environment, enjoy the beauty of the simple things in life. That’s why at SNC, we often take our kids to the lake to quietly enjoy a sunset.

4) Independence- Today we have so many types of parents, and often we see loving parents that hold their children back, not intentionally. But, sometimes they just don’t see that kids need and want to get out on their own, make decisions on their own and try new things. A Nature Camp is a safe place to try things, make mistakes and move on. This is all part of growing up and camp is the safe and supervised place this takes place.

5) Play is an amazing tool. It helps children get exercise, loose weight and feel better. More important, Free Play can help children resolve conflict, problem solve and be creative. Daily, at camp have 1.5 hours dedicated to free play, where campers can do the activities they want to do. This is like the old days, when children could just go outside and play.

One thing we hear from parents every summer is “I wish I would have sent my child to Swift Nature Camp sooner” you see, childhood is a once-off thing. Too soon it’s over, and you can’t reclaim the years, but you can look back on incredible memories. That’s why summer camp is so important — it’s a fun, positive experience where children can simply be children and have the time of their lives. Overnight summer camp is a vital part of a child’s personal growth and development

It’s the small size and attention to detail that makes camp so successful at promote each child’s personal development. Sending your child to Swift Nature Camp is a gift, one your child will cherish for the rest of their life. Maybe that’s why 92% of our campers want to return each summer to this Wisconsin Summer Camp.