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Cabins And More   Counselors We are the best    Health and Safety   Sign UP and additional policies   Enrollment Application  Discovery Camp for first timers [click on tracks]	Anyone can read a book about ecology or see a film about wild animals. But at Swift Nature Camp, campers dig in to the world of Earth Science. When campers see, they remember. But when campers do, they understand. Through a child's natural curiosity, experimentation and discovery, rather than a classroom lecture, we entice children to learn about and play in NATURE. Click to See inside Does your child suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder? Click to learn more from NPR Radio "Last Child in the Woods," "Healing the broken bond between our young and nature is in our self-interest, not only because aesthetics or justice demand it, but also because our mental, physical, and spiritual health depend upon it." Swift Nature Camp places a very strong emphasis not only on developing 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. Swift Nature Camp promotes hands on, experiential learning in our Nature Center. This combined with being in nature via canoe and backpack trips foster an appreciation for the nature around us. Click to see a Video Many of the science activities are part of Nature Quest, the award-winning environmental program designed by the World Wildlife Federation. Rachael's Zoo A place to keep pets and play with them Our own Nature Center provides a dynamic setting for learning as campers find themselves doing science experiments, conducting environmental testing, learning about the local wildlife, or participating in our camp recycling program, We Use Worms.  A unique pond aquarium, known as Kermit's House, gives kids a chance to see pond life from a frog's point of view, while our Nature's Neighbors live animal collection provides opportunities for up-close study and care of several common northwoods residents as well as a few exotic immigrants. We found a snake! Is your child going to be the last child in the woods? Click to see a short film Campers with their own small animals are encouraged to bring them to camp to share with others. The animals live in the Nature Center, where all campers can enjoy and learn about them. Working in conjunction with the Wisconsin DNR and the U.S. Park Service, Swift Nature Camp has developed a hands-on environmental learning program which includes field trips, such as visits to a fish hatchery and state parks; hands-on field projects, like goose banding and butterfly counts; and exciting camp presentations, ranging from visits with live owls to learning how professionals manage a forest fire. The kids don't just watch the excitement, they are in the middle of it. Each of the projects is explained in detail before the children begin, so they understand exactly what they are doing and why it is meaningful. "This is camp with a purpose," Jeff explains. "Besides all the fun and excitement of a traditional camp, the kids have the joy of discovering Nature and the world we live in."   By working with the DNR on real projects, such as releasing fish into Wisconsin waterways or counting eagles' nests, children discover the fascinating world of nature while having fun.   "There is no better place for a child to get an understanding of the environment than with this program," says Kathe Luczynski, a Downers Grove High School Biology Teacher.       Have you ever seen a loon?
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