REUNION - REUNION - REUNION JAN 7th

It's REUNION TIME 2018

We hope you can come join all the fun at our Swimming Party Reunion. Don't forget your suit!

This is a wonderful time to see camp friends visit with camp counselors and see the SNC Yearbook Video for the very 1st Time.

Hope you ca make it. No reservation neccessary.

Where: Oak Brook Park District (1450 Forest Gate, Oak Brook, Il 60523)

When: January 7th

Time: 1-3:30pm

Please bring a friend so they can see what the SNC excitment is all about.

Plus we will have a special gift for all that come.

NEW TO SNC?
Our reunion is the perfect time to come ask questions, meet the staff and have some fun. So please come and go swimming.

December Newsletter

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Camp Corner Newsletter October 2017

CampCorner 10 17

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Camp Corner Newsletter -Sept 2017

Camp Corner Newsletter- With all the latest from Camp.

Camp Corner Newsletter-Sept 2017

Pictures Posted...

So sorry for the delay getting pictures posted. We have so many it takes a reliable internet connection with good speed to get the 1000's uploaded.

NOW I have posted all the pictures from the summer. So be sure to see our website for all the pictures of you!

Summer Camp Pictures -you can always find the pictures from our home page and by clicking "Current Campers"

PARENT COMMENTS

Each summer we get many encouraging words from our families. Here is one such note.

"Hello. I wanted to send a quick note to thank you for a wonderful experience for our son. He is a different kid, in a positive way. He has become more assertive and gained confidence in many ways. He left for camp very apprehensive and annoyed with us for sending him. He came home HAPPY.

Looking forward to our girls attending your Discovery Camp next June.

Thank you for all your hard work making the camp a special place for kids."

Mom

What a Wonderful Summer

Yes, Camp is over and the silence of nature is everywhere except for the occasional Loon call... and the sounds of progress... Over the last 30 days Luis & Billy have been busy completing projects at camp. Some have been big, we will tell you more about that later while others a bit smaller, but all have made camp a better place.

We want to thank those nearly 40 families that believe in SNC so much that they were willing to to pay more than the basic camp price. It is the generosity of these folks that makes it possible to do so many wonderful projects from adding new docks, refurbishing our pontoon boat and our most recent adding a new roof to the Nature Center.

But at SNC we did more this summer than fix up the facilities. We built friendships that empowered campers to be more confident and self reliant while learning more about Nature and themselves.
Thank you to all
Jeff & Lonnie Lorenz

What Counselors are Saying!

Hi Swift Family
I already miss everyone and hope that everyone’s school year is going wonderfully ❤

Hope to see you soon!
Christy

Hi Everyone,

I hope all of you got to enjoy the end of summer and have had an awesome start to the school year. Since heading back to college I’ve had a chance to continue swimming and will get to go hiking at High Cliff State Park with my geology class soon. Good luck in school, and don’t forget to slow down and enjoy the world around you from time to time! -Abby

DID YOU KNOW THAT 70% OF OUR NEW CAMPERS FIND OUT ABOUT SNC FROM GOOGLE!

We love it when families post something positive about SNC!
Click Here to post a Google Review

The Transition- Back to Home

Returning home from camp brings excitement to the whole family. It is important for parents and campers to understand that going back home is a time to return to the "Real World" with more responsibilities, homework and parents with high expectations.

Here are a few ideas to help campers move back into society

1-Wean your kids back slowly on electronics. Now is the time to set up your expectations including: creating a charging station and have no electronics in bedrooms.

2-Give your kids downtime to reconnect with friends – Don't over program and help set up face to face times with friends

3-Encourage sleep – Camp is regimented with regular bedtimes, except for the last few days. Try to start a regular bed time routine.

4- When you see a new habit give it a thumbs up. Positively reinforce behaviors – especially the new ones you like. It is easy to fall back into the old not so good habits.

5- Debrief. As parents of a camper, we often don't often hear camp stories till mid November. So don't worry if they are not so forthcoming, just keep asking and they will come

6- When you learn something about SNC that is Amazing or Troubling, contact us via email or phone. We want to know.

Enjoy your children it wont be long till you send them back to us.

SIGN UP FOR 2018

It is going to be another Great Summer!

Camp Corner Newsletter May 2017

Memorial Day 1-3pm
Come Meet The Swift Nature Camp Staff
Ask Your Questions
Kids Play Games
Meet Critters from The Camp Zoo

This OPEN HOUSE is always a big hit. It is a great time to meet other campers and Staff! We will play games and answer any last minute questions you might have about camp, it's perfect as a "getting to know you time" before camp starts. If you are still not sure if Swift is the place for you this summer - stop on by, we love to talk about Swift Nature Camp.

WHEN: Monday May 29th

TIME: 1pm-3pm

WHERE: Willowbrook Wildlife Center (Glen Ellyn, Il -near College of DuPage) We hope you can make it to this fun program. Please dress for the weather. If you have any questions call us at 630-654-8036.

Happy Trails

Lonnie & Jeff

DIRECTIONS
WILLOWBROOK WILDLIFE CENTER IS LOCATED

Camp Corner Newsletter

Just returned back from camp after a few weeks. While you are busy finishing up school we are busy getting ready for your summer camp adventures to start. Here are just a few things that we have been doing.

Who Stole the Swift Nature Camp Sign?

No need to worry... After 23 years we thought it was time to give the old sign a makeover. So as you come over the last hill on your way into camp please be sure to take a special look at the New camp sign and tell us what you think.

MORE CANOES = MORE FUN

We have nearly doubled our canoe fleet for 2017, bringing our total number of canoes to near 40 in all. Perfect for those Adventurous Canoe Trips we will be having this summer.

What Happens Before You Arrive to SNC?

Pre Camp is all about doing projects, so when you arrive, you can enjoy all the updates. This is Luis (from Mexico) It is his 2nd summer at SNC. He is usually seen around camp helping Super Tom fix and repair things. Here Luis is replacing the benches on the Pontoon boat -Dah G Dah. Be sure and ask Luis to your table for Lunch some time, he loves hanging with the campers when he has time.

Super Tom

Every Summer Camp has a few unsung heroes, that work timelessly to make camp special for everyone. Super Tom is ours, he has been with camp since 2001 and he is the only member of the camp staff that lives on the camp property all year long.During winter it can get pretty lonely at camp with no other folks around. Maybe that's why every summer he is so excited to see us all. Tom is always ready to fix things that need fixing but more importantly he is ready to have a chat, so be sure to say "HI" to him when you see him at camp.

MEET GRISHIN
Grishin has lived in New Zealand for half of his life and the other half he lived in South Africa. Be sure to have him speak his native language for you... it is unlike any I have ever heard before. Grishin is sort of a sportsy guy and has played cricket and rugby for his school teams, he was even captain. Do you think he is playing with an Erector Set in this picture? NOPE, he is actuall helping to rebuild to Boating Docks.

Welcome Billy

This is Billy's first summer at Swift Nature Camp. He is from Mexico and and will be helping Super Tom and Luis during the summer. One of our goals is to finish restaining the cabins, so that will take a lot of time and energy to sand off all the old paint to get them ready for stain. This will be Billy's main project of the summer- 5 more cabins to go.
Can you tell what Billy is working on in this picture? It's Dah-G-Dah the Pontoon Boat. For 2017, New carpet, floor boards and paint have been added.
Will it be the same color?

Did You Know that Swift Nature Camp had a full length Documentry made at camp? It follows a few of our campers around a normal day of camp. The makers of the movie had a full range of the camp and were able to film anything they wished. The story that developed was a surprise to us all.
SEE IT NOW FOR FREE

Be sure to get all the latest information so you are ready for 2017.

This Summers Information
- Packing List
- 1st Timer At SNC
- Kids News
Willy is happy to be back at camp. We will be celebrating his 10th Birthday. For him he is getting older and not as active as past summers. He has developed a slight limp and has become hard of hearing. So you might just see him lying down and sleeping, waiting for you to give him a belly rub.
He can't wait for that....

HOPE YOU CAN MAKE IT TO THE OPEN HOUSE

Camp Corner Newsletter 4/17

PLEASE VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE SHIRT FOR 2017

CAAMPCORNER1 2017

CAAMPCORNER 2017

Summer camp News Letter - all the latest for 2017

Meet Bubba -Camp Corner Newsletter 3/17

Yes this is the newest member to SNC. It's Bubba a Juliana Pig. These miniature pigs trace their ancestry back to Europe. With selective breeding programs, these pigs have kept their smaller size. Juliana's have a very gentle disposition and love to play. Bubba is about 14 inches tall and weighs about 50 pounds. Bubba can get up to 70 lbs and has 2 more years of growing. Like all Pigs they have a Cloven Hooves. Congratulations to all those that guessed Bubba was a PIG!

CAMP PRIDE DAY APRIL 1st
SHOW US YOUR SNC T-SHIRT.
Take a selfie wearing your camp shirt and post it on SNC facebook

Pigs Are

Smart
Studies show that pigs share a number of cognitive capacities with other highly intelligent species such as dogs, chimpanzees, elephants, dolphins, and even humans. So what tricks can we teach Bubba this summer?

Pig Intelligence

-Excellent long-term memories
-Are whizzes with mazes
-Can understand simple language
-Love to play and mock fight
-Live in complex social communities
-Cooperate with one another
-Can manipulate a joystick
-Can use a mirror to find hidden food
-Exhibits forms of empathy

Maybe you will want Bubba to do some of your Homework

MEET NICK

Summer is on the way and I'm getting pretty pumped! I'm the kind of guy that is always looking for new experiences and people to connect with, and what better place for that, than SNC?

When I was asked for some things that make me tick, I drew a blank. Not because there isn't anything, but because I find joy when I immerse myself in any activity. I am hard-pressed to find something I do not enjoy. That's what gets me so excited about SNC. I will not only get to experience new things and play alot, but I'll get to share those experiences with you folks who are just as psyched to be at camp as I am! So when you see me, be sure and share with me the things that are special to you. I am sure i will find them fascinating. I can't wait to meet all of you, See you soon, Nick
P.S. Can't believe I take second billing to a Pig! Nice to meet you Bubba.

-Enroll for SNC Today-

On the Road Again...

Did you know each Winter & Spring Lonnie & Jeff hit the road and tell the World about SNC. We go to many schools and other Summer Camp Expos, to tell families what makes SNC such a special place. This year we have received very positive reactions from visiting families.

Us at the Camp Fair at York H.S. in Elmhurst, Il. (Old Tags)

After 20 plus years, we finally got professional Name Tags

BRING A FRIEND TO SNC
You know Swift is a magical spot: one where you play outside, respect others and share your dreams. But for many of your friends they have NO idea what camp is all about. For many its scary to be away from home and out in nature. As an SNC Ambassador you help your friends feel more comfortable going away to camp. You tell them about the Adventures and Activities and explain what cabin life is like. After all that's what friends do they help their friends overcome challenges.

Here are some of the benefits:
1- Recognition During the Opening Campfire
2- Club Pillow Case
3- Free Life Straw Water Bottle
4- Ambassador Patch for your blanket
5- Invitation to the Ambassador Club Meeting, Includes

Want us to send some info to your friend? Click Here

Camp T Shirts- are as special as each summer. Each year we ask campers to give us design ideas. These can be had drawn or digital, either way we will vote next month to see which T-shirt gets the most votes. So email your artwork to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

So What Do You Gain From SNC
New friends, positive values, personal growth, great adventures and outrageous fun are the foundations of camp life at SNC. This combined with our HUGE variety of activities allows each camper to grow and explore every single day.

Activities Include:

Land Activities - Water Activities - Camping Trips - Nature -Science - Animals ...

Read More- 9 Reasons to Send a Child To Camp