Summer: W7471 Ernie Swift Rd, Minong, Wi. 54859
Winter: 25 Baybrook Lane, Oak Brook, Il. 60523
Phone/Fax: (630)654-8036 Camp: (715)466-5666
E Mail: swiftcamp @aol.com
Hey Gang
It's camp time!! We are looking forward to an excellent summer. It is exciting to see so many returning faces and some new ones too. Now that you have decided to become part of the Swift family you will want to read all the information and print it for reference throughout the camping season. If you should have more questions after reading this, please call or e us. Note: we will be moving to the Northwoods May 7th, so send information or call us there. So, take a deep breath and here we go... Please print for your records.
Dates
of Camp:
By now, you should know Staff Orientation begins June 6th at 9:00am and employment ends August 10th at 3:00pm.. Want to be a Lifeguard? Class begins May 31st at 9am and you make an additional $75. If you need First Aid or CPR Training (required) classes start June 3rd at 9 am. Please e us your travel plans. There are many things that need to get done before the campers arrive, so if you're willing to get your hands dirty and want to make an extra $20 per day plus meals, please come up to camp as soon as you want after May 7th.
NOTE: All certifications must be current. Please check your cards. If you need recertification plan on attending The Red Cross lifeguarding, CPR and First aid classes.
OPEN HOUSE: On Monday May 26th we will be back in Chicago having an open house for campers. It is wonderful when staff come to this for it makes campers feel more secure about coming to camp. Plus ya get to meet each other. If you can make it to this please email us. Details will be posted on the website. Please try to make it to this event. we need your help.
Having
Said all That:
On Friday May 30th. we will be attending a counselor class in LaCrosse Wis. Michael Brandwine is known around the country as a speaker that is in tune to children's needs. He puts a whole new perspective on what being a camp counselor is all about. Its a must for anyone working with kids! He is Fun! OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE ALL OUR COUNSELORS ATTEND. So here is the plan. We will meet in Chicago Wednesday May 28th On Thursday the 29th. we will as a group head North to the conference then to camp.
Please
Note:
All Employment is based on a clean background and drug test. Should any staff member not successfully complete these tests they will be notified that their employment contract is no longer valid.
Traveling
to Swift Nature Camp
Somehow, some way, you have got to get to Chicago. Many have transportation (be it bus, car, dog sled or bike) but I'm sure some folks need a ride! That should be no problem; just give us a call and I'll try to hook you up with someone in your area who has wheels. If arriving in Chicago by bus, train or plane let us know your itinerary so we can pick you up. So here is the plan. We will meet in Chicago Wednesday May 28th and stay at the Willowbrook Holiday Inn just west of Chicago in the town of Willowbrook (630)325-6400. We will be providing accommodation but you will want to bring some money for food. We hope to do some sight seeing that day... On Thursday the 31st. we will as a group head North and stay in Tomah at the Rest Well Motel (some of you will meet us there). If you come without your own transport, you can ride with someone else. The next morning bright and early we are off to the conference and after that to camp.
Directions: From the town of Minong, continue west on Hwy 77(a major street in town). At the intersection of Hwy I turn Right(this is approximately 1 mile). When Hwy I makes a hard left turn,(approx. 3.3 miles) while in the left turn make a right and a quick left on to Smith Bridge Road. Continue north on Smith Bridge for approx. 2.7 mile, watch to your left for East Flowage Rd.(this turns into Ernie Swift Rd.). Camp is on the left, down the road a piece just after a large knoll in the road. At every intersection signs are posted showing the direction. The address is W7471 Ernie Swift Road.
I
Never get Sick or Hurt
Our Health History and Examination Form needs to be completed. Please bring it with you to camp. Have your doctor report in full about all conditions that might require medications or about any conditions recently treated. At Camp we will conduct a drug screening exam(amphetamines, marijuana methamphetamines, cocaine, and morphine,)and a Tuberculosis test. The cost to each staff member is $25. Returning Staff do not need a new Health History if nothing has changed since last summer. Any medication required while at camp must be in its own container, clearly labeled with its pharmaceutical name, the prescribing Dr.'s. name and phone number, and details pertaining to the dosage amount and optimal time to administer. Our nurse is required by law to dispense all medications and will not administer non-labeled pills or medications; please do not bring them to camp. Be sure to bring enough medication to last all ten weeks. All medications must be given to the nurse who will keep them locked at the health center and dispense them at the appropriate times. Please do not bring over the counter drugs with you. Should you need something the nurse has it, this is a safety issue, so campers don't take your pills. Please sign the medical/surgical release section on the Health History form. Give us full details if there are any physical restrictions not mentioned elsewhere. Call us if you have been exposed to any contagious disease (like chicken pox) just prior to arrival at camp. If glasses or contacts are needed for any activities, please note the current prescription or bring a second pair. Should you need to send additional medical information to camp attach a separate piece of paper to the Health History form.
We have arrangements with an orthodontist and dentist in Minong, However, we highly recommend that every counselor visit their own dentist for a check-up within a month prior to attending camp. NOBODY likes going to the dentist, especially someone you don't know, so let's try to prevent THAT little excursion.
While we are talking about health, remember that during exercise, sufficient intake of fluids is important, so a water bottle (like for a bicycle) or a canteen is something you won't want to forget.
This
is the Northwoods
Help us stay a rustic Northwoods camp. In a perfect world none of these would show up at camp; electric blankets, cellular phones, pagers, tv's or game boys, laser pointers, Video & Digital cameras, dvd and cd players, computers, ipods or electronic pets.
Our goal is to make camp a place away from technology for our kids. So if you have to bring one of these please understand it cannot be kept with you or in your cabin, they will be in our home and will only be given out only during your time off. Remember expensive electronics are best left at home. We have seen them stolen and destroyed by the elements. Digital cameras are only allowed with limited use. Many cell phones do not work at camp. For emails we have a staff computer with dial up internet access for staff. In each cabin there is a CD/Cassette player, so bring your favorite (age appropriate) CDs to share with your campers. Muppets, Veggie Tales, Disney are all good stuff. (go to the library and make copies or down load Bill Cosby or Steve Martin ) Show your campers things can be funny and not vulgar :) Campers are encouraged to bring their favorite cassettes/cds to camp. In the computer cave we do have Macs, so bring your favorite game.
Name tag everything!! Stuff can get lost or broken, and we urge you to not bring valuables to camp such as jewelry, fancy watches, expensive sports or camera equipment. We can't be responsible and don't want sad faces. A small safe is available for your most valuable documents. Don't even think about electric fans, fireworks, guns, or axes. They just aren't fun. You can bring camping knives can but they must be stored in the office, when not on a trip.
We
have a wonderful Cook
Help us to eliminate food brought to or kept in camp. Food, gum & pop in cabins attracts little critters (and some large ones), disrupts healthy appetites and can be a divisive factor if not shared among fellow cabin mates. Our camp store sells snacks as after dinner treats. Please do not bring food or keep it in your cabin. The Staff lounge is a special place where you can keep your goodies, away from the cabins and campers. We have a strict no gum or pop policy at camp. SMOKING IS NEVER PERMITTED
I've
Got A Friend
We encourage counselors to bring their small caged pet (no cats or dogs, please). These animals are kept in the Nature Center for all the campers to observe. You will be responsible for the care and feeding of your pet while at camp. If you are bringing a pet please read and sign and return the "I've got a Friend" form.
Visitors
are Welcome
We know many of you are leaving good friends, romances and family to come to camp for the better part of a summer. Many of these folks would love to come up to camp to say howdy...that's OK.
This open door policy could be misused so it's important you know what we expect. It's best they come when you have a day off (try to schedule that in advance). That way they aren't hanging around distracting your attention from the campers. We know you want to show them camp and what you do which is fine. Let's just not have it last longer than a few hours. They can even stay at camp for one meal. Please let us know your friends' itinerary, and have them stop by the office so we can meet them.
If your friends are planning a visit, we suggest you make reservations in local motels now! They fill up fast.
Here's a list of area motels we recommend:
**Rice Lake Resort-Minong -(new)----(715)466-5858
Kimble Lake Resort-Minong------------(715)466-2413
**View Point-Minong ----------------(715)466-2447
Seaman's Resort-Minong--------------(715) 466-2858
Travelers Inn-Minong -----------------(715)466-2293
Up North Resort-Minong ---------------(715)466-4359
St. Croix Inn-Solon Springs ------------(715)378-4444
Sun Shine-Spooner --------------------(715)635-2619
American Heritage-Spooner------------(715)635-9770
Country House Hotel-Spooner ----------(715)635-8721
Northern Pines-Hayward --------------(715)634-4959
River Inn-Hayward -------------------(715)634-2631
*Stout Trout Inn-Springbrook----------(715)378-4444
Cedar Inn-Hayward--------------------(715)634-5332
*Lumberman's Inn-Hayward-----------(715)634-3012
**Briar Patch- Trego---------------- (715) 466-2794
Where
does the Soap Go
Please take our advice and bring old clothes and minimal clothing. You might want to bring one "going out" outfit for those special nights out of camp. We really do laundry once a week, and you get to teach your cabin how to do it! Doing laundry is a morning cabin activity, we provide everything needed, just bring your dirty clothes. Mark everything! If you wish to use name tags you can get them locally (Walmart). We've used rubber stamp pads with indelible ink. This works well on most clothes and is a real time-saver!
So
what do I Bring to Camp
In each cabin there is one footlocker and one stand-up cubbie for each counselor, this is sufficient to store all the things that you may bring to camp. Additional goodies can be packed in a soft sided duffel. A packing list is enclosed. You will be provided with one camp logoed polo shirt. Please bring a few books that are your favorites! Each night you will share this book with your cabin. We do not permit scary stories, but stories with a message are great.(We often read Chicken Soup Books) You may also want to bring fun stuff that you can share with your cabin, such as tapes, cd's, Frisbees, books, Guitar/instrument, games, posters, song/poem books, skit books, things that will make your cabin special! Rainy days are a challenge for all of us, you need to be creative and entertain your cabin so they need to keep busy, so bring anything you think might help you.
Dress Code
We hate to do this but many of the items that we wear these days to the mall are not appropriate for camp. Camp clothes should be old and not a fashion statement. Camp is about you not your clothes. T shirts are wonderful camp clothes. S.N.C. expects Staff & Campers to wear underwear and have no exposed bellies, cleavages or fannies. This rules out all short shorts, spaghetti string tops or midriff tops. Oh, on those t shirts make sure the logos or sayings are camp appropriate as well, no drugs, alcohol or sex promoted. We also are a no makeup camp, so don't bring it, except for your days off. As for bathing suits only 1 piece suits are acceptable. If you wear something that does not meet our code we will ask you to change so be prepared. Thanx for your understanding. One last thing Flip Flops or any kind of sandals do not protect your feet. So please only wear them to and from the bathroom.. any other time around camp please wear crocks, gym shoes, or something that will protect your toes.
Toss
it our Way
As you can guess our summers can have a few rainy days. During these days our kids are looking for things to do. Rather than finding trouble, we promote going to our library and finding a good book, or playing a game. So we would love to have donated any of your old books and games, toys, sports equip, or any thing else you may want to get rid of, when cleaning out that closet.
What
Do I Have to Do!
At camp, a counselor's responsibilities are never-ending. You may help a child develop friends, entertain your cabin, or find the way on a canoe trip. Our camp is unique in that we have few specialists that teach activities. Instead our counselors are generalists and have to be able to teach a little bit of everything to their cabin. You will be teaching Archery, Riflery, Canoeing, Team Building. You will be assisting in Swimming, Arts & Crafts and in the Nature Center. Outdoor Camping is a big part of our programs, you will be responsible for you cabin during Canoe & Backpack trips. Knowing about cooking, shelter and fires will be helpful on these trips. I strongly suggest that if you are not comfortable with teaching these activities, you pick up a Book as a refresher. Many libraries even have videos on the basics. This will bring you up to speed for our counselor orientation. Kids also love magic, games, brain-teasers and tricks. Learn these and you will be a hit with your cabin, specially on rainy days. Remember our camp nurse is a registered clown!
If you never have been a counselor you might want to do a little homework NOW. When the kids come you will have little time to do your homework. Here is a must read book!!! (I'm sure there are others that are good that your library might have) Dynamite Counselors Don't Explode by M. Pastore. It will give you what you need to control those little rascals. We have a copy in our library, but it may be checked out when you need it most. Try to read it now.
National
Leadership Training
We have contracted with an outside agency, to help do online training. We are requiring all counselors to participate in all 5 section of the this training program. Each section takes about 15 minutes and has a small quiz at the end. to complete. Doing these will ensure that all of us will be doing our best this summer. Please print off your completion certificate at the end and bring them to camp. You do not have to complete them all at once you can go back as often as needed, they just need to be done by the time you.come to camp. Here are the classes:
Basic Youth LeadershipFive Commandments of Youth Leadership
Age Appropriate Health & Fitness
Working with At-Risk Youth
Bullying Prevention
Working with Different Age Groups
To Access the online training go to
www.youthleadercert.com
and click NEW USER, Our code is SNC54859
You will be tracked as an individual user.
If you need support please e the company here support@simlms.com
GOOD LUCK
Camp
is Special
Camp is a special place, it is not so much a physical place but a place in your heart. A place where one is accepted and welcomed with open arms. A place where one can put your daily worries aside and dedicate yourself to others. Please be sure that you want to be at camp for all the right reasons. Reread our Counselors Guide to be sure this is for you....see website Staff-More info. If you are not sure, give us a call...let's talk about it.
What
is a Camp Counselor---A Poem