Minnesota is blessed with many natural resouces and a rich natural back drop. Yet, Minnesota is becoming increasingly urban, not just Minneapolis or St Paul, so too is the percentage of Minnesotans living in Greater Minnesota’s cities and towns. In 2010 census, 73.3 percent of Minnesotans lived in urban areas.Yes, Minnesota life has changed! No longer are children exposed to nature as they used to be. Try this at home, ask a child 8-10 years old to describe an elephant or a bunny many will reach for a screen of some sort and want to show you. Yes, a picture is worth a 1000 words and yet something is lacking when we just reach for a screen.
I have asked many teachers over the years: "How is a Minnesota child's Environmental Science knowledge?" and most would say that the average child in Minnesota has less outdoor knowledge than thier grandparents. Some go as far as to say that some children have never touched a pine cone or picked up a worm on a rainy day. We have lost contact with the Environment. These same tachers say that they would love to teach more Environmental Education and take our kids outside, but they are so scheduled with what to teach that it gives them little opportunity.
Environmental Education Summer Camps are just one easy way a parent can empower their child's learning and reduce today's nature deficit. The urbanizatin of Minnesota reduces children's exposure to the the natural environment. It is more important than ever that our children get outside and reconect. Environmental education has numerous benefits, like helping children become good stewards and to think globally, as well as observe and act locally. Environmental education does more than just teaching about plants, animals and the world we live in. It is a valuable tool that encourages kids to think critically, observe nature and even sit quietly without a screen, all things we can use in our everyday world.
At Swift Nature Camp we take Environmental Education seriously, but not too seriously. Each day children will have the opportunity to be a part of our Nature Ceter activities. Many of the science activities are part of Nature Quest, the award-winning environmental program designed by the World Wildlife Federation,thus creating an amazing Environmental Camp. Our Nature Center and zoo at camp provide 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. At Swift Nature Camp we even have a pond aquarium that campers can fill with their freshly caught turtles, frogs and fish. 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. Campers with their own small animals are encouraged to bring them to camp to share with others. The animals live in the Nature Center and camp Zoo, where all campers can enjoy and learn about them. As part of our environmental education campers can even adopt the pets while they are at camp, this gives a child responsibility while learning about their pet.
If you feel your child needs to get off their screen and be out in nature at a Minnesota Environmental Education Summer Camp then Swift Nature Camp is a wonderful place to make it happen. We even have an exclusive First Time at Camp program, perfect for the child who is new to spending the night away from home.
