So you have been practicing, working on your j stroke your cross bow rudder and learning how the rocks might appear in the river. Yet none of that seems to make sense when you hit the river for the first time. At Swift Camp we often paddle down the Namekagon River a National Scenic Riverway. It is such a beautiful spot. Once you seem to have your sea legs and feel comfortable staying off the rock and fallen trees, its time to look at the natural beauty. Canoeing is so peaceful and with every bend comes a new opportunity to see some wildlife. It’s not unusual to see deer, eagles and beaver on the river. Here is a hint: Be in the first canoe because these critters are sure scamper when they see you coming. The rest of the adventure is making the food setting up tents and hoping for wonderful weather. Its over the campfire while you reflect on the days challenges that you realize just how special it is to have stars, smores and good friendship.
Expect to capsize and swim occasionally when paddling a canoe, kayak or raft - it’s part of the sport! But when you hit the water unexpectedly, even strong swimmers need a lifejacket, also known as a personal flotation device (PFD). It allows you to concentrate on doing what’s needed to execute a self rescue and will allow you to assist others. Nearly 70% of all drownings involving canoes, kayaks or rafts might have been avoided if the victim had been wearing a lifejacket!
We at Swift Nature Camp believe that your child’s safety is the most important part of camp. That is why we have a strict Lifejacket rule. Everyone must wear a PDF when in a boat. No exceptions, staff and campers alike. THis is true if on a river canoe trip or on on our own camp lake. Water is so much fun and kids love it but it is dangerous and we must be prepared. We even have a special “titanic test” to ensure that our lifejacket fits nice and snug in case of an emergency. Campers learn this the first day of camp.
So You are Thinking what have past SNC Campers been saying about the cool Adventure Trips?
Take a look!
My first time on the Mighty Namekagon River
Camp was Over and all of you guys left... camp was sooo lonely, empty and quiet... So we had to do something....I remember the campfire when you guys share your favorite camp memories, and most of them are from your trips! Well, I wanted to experience thoseAdventure Trips too so the three of us: Jeff, Forrest and myself got our gear ready and set off for the Nam 1 trip. The weather was perfect...no rain in the forecast for this trip :)
Even Super Tom after dropping us off did not want to go back to camp so he also jumped in the canoe and paddled with us for a few hours. It was beautiful... all the wildlife we saw, we even made friends with a great blue heron and named him Billy. Billy followed us the whole first day. When we stopped for a swim, Billy stopped too :) We ate RJ’s, played UNO and spent a night in a tent. We also sang camp songs. I realized then why trips are often your favorite part of SNC. We wished all of you were there then, too. Love you all, Lonnie
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Discover amazing and unexpected works of art as you make your way through the rolling hills of southwestern Wisconsin, along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi, along the shores of Lake Michigan and into the Northwoods to visit the Wisconsin Concrete Park. Each of these FREE roadside attractions, known as art environments, tells a unique American story in art, tracing the maker's cultural heritage and rich traditions. Spend a day, a weekend, or an extended vacation exploring the art, architecture, and gardens of one indoor site and eight outdoor sites. Follow one of the self-guided tours or create your own, then share your unique and fun experiences on Facebook - just search for Wandering Wisconsin.
NEW 2010 maps are available now,
River. The Totogatic joins the Pine, Pike, and Popple in northeastern Wisconsin and the Brunsweiler in
Ashland County as the best of our best, to be protected and kept wild...
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for future generations.
In 1965, the Wisconsin “Wild Rivers” designation was established by the legislature to “afford the people of the state an
opportunity to enjoy natural streams.” Section 30.26 of the statutes further states that “it is in the interest of the state to
preserve some rivers in a free-flowing condition and to protect them from development.”
Washburn County and Washburn County Lakes and Rivers Association, local citizens, the River Alliance of
Wisconsin, UW-Extension and Wisconsin DNR have been seeking this designation since 2004. These groups
worked very hard researching how to designate a river, and what the designation would mean for local river
protection. There were several public meetings in 2005 and 2006, along with letters to legislators to ask for
their sponsorship. Finally early this year, Senator Bob Jauch and Representative Nick Milroy introduced
legislation in the State Senate and Assembly (respectively). The bills passed committee hearings and floor
debates, and Wisconsin Act 32 officially designating the river was signed into law by Governor Doyle on July
10, 2009.
The bill signing ceremony was held at Totogatic Park northwest of Minong on the Minong Flowage (an
impounded reach of the river). The Slow no-wake legislation was also signed there that day, with young
children having a swimming lesson in the flowage as a backdrop. Tony Tubbs was our eloquent Master of
Ceremonies, with speeches by Washburn County Board Chair Michael Bobin, Washburn County Lakes and
Rivers Association President Cathie Erickson, and Wisconsin DNR’s St. Croix Basin Supervisor Kathy
Bartilson. Earl Cook, President of the Wisconsin Association of Lakes, spoke on the Slow-no wake bill, as did
Jim Brakken, Bayfield County Lakes Forum President. Dale Cox, a National Park Service Ranger with the St.
Croix National Scenic Riverway encouraged our river protection efforts, and shared his poem “I Will Meet you
at the River.” Governor Doyle, Senator Jauch, Representative Milroy and DNR Secretary Matt Frank were
present for the official signing of both bills in the park pavilion, under a “Totogatic – Wild by Law” banner.
The Totogatic is a wild gem flowing through Bayfield, Sawyer, Washburn, Douglas and Burnett Counties. It
provides rich habitat for diverse aquatic and terrestrial species, has excellent water quality, beautiful scenery,
and great fishing and paddling opportunities. The free-flowing reaches are now designated wild, with the four
flowages (Nelson Lake, Totogatic Flowage, Colton Flowage, and Minong Flowage) excluded. Here is a
description of the designated reaches:
oFirst Reach: From the outlet of Totogatic Lake (located in Bayfield County) to the upstream end of
Nelson Lake (located in Sawyer County).
oSecond Reach: From a point 500 feet below the dam in the Totogatic Wildlife Area to the upstream end
of the Colton Flowage (both located in Washburn County).
oThird Reach: From a point 500 feet below the dam that forms the Colton Flowage to the point where
the river crosses the Washburn-Douglas County line immediately above the upstream end of the Minong
Flowage.
oFourth Reach: From the bridge on CTH “I” in Washburn County to the confluence of the river with the
Namekagon River in Burnett County.
From the beginning, the goal of this effort has been for all landowners and visitors to work together to keep the
river wild. The land ownership includes county forest frontage (some in all 5 counties), commercial forest,
private recreational parcels, and a very small amount of state and federally-owned frontage. Wisconsin
Administrative Code NR 302 specifies how land and water activities will be managed on Wild Rivers. This law
specifies that the landowners along the river need to recognize and protect the wild characteristics. The rule
limits grading on the banks to less than 10,000 square feet (the point at which a permit would be needed from
the DNR), and prohibits docks, dams, bridges (other than on public roadways), dredging, filling, and removal of
natural obstructions.
A special case was written into the Totogatic Wild River bill to allow docks that were placed before the
designation to remain, provided they are sized to meet current pier standards. These docks can be repaired and
replaced, but not enlarged. New docks will not be allowed, in order to preserve the wild appearance of the river
banks. Anyone who had a dock prior to the bill being signed is encouraged to contact Kathy Bartilson at 635-
4053.
This is a great accomplishment on the part of local landowners, the counties, Washburn County Lakes and
Rivers, and all of the citizens and agencies involved. It is one of the highest levels of stream protection possible
under Wisconsin Statutes. With everyone working together, we can keep it not only “Wild by Law” but also
“Wild by Example” with good stewardship, care and respect from all who live along it and visit it in years to
come.
This area is for campers to just leave any notes they may have .......
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Super Counselors
Once upon a time in a land far far away at Swift Nature Camp, it was a beautiful super Sunday, perfect for a barbecue on Picnic Island. Everyone was having a good time swimming, climbing trees, and sniffing too close to the barbecue.
Then, all of a sudden, everyone heard a splash. Heads turned to see a giant pirate ship with evil robo-pirates with styrofoam heads emerging from the ship where Dah-G-Dah once stood.
Super Tom turned all the counselors into super counselors! They were ready to defend Picnic Island (and protect the campers, of course). Out came Hillary, standing on top of her flying giant chicken and screaming at the top of her lungs.
Asa the vampire was sucking the power out of the robots while Colleen (a.k.a. Triple C, the wrestler) body slammed robots from a tree. Tony and TJ, the amazing archers, finished some off wih flaming arrows. Jeremy transformed into a grizzly who thinks that the pirates are cheese and eats them. Ian Noble used his hypnotic singing powers to control the robots and made them fight for SNC.
If you want to be a super staff member at S.N.C. Camp Counselor Jobs
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Aliena, who was friends with aliens, told them in their secret language to
attack the pirates. Because of the battle, many were being injured, so Katie the healing fairy tried to save them all. Kim and Simone, the cavewomen, were pulling tree trunks from the ground and handing them to Maddy, who had super duper strength and used the tree trunks to whack away the pirates.
All that was left was poor little Ian who had no power. Simone, with her koala fingers, was able to throw her magic vegemite to him. He gave it a try and turned into super, tall giant Ian and stepped on the pirates’ ship.
As the battle raged, Super Tom put some special attachments on his cart, the most noticeable being a laser cannon that he had been experimenting with in his secret workshop. He popped out of nowhere and started to blast the pirates with his laser cannon.
Once all the pirates were defeated, Super Tom had some new materials to fix up his new cart and then decided to turn the counselors back to normal as if nothing had happened. However, at the final campfire, there were many skits where pirates had invaded Picnic Island.
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Prior to each camper’s arrival, the staff studies the informational packet for that person. They learn about each child and gain awareness of specific individual needs. If any camper has medical circumstances or special needs these will discussed by the staff in confidence with the camp nurse. By the time a child arrives at camp, the staff will feel as if they already know that new camper. This preparation is immediately beneficial to the first-time camper from the moment he or she steps off the bus and is warmly and personally greeted.
The first day of Discovery Camp is Orientation Day. New campers get a complete tour of Swift Nature Camp, including a visit to the Health Center, the Mail Box, and every activity area. Every activity is introduced with a discussion about the importance of safety and the basic safety information for that activity.
Staff members work hard to promote an atmosphere of nurturing and harmonious friendship from the campers’ first day of cabin life. There is a Respect List for all to agree to and sign, and each night will end with a bedtime story. The cabin is the place where community begins. First time campers are gently brought into a sense of connection and community with others who begin on equal footing.
At Discovery Camp, first time campers are introduced to Swift Camp’s well rounded noncompetitive variety of camp activities. Each morning a cabin’s campers are invited to instruction at two activity areas. These activities include Swimming, Canoeing, Nature Center, Arts and Crafts, Archery, and more. The new campers are encouraged to try new and different activities, giving each of them the opportunity to discover and explore what activities he or she might enjoy and eventually excel in. In the afternoon, campers learn how to make their own choices from the activity board, making their own decisions about which activity to pursue that day.
Swift Nature Camp aims to encourage each child to learn independence in a safe, age appropriate environment. Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz knew from experience that homesickness is most likely to run its course when the length of time away is just beyond the number of days a child can hold in mind for a countdown. The twelve day first-timer program is set up to run the optimum length of time for a first time camper to leave homesickness behind and gain a comfortable sense of autonomy. For many of these campers the greatest first lesson camp teaches them is that they can leave home, return days later and find out that very few things will have changed, especially their parents’ love for them.
The directors of Swift Nature Camp think it's important that parents know that their children’s first time away from home is in a safe, nurturing and secure environment. As a part of the Discovery Camp’s first timer program, parents are encouraged to visit at any time after the first five days.
Parents who would like to find out if this is the right first-time summer camp experience for their child are encouraged to speak with other parents who have had their children attend Swift Nature Camp. A list of references is readily available for that purpose. Discovery Camp, a special program for the first time summer camp experience, is finally available to suit the needs of campers and parents alike!
Want to learn how to find the best summer camp for your child see SummerCamp Advice.com