Having been lucky enough to work with kids as much as I have, I can say that most of the generalizations made about modern children are false. They are smarter more respectful than they are given credit for, they can be separated from electronics surprisingly easily, and aren’t as overly sensitive as some claim. Something I can’t disagree with, however, is that for whatever reason they seem to have less resolve. When something goes wrong, there is a lack of perseverance and willingness to step outside of their comfort-zone.
One of the magical things about Overnight Summer Camps is that it remains one of the last places where a kid can develop some grit. Grit is a difficult thing to define, but it’s impossible to miss when you see it. Grit is not just a way to describe a cowboy in the old west, and it is more than just falling off your bike, dusting off your knees, and hopping back on. Grit is being honest with someone even when it hurts. Grit is speaking in public on weak knees. Grit is the ability to overcome. Overnight summer campsare the perfect environment for this to emerge in someone because it provides so many safe and healthy opportunities to overcome our fears.
A lot of children share a basic and understandable fear of the unknown. Whether it’s sailing, starting a fire or going on an overnight camping trip, there are so many activities a kid will try at camp for the first time. There is a good chance they won’t be good at everything, and that’s ok. At Swift Nature Camp, a summer youth camp we aren’t afraid to let our kids fail, because it builds resilience and teaches us three very important things about what happens when life knocks us down. First, we learn that we must find the courage to get back up and try again. Second, we learn that if we have friends and loved ones there to encourage us, conquering our fears becomes a little more feasible. And third, we no longer see failure as the end, but as a steppingstone to accomplishment.
In a world that is changing and growing at a faster and faster rate, having the grit to throw yourself into uncomfortable situations and come out on top is a more useful thing than ever. It eases my mind knowing that summer kids camps can offer this to the children of today and of the future.
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Why Homeschooling and Summer Camps Go Hand-in-Hand
Homeschooling has rapidly evolved over the years. Thanks to a combination of proactive, community-minded parents and modern technology, children are no longer forced to go without socialization the way previous generations of homeschoolers were. From different public and private homeschooling networks, to video chats with teachers and fellow students, homeschooled children are more connected to the world around them than ever. Still, the idea of sending a child from a homeschool environment to an overnight camp for the first time can make some families unsure. But combining the benefits of homeschooling with the right summer camp can work wonders for a kid.
The beauty of the homeschool summer camp collaboration is that there is a good chance camp reflects the same values projected at home. There are countless reasons parents choose to homeschool their children, but overall, it comes down to some basic principles. Some families believe having a greater hand in their kid’s schooling will get them the highest quality education and best prepare them for college and adulthood. Other families might see that public schools can have a less-controlled social environment that some kids can react badly to. Or perhaps families recognize that there are children who simply thrive outside of a traditional schooling format. At a smaller camp like Swift Nature Camp, we are incredibly intentional about discovering what makes each kid unique and how we can adapt to their needs rather than conforming to the needs of everyone else. We also believe in the power of positive peer-pressure, doing our best to facilitate character-building friendships and eliminate all forms of bullying. And education is a major focus in our activities, emphasizing both basic skills and life-long lessons.
Being in a cabin at Swift Nature Camp can be especially beneficial to a child from a home-school background because it goes beyond basic socialization and builds a sense of comradery unlike any other. It is the perfect place to learn the true value of a community and develop a healthy respect for everyone in it. Perhaps the most under-appreciated aspect of summer camp is that it provides an environment in which traits and characteristics of future leaders can blossom. There are few things more gratifying in this line of work than watching a kid emerge as a leader amongst their peers.
Attending a residential summer camp can have benefits for home-schoolers years down the road, as well. The ability to adapt to a new environment and be comfortable way from home is an underrated skill. Young adults are routinely sent off to college without ever having been away from family for extended periods and can find it surprisingly difficult to cope. A study published on hap.org revealed nearly 70% of first year college students report sever homesickness to the point where it affected their coursework. A sleepaway camp is an ideal way to hone this skill and better prepare them for the future.
The right summer camp is beneficial for any child, but when a child comes from a homeschool environment they have an ever greater chance to thrive at overnight summer camp. Plus with SNC only 2 hours from Minneapolis /St. Paul Minnesota it is easy for parents to have a visit and see all the personal growth and fun their campers are having.


Learn More About Overnight Summer Camp
Come to the Swift Nature Camp
Informational Open House
in Chicagoland May 27th - MEMORIAL DAY.
Our Open House is a wonderful time to learn more about camp by meeting the Directors (Lonnie & Jeff), staff and other campers. If you are already enrolled in camp this is a wonderful time to meet new friends and play games with the other campers and counselors. You can even bring a friend. We will take a hike round Willowbrook Wildlife Center and explore the animals and activities. If you have not committed to SNC and are still thinking we might be the right camp for you, please come with your questions. 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.
We hope to see you there, Lonnie & Jeff
OPEN HOUSE AT THE WILLOWBROOK WILDLIFE CENTER
Why Come? Have your questions answered, Feel more comfortable with the owners and staff, Make firends, Help campers feel good cabout camp
Camper Games and Hike-START TIME: 1pm
Parent Information -START TIME: 1pm
Camper & Parent Question & Answers: 2pm
Ending 3pm
WHERE: Willowbrook Wildlife Center (across from the College of DuPage) Glen Ellyn Il
WHO: Campers Enrolled or Families that are considering SNC and want more information
DIRECTIONS to Willowbrook Wildlife, Center Glen Ellyn, Il
WILLOWBROOK WILDLIFE CENTER IS LOCATED on the east side of Park Boulevard across from College of DuPage, one mile south of Roosevelt (Rt. 38) and one mile north of Butterfield Road (Rt. 56). ph(630) 942-6200
525 S Park Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Summer Camps in Minnesota has been a part of childhood for over a century. Historically, camp was just a chance to get children away from the cities and get out in nature to learn outdoor skills. Today getting out in nature is just as important as it was over 100 years ago. In addition, the benefits of increased self confidence, being screen free and positive social skill development are just some of theadditional benefits of an overnight summer camp experience. So as parents, we understand that summer camp has a positive impact on our children. Yet, sending our children out into the woods to a camp with people we do not know and with no phone is a very scary idea for most parents. Picking the wrong camp can create a terrible experience for your child and cause them to never want to go to any camp again. So doing your leg work firt is very important.
Here are 3 Must Do's before you send your child off to the Northwoods of Minnesota:
1) Scour The Website
Every camp has a website. Yet, not all websites are created the same, be sure to look past the smiling campers faces. What is the feel of the site? Was it created by a camp director or was it built by a professional company that puts all the latest bells and whistles on the site to impress you and your child. Next, does the site have the information? Read, read, read, This day and age we all want to do things fast and get them done, but remember, you are sending your most important asset out alone to an overnight summer camp in Minnesota. For instance, at Swift Nature Camp they have a parent section with a section "Policies that Protect Campers" . Having a section like this helps show that they are dedicated to child safety, even the things that are so bad nobody want to talk about them. Remember this, any summer camp can create a website, and all websites are advertising, they are not going to tell you the bad stuff that happened at camp last year, so it is important to know who stands behind the site and the summer camp you are sending your child off too.
2) Talk To The Camp Director
Every camp has a leader. This position sets the tone for staff development, camper and parent interactions and camp safety. For many camps this is a part time position and often given to a person who is still in their 20's with little experience. I once called a camp in Minnesota and they told me that I could not speak to a camp director because they don't do that. When I inquired why, they mentioned they did not have an overnight summer camp Director yet. By calling the camp directors you have the opportunity to ask questions about the philosophy and feel of the camp. Do you feel the Director understands children and knows how to manage a staff of 18-22 year old staff members. The camp director is the most important person at your summer camp be sure you chat with them and have your questions ready in advance. SummerCampAdvice has a worksheet to help pick the right camp .
3) Ask For References
References are the key to knowing that the overnight summer camp you pick is the right one for your child. As parents, talking to references will help give you some insight into what another parent thinks about the camp. The best way to do this is call the camp director and ask for at least 3 references. This will help prove that the camp has relationships with its families and is not just processing children through its program. Questions to ask the parents might include: Was your child homesick? What did the camp do to help? or Why did you select this camp? Don't forget that talking to references can be children as well. So talking to the camper has great insight. Some questions might include: What was your happiest time? Why? Did you ever feel scared? Your child might even put together a few questions they feel are important and then they can ask them of the camper. Talking is important dont text, dialog is important and the tone of the conversation can give you even more information. Remember this is a fact gathering task so be open
Overnight summer camps in Minnesota have a very good safety record, better than public schools in Minnesota. As parents, we want more than our kids being safe at camp. We want our child to benefit from all that camp provides. We know that summer camp provides a place for kids to learn to swim, sleep in a cabin and sing around a campfire, they can be rewarded with personal development skills that can help them in the classroom, in their relationships and in whatever calling they choose. At our camp we often talk about the Magic of summer camp and when I ask campers and staff what this means the answer that I most often get is "Swift Nature Camp creates a place where I am my BEST Self" and isn't that the best thing we as parents want for our children summer camp experience?
Swift Nature Camp is an overnight nature camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional summer camp activities while increasing a child's appreciation for nature, science and the environment. Swift Nature Camp offers traditional summer camp activities along with an environmental focus. Campers enjoy an active Nature Center, Pet Zoo, and Department of Natural Resources sponsored programs, plus recreational activities that include canoe and backpack trips, horseback riding, swimming, arts & crafts, team courses, archery, sailing, water skiing, tubing and sports.
Our special Discovery Camp is a nurturing program for first-time overnight campers, offering additional staff to provide support and encouragement to overcome homesickness and build confidence. The program welcomes no more than 50 first-time campers, and the special attention that this intimate group receives is the reason that more than 92% of them wish to return.
Jestem dyrektorem obozu letniego dla dzieci i młodzieży ale przede wszystkim jestem rodzicem. Obserwując zjawisko spędzania wielu godzin przez nasze dzieci przed ekranem komputera lub telewizora ogarnia mnie przerażenie. Co się stało, że najmłodsi zamienili zabawę na świeżym powietrzu na długotrwałe przesiadywanie w zamkniętym pomieszczeniu przez elektronicznym urządzeniem? Jeszcze nie tak dawno, pamiętamy to ze swojego dzieciństwa, kiedy dzieci miały wolny czas, beztrosko bawiły się z rówieśnikami, czytały książki, goniły po podwórku i sąsiedztwie. Dziś wybierają ekran komputera, tabletu czy telefonu. To nowy styl życia, który przejęła nie tylko młodzież. Dochodzi do takich paradoksów kiedy rodzice karząc dziecko zobowiązują go by wyszło z domu. Dla nas karą było gdy rodzice zabronili nam wyjść do kolegów na podwórko. Często my dorośli nie tylko nie sprzeciwiamy się takim sytuacjom ale sami promujemy taka formę wypoczynku. Być może czasem zwrócimy naszym dzieciom uwagę by odłożyły komputer, czy telefon ale tak naprawdę nie wiele to daje. To od nas, jako rodziców, zależy czy dzieci zachowają zdrowe proporcje bycia " na internecie" i " poza internetem".
Ile czasu twoje dziecko spędza przed ekranem? Dwie godziny, trzy, pięć...? Ostanie badania naukowe wykazały, że dzieci i młodzież w wieku 8-18 lat spędzają przeciętnie 7.5 godziny dziennie przed ekranem. Co w tym takiego złego? Efektem takiego stylu życia sa problemy z koncentracja uwagi, problemy wychowawcze, trudności w nauce, w zasypianiu, otyłość czy powolny zanik tradycyjnych relacji międzyludzkich. Lekarze opisują nową etiologię nadciśnienia tętniczego u nastolatków, która wynika z wielogodzinnych sesji “online” spędzonych na grach komputerowych. Młodym ludziom coraz trudniej nawiązywać kontakty " twarzą w twarz". Ekran to rozrywka i często dla tzw. świetego spokoju pozwalamy dzieciom na taka formę zabawy. Przyjrzyjmy sie sytuacjom codziennym np. w restauracji. Nie rzadko siedząca przy stole rodzina podzielona jest na tych, którzy rozmawiają patrząc sobie w oczy( to zwykle starsze osoby) i tych, którzy wpatrzeni sa w ekran telefonu i nie sa zaangażowani w rodzinna rozmowę. Jeśli chcemy zmiany, wszyscy musimy podjąć w tym celu odpowiedni wysiłek.
Zarówno my rodzice jak i dzieci powinniśmy ograniczyć czas spędzany przed ekranem. Nie możemy mieć wymówki, ze był ciężki dzień w pracy dlatego siadamy przed telewizorem i sie relaksujemy. Jako rodzina usiądźmy razem i porozmawiajmy o tym nowym stylu życia.
1) Ustalmy reguły według których wiadomo będzie ile czasu przed ekranem jest dopuszczalne.
W naszym domu jest to przywilej, nagroda za odrobione lekcje i wykonanie innych obowiązków.
2) Tak jak jest zakaz prowadzenia pojazdów i tekstowania, wprowadźmy podobne zasady w domu. Np. Zakaz tekstowania przy stole w czasie posiłku, czy po określonej godzinie.
3) Dzieci często uciekają sie do ekranu bo nie wiedza co z sobą zrobić. Zachęćmy je do zabaw z naszego dzieciństwa, niech pogonią po podwórku, łapią żaby, robią łuki z patyków a jak zimno na zewnątrz niech budują z LEGO, rysują, układają puzzle. A jak jest możliwość to i my zaangażujmy sie w rodzinny spacer, czy wycieczkę rowerową.
W naszym domu tradycją stał sie wieczór gier planszowych, na które często wparszaja sie znajomi. Czas spędzony przed ekranem jest ograniczony do 30 minut po wykonanych obowiązkach. Raz w tygodniu mamy wieczor kiedy zasiadamy jako rodzina i oglądamy film odpowiedni dla nas wszystkich. Czy taki styl życia jest łatwy? Zdecydowanie nie, to nasz wybór. Ale za to możemy więcej czasu spędzić razem i wcale to nie jest takie złe :)
Niech to będzie wyzwanie dla całej rodziny. Walczmy z tym technologicznym potworem i nie dajmy sie mu pożreć. Postęp technologiczny jest wspaniały i ważne jest by dzieci potrafiły z niego korzystać, jednak nie pozwalajmy by przez to zanikały międzyludzkie relacje czy tradycyjne wartości.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie,
Jola Lorenz
Wlasciciel obozu Swift Nature Camp
www.SwiftNatureCamp.com