At the Chicago Pet Show last weekend Bubba was a big hit with the locals.
Maybe thats why when campers want to be with animals over the summer they come to
our Animal Summer Camp.
Read the complete Chicago Tribune article
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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Look who I found getting ready for Halloween. Do they need a costume?
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 childr
en, 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
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