Today less and less children are getting to go to summer camp. The wonderful experience of summer camp has been a way of life for generations of American children. Sleeping away from home and making new friends is a time of increased independence and maturity.For others who did not get the opportunity to go to Nature Camps they just don't understand the importance.
In many a book and movie alike summer camp has been the back drop. The "Parent Trap" and "Indian Summer" just to name a few. Yet, most movies and books are not a realistic portrait of what camp is all about . The documentary Summercamp is one of the most realistic true stories about Summer Camp. It is filmed at Swift Nature Camp in Wisconsin. During the filming over 300 hours of film was used to make this charming 90 minute feature. It truly shows how the kids interact and what makes camp special. This is not a sugar coated feel good movie, it shows kids in real life with real problems.
Unfortunately less and less kids are getting the opportunity to go to a traditional camp. These days parents want results, so children are more heavily scheduled making it more difficult to plan for Summer Camp. Plus, many would rather be connected to the world of technology than the world of Nature. It is estimated that a kid today has nearly 5.5 hours of screen time a day.
Richard Louv, author of the ground breaking book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder finds this an unfortunate development. He calls this phenomenon nature-deficit disorder and he links it to some of the most alarming trends for our kids. Including rises in obesity, attention disorders and depression.
Summer Camp is just one place that can help children learn to appreciate nature as well as teach children independence and friendship. Connection with nature and other children are important in raising a generation that sees the importance in protecting this planet. Most camps today are specialized in sports, acting or math. So, how do we find a traditional camp that encourages good values and a focus for nature?
Here are a few questions to ask yourself about your summer camp Are electronics allowed? Ipad, computers and cell phones take away from the camp experience. Often these electronics allow some children to hide in their electronics and not participate. Louv feels child could be easily distracted if his or her tent mates spent all day playing the latest hand-held video games or text messaging their family back home. Plus it does not help children get into the camp mindset.
Does the camp have an Outdoor Focus? Louv suggests some camps are trying to be all things to all people. No longer are camps seen as a traditional time in the woods. Historically, summer camps used their natural settings, and encouraged chlidren to to play in a outdoor environment. Today this is no longer true, many camps take place on college campuses.
Is there independence for play ? Nature-deficit disorder is almost always due to the over-scheduling of children, Louv points out. Thus giving kids less time or energy to explore their world on their own. Quality camps have figured this out and set up planned and non-planned times for play. Much can be learned when kids just play on their own with out adults setting out the rules.
Is there a nature program? Is there a class time where nature can be explored and discovered? Classes should be hands on and not classroom activities. Does this Nature theme run throughout all the programs? Does all the staff work on creating "WOW" nature moments? Is the camp aware of its environmental footprint and does it teach this to the children? Does it Recycle?
The food can say a lot. Camps for years have been known for lousy food. Yet, over the years this has changed. More kids and staff are vegetarians. What about fried foods? Do they have a salad bar with fruits and yogurt? Despite all this, it must taste good and be kid friendly.
If any of this sounds like something of interest to your child, try looking at Swift Nature Camp. This is a small coed camp for children 6-15. It has a very strong emphasis not only on developing a desire to learn more about nature but also understanding why we need to respect it. This Outdoors Camp engage kids in hands on, fun-filled learning. A child's natural curiosity and self-discovery make this program work... This Environmental Camp is NOT School.
Our Nature Center is home to many animals plus campers can bring their own small critters from home. Combined this with being in nature along with canoe and backpack trips, an appreciation for the nature is bound to take place.
Each summer, a wonderful community develops as children from around the world come together to learn more and appreciate the natural environment of Swift Nature Camp. A community such as camp provides support and encouragement that helps a child to mature and grow. Self-reliance is promoted along with being understanding to others. Children result in being more sensitive and understanding. The world needs to be a little more like camp with more understanding of others while needing to respect nature. If you feel your child might benefit from just such a place Swift Nature Camp might be the place for your child this summer.
If you are just starting to look at summer camps and would like more information, please see www.SummerCampAdvice.com
In many a book and movie alike summer camp has been the back drop. The "Parent Trap" and "Indian Summer" just to name a few. Yet, most movies and books are not a realistic portrait of what camp is all about . The documentary Summercamp is one of the most realistic true stories about Summer Camp. It is filmed at Swift Nature Camp in Wisconsin. During the filming over 300 hours of film was used to make this charming 90 minute feature. It truly shows how the kids interact and what makes camp special. This is not a sugar coated feel good movie, it shows kids in real life with real problems.
Unfortunately less and less kids are getting the opportunity to go to a traditional camp. These days parents want results, so children are more heavily scheduled making it more difficult to plan for Summer Camp. Plus, many would rather be connected to the world of technology than the world of Nature. It is estimated that a kid today has nearly 5.5 hours of screen time a day.
Richard Louv, author of the ground breaking book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder finds this an unfortunate development. He calls this phenomenon nature-deficit disorder and he links it to some of the most alarming trends for our kids. Including rises in obesity, attention disorders and depression.
Summer Camp is just one place that can help children learn to appreciate nature as well as teach children independence and friendship. Connection with nature and other children are important in raising a generation that sees the importance in protecting this planet. Most camps today are specialized in sports, acting or math. So, how do we find a traditional camp that encourages good values and a focus for nature?
Here are a few questions to ask yourself about your summer camp Are electronics allowed? Ipad, computers and cell phones take away from the camp experience. Often these electronics allow some children to hide in their electronics and not participate. Louv feels child could be easily distracted if his or her tent mates spent all day playing the latest hand-held video games or text messaging their family back home. Plus it does not help children get into the camp mindset.
Does the camp have an Outdoor Focus? Louv suggests some camps are trying to be all things to all people. No longer are camps seen as a traditional time in the woods. Historically, summer camps used their natural settings, and encouraged chlidren to to play in a outdoor environment. Today this is no longer true, many camps take place on college campuses.
Is there independence for play ? Nature-deficit disorder is almost always due to the over-scheduling of children, Louv points out. Thus giving kids less time or energy to explore their world on their own. Quality camps have figured this out and set up planned and non-planned times for play. Much can be learned when kids just play on their own with out adults setting out the rules.
Is there a nature program? Is there a class time where nature can be explored and discovered? Classes should be hands on and not classroom activities. Does this Nature theme run throughout all the programs? Does all the staff work on creating "WOW" nature moments? Is the camp aware of its environmental footprint and does it teach this to the children? Does it Recycle?
The food can say a lot. Camps for years have been known for lousy food. Yet, over the years this has changed. More kids and staff are vegetarians. What about fried foods? Do they have a salad bar with fruits and yogurt? Despite all this, it must taste good and be kid friendly.
If any of this sounds like something of interest to your child, try looking at Swift Nature Camp. This is a small coed camp for children 6-15. It has a very strong emphasis not only on developing a desire to learn more about nature but also understanding why we need to respect it. This Outdoors Camp engage kids in hands on, fun-filled learning. A child's natural curiosity and self-discovery make this program work... This Environmental Camp is NOT School.
Our Nature Center is home to many animals plus campers can bring their own small critters from home. Combined this with being in nature along with canoe and backpack trips, an appreciation for the nature is bound to take place.
Each summer, a wonderful community develops as children from around the world come together to learn more and appreciate the natural environment of Swift Nature Camp. A community such as camp provides support and encouragement that helps a child to mature and grow. Self-reliance is promoted along with being understanding to others. Children result in being more sensitive and understanding. The world needs to be a little more like camp with more understanding of others while needing to respect nature. If you feel your child might benefit from just such a place Swift Nature Camp might be the place for your child this summer.
If you are just starting to look at summer camps and would like more information, please see www.SummerCampAdvice.com
About the Author:
Swift Nature Camp a small non-competitive, traditional coed Overnight Summer Camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature & animals along with traditional camping activities. This Animal Camp specializes in programs for the first time camper as well as an Adventure Camp for teens.
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