The wonderful experience of Summer Camp has been a way of life for generations of Americans. For many it is a time of increased independence. Sleeping away from home and making new friends. Others who did not get the opportunity to go to Childrens Summer Camp just don’t understand what it is all about.
Summer camp has long been the back drop for many a book and movie alike. The Parent Trap and Indian Summer just to name a few. However, 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.
Today, summer camp is no longer a given. These days children are more heavily scheduled making it harder to attend summer camps. Plus many children these days would rather be connected to the world of technology than the world of Nature. Today’s child on average spends over 5 hours in front of some sort of screen.
Mr. Louv author of Last Child in the Woods: is alarmed by this untouching of nature. He calls it Nature-deficit disorder and sad situation in child development. He feels there is a link between lack of outdoor play and and increase in obesity, attention disorders, and depression.
Summer Camp is a place that can help children grow to love nature as well as teach all children independence and friendship. This connection with others and nature is imperative to raise a generation that is in tune to preserving and protecting earth. With so many specialized camps how do we find a camp that has traditional values and a nature focus?
So here are a few questions to ask a Camp Director before deciding on a camp What’ about electronics? Electronics take away from the camp experience and allow some kids to hide themselves in their electronics. Louv points out that your 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 friends back home.
Is the Focus Nature? Camps are no longer just seen as traditional times in the woods. Louv suggests some camps are trying to be all things to all people. Historically camps made the most of their natural settings, and encouraged visitors to immerse themselves in the environment with play. In addition they have some focus as a Environmental Education Camp.
Can the children play independently in nature? Louv points out that nature-deficit disorder is almost always due to the aggressive over scheduling of children. Thus giving them less time or energy to explore their world on their own. Quality camps have figured out their programing needs scheduled and nonscheduled times.
Does the camp have a nature program? Does the camp have actual class time where nature can be explored and discovered? These classes should be hands on and not classroom activities. Does this Nature theme run throughout all the programs? Is the camp aware of its environmental footprint and does it teach this to the children?
Kids eat 3 times a day. So the food has got to be good. For years children’s summer camps have had a poor reputation for their meals. This has changed at many camps. More vegetarians have caused this change. Ask about fried foods? Is there a salad bar with fruits and yogurt? Can the camp cope with your child’s food allergy? Still meals must taste good and be kid friendly.
In Wisconsin there is a special palce, Swift Nature Camp. A coed camp for children 6-15 that places a very strong emphasis not only on developing a desire to know more about nature but also on acquiring a deep respect for it. The philosophy is to engage kids in fun-filled learning through hands on participation. It is natural curiosity and self-discovery that make this program work. This Environmental Camp is Not School.
Swift Nature Camp promotes hands on, experiential learning in our Nature Center. This combined with being in nature via canoe and backpack trips fosters an appreciation for the nature around us.
A wonderful community is born each summer when kids from all over the world come together to learn more and appreciate nature . This community helps a child mature by providing support and encouragement. SNC encourages campers to be more self-reliant and in-tune to others. Thus creating more sensitive and understanding children. Do you feel Earth might just need a little more understanding of its inhabitants while needing to understand and respect nature? Swift Nature Camp might be the place for your child this summer.
If you are just starting to look for the best summer camps please see Summer Camp Advice at www.summercampadvice.com
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 Science Camp specializes in programs for the first time camper as well as an Adventure Camp for teens.
