Pier 5 Condo

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 Outdoor Camp 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 camo 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 truely 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.

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.

Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: finds this untouching of nature a sad situation in child development. Nature-deficit disorder, he feels, is linked to some of the most alarming trends for our children. Including rises 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?

Ask yourself these questions before selecting your child’s summer Camp: What about technology? All electronics can take away from the true camp experience. Ipods and cell phones allow children to hide in their electronics rather than participate with the cabin. Louv says that tent mates with video games or text messaging can easily distract your child. At first most campers are not so keen on this idea but after a few days at camp they see a reson to take a break.

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 overscheduling 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?

Camp Food? For years camps have had a less than steller reputation for its food. Lately this has changed. With more vegetarians, camps have had to adapt. Be sure to ask about fried foods. How about a salad bar with fruits and yogurt? Don’t forget about catering to food allergies as well. Within all this, the 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.

When a bunch of kids who all have a desire to learn more and enjoy nature come together, it builds a wonderful community. A community that enhances a child’s development by providing support and encouragement. Swift Nature Camp encourages kids to become more self reliant while being more in-tune to the needs of others, more sensitive and understanding. If you feel the world might just need a little more understanding of others while needing to respect nature look into Swift Nature Camp.

If you are just starting to look at summer camps and would like more information, please see Summer Camp Advice Camp Guide.