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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 OvernightCamp just don\’t understand what it is all about.
In many books and movies summer camp has been the scene. To name a few, \”The Parent Trap\” and \”Indian Summer\”. Yet, the majority of these movies and books are not realistic. Either they sugar coat the camp experience or they make it just horrible. \”Summercamp!\” , the documentary is one of the most realistic true stories about kids at summer camp. Filmed at Swift Nature Camp in Wisconsin, it truely shows how the kids interact and what makes camp so special. During the filming over 300 hours of film was shot to make this charming 90 minute feature. This documentary shows camp like it really is, this is no glossy brochure or promotional DVD, it just shows kids living life with new friends and in new siuations.
Unfortunately less and less kids are getting the opporunity 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 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 reason to take a break.
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 agressive overscheduling 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.
Campers can bring their own small critters from home and let them live in the Nature Center for all to see and learn about. Combined this learning with the beautiful natural surrounding and canoe and backpack trips, children cannot help but form an appreciation for the nature.
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.
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Bio:
About the authors: Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz are the directors of 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.
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