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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 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 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.
These days parents heavily schedule their children making it more difficult to plan for summer camp. In addition, we parents, have given much more importance to technology than nature. After all the boogie man outside rarely comes in to harm your child. Thus making the world of mature unsafe. It is estimated that most children spend nearly 6 hours a day 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 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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
Swift Nature Camp 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. Our educational philosophy is to engage children in meaningful, fun-filled learning through active participation. We focus on their natural curiosity and self-discovery. 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.
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 at summer camps and would like more information, please see Summer Camp Advice Camp Guide.
Dealing with squirrels requires professional help, not least in as much as the law regarding squirrels restricts your options.
You cannot simply obtain a packet of rat poison from your local hardware and deal with them that way as you would be committing a criminal offence.
You cannot simply get a packet of rat poison from your hardware store and deal with them that way as you would be committing a criminal offence.
That pertains also to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing injured squirrels.
In the majority cases trapping is the the only option and this must be done in a specified manner with routine, timed inspections of the traps.
In the majority cases trapping is the the only option and
Cancer patients have the right to all medical information about their diagnosis and treatment options. The patient should be thoroughly educated on all possible treatment options and the information should be provided both verbally and in writing to ensure that the patient understands the significance of the diagnosis.
It is very important that the cancer patients be treated as an equal partner of the oncology health care team from the time of the diagnosis or first consult.
In the program that the cancer is terminal, all competent one or his/her legal delegate should have the right to request options, pain management protocols, including opiates even though it may speed up death.
Competent cancer patients should have the right to directly participate in the decision making about their care and treatment after all possible options have been discussed. It is vital that the cancer patient be treated as an equal partner of the oncology health care team from the time of the diagnosis or initial consult.
All the capable person shall have the right to request available, pain management protocols, including opiates even though it may speed up death in the event that the cancer is terminal
Cancer patients shall have the right to obtain the best medical care. This is best provided by health care facilities who meet the standards defined by the JACHO and the Approvals Program of the Commission on Cancer of the American college of Surgeons.
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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