Learn from a Summer Camp Blog

By Jeff Lorenz

Before you send your child to a summer camp it is a good idea to get a good feeling about a particular camp. Checking out a camp blog can help. Here are just a few things you might find at Swift Nature Camp's Blog.

What do you know about Wisconsin? Chances are you imagine cows, Harley Davidson motorcycles and the beautiful capitol of Madison. Yet, north of all that is the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Filled with all its natural beauty. In the sky you can see eagles all around swooping down to catch a fish in a nearby lake or stream. If your quiet you might just hear a loon or a wolf in the background. This is what America looked like 100 years ago. Until you experience the simple beauty, you can't begin to imagine what you will find there. Wisconsin is also home to many children's summer camps. Choosing a summer camp in Wisconsin offers your child a chance to experience nature and the environment unlike any other place in the Midwest. At Camp Nature Swift your child gets the opportunity to play, make friend sand learn new skills, all this in the warm sun of the wonderful northwoods of Wisconsin.

Charter into new waters this summer. For many kids, coming to camp is a big adventure! One of the biggest challenges is swimming in a lake. We all have had experience swimming in a nice blue pool. There is security in being able to see the bottom of the pool. Lake swimming is to enter the wild water and to cross a border. You pass the lake?s edge and you break the surface of the water itself. In doing so, you move from one realm into another: a newrealm of freedom, adventure, magic and occasional danger. Watch out for those Turtles and Fish! Swimming in open water is a newexperience that's not to be feared, but embraced. Once you feel comfortable swimming in a lake, the world willopen up to you and wherever you see water you willsee a new adventure waiting. Swift Nature Camp has over 1500 acres of water right out your cabin front door. At Swift Nature Camp we have a wonderful swimming area full of fun toys, not to mention Wally (the water trampoline) & Sally (the slide). "Free Swim" is one of the most anticipated times of the camp day, but "Instructional Swim" is there tohelp give you build the confidence for those free swims. You can even earn American Red Cross Swimming levels

Catching frogs from camps own beaver pond is a huge camp sport at Swift Nature Camp. it is a challenge too. The big Bull Frogs put up a big battle to free them selves. We even have a favorite bull from the biggest meanest frog of them all JIMBO. Yes he is our mascot and is pictured on this page. Catching frogs is one of favorite things to do at this children's summer camp. One of the best hunting spots is the lamp poles at night. You see the frogs come up from the pond at night looking for food and all the bugs hanging around the light will do just fine. One might wonder are you eating all these favorite catches. Nope they gan spend on night up at the Nature Center Zoo where they hang with the other animals anc catches then its back to where they were caught at. Next summer, join us for some serious frog catching.

The Russell W. Hogrefe Fresh Start Fund was established by Russell W. Hogrefe during his tenure as Executive Director of the American Camp Association, Illinois Section. He served in that position from 1979 until his retirement in 1996. Russ spent his entire professional career providing children's summer camp and other services to families with very low income. Teachers, social workers, counselors or other professionals refer campers. ACA Illinois Section staff and the person making the referral select an appropriate day or resident camp program. Camps must be accredited by the American Camp Association. The camper's family is encouraged to pay whatever they can afford for the camping experience. The camp provides a partial campership and the Fund pays the balance. If you would like to donate fund to help an underprivileged child attend summer camp in 2009 please send a check or make an online donation. Summer camp is an experience that enriches lives and all children should have the opportunity to attend kids summer camp. To learn how Swift Nature Camp can help your child attend camp visit our website.

We at Swift realize the importance that campers feel special while at camp. That is why we have created a special First Timer program for children who have never been to camp. Our goal is to help children feel self confident while quite possibly being your child's first extended time away from home. We do this by having extra staff on hand for each and every camper needs. We are extremely proud of the fact that during Discovery Camp we limit each cabin size to only 8 campers with 2 staff members. That's only 72 campers (ages 6-12) and 26 staff members ! We also have an Orientation Day, when campers not only get a tour of the camp, complete with a visit to the Health Center and the Mail Box, but also go to each activity area learning about safety in that activity. Within the cabin our staff works hard to promote a nurturing and harmonious friendships. This starts with a Respect List for all to agree to and sign and each night ends with a bedtime story. Due to the fact that all campers are new to this camp they are all on equal ground right from the start. We encourages each child to learn independence in a safe, age appropriate non-competitive environment. Our twelve day program is the perfect length of time for your first time camper to gain autonomy, leaving their homesickness behind, and feeling comfortable with their new-found independence. For many campers the greatest lesson camp teaches is that they can leave home, return days later and very few things will have changed, especially your love for them. Swift Nature Camp's Discovery Program is the perfect match for any camper that's a little concerned about leaving home for the first time. Read More at DISCOVERY CAMP. For additional information on how to pick the perfect camp for your camper see www.SummerCampAdvisor.com

Jeff & Lonnie Lorenz, are Directors of Swift Nature Camp a Non-competitive, Traditional coed overnight summer camp in Wisconsin. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. enjoy Nature, Animals & Science along with adventure camping.

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