Can Summer Camp Change a Life

Summer Camp Should Be Mandatory for a Child:
It Changes Lives
By Phillip Morris
Call it an emotional report card.
It was one of those moments that give you a reality check on how your kid really feels about you deep down.........
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Summer Camp Advice

In America summer camps have been around for over 100 years, Here is some Summer Camp Advice, If you want your child to experience the fun and excitement of going to a sleepaway kids summer camp, you should start your search for the best camp as early as now. Sleepaway Summer Camps.....
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Science Camp Experiments

As the presents of Eurasian watermilfoil increases in the Northern part of Wisconsin Methods have been researched on reducing its population. One way is biological control using an increased population of the native milfoil weevil. Researchers from the University of Minnesota reported a substantial decline in the density of Eurasian watermilfoil when the weevil population reached two insects per stem.
Swift Nature Camp was pleased in the summer of 2011 to take on this project in part supported by the local lake association and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “ This is REAL hands on Science” said Emily the Director at Swift in-charge of the little critters. Our goal was to start with a local population and create an even lager population to release back into the water. During the summer we had 10 tubs of 50 gallons each. These were home to our beginning brood of weevils. Every few weeks we fed them and hoped that they were reproducing franticly....
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Mindfulness At Camp

Wiki says Mindfulness: is a state of being in which greed, hatred and delusion have been overcome, abandoned and are absent from the mind.
Summer camp is a place where mindfulness is promoted each and every day. When we live with others it is important that we take the self out of our actions and think more about the group and what we need to accomplish. Today, business’s are doing the same.....
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Cyber Bullying

Being a kid is never easy, As parents we remember what it was like. Children get pressure from all directions;social, academic and athletic. And today add Cyber Bullying to the list. It was so much easier when all that was need was to stay out of the Bullies way. But today the Bully can hunt you down right from their bedroom.
Teens claim that 1/5 have been Cyber Bullied. In response, Facebook has launched an anti-bullying campaign and other programs,have been started that that aim to empower kids to promote kindness.
Swift Nature Camp has long promoted fairness and kindness with our children and has lead the way in being non-tollerent towards those children that physically pick on other. Once back home its hard for us as camp directors to know what is going on...so if you find yourself being cyberbullied please reach out to us, your counselor or your parents so we can stop this type of bullying.
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Wisconsin Fishing

We all know how much fun kids have fishing at summer camp. Well, Just because the snow is flying is no reason to think the fish are not biting.
Northern pike and panfish have been providing good action; walleye have been hard to entice. Vehicles are venturing out now that lakes are frozen over, but ice thickness varies. Check with a local guide or bait shop before venturing out. Photo courtesy of Skip Sommerfeldt
The 5th Annual Big Elk and Musser Lake Association Ice Fishing Contest is being held Sat., January 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Phillips. There will be prizes for adult and youth (under 12) categories, food and raffles; drawings at 4 p.m. 715-339-3166 / 4277
The Phillips Winter Fest Ice Fishing Contest is being held Sun., January 29, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Lake Duroy. There will be prizes, food and raffles. 1-888-408-4800
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Eurasian Water Milfoil

Eurasian Water Milfoil
Eurasian milfoil first arrived in Wisconsin in the 1960's. During the 1980's, it began to move from southern Wisconsin to lakes and waterways in the northern half of the state. This migration took place mainly by boaters not removing fragments from their boats as they went from lake to lake. In Minong Wisconsin. the milfoil increase has happened over the last 10 years or so. Today, many lakes in the region are trying many ways to eliminate this nonnative invasive species.
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National Parks & Christmas

Swift Nature Campers have spent time camping at the local National forests around camp, But, did you know you can make a part of those forrest a part of your Holiday Tradition. The 1.5 million acres of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) offers many forest products the public can gather. If a person is interested in gathering any forest products they must first purchase a permit for a minimal fee.
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Summer Camp Gift Certificates

Swift Nature Camp should be on your gift list!
The holidays are coming. And, once again, you're probably wondering what to get your children as a gift. Is your home already filled with every type of electronic item a child can want? We all have to much stuff so why not provide an experience that will live long past all the other stuff has been recycled.
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Green Schools
Wisconsin Green & Healthy Schools ProgramSchools across Wisconsin are demonstrating their commitment to a more sustainable Earth, stronger communities and healthier, more productive learning environments for students by choosing to join the Wisconsin Green and Healthy Schools program. The Wisconsin Green and Healthy Schools program is a web-based, self-paced and voluntary program available to all Wisconsin public and private elementary, middle and high schools. The program is designed to support and encourage schools in their quest for a healthy, safe, and environmentally-friendly learning environment.
Our Mission
Meadowbrook Students Recycling
The Wisconsin Green and Healthy Schools program aims to increase the students’ knowledge and awareness of Wisconsin’s natural resources and the environmental, health, and safety concerns and challenges that face our schools, our communities, and our Earth. The Green and Healthy Schools program will help students develop the necessary skills and expertise to address these challenges, and to foster life-long attitudes, behaviors, and commitments in order to make informed decisions and to encourage students to become active participants in their communities*. Furthermore, by completing the steps of the program schools will discover ways that their individual school can provide a safe, clean, and green school that promotes a productive learning environment and in doing so will help to conserve and protect our valuable natural resources.
(*Portions of the Green and Healthy Mission were taken from UNESCO, Tbilisi Declaration, 1977).
Awards and Recognitions
The journey to becoming a Wisconsin Green and Healthy School requires hard work, active participation, and a strong commitment to attaining a healthy and environmentally responsible school. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction want to recognize your school’s achievements at every step of the program through a succession of awards and recognitions [PDF 125KB]. Your school is encouraged to display these awards around your school building to inform staff, students, parents, and the community of your continued commitment to providing students and staff with a healthier and greener learning environment.
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Wisconsin Environmentalism

As part of the the Environmental Community here is a recent email that was sent my way to encourage Wisconsinites and educators to get involved in current Nature and Science studies.
Greetings Environmental Educator!
I'm writing with great news for the environmental education community!
Representative Taylor (Monona) and Senator Larson (Milwaukee) have secured over 32 co-sponsors from both legislative houses for the Wisconsin Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights.
Next steps and how you can help:
On January 5th, Representatives Taylor and Larson will publicly announce the bill and ask for the joint assembly to schedule a vote. With a great show of support from the EE community, we can ensure this bill's success. Here's what you can do:
1. Sign on to support! - show your support of the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights and keep up to date on the bill's progress.
2. Get out your art smocks - encourage children's groups to create artwork that expresses how and why spending time outdoors is of value.
3. Come to the January 5th press conference at the state capitol - registration details to be announced.
To find out more about this initiative, including the official language in the bill, if your legislator is a co-sponsor, or who fellow supporters are, visit the EEinWisconsin.org website.
Please pass along this exciting news to colleagues!
For questions or comments, please contact:
Betsy Parker
Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education - Networking & Advocacy Chair
(608) 209-2909 betsyjmp@gmail.com
Jennifer Giegerich
Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters - Legislative Director
(608) 661-0845 jennifer@conservationvoters.org
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Finding the Best Camp Length

Gone are the days when most, or even many, camps offered only full sessions of seven or eight weeks. Shrinking summer vacations for all age groups, staggered college start dates for staff populations, and encroachment on dates of availability by an ever-increasing cadre of specialty camps (often offered, recommended, or even mandated by leaders/coaches of organized, year-round sports and other activities) have all made it more challenging for families to consider sending their children to traditional, full-season camps.
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Kids and adults

Most adults understand that being a parent is no easy task. Yet few adults study how to be good parents, great teachers or worthwhile mentors to children. Swift Nature Camp works closely to ensure that all of our staff are properly trained to best help each child. Learning from the experts can make all better at dealing with kids
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Year of the Turtle

With 2011 almost over did you know that it was the year of the Turtle?
If you did...What have you done about it.
If not there is still time to save nearly 40% of the turtles that are threatened .
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Wisconsin Environmental Plan

The Wisconsin Environmental Education Board (WEEB) has enthusiastically adopted and
supports the implementation of Wisconsin’s Plan for Environmental Literacy and Sustainable
Communities . This plan is the latest in a long line of environmental education initiatives in the
state . Beginning with the Conservation Movement in the late 1800s and early 1900s through
the Environmental Movement in the 1960s and 70s and on to today, residents of Wisconsin
have played a key role in shaping the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of individuals, groups,
and organizations with respect to environmental issues at the national, regional, and local
levels . As a new century has just begun, this plan provides a pathway for all of us to build
upon this prior work and move forward in developing an environmentally literate society
comprised of sustainable communities .
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Feelings About Camp
Camp Bean, All Things Woodsey from UCLA UniCamp on Vimeo.
Saw this video and when I watched it seemed to be what SNC is all about.
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Summer Camp Swimming

As camp director of Swift Nature Camp and an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor I know how important proper safety at the waterfront is. Learn about some of our water safety guidelines...
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Summer Camp Reviews

Selecting a summer camp is no easy task and take a lot of leg work upfront to ensure a wonderful camp experience for your child. One of the best ways is to read reviews about overnight summer camps. Then formulate your questions from what folks are saying and call the camp directors. Click here to read Swift Nature Camps most recent reviews............
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Parenting Class
Finding The Best Summer Camps

The experience children get when they go to summer camp is something that will have an effect on the rest of their lives. As a parent it is important that you and your child choose the best summer camps together. Finding the camp that best fits your budget and your child's needs can be a daunting task that requires loads of effort up front. Before you....
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Eco Friendly Camp

The U.S. Department of Education has released more details about its new Green Ribbon Schools recognition program. The deadline for nominee submissions is scheduled to be announced in early 2012. The program anticipates recognizing as many as 50 schools by the end of the 2011-12 school year.
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Summer Camp for 150 Years

In honor of the 150th Anniversary of organized camp in the United States, Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine recognized the importance of camp experiences for children with comments that now appear in the Congressional Record. Her remarks highlight the importance camp experiences have in the year-round education and development of children. READ MORE
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Summer Camp and Forest Fires
Ninety percent of all forest-related fires in Wisconsin are started by humans. Education is a key prevention tool to develop an informed and caring citizenry that will take action to prevent useless fires and who support the use of prescribed burning as a management tool. This was the main point to the lessons recently taught at Swift Nature Camp.Swift nature Camp invited the Minong and Solen Springs 5th grade classes out for 3 days and 2 nights of Science Camp. it was the last day when students had 2 fire presentations. The first was held by the local DNR, where they spoke how important it was to protect against wild fires and how they put them out. THe second presentation was by the local fire department and how they protect the local residents with their fire equipment. These 2 classes were very informative and kept the kids involved.
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Reading At Summer Camps

Minong, Wi (2011) – Swift Nature Camp is proud to announce participation in the American Camp Association’s® (ACA’s) Explore 30 Camp Reading Program.
It has long been said that children experience “summer learning loss” when they are not involved in high quality programs with opportunities for skill building. Research indicates that participation in intentional programs, like camp, can help stem summer learning loss.
Swift Nature Camp Teamed up, ACA's Explore 30 Camp Reading Program. This program addresses summer learning loss by providing youth with the incentive to read at least 30 minutes per day. Swift Nature Camp has always promoted kids to read by furnishing a library and time to read. In addition each night staff read to their cabin. So, joining this national movement was an easy transition for SNC. We believe that the camp experience is a vital component in the development and education of the whole child, eading is just a natural part of that.
Swift has long had Achievement Awards that promote children to learn about particular camp areas, such as sailing, fishing and archery. “We just added it to the A.A. program and created a patch for campers to show completion”, said Lonnie Lorenz, owner of SNC. It proved to be our of our most popular Achievement Awards.
There are currently 140 camps from more than 30 states participating in the Explore 30 program. For more information on the program, or to view a list of particpating camps, visit ACA’s Web site at www.ACAcamps.org/explore30.
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Summer Camp Open House

A Summer Camp OPEN HOUSE is a great way to learn about a summer camp. It gives parents and kids alike a chance to ask questions and feel comfortable with their camp decision.
At Swift Nature Camp, we usually have nearly 50 campers and parents attending. It is a great time to meet other campers and Staff! We will play games and answer any last minute questions you might have about camp, it's perfect as a "getting to know you time" before camp starts. If you are still not sure if Swift is the place for you this summer stop on by, we love to talk about Swift Nature Camp.
WHEN: Monday May 30th
TIME: 2pm-4pm
WHERE: Willowbrook Wildlife Center ( you can get directions below)
We hope you can make it to this fun program. Please dress for the weather. If you have any questions call us at 630-654-8036.
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Nature and Birds
It all started back in the days when American Bison ruled the Great Plains. At that time a rather nondescript grayish or black bird followed the herds around, feeding on seeds in the abundant supply of buffalo excrement. Settlers on the plains came to calling these animals buffalo birds.permalink=”http://www.swiftnaturecamp.com/blog”>
Wildlife At Summer Camp

It is spring in the Northwoods, black bears are emerging from their dens and looking for food. Since at this time of year most of their natural food sources are limited, they look for food from any source they can get it, including bird feeders, garbage cans, grills, etc. It is best to keep these things put away until other food sources are available to them.
Large groups of wild turkey have begun to break up and males are gobbling. The fourth five-day spring wild turkey hunting period is Wed., May 4, through Sun., May 8.
An increasing number of migratory birds are continuing to show up in the area and more waterfowl are being seen on area lakes. Canada geese gostlings should start hatching around mid-May. Ruffed grouse should be drumming and woodcock and snipe should have started peenting.
In the evening you can hear the loud calling of wood frogs and spring peepers. Eagles are actively tending nests now and can also be seen migrating through the area this time of year. Ducks began their nest building in mid-April.
The current fire danger level for Price County is moderate; however, dry areas still exist and caution is needed until the grass greens up.
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Education At Summer Camp

Camp can be just as educational as school, with children learning through experience. Through activities and play, children learn a wide range of skills and develop physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. At camp, children learn by doing, living, and experiencing things for themselves. It’s one thing to watch a program on television, but quite another to experience it in real life.
At camp, children are given ..........
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Summer Camp Makes Sense

Given the benefits of a sleepaway camp, it seems that all children should enroll. There are camps for almost all children, including those with special needs. However, there are certainly children who are not ready for an overnight camp experience. Some may not be mature enough to accept the separation from home. Though some camps accept children...
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Summer Camp Health
Hi Swifters:
My name is Thomas Lynch and I am the health coordinator R.N.
this summer at Swift Nature Camp. I have been an RN for 15+
years, trained in Chicago. I have had experience in medical/
surgical, emergency, and pediatric care. My wife and I .......
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Benefits of Summer Camp
We at Swift Nature Camp want to be a part of your childs development. We understand that parents need and want partners in their childs development. For many families, it’s school, sports and religion. Yet, often we forget that camp is part of a childs healthy development. For one thing, camp provides children with the opportunity to connect with nature, to participate in human- powered activities, and to benefit from personal relationships. Research has showen 92 percent ...permalink=”http://www.swiftnaturecamp.com/blog”>
Earth Day - Kids Need More

On April 22, 1970, 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. It was a time when cities were buried under their own smog and polluted rivers caught fire. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually around the globe. Through the combined efforts of the U.S. government, grassroots organizations, and .........
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Camp T-Shirt
AND THE WINNER of the 2011 T-Shirt IS........................
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Thanx to all that voted it was a close race with 3 of
the t-shirts almost winning.
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Picking A Summer Camp

Summer camp selection is no easy task. If you and your child have talked and decided that he or she is ready for summer camp, there is a place to begin. A free website called www.summercampadvice.com has been prepared by experienced directors of a long established camp to help you choose the best one for your child. This article will offer you some basic guidelines that can help you in making a well-informed decision.
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Green Summer Camps

Summer school, all-year academic school, summer sports programs, and electronic media have become the elements of children’s summer activity in recent years. Children are kept occupied with indoor play activities. The playground has come indoors and .....
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