Overnight Summer Camp

Why do so many families send their children to summer camp? Is it so as parents we get some down time or maybe so we can work harder? That maybe true in some families but as Directors of Swift Nature Camp in Wi, we have seen conscientious parents make Overnight Summer Camp a part of their child’s personal development.

Why? Our goal as parents is to provide opportunities for children to become independent, resourceful, and responsible. Summer Camp provides this by giving your child First Time Adventures that cannot be had at home.
These may be as simple as a first campfire, a first night in a bunk bed or the first time canoeing but often they are far deeper.

One thing is for sure at Swift Nature Camp children spend their days without a screen to rely on or internet access. It reminded me of the not so old joke, people can live without: food for 10 days, water for 3 days and internet for 3 hours. Camp, allows children to be children again and not be tied down by electronics. This promotes the freedom for face to face interactions and a chance to think creatively.

Nature is also a first for many of the children coming to Swift Nature camp. The night are not filled with streetlights only the stars. The smell of pine as you walk back to the cabin. Learning about native plants and animals as well as taking care of the critters in the Nature Center are all firsts for many of our campers, it also keeps them coming back year after year.

Often for kids at camp a first is learning to live with a team that is not family. When you put 8-10 children together in a cabin with 2 counselors, camper learn how to get along and respect others and tune into others feelings. Our goal at Swift Nature Camp, is helping children to become better team members by emphasizing the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, we believe camp is all about relationships and character development.

Another valued lesson is self-sufficiency. Camp provide the opportunity for children to do things without a parent encouraging or directing. Camp provides caring counselors that gives children a role model to look up to. As parents we need to realize that we can never be mentors to our children, we will always be parents. We hire the best and brightest college aged counselors that are majoring in child development or teaching. We know our staff will care 100% about your child. A first often comes for parents, it might be your first time away from your child. How will you do?

As camp directors for 20 years, Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz, believe the camp experience creates life long memories, the opportunity to come to a new place and try new things, the chance to gain skills and independence, and the chance to make lifelong friends. Learn More about SNC