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Neighbor News

9 Reasons Overnight Summer Camp is Good For Kids

Why camp is something your child should do this summer...

Now is the time to Commit! You have heard about all the benefits Overnight Summer Camp can provide a child. Still, it seems a strange concept to send your child away to Swift Nature Camp

and in other people's care. Yet time and time again, parents see that
their child returns home different (better) than before he or she left.
How can this be? What is this Camp Magic?

As a parent, these are the questions that went through my head as I
sent my child to a different overnight summer camp. Does sending my kid
away mean I do not love them? Does it mean I am selfish? Does it mean I
am a BAD parent?

Actually sending your child to Overnight summer camp means none of
these things. Often parents need to hear again all the benefits of
summer camp, here are a few:

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9. Kids are active – These days a child's
life is sedentary in school, online and inside. Every moment at camp is
filled with motion, from play to learning or even walking to the
bathroom.

8. Experience successes – Camp's main goal is to build kids up. So at SNC we find what kids can succeed and that helps them feel more confident.

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7. Gain resiliency – Life is filled with
setbacks. At camp setbacks can be handled in a positive way. For
instance, a group may have a difficult canoe trip, yet together they
persevered and made it. Knowing you can make it is an amazing lesson.

6. Unplug – Technology has taken over our
life. No time in history have children been so connected to it. In the
old days kids watched TV for 2-3 hours a day now a screen is watched 7-9
hrs a day. Get back to real connections.

5. Independent – This day and age kids are
scheduled most of the day. Camp gives children the ability to make
choices for themselves. A skill needed in life. Wrong decisions can be
gently handled and right decisions applauded by peers and non parental
units.

4. Play – In nature animals learn by play.
We all love watching the wolf pups play, but they are really getting
ready for life. Same is true with children, they learn by having
unorganized free play. Something that was a staple in kids growing up in
the past. Camp still provides this in a safe, child friendly
atmosphere.

3. Social skills – Living in a communal
setting, like camp, provides amazing opportunities for children to learn
personal skills like, empathy, resolving disagreements, teamwork and
healthy communication.

2. Enjoy nature – Kids lives have become an
indoor life. Nature is missing and all the research shows this is
having a negative effect on today's kids. Higher stress, obesity and
insecurity. Nature supports healthy child development and enriches kid’s
perception of the world.

1. Friendships–Swift Nature Camp
has only one mission to help children be their best. We do this in a
fun and supportive way. By building friendships with people that truly
care. we help child make better friends. Campers will tell you their
best friends are at camp. Why? When you live with people, you learn to
accept them, you build tolerance and over time your difference become
bonds. The result is a summer family.

So as you are thinking about the adventure your child will be on this summer, don't rule out the Northwoods of Wisconsin and Swift Nature Camp.

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