| When you are trying to get a good feel for what | | | | helps them make judgments,' said another. We as |
| a summer camp is like it is a good idea to check | | | | parents want to play it safe and we need to |
| out the Summer camp Blog. Here are just a few | | | | rethink safety vs adventure. The research also |
| things you might find at Swift Nature Camp's Blog. | | | | lists examples of risky play that should be |
| What do you know about Wisconsin? Chances are | | | | encouraged including fire-building, den-making, |
| you imagine cows, Harley Davidson motorcycles | | | | watersports, paintballing, boxing and climbing trees. |
| and the beautiful capitol of Madison. Yet, north of | | | | Summer camp provides an excellent opportunity |
| all that is the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Filled with | | | | for children to get outside take risks and play, all |
| all its natural beauty. In the sky you can see | | | | while still while being supervised by concerned |
| eagles all around swooping down to catch a fish in | | | | young adults...we call counselors. See how Swift |
| a nearby lake or stream. If your quiet you might | | | | Nature Camp can put Adventure back into your |
| just hear a loon or a wolf in the background. This | | | | childs life. |
| is what America looked like 100 years ago. Until | | | | So what can you do a camp that you cant do at |
| you experience the simple beauty, you can't begin | | | | Home? How bout shooting guns? Yep, one of the |
| to imagine what you will find there. Wisconsin is | | | | fun activity at this kids camp is riflery. This is one |
| also home to many children's summer camps. | | | | area at camp where there is no clowning around. |
| Choosing a summer camp in Wisconsin offers | | | | We take teaching riflery very seriously. It may be |
| your child a chance to experience nature and the | | | | a tradition at many summer camp. But we are |
| environment unlike any other place in the Midwest. | | | | very proud that our riflery range is our safest |
| At Camp Nature Swift your child gets the | | | | area at camp. At Swift Nature Camp we only |
| opportunity to play, make friend sand learn new | | | | shoot at targets and we shoot from the prone |
| skills, all this in the warm sun of the wonderful | | | | position (thats lying down) , our guns are single |
| northwoods of Wisconsin. | | | | shot .22 caliber rifles. Our campers try to earn our |
| We at Swift Nature Camp believe that your child's | | | | camp Marksman awards. Often parents ask why |
| safety is the most important part of camp. That | | | | have rifles at camp? The answer is ...we want to |
| is why we have a strict Lifejacket rule. Everyone | | | | teach children how to properly and safely operate |
| must wear a PDF when in a boat. No exceptions, | | | | a gun. Campers also learn life lessons, like you |
| staff and campers alike. THis is true if on a river | | | | need to practice and as you do practice bit by bit, |
| canoe trip or on on our own camp lake. Water is | | | | you improve and before you know it you are |
| so much fun and kids love it but it is dangerous | | | | loving Riflery. |
| and we must be prepared. We even have a | | | | Over the past few years I have been happy to |
| special "titanic test" to ensure that our lifejacket | | | | act as the Vice President of the Midwest |
| fits nice and snug in case of an emergency. | | | | Association of Independent Camps (M.A.I.C.). We |
| Campers learn this the first day of camp. | | | | represent the very best independently owned and |
| It seems as if we are learning more that Summer | | | | operated summer camps in the Midwest. MAIC |
| Camp helps children grow into mature adults. A | | | | includes kids' summer camps in Wisconsin, |
| new British study finds that most modern parents | | | | Minnesota, Michigan and Indiana. Our organization |
| overprotect their kids. Half of all kids have | | | | educates and inspires camping professionals to be |
| stopped climbing trees, and 17 percent have been | | | | their very best. MAIC is a group of camp |
| told that they can't play tag or chase. Even | | | | professionals who are dedicated to promoting high |
| hide-and-seek has been deemed dangerous. And | | | | quality standards in organized camping, while |
| that dreaded stick..."will put out someone's eye". It | | | | offering children and their parents the best |
| is easy to blame technology for the decline in | | | | possible summer camp experience. Members of |
| outdoor play, but it may well be mom and dad. | | | | MAIC have been meeting together and sharing |
| Adrian Voce of Play England says 'Children are not | | | | ideas, methods and practices since 1960. To |
| being allowed many of the freedoms that were | | | | parents looking for a top quality resident camp or |
| taken for granted when we were children,' 'They | | | | day camp in the Midwest: we are a great place to |
| are not enjoying the opportunities to play outside | | | | start your camp search. is a camp directory that |
| that most people would have thought of as | | | | represents over 45 of the very best summer |
| normal when they were growing up.' According to | | | | camps in the midwest. If you are looking for an |
| the Guardian, "Voce argued that it was becoming | | | | amazing summer camp job working with children, |
| a 'social norm' for younger children to be allowed | | | | be sure to choose an MAIC camp and start your |
| out only when accompanied by an adult. | | | | search here! Remember MAIC camps are family |
| 'Logistically that is very difficult for parents to | | | | run camps that are concerned for each child?s |
| manage because of the time pressures on normal | | | | safety and emotional development. Above all else |
| family life,' he said. 'If you don't want your children | | | | M.A.I.C. camps = fun, fun, fun, fun! |
| to play out alone and you have not got the time | | | | Jeff & Lonnie Lorenz, are Directors of Swift |
| to take them out then they will spend more time | | | | Nature Camp a Non-competitive, Traditional coed |
| on the computer.' The Play England study quotes | | | | overnight summer camp in Wisconsin. Boys and |
| a number of play providers who highlight the | | | | Girls Ages 6-15. enjoy Nature, Animals & Science |
| benefits to children of taking risks. 'Risk-taking | | | | along with adventure camping. |
| increases the resilience of children,' said one. 'It | | | | |