A overnightSummer Camp often is difficult for a child, even if they know the seperation is followed by a family reunion. Children can easily get overwhelmed when adjusting to living with new people in a different place, . Even for children who enjoy new adventures a short bout of homesickness is a common reaction for kids new to summer camp.

As parent it’s important not to measure your success by by your child’s homesickness. Don’t feel as if your child is not independent just because your child is having a difficult time adjusting to summer camp. It may be difficult to understand how hard your child finds the first few days at camp. For them often it seems that he will never see you again. Be sure to rationally look at your child’s reactions. Often kids are just looking for a reassuring hug

Homesickness is not about your child loving or trusting you enough, or about her independence or willingness to take risks. Homesickness is a temporary feeling that can be beaten with the support of camp staff. Beating homesickness it is a huge boost to to a childs self-confidence and self esteem. Helping kids get over home sickness is what camps do well. Be Sure to talk to the director if you feel this may be an issue for your child

There are times that with a great deal of thought and awareness a choise is made to bring your child home. Failure is a feeling that often is associated with an early leaving of camp. Sometimes a child is just not ready for camp or the camp is just not a good fit. If, after a real trial (7-10 days), and your child is not getting better, it’s time to make that trip to camp.

Talk to the camp director about your decision to to bring your child home. Support your child fully through what they feel is a failure. Reevaluation is best saved for many days after the return. You need to figgure it out with them. Help your child to understand that even though it did not work, he is not a failure. Suggest another sleepaway camp program at another time because you have confidence in him.

A uniqnue SLEEPAWAY CAMP , Swift Nature Camp offers a program designed only for first time campers. This Discovery Camp works because during the 12 days it allows camper to move past homesickness and into self confidence. This program limits campers to about 50 with 6 in a cabin with 2 or 3 staff. All campers are here for their first time, setting a level playing field for all campers. If your child is a little reluctant to leave home, look for a program that is especially designed only for first time campers

Picking a summer camp is no easy task learn more at Summer Camp Advice a guide for Home Sickness

About the authors: Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz are the directors of Swift Nature Camp a non-competitive, traditional coed overnight summer camp. This Minnesota Camp for Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 promotes Nature, Animals & Science along with Adventure activities. Swift specializes in programs for teens as well as Adventure New To Summer Camp Programs.

Budget Concerns: When selecting a summer camp budget needs to be considered, but a high priced camp is no guarantee that your child will have a wonderful time. Generally speaking, higher priced camps will provide higher staff to camper ratios as well as have better equipment and facilities. Plus they tend to use little or no volunteer staff. There are good sleepaway programs that meet all budgets. According to the American Camp Association, resident camps range from $25 to $200 per day. Many camps, especially those sponsored by nonprofit organizations, offer some form of financial assistance to those in need. The American Camp Association also reports that 85 percent of camps reported offering some sort of financial assistance. Some families have also been able to ‘trade services’ in exchange for a reduced or eliminated camp fee for their children. Parents may be able to work as nurses or office staff in exchange for their children to attend camp free of charge.

American Camp Association: Regardless of who runs the day camp program you should make sure they are A.C.A. Accredited. The ACA is an independent association that is responsible for the accrediting of summer camp programs. Of the 1000′s of camps in existence less than 25% meet the rigid standards ACA accreditation verifies that a camp has complied with up to 300 standards for health, safety, and program quality, which are recognized by courts of law and government regulators. ACA-accreditation standards cover all aspects of camp operation from site/food service and health care to management and staffing. The American Camp Association collaborates with experts from The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth service agencies to assure that current practices at ACA-accredited camps reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Accreditation is a parent’s best evidence of a camp’s commitment to health and safety. ACA accreditation assures parents that the camp has had a regular, independent safety audit that goes beyond regulations in most states. Parents can (and should) verify the accreditation status of any camp at any time. This may be accomplished through ACA’s Web site at www.ACAcamps.org (Click on Find A Camp!) or by calling 800-428-CAMP.

Session Length: Full Summer or Less When looking at camps, you want to know how long most of the children stay. You may prefer a full summer program, lasting seven or eight weeks, or, for family or budget considerations, you may desire a shorter program. Some camps run sessions of varying lengths, from a minimum of one week to a range of varying combinations. Some camps offer only a full-summer program. Some advantages to a full summer program include: * All campers come and go at the same time. It can be a problem if your child has made a good friend at camp, who leaves after two weeks, while your youngster is staying for another six weeks. Furthermore, all the campers are going through the emotional adjustment to camp at the same time. * All campers get the same program. It can be disappointing if your child is staying for the first month of camp, and color war, often the highlight of the experience, isn’t held until the second half of the summer. * The campers have time to build relationships and to sample the wide variety of activities offered. Many families prefer a shorter experience for their child. The child may not be ready for a longer program, they want time for a family vacation, or a longer program doesn’t fit into the family budget. It is important to note that shorter sessions do not reduce Homesickness, it often causes a camper to just get stuck, counting the days till Mom comes to save them. Often session lengths differ from coast to coast. Whereas camps on the east coast tend to have longer session lengths, west coast camps seem to favor shorter sessions, with options to combine sessions to stay longer.

Find the Right dSummer Camp at a FREE service filled with information.

Lonnie Lorenz is the director of Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, traditional coed overnight Summer Camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature, animals & science along with traditional camping activities. Swift specializes in programs for the First Time Camper. as well as Teen Summer Adventure Camp.

Children’s Summer Camp has progressed so much from early days. No longer does summer amp mean only campfires. Now, today it’s computer screens, soccer and skateboards. Today many camp programs take place not in the country but in the heart of the city or at a university campus.

Even with all those changes, the essence of the purpose of summer camp remains unchanged. Children still need to use their summer break in a healthy, productive way. A good summer camp not only teaches skills but is equally concerned with a child’s growth and maturity. Using a fun and relaxed environment, a camp helps families by developing a child’s capacities for self confidence, self esteem, independence, leadership, mutual understanding and making friends. These life skills are the part of camp experience that last a lifetime.

Nationally, nearly 9 million children attend some sort of summer camp programs. So say the The American Camp Association. The ACA is a community of camp professionals that is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults through the camp adventures. It is the ACA that accredits all types of summer camps and makes sure they are safe for your child.

One can find camps that specialize in rollerblading, space, football, soccer, tennis, computer, academics, traveling, nature, world peace, weight loss, art, and much more. Yet, traditional
Summer Kids Camp still continue to provide a well rounded program despite the many special interest camps available.

Day camps can range from $200 to $1000 per week, while overnight experiences range from $400 to $1200 per week. This wide variation in camp prices allow most everyone to find a camp to suit every budget. Programs run by organizations like churches and YMCA/YWCA tend to be less expensive than private or independent summer camps. Least expensive camps are those run by local government agencies such as city and county parks day camps.

When looking for the right summer camp for your child, do the leg work. Talk to camp directors look at the camps website and ask for references. We hope that his website will help you prepare and give you assistance in making this summer your child’s best summer yet.

Learn More about picking the right summer camp visit SummerCampAdvice.com

Swift Nature Camp is a non-competitive, traditional coed Overnight Summer Camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature, animals and camp fun. Swift specializes in programs for the first time camper as well as adventures for teens. Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz have been the owners since’96.

Religious Affiliated or Secular? You may decide to limit your search to programs affiliated with your families religion. These types of camps generally incorporate a religious component, while still offering regular camping activities. Be sure to ask how religious components are included in their daily and weekly program. Some camps limit the religious component to holidays, while others include daily prayers as part of the camp day and choose only to celebrate holidays particular to that religion. You may want to ask if the camp will celebrate Independence Day. Although this is a national holiday, some more religiously observant camps choose to de-emphasize it.

Advantages of a coed camp: If you have children of the opposite sex, it can be easier if you can find one camp that suits them both. The mechanics of getting children off to different programs may be too complicated. Coed camps can be less competitive than single sex camps. Because there is a more social atmosphere in camp the intensity of play is reduced. A good coed camp will focus not on coed relationships but on coed friendships. This can be an important part of becoming a mature adult.

Session Length: Full Summer or Less When looking at camps, you want to know how long most of the children stay. You may prefer a full summer program, lasting seven or eight weeks, or, for family or budget considerations, you may desire a shorter program. Some camps run sessions of varying lengths, from a minimum of one week to a range of varying combinations. Some camps offer only a full-summer program. Some advantages to a full summer program include: * All campers come and go at the same time. It can be a problem if your child has made a good friend at camp, who leaves after two weeks, while your youngster is staying for another six weeks. Furthermore, all the campers are going through the emotional adjustment to camp at the same time. * All campers get the same program. It can be disappointing if your child is staying for the first month of camp, and color war, often the highlight of the experience, isn’t held until the second half of the summer. * The campers have time to build relationships and to sample the wide variety of activities offered. Many families prefer a shorter experience for their child. The child may not be ready for a longer program, they want time for a family vacation, or a longer program doesn’t fit into the family budget. It is important to note that shorter sessions do not reduce Homesickness, it often causes a camper to just get stuck, counting the days till Mom comes to save them. Often session lengths differ from coast to coast. Whereas camps on the east coast tend to have longer session lengths, west coast camps seem to favor shorter sessions, with options to combine sessions to stay longer.

More ideas on finding the right summer camp for your childSummer Camps will walk you through the process of picking the right camp.

Lonnie Lorenz is the director of Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, traditional coed overnight Summer Camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature, animals & science along with traditional camping activities. Swift specializes in programs for the First Time Camper. as well as Teen Summer Adventure Camp.

On April 22, 1970, nearly 40 years ago first Earth Day was celebrated. Because of the new focus of the planet great studies have been made in fixing the planet. Yet, little has been done to fix our kids. Earth Day

Richard Louv , child expert, believes the lack of nature for our kids is causing extreme concern. He calls this phenomenon nature-deficit order. He feels rends such as rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression are all in part caused by a lack of play in nature.

Summer camps since the early days have been removing children from the city and exposing them to Nature. However, the term camp no longer means a time in the woods. It can be anything from arts to legos. As parents we want our kids to gather more knowledge of Nature and thereby see a reason to protect it.. Check in to this. Environmental Camp .

Swift Nature Camp is noncompetitive, Outdoors Summer Camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. The focus is to Appreciate nature while doing traditional camp activities. We make Nature Fun , here are a few camper comments

“I love all the activities. Especially Archery. But its on the walt there when I found a deer skull that was the best”

“Last year a turtle came right up by our cabin and laid its eggs.”

“I love the animals in the Nature Center…I even brought my snake to show all the other campers.”

Listen, you can hear loads of birds especially in the morning. But its the loon at might that i really love.”

Lonnie Lorenz says the camp Director says” It a child’s natural curiosity that makes our Science Camp work.” What kids like best is going on frog hunts and then taking them to the Nature Center for the day. They are always released back from where they were captured. Campers also love our Adventure trips, canoing down an untouched river is wonderful.”

It’s the camps small size that helps us promote each child’s personal growth. We help children make good decisions and leadership in a supportive and noncompetitive environment away from home. Summer camp gives children the chance to make own decisions and learn from them.

Our Counselors are wonderful role models that promote perseverance, listening, teamwork and appreciation of differences, campers set new and high standards for their own behavior. This in turn brings their new found independence more in linewith what yu are trying to do at home. We are on your side.

Swift Nature Camp provides a place for kids to try new things and make new friends. Swift Nature camp is a new world and a new chance to remake yourself. Returning campers say “This camp provides me a safe place to be myself.” We are pretty proud of that.

All this happens in the fun and sun of the north woods of Wisconsin. For staff and campers alike, Swift Nature Camp is more than just a place to be: it is their summer home. So why not join our Swift family this summer?

Need help finding a summer camp that fits your child’s needs. Visit Summer Camp Advice Find a Summer Camp

Historically, summer camps have been an American institution since the early 1900′s. In the early days camp was all about getting youngsters out of city life and enjoying the clean cool air of the country while learning camping skills.

No longer is summer camp only about campfires. Now computer screens and Surfing camps have passed by the nature trails to. Many of today’s camps are not in the country but take place in the city.

At camp, children are given the choice to take risks and try new things. This voluntary nature makes children more open to new experiences, with personal satisfaction as their motivation. Not only are there opportunities to try new things, but camp offers many areas for children to excel in.

At a good general interest camp, the non-athlete can shine at arts and crafts, woodworking, or dramatic programs, while the athlete can also find many outlets for their skills. Perhaps most importantly, the two campers learn to live together and become friends despite their varied interests. Environmental Camp

Novices have chances to learn, while those who are more experienced can improve. Learning new skills and improving on old ones builds self-esteem. Kids learn independence and how to be self-reliant at camp.

Though years later, your child may not remember capture the flag games or the words to a camp song, the life lessons learned at camp will remain. At camp, a child learns how to take responsibility. The child who has never before made a bed, will learn how to smooth out sheets and blankets and tidy up a cubby. Though counselors will remind and encourage, campers quickly take responsibility for personal hygiene, and for more minor health issues, a camper learns to articulate what hurts and how to get help. All of this personal responsibility further fosters a sense of independence and self-esteem. Camp also improves a child’s social skills by making new friends and learning how to reach out to strangers.

Camp provides a place where children learn to get along with others, all while living together 24 hours a day, learning about courtesy, compromise, teamwork, and respect is no small task.

For campers from a foreign country Camps in USA provide a uniue opportunity for children to learn about America from local Children in a fun and safe environment. Not to mention the English language is spoken daily.

Learn more more about American Summer Camps visit Summer Camp Advice. Camp Information