Our Campers are Superheroes | Swift Nature Camp

Swift Nature Camp

We are living in the age of the superhero. Superhero shows are popular on TV networks, it seems like a new superhero movie is released at least once a month. Sometimes the world is a scary place - people want a superhero to rely on to save the day. Superheroes remind us that it is good in humanity. Superheroes give us reasons to dream about what could happen. Superheros show that it is possible to succeed despite hardships.

We know these things all too well because at Swift, our campers are superheroes. Our campers amaze and impress us every day. Our campers try new things, solve problems, fix things that are broken, and bring little bits of happiness to the lives of everyone around them. I realize that saying all of our campers are superheroes sounds a bit cliche, but let me share what lead me to this conclusion:

Every great superhero knows that "With great power comes great responsibility" and our campers are responsible and learning to be more so each and every day - sometimes in little ways and sometimes in big ways. Our campers learn to do their laundry, fold their clothes, make their beds and clear a table. From far away, these might look like little things, but when a parent is trying to put a younger child to bed, sign 6 different permission slips for school and shovel the drive all at the same time, a child that can clear the table or start a load of laundry can save the day. Campers show us that they are responsible when they work towards earning achievement awards. It’s not responsible to waste resources - superheroes have a calling to use their skills. Getting achievement awards at camp isn’t easy - it requires a lot of work to meet the requirements, but whenever a child brings a completed award form and knows all about their activity, we can see how responsible they are being. They are responsible for making sure that their talents and hard work don’t go to waste.

Superheroes are resilient. When a situation goes bad, they figure out another way to save the day. Honestly, one of my favorite superpower to see a camper display is resilience. Witnessing a camper survive a struggle and then try other things to fix it and solve the problem is an absolutely awesome experience. When going out to the pond to explore, a camper usually doesn’t come back with an enormous frog to show everyone on their first try, which can be disappointing. But three days later, that camper has enlisted three more campers and an elaborate strategy for cornering "the big one" and we’ll see them up at the office later that day with a frog that must weigh nearly 3 pounds in a bucket, wanting to share their success and get a picture with their "catch of the day". A camper on a canoe trip that gets stuck on a rock hiding just below the water’s surface doesn’t give up or shake their canoe paddle at the sky while wailing. (Well, actually, they may do that last part, but only as a joke.) They stow their paddle, get out of the canoe, dislodge it and reboard with the help of their counselors. And if it happens again, they do the same things, as many times as it takes to get to their destination. That resilience keeps them going when things are frustrating. (And it often gets them s’mores in the end.)

Superheroes are caring - if they didn’t want to ensure the well-being of others, superheroes wouldn’t have anyone to "hero" for.. Campers show that they are caring through the sacrifices they make so that a communal living environment can work. Campers console a cabin mate that is homesick or frustrated. Older campers help the younger campers to learn the rules and to succeed at activities and games that they are still learning. Also, the amount of campers that come to the nature center each day to care for the animals there is amazing. They make sure that our camp critters have everything that they need: food, water, the right environment (a clean cage, heating lamps, etc) and of course provide them with lots of attention and love. Our campers are superheroes that are not only for one another but for all the critters that live with them at camp.

One of the strongest associations we have with superheroes is that they are brave. Our campers are impressively brave every day. For some campers, being brave starts when they get on the bus, or on a plane, or in their parent's car to head to a place that they have never been before. New places and people are scary, and it takes a lot of bravery to head to a place that they are unfamiliar with. We see bravery in activities every day. Campers are brave when they participate in team building with their cabin by trusting their new friends to help them succeed. Campers are brave when they hop into the lake for a swim - there are many that have never swum in a natural body of water before. Campers are brave when they try a new activity at arts and crafts even though they are a little hesitant about how it will look when they complete it. Campers are brave when they head out on a camp trip or learn an advanced skill like how to right a capsized canoe.

Superheroes have a "Super-factor". Some superheroes are great because they have a supernatural power that allows them to triumph over others. But there are also superheroes whose superpower is based on being extra successful at normal skills. These are our type of superheroes - this is one other thing that makes our campers superheroes. One camper might be super at always knowing the right thing to say. This seems kind of basic, but so many kids and people are a little bit awkward when it comes to comforting and encouraging others. These kids are the superheroes that are cheering their cabin mates on during a swimming activity or are sitting next to a cabin mate who is a little upset during quiet time. Another camper could be super at singing and remembering all the words to camp songs - this is the camper that is making the walk to activities or a hiking trip super by helping out the counselors to get the whole group to belt out a song. Another camper might be a super canoeist - they are the ones who can use their strength to keep the boat moving in the right direction while another camper tries out new skills.

They may not wear capes (though sometimes they do) but all of our campers are superheroes, and we see them becoming stronger and stronger each year. What is your child’s "super-factor"?

10 Important Questions to Ask When Choosing the Best Overnight Summer Camp in Wisconsin

 

 overnight summer camp

                            

As a parent selecting among the overnight summer camp choices in Wisconsin is a challenge. But with a little research, you can find the best summer camp for your child.

Here is a list of questions that we recommend you ask yourself, your child and the camp director. Because after all these are the folks involved in your final decision.

1. What’s are you looking for in a camp experience. Fun is an easy answer. Yet, you and your child will have to look deeper in order to pick the right camp. If you find there are differences it is time for more talking. Once you have a list of 5 or 6 items it is time to start your online search. Often overnight summer camps in WI look the same from outside, yet, each camp has its own flavor and philosophies. This could include things like competition vs non competition or hardship vs accommodation. Maybe it’s resort style vs life skills. Hence, it’s always better to know what you want before looking at the fancy video and pics.

2. How does the camp recruit, screen and train its staff? Camp staff is the heart & brain of every summer camp. Don’t assume every camp trains and supervises their staff in the same way. Therefore it is important to look for information that answers these questions: How is staff recruited?, What is the training process?, Where do staff come from?, How does your camp do background checks and reference checks.?

3. What’s a percent of your camp staff return? The American Camp Association says at most camps have 1/2 of their staff return. This is just a rule of thumb. If the number you’re given is much lower you might ask Why?

4. What’s the camper return rate? Again, 50% is a good number. The more the better, because it means campers are having a good time, parents trust the camp and there is a good chance your child will want to return.

5. How many counselors are there to campers? The American Camp Association guidelines for overnight camps call for> 1:6 ratio for ages 7 and 8; 1:8 for ages 9–14; and 1:10 for ages 15–18 Day camp guidelines call for> 1:8 for children ages 6–8; 1:10 for children ages 9–14; and 1:12 for ages 15–18.

6. How old are the counselors? According to the American Camp Association, 80% of the staff should be 18 or older and all other staff members must be at least 16 and a minimum of two years older than the campers they supervise. The better camps in Wisconsin use all staff over 18.

7. What medical staff work at the camp and what backup facilities are nearby? It is recommended that overnight camps have a licensed physician or registered nurse on the site every day, and that day camps should have direct phone access to a medical professional. However, most local codes do not require this stringent adherence to onsite care so it is important to look for this information.

8. How does the camp handle conflicts and Discipline? Carefully go through all camp’s rules and regulations. You should feel comfortable that the camp’s practices are in line with your parenting practices. After all, children may need discipline while at camp and you need to feel comfortable with another person disciplining your child.

9. What does a typical daily schedule look like? Most camps have different ways of scheduling the camp day. It is important to be sure you feel comfortable with what you see. For instance, if your child loves archery, can they do it every day? Don’t assume be sure to ask.

10. Does your camp provide transportation for the campers? If so how is this done? Do they subcontract motor coach transportation or use camp vans. How do they train the drivers and check credentials? Does the camp certify the vehicles are safe? How? As a camp director, I realize that vehicle transport is one of the most dangerous areas of camp and needs to be properly addressed

Last but not least, the most important thing to do is ask for references. This is an area that is not done enough. Every family should call at least 2 families with a specific list of questions.
 We at Swift Nature Camp, strictly follow all guidelines laid by the American Camp Association, which is why our name is counted among the best overnight summer camps in Wisconsin.