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.
* As the owner of a science and nature camp in Northern Wisconsin, parents often ask me for advice how we get kids excited about Nature. I think it is important for we as parents have to role model if we want our kids to follow. Here are some helpful hints.
* Today’s world has changed at rapid speed. As humans it is important we and our children relearn how importance makes time to breathe. Yes, long slow breaths as well as breathing in the calming sights, scents, and sounds of nature. From the simplest of watching a sunrise to the more difficult of learning the constellations. Being more involved with nature will make you feel more awake and attuned to the natural world around you. It will refresh and energize your body and mind
So why this connection to nature? Since the beginning of time, we were a part of nature it is only in very recent times that we have evolved to a point that mankind can live a life filled with screens and void of nature. Yet, deep down inside the natural world brings us joy. This excitement and pleasure have been essential to our survival.
Today is the day that we need to consciously bring our kids back to nature. We all can recall the days as kids we went outside for hours at a time often unsupervised. This time brought us closer to nature, made us more independent and more thoughtful of our friends. Plus, those kids that play unstructured tend to have a greater connection to animals. David Petersen puts it this way, “Without our fellow animals, we would not be human. Animals and what remains of the wild, natural world are central to our emotional as well as biological well-being.”
So how do we connect kids back to science and nature? Below is a list of just a few simple things you can do with your children.
Connect
Take time around your yard or neighborhood to find that special place. A place that connects with you. a place that brings renews your soul. In his book, A Sense of Place, artist, and conservationist Alan Gussow say, “As humans, we require support for our spirits, and this is what certain kinds of places provide. A place is a piece of the whole environment that has been claimed by feeling.” Then take your children to this spot. Tell them what it does for you and help make it “your connection spot” if you do this you will be imprinted on your children how important Nature is to you. They will remember this special place in their hearts forever.
Commitment
Obviously, while at this special place you will be modeling for your child a relationship with nature. The best way to do this is to regularly visit your place on a semi-regular basis. Be sure that at each visit you and your child look for how many “new” things you can observe, you will be amazed.
Journal
Keeping a journal of your experiences and observations is easy and rewarding, plus it gives you and your child to go back and reflect on all the things you did see out in nature. Journals can be filled with many things such as the identification of plants and animals, reflective writing, thoughts, facts, descriptions, sketches, questions, charts or even a little nature-based poetry. Here are some helpful hints:
Environment-Make a habit of writing down the date, time, location, weather, wind, cloud conditions, and your overall impressions each time you visit your place.
Draw-Many people hesitate to draw but don’t worry about the artistic quality of your sketches. Drawing is a great tool for recording information and will sharpen your ability to observe, identify and pick up on subtle details — you’ll come to terms with your subjects in new ways.
· Draw things you see overhead, landscapes, and even the small creatures.
· Do quick sketches: 15, 20, 30 seconds.
· Sketch something and then write notes beside and/or around the sketch.
Make Lists
The listing can celebrate your discoveries, keep your thoughts organized.
List what you see, smell, hear, feel, think about — lists can be about anything.
Reflect
Spend time writing about what you’ve observed and how it has affected you. Let your words flow without pausing to revise. Follow threads of thought to see where they take you.
Use All Your Senses
Hearing, Smelling, Touching, Sight and even Tasting
Use your resources; show your children that you do not need to Google everything. Take your notes and drawing compare them to field guides, consult dictionaries, try and build your nature vocabulary and an overall understanding of what you observe.
With this knowledge, you and your child will more clearly be becoming aware of the larger web of life on which we all depend. Perhaps the poet Gary Snyder said it best when he wrote, “Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.” So, take time to cherish the natural world as your home, and it will always reward you.
