First Time at Camp

My son had turned 10 and I knew this summer should be more than day care and soccer games. I wondered if SUMMER CAMP was the answer.

Today he is 15, and has gone to Swift Nature Camp for years and we are going to send him back again and again. Despite his ADHD and trouble at school, he loves it loves camp.

Swift has great staff their hands-on approach to leadership, social skills development and confidence-building seems to really work

Jeff and Lonnie, along with enthusiastic counselors, provide an atmosphere that encourages positive life skills to be developed. My son has greater peer understanding and empathy, better self-confidence and trust, his leadership skills increased, an understanding of group dynamics and fair process and many other valuable relational skills.

As a parent I was nervous sending him to a place I had not been, but it was worth it! After talking to Jeff and Lonnie *the Directors) over the phone before I decided the Discovery Camp was best . A special program for the First Time Going to Camp

They we eager to listen to any question I had and their understanding made the decision easy. My son rode the bus to camp, but I picked him up at the end. That way I could see first-hand all of the wonderful activities he got to do.

During the 8-hour journey home, he was so excited about Swift that I’m not sure he took a breath between stories.

The website of Swift Nature Camp says everything need. To me, I love how the camp is set up. The cabins are by gender and age and do activities together, including laundry and cabin clean up.

In the afternoons the campers can choose a variety of typical camp activities (arts & crafts, archery, swimming, horses and much more).

This Environmental Camp provides awareness and preservation of nature. The Nature Center is complete with microscopes and lots of hands on activities. There is also a small petting zoo of well-adored animals. But most fun for the kids is chasing frogs and turtles outdoors.

Of course there is plenty of laughter, games, campfires, food, sports, fun, drama, singing, etc. that makes overnight (residential) camp an experience one remembers for their entire life.

I appreciate that this isn’t a “sports camp” or “education camp” or something ultra specific. Its back to traditional being outdoors having fun sort of camp. Kids at SNC get to be kids and by experiencing all sorts of different activities and a diverse set of campers and counselors. They learn more about themselves than at a specialized camp with specific goals.

My son has learned so much from this camp in the four years he has been attending. We have noticed a HUGE difference in his attitude, manners and abilities. He is more mature, pleasant and competent. We would pay any price for the experiences and social education he has gained from SNC.

As parents, we joke tit is easy to find math, reading, or science tutors but know one tutors in social skills. We were wrong! We found exactly what my son needed at exactly the right time in his life.

Please consider away camp for your child. You will be glad you did! And Check our Swift. I think what makes this such a special place is that it is a non-competitive, confidence-building camp where kids get to be kids. I know it is the best thing we ever did for our son.

A special Thank you to Lonnie and all the magnificent counselors, cooks, nurses, etc. We hope our son returns as a counselor when he is older (it is a new goal)!

You can also find more information on how to pick a summer camp at this website FINDING a CAMP