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Home Schooled Kids Need Summer Camp

Lonnie Lorenz — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:27:57 +0000

Children that are Home Schooled can benefit greatly from the summer camping experience. Despite, age, gender,grade level or religious background. Home School Summer Camps provide a special area where children can be independent, and that’s a key part of growing up. Camp counselors model perseverance, listening, teamwork and appreciation of differences. Helping children see successful behavior and away from the family. This in turn brings new found independence in line with your at-home teachings. After all as parents we understand somethings just can’t be taught by us.

There are many choices when choosing a summer camp, so how do you know you are picking the right camp for your homeschooler? Here are simple steps to assist parents sending their children to camp. Doing your work in advance will help ensure that your child has an enjoyable summer packed with wonderful memories and new experiences.

Summer Camp Benefits For Children Residential (overnight) camp offers home schooled children a wonderful opportunity to socialize with other children in a new and exciting environment. Often long-lasting friendships are forged at summer camps each year. Campers often return year after year making camp their summer home. Some continue on till they are past camper age and participate in a Counselor in Training program for teens or even become counselors passing on the traditions of summer camp.

Jeff Lorenz Owner of Swift Nature Camp an Children’s Summer Camp in Wisconsin says “Summer Camp provides children the chance to assume leadership roles within the cabin. Without parents or siblings around campers often show their true colors and excel in leading thus improving their confidence level”.

The many activities available at summer camp gives children the opportunities to try new things and discover new skills. From canoeing and Arts & Crafts to Swimming, Hiking and Horseback riding the list of activities available at different camps are of the utmost benefit to the children who attend.

Tips To Choosing the Right Summer Camp Look for a summer camp program that fits a child’s comfort level. If the child has never been away from home and is 8 and under a day camp program may be more suitable. If he’s used to overnights away from home a residential camp may be a better fit. Usually overnight camps start at around age 8. But do not be afraid to challenge your child by giving him or her new opportunities. We all know that often home schooled children are a bit more attached to their family members. This may mean that you need to work a little harder to get them ready for an overnight camp. But chances are it will be well worth the effort

There is comfort in the familiar so pick a camp that has some activities your child feels comfortable with. Maybe a Non competitive camp would be best for your child? Traditional summer camps provides opportunities in many areas giving a child comfort in some things a child has tried before as well as activities that ask him to leave their comfort zone.

Many summer camps offer an open house day early in the season that allows parents and children to come and visit for a day and tour the grounds. Some even offer work weekends, which are a great way to get to know the staff and the grounds. This is a perfect venue to put a child’s fears at ease and make sure a camp is the right one.

Testimonials from old campers and or youth counselors are also vital tools in deciding if a camp is a good fit. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their feelings and experiences. Older campers are usually happy, if not eager, to share about the role summer camp has played in their lives.

Camp accreditation is a vital step in choosing a camp. Most States have a camping regulations, which hold camps accountable. But the American Camp Association is the best source to ensure camp quality. So be sure the camps you are looking at are (ACA) approved.

Lastly, and probably most important talk to the Camp Directors. In this age of internet websites its easy to make a decision with out ever had personal contact with the directors or owner. Parents often have strong intuition when making decisions that will affect their children and these should always be taken into account. Discuss any feelings and concerns with the camp staff. If parents are still uneasy after following all of these steps, the camp being considered is likely not the right one for their child.

For more information on Finding a Children’s Summer Camp see SummerCampAdvice.com, A free informational website for parents searching for camp information.

Swift Nature Camp is a Overnight Summer Camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. We blend traditional summer camp activities with that of a Science Summer Camps.

Home schooling Picking the Best Summer Camp

Lonnie Lorenz — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:37:43 +0000

How do you know you are picking the right camp for your homeschooler? There are many choices. Here are simple steps to assist parents sending their children to camp. Doing the work up front will help make sure that your camper has a great summer packed with wonderful memories and many new experiences.

Jeff Lorenz Director of Swift Nature Camp a Children’s Summer Camp in Wisconsin says “Summer Camp provides children the chance to be independent and assume leadership roles. Without parents or siblings around campers often show their responsibility thus improving self-confidence when they return back home”.

If possible find a summer camp that has a First timer camp. This is usually only for kids that have not been at camp before so it sets a level playing field for all campers. These programs tend to be shorter as well perfect for the younger children helping to lessening a child’s fears and make sure a camp is the right one.

Past campers are vital in determining if a camp is a good fit for your child. Don’t be afraid to ask these references about their experiences and feelings. Older campers are usually eager, to share about the role summer camp has played in their lives.

The American Camp Association accreditation is a vital step in choosing a summer camp. They have over 300 different areas which they look at to ensure a camp is safe both physically and mentally for children. Camps using their logo (ACA) are held to a set of standards far above other camps.

For more information on How to Pick a Summer Camp see SummerCampAdvice, A free website giving parents information on finding that perfect summer camp for their child.

Swift Nature Camp is aOvernight Summer Camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. The focus is to blend traditional summer camp activities with that of a Science Summer Camp. A first time camper program is available as well.

Why Camp is Best for the Home Schooled

Lonnie Lorenz — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:12:55 +0000

How do you know you are picking the right camp for your homeschooler? I suggest you first look for a small camp, that can give your child individual attention. Often Home Schooled children get lost in the crowd. When picking a camp do your work in advance this will help ensure that your child has an enjoyable summer.

Summer Camp Benefits home schooled children by providing a wonderful opportunity to socialize with other children in a new and exciting environment. As a parent of a homechooler I realize often socialization is what’s missing in a home schooled child. Camp provides long-lasting friendships. Year after year campers return to see their old friends, making camp their summer home. Some children continue on past camper age and then participate as a Counselor in Training. Some even become counselors, passing on the traditions of summer camp.

Trying new things is what summer camp is all about. Traditional camps have many activities providing opportunities to try new things and discover new skills. From canoeing and Arts & Crafts to Swimming, Hiking and Horseback riding the list of activities available at different camps is endless. So try to pick a camp that has activities your child has done before as well as new activities to try.

There is comfort in the familiar so a traditional summer camp that provides opportunities in many different activity areas is a good choice. This gives a child comfort in some areas while giving them other activities that will challenge them to leave their zone of comfort.

Talk to the Camp Directors, this is probably the most important. Forming a personal relationship helps ensure you are making the right decision. In this age of internet websites its easy to make a decision with out ever had personal contact with the directors or owner. If you are not confident in your decision after following all of these steps, the camp your looking at is probably not the right one for your child.

For more information on Finding a Children’s Summer Camp see SummerCampAdvice.com, A free informational website for parents searching for camp information.

Swift Nature Camp is a Overnight Summer Camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. The focus is to blend traditional summer camp activities with that of a Science Summer Camp. A first Time Camper program is available.