Today, summer camp is no longer a given. These days children are more heavily scheduled making it harder to attend summer camps. Plus many children these days would rather be connected to the world of technology than the world of Nature. Today's child on average spends over 5 hours in front of some sort of screen.

Summer Camp is a place that can help children grow to love nature as well as teach all children independence and friendship. This connection with others and nature is imperative to raise a generation that is in tune to preserving and protecting earth. With so many specialized camps how do we find a camp that has traditional values and a nature focus?

Here are a few questions to ask yourself about your summer camp Are electronics allowed? Ipod, computers and cell phones take away from the camp experience. Often these electronics allow some children to hide in their electronics and not participate. Louv feels child could be easily distracted if his or her tent mates spent all day playing the latest hand-held video games or text messaging their family back home. Plus it does not help children get into the camp mindset.

Where is the focus? Louv suggests many camps are trying to be all things to all people, they offer computers, sports and acting. Historically camps made the most of their natural settings, and encourage visitors to immerse themselves in the environment with play.

Can children play without direction in Nature? Nature-deficit disorder is nearly always due to parents overscheduling kids. Louv suggests this gives kids less time and energy to explore their natural world on their own. Summer camps have figured this out and design structured and nonstructured play. When children play on their own, they have to figure it out and work together, what a wonderful learning experience.

Is there Environmental Education? Does camp schedule time where nature can be explored and discovered? These times should be hands on and not like school. Does a theme of the outdoors run within all activities? Are "WOW" moments created that hightlight the wonders of nature? Does the summer camp try to reduce its environmental footprint? Does it compost and recycle?

Kids eat 3 times a day. So the food has got to be good. For years children's summer camps have had a poor reputation for their meals. This has changed at many camps. More vegetarians have caused this change. Ask about fried foods? Is there a salad bar with fruits and yogurt? Can the camp cope with your child's food allergy? Still meals must taste good and be kid friendly.

In Wisconsin there is a special palce. A coed camp for children 6-15 that places a very strong emphasis not only on developing a desire to know more about nature but also on acquiring a deep respect for it. The philosophy is to engage kids in fun-filled learning through hands on participation. It is natural curiosity and self-discovery that make this program work. This Environmental Camp is Not School. It promotes hands on, experiential learning in our Nature Center. This combined with being in nature via canoe and backpack trips fosters an appreciation for the nature around us.

Each summer, a wonderful community develops as children from around the world come together to learn more and appreciate the natural environment. A community such as camp provides support and encouragement that helps a child to mature and grow. Self-reliance is promoted along with being understanding to others. Children result in being more sensitive and understanding. The world needs to be a little more like camp with more understanding of others while needing to respect nature.

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Article Submitted By: J.J. Lorenz
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