How to Find the Best Sleepaway Summer Camps in Minnesota
Whether you’re completely new to the world of summer camps or just looking for somewhere fresh, finding the right camp for your family can be a difficult task. Every child has different needs, and no two overnight summer camps are the same.
There is no shortage of summer camps to choose from, but the midwest, specifically northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, is a great place to start. This location boasts a long and storied history of offering the most memorable and authentic overnight summer camp experiences in the country.
A popular sleepaway summer camp for Minnesota families is Swift Nature Camp, just a short trip across the border in the north woods of Wisconsin.
There are a lot of considerations parents/guardians take and a lot of boxes that must be checked off when selecting the perfect overnight summer camp. Here are a few questions families should be asking in their camp search, and how Swift Nature Camp addresses them:
Will our child be safe?
Their child’s well-being is far and away from a parent/guardian’s number one concern. Finding a camp that has a strong history of keeping its campers safe and healthy is a priority.
Swift Nature Camp knows how difficult of a decision it is for a parent or guardian to send a child to an overnight summer camp. That’s why all of the counselors and staff are well-trained and carry all necessary certifications.
By always being on the lookout for signs of bullying and taking steps to prevent unsafe situations, Swift makes a concerted effort to weave safety into the very culture of the camp.
Will our child fit in?
Going to a summer camp for the first time can be an intimidating transition, so families naturally want to send their children to a place they will fit in and feel welcome.
After all, a camp should feel like a kid’s second home. With a 5:1 counselor-camper ratio and a strong teen-leadership program, Swift Nature Camp takes special care to make sure every child gets the individual attention they need to thrive. In addition, there is an emphasis on positive cabin dynamics that help even the most introverted camper form connections and make friends.
Is our child ready to be away from home for that long? Is our family ready for it?
Some families struggle to send their kids away for even a night, so the idea of sending them away to a Wisconsin overnight summer camp can seem impossible. But something to keep in mind is that kids are much more flexible than they are typically given credit for.
It’s not uncommon for a parent/guardian to convince themselves their child is miserable at camp, only to receive a letter to the effect of: “Camp is amazing!! Can I stay longer??” More often than not, kids will surprise us with their adaptability.
For parents/guardians who are still unsure of how their child will adjust to life at a summer camp, Swift Nature Camp offers a special two-week coed overnight camp for first-time campers only.
In the “Discovery” camp, the cabin groups are smaller and there are no worries about being the new kid because everyone is the new kid! Knowing their peers are experiencing camp for the first time right alongside them can take a lot of pressure off of kids’ shoulders and allow them to focus on having fun and trying new things.
This unique experience helps to keep from overwhelming first-time campers and establishes a culture of community that is difficult to find at other summer camps.
What activities will our child be doing at camp?
Discovering new interests and hobbies is a critical part of a child’s development. There are so many options out there, whether families are searching for traditional camp programs, something more specialized, or a combination of the two. At Swift Nature Camp, kids can develop some traditional camp skills like canoeing, archery, campfire building, and even go on real overnight camping trips.
They also have some more unique opportunities, like caring for the animals in the nature center, or joining the group of clowns that perform for camp! The wide variety of programs and activities is just one of the reasons Swift Nature Camp is one of the best sleepaway summer camps Minnesota or Wisconsin has to offer.
What will our child gain from an overnight camp experience?
Families deserve more from a camp than just a glorified babysitter. They should know that they are sending their child somewhere that will help them grow into the best version of themselves. One way that time at camp can help accomplish this is by giving them a chance to develop a new skill, which unfortunately isn’t so common in modern times.
Kids are busier and more stimulated than ever and don’t typically have the time or opportunity to devote multiple weeks to learning a new skill. At camp, often for the first time in their lives, they have a chance to focus on something without the distraction of electronics and social media.
Something else for parents/guardians to remember is how beneficial a summer at Swift Nature Camp or another sleepaway camp can be for a child’s mental and social development. All of the traits that seem to be disappearing from the younger generations, like grit and determination, are built up in positive ways through challenges they face and learn to overcome at camp.
Spending time away from their familiar support system gives them a way to build their confidence, independence, and self-worth. Camp also provides the perfect environment to develop valuable social skills and form friendships that last a lifetime. There is no better way to prepare a child for a future of independence and success than the overnight summer camp experience.