Science Horizons

Northwoods Wisconsin Summer Camp what a great place for your kid. The .American Camp Association suggest you ask these top 10 questions.

What’s the camp’s Purpose? Is it Sports? Is it Traditional? Os it Science? Are you comfortable with this ? Is it a good fit for your child? Is competition or cooperation emphasized? Do you want religious observances or practices? Try to understand all parts of the program

What does camp do with staff? First aid training? Drug Testing? Do counselors have criminal background checks? What’s the training all about?

What about return rates? How many counselors are returning this year? How many campers are returning? ask the director why? Still looking for that perfect camp Check out this Summer Camps Wisconsin

What’s the ratio of counselors to campers? ACA guidelines for overnight camps call for a 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.

What’s the Staff Ages ? Eighty percent of the staff be 18 or older and that all staffers be at least 16 and a minimum of two years older than the campers they supervise. Are the staff a paid position or volunteers?

What about Health Care? Overnight camp have a licensed physician or registered nurse on the site daily, Day camps should be have direct phone access. Be sure you are comfortable that the camp will be able to handle your child’s special health care needs.

How does the camp handle conflicts and Discipline? Find out what the camp’s rules are and what breaches would result in a camper being sent home. You should be comfortable that the camp’s practices are in line with your parenting practices.

What does a typical daily schedule look like? This will help you decide if your child will be happy with the level of physical activity or the amount of time devoted to arts and crafts. Ask how much freedom a child has to choose activities.

Does the camp have vans for transportation? How often are camp vehicles inspected? Who will be driving them and what’s the training.

Get References and more References, Get the names of parents with children who have attended the camp. They will tell you what makes camp so special and why they want to return.

Still looking for a resource to help you sort out all the summer camp confusion? Try Summer Camp

About the authors: Swift Nature Camp, a non-competitive, traditional coed Wisconsin Summer Camp. Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 enjoy nature, animals and science along with traditional camping activities. Swift specializes in programs for the first time camper as well as adventures for teens. Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz have been the owners since 1996. Overnight Summer Camps in Wisconsin

Lonnie Lorenz Children camp, Children, families, kids, kids camp, leisure, Outdoors, Overnight Camp, Parenting, summer camp, vacation, wisconsin, Wisconsin Summer Camp, youth summer camp

So you are thinking of sending your child to summer camp! Here are a few questions you need to ask that may affect your child’s stay at camp. If an area is really important for your child and you can not find the information be sure to call the Summer Camp Director and ask questions.

Facilities Take careful note of the condition of the facilities. Are the buildings well maintained, or do they show clear signs of a lack of maintenance. Though well worn and rustic buildings are perfectly ok, make sure that they are not being neglected. Specific things you’ll want to look for and ask about include:

Bunks: * Do children live in cabins, tents, or dorms? * How many beds are in each cabin? * Are they bunk beds or individual cots? * How do the campers choose which beds they want? * Where do the campers store their belongings? * Are the cabins to crowded? Is there enough storage space? Has the camp overbooked and crowded extra campers in? * Are the cabins clean? Are beds made by the campers and belongings stowed? * How many counselors sleep in each Cabin?

Bathrooms: * How near the cabins are the toilets? Does each bunk have it’s own toilets or is there a common bathhouse? * If there is a common bathhouse? Do children walk alone at night? Is the path lighted? * Are there showers in each bunk or a common area? * If the camp is coed, how separate are the shower facilities? Where? * How often and who cleans the facilities?

Waterfront or Swimming Pool: * Is the pool large enough to accommodate all swimmers? * Are the waterfront areas for swimming, boating, water skiing and diving separate and clearly marked? * What kind of waterfront equipment is provided? * What is the level of waterfront supervision and ratio of lifeguards to swimmers? * Are life jackets always worn during water sports? * Are swimming areas clearly marked? * How do they account for swimmers? Buddy board?

The Grounds: * Are playing fields freshly reseeded and mowed? * Are the trails clearly marked? * Is the equipment in good condition?

Dinning Hall:This is one of the most important areas in camp. Your child will spend 2-3 hours a day in the Dinning Hall. So make sure the Camp Directors understand this and work to make it a clean, exciting and nutritious experience Their are an increasing amount of dietary option and allergy that camps are dealing with. If you have special dietary needs don’t be forget to make sure they can accommodate you Kids Summer Camp * Is there enough space for the whole camp to be served in one seating? * Do cabins eat together? After all, this is your child’s best friends. * Are meals buffet style or are campers served? If they are served, who serves the food? * What if the camper doesn’t like the main selection? Are there alternatives? Is there a salad bar? * Are snacks served? Is there a canteen/camp store? * What is a typical menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? * Who is the kitchen director and what are his or her credentials? * What are the safety and cleanliness standards? Is the kitchen inspected by local authorities?

Remember this article has to do with the comforts of camp and not with safety at camp. The American Camp Association has a certification program that looks at over 300 different aspects of camp. It is always best to select a camp that has been ACA Accredited. ACA CAMPS

You can learn more about selecting a wonderful Summer Camp by visiting Summer Camp Advice Summer Camp Information

Lonnie Lorenz Outdoors environmental camp, Family, kids, kids camp, minnesota camp, Nature, Outdoors, Parenting, recreation, summer camp, teens, Travel

America celebrated the first Earth Day On April 22, 1970. It was a need celebration to bring to light how polution was killing this world. Today, Earth Day is no longer celebrated nationally but is celebrated around the globe.

The earth is in better shape than those early days yet, there is a staggering divide between children and the outdoors. Richard Louv, child advocacy expert, directly blames the lack of nature in the lives on today’s wired generation. He calls this phonomenon nature-deficit order and he links it to some of the most alarming trends for our kids. Including rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression.

His recent book,Last Child in the Woods, has spurred a national dialogue among educators, health professionals, parents, developers and conservationists. It clearly show we and our youth need to spend time in nature.

Teacher Judith Millar, from NJ, Over five years ago, began introducing nature in her school. Our courtyard now has several habitat areas, including a Bird Sanctuary, a Hummingbird/ Butterfly Garden, A Woodland Area with a pond, and even a Meadow. My classes oversee the care of this “Outdoor Classroom”, but now it’s practically a full time job, making it difficult to find time for all my other subjects My students currently maintain the Bird Sanctuary. In addition, this spring they will be a major force in the clean up and replanting process. They always have energy and enthusiasm for anything to do with “their garden”.

Many schools have taken on projects like Ms. Millar, Yet, Despite schools teaching of nature kids rarely play outside, we as a nation have lost the ability to just send our kids out to play. Watch out for the “boogie Man” has infiltrated our lives. As parents we live in fear. Yet, it seems we are learning that a wonderful way to help our children get outside is summer camps. These Camps help children develop into mature adults. A new study finds that most of todays parents overprotect their kids. 50% of all kids have stopped climbing trees, and 18% have been told that they can’t play tag or chase. Even hide-and-seek has been deemed dangerous. And that dreaded stick…”will put out someone’s eye”, is definatly a No No.

Can technology be the blame for the decline in outdoor play? Adrian Voce says “Children are not being allowed many of the freedoms that were taken for granted when we were children,” “They are not enjoying the opportunities to play outside that most people would have thought of as normal when they were growing up.”

According to the Guardian, “Voce argued that it was becoming a ’social norm’ for younger children to be allowed out only when accompanied by an adult. ‘Logistically that is very difficult for parents to manage because of the time pressures on normal family life,’ he said. ‘If you don’t want your children to play out alone and you have not got the time to take them out then they will spend more time on the computer.’

Many play providers see the benefits to children of taking risks. “Risk-taking increases the resilience of children,” said one. “It helps them make judgments,” said another. We as parents want to play it safe and we need to rethink their benefit of adventure in a child’s life.

Risky play that should including fire-building, den-making, watersports, paintballing, boxing and climbing trees. It seems that a children’s summer camp provides an excellent opportunity for children to get outside take risks and play, all while still while being supervised by concerned young counselors.

Swift Nature Camp is a Noncompetitive, Traditional OUTDOOR CAMP in Wisconsin. Our Boys and Girls Ages 6-15. enjoy Nature, Animals & Science along with Traditional camping activities. We places a very strong emphasis on being an ENVIRONMENTAL CAMP where we develop a desire to know more about nature but also on acquiring a deep respect for it. Our educational philosophy is to engage children in meaningful, fun-filled learning through active participation. We focus on their natural curiosity and self-discovery. This is NOT School.

No matter what skill level or interests your children have, Swift Nature Camp has activities that allows them to excel and enjoy. All activities are promoted in a nurturing, noncompetitive atmosphere, giving each camper the opportunity to participate and have fun, rather than worry about results.

Our adventure trips that take campers out-of-camp on trips, such as biking, canoeing, backpacking. This is a highlight of all campers, they find it exciting to discover new worlds and be comfortable in them. We are so much more than a SCIENCE CAMP.

Earth day has provided so much..but their is more we can learn from nature. This summer help your child regain their appreciation for nature by sending them to Swift Nature Camp. This is an opportunity that will be treasured the rest of your child’s life.

Lonnie Lorenz Outdoors adventure, environmental camp, Family, kids camp, nature camp, Outdoors, Parenting, science camp, summer camp

When a building is to be demolished, there are many things to take into account, mainly of course, the safety of everyone involved in the demolition team, as well as the safety of the surrounding area and passers by.

The workman on-site must wear a hard hat, steel toe capped boots and a high visibility jacket at all times. This is of course to avoid any nasty injuries from falling debris.

There are many measures in place to avoid damage to the surrounding area, people and buildings when a building is to be demolished. These include the choice of day on which the building is to be demolished. The weather on the day of demolition can play a huge part in the collateral damage caused.

When a building falls to the ground, the impact creates a shockwave which, if the sky is clear on that day, will travel straight up, doing little to no damage to anything. However is the sky is overcast and cloudy, then the shockwave will hit the clouds and fan out, potentially causing damage to the surrounding buildings, particularly their windows and so falling glass could create another hazard.

Another measure that must be taken is to ensure that the building to be demolished is wet so as to compact as much of the dust that would other wise rise up from the fall of the building. If it was left dry during the demolition, the amount of dust and debris flying around in the air for hours afterwards would be extremely dangerous.

Once the demolition is finished, there is of course the question of what to do with the huge pile of bricks and rubble that is left lying there. Well, before the demolition takes place all of the materials that can be salvaged for recycling are removed and taken to storage for future use on new buildings, and then whatever can be saved from the wreckage afterwards is recycled and used on new buildings as well.

Darren Johnson McLennon Environment Advice, building, construction, Demolition, Environment, houses, industrial, machinery, mechanics, misc, Outdoors, services

When a building is to be demolished, there are many things to take into account, mainly of course, the safety of everyone involved in the demolition team, as well as the safety of the surrounding area and passers by.

The workman on-site must wear a hard hat, steel toe capped boots and a high visibility jacket at all times. This is of course to avoid any nasty injuries from falling debris.

Of course, there are many measures to take into account when planning a demolition to avoid damage to the surrounding area. These measures include the consideration of the weather on the day of demolition. The weather on the day can play a big part in the overall level of damage caused.

When a building is torn to the ground, a huge shockwave is given off, and if the sky is clear of clouds and is not overcast, then that shockwave will travel straight up and do little to no harm to anything. However, if there are low clouds and the day is generally overcast, the shockwave will hit the clouds and fan out, potentially devastating close-by buildings and at least taking out their windows.

Another measure taken to avoid collateral damage is to make sure that the building to be destroyed is wetted or at least dampened. This is because if the building was left completely dry, the amount of dust and debris that would rise from the fall would be immense and dangerous. However, if the structure is wet there is considerably less dust and debris that flies up after the collapse.

Once the demolition is finished, there is of course the question of what to do with the huge pile of bricks and rubble that is left lying there. Well, before the demolition takes place all of the materials that can be salvaged for recycling are removed and taken to storage for future use on new buildings, and then whatever can be saved from the wreckage afterwards is recycled and used on new buildings as well.

Darren Johnson McLennon Environment Advice, building, construction, Demolition, Environment, houses, industrial, machinery, mechanics, misc, Outdoors, services

Traveling is a lot of fun, but sometimes hunting a good spot to spend the night or looking for a hotel can be tedious. It would be so easy if you could carry your home along with you. That is exactly what a travel trailer is meant for. It allows you to stay wherever you like, live in those beautiful places for sometime and have everything you need while you stay there. You can go off the road whenever you want to and not have to wait till you see a hotel.

Buying a brand new travel trailer can be very expensive. They cost quite a bit of money. However, if you want one, you can buy a second hand trailer which will cost you less, the only thing that you should do is be very careful while you are buying it. Buying one is like buying a small house and a car at the same time.

The new ones are way too expensive. My friend said that buying a used travel trailer taking a few precautions would be the clever thing to do.

He informed us that these sorts of repairs would take up a lot of time and money. Another important thing to consider was the total weight of the trailer.

First, you should make sure that the breaks and the tires are in a good condition. Trailers are used to travel for holidays and this means highways and long distances. So be sure that the tires and brakes are in a good condition. Make sure you always have a spare tire. Then check the floor, if it is in a good condition or if it looks like it needs to be repaired. Make sure the bathroom is in a good condition and that there are no water leakages anywhere in the trailer. Check for gas leaks also and make sure there are none.

We had to make sure that the on of the battery was in working condition that and there were no leak. The tyres including the spare tyre had to be checked and we had to make sure they were safe to use on highways. The brakes and brake lights should also be in good order. We also had to ensure that both the indicators were working properly and all the doors and windows opened and closed right.

Now that was a big check list but once we checked all this, he said we could buy the trailer. This would save us big money!!

Troy Faithful Camping Camping, Outdoors, recreation, travel trailer, travel trailers

When you are looking into getting a trampoline, whether for a youth club, sports hall or for home, the strongest option for use would be the rectangle trampoline. They are the strongest because of their shape and structure, which will mean that no matter what they are to be used for they will give you many years of pleasure.

Before choosing one from the wide range available, think about what the rectangular trampoline is going to be used for, by whom and where you are thinking of keeping it, as this will help you in making the choice of which is best for you. If it is going to be used to practice for a sport you will need one that is a good size to enable stunts to be performed without risking injury.

The rectangular trampoline is available in a variety of different sizes so that you can fit it into many different places. This will mean that you can have the luxury of owning your own without having to think about not having the space in which to keep it. There will be weight restrictions on the trampolines but these will vary from one distributor to another.

You can get the trampolines in a variety of colors also so you should be able to get one to match your preference or to the rest of the room or garden in which you wish to keep it.

The many benefits to owning your own rectangular trampoline are that you can loose weight while enjoying yourself, you do not have to bounce around in front of anyone else, the kids will love it and it will also encourage them to play outside more often which has a lot of health benefits within itself as well as you can improve your core strength and that of your family and even if another sport is your love then you can improve your fitness levels to excel at that also.

As the rectangular trampolines have and are still used in order to train athletes you can see that they are definitely a good choice if you want something that will last and give hours of pleasure as well as many health benefits. You will then have a useful tool for the whole family that if you ever tire of, which we are sure you will not then as they are built from the best materials would be in excellent condition to sell on if you wish. This will give someone else the chance to get the benefits that you and your family have done and also put some extra money in your pocket.

Jerry Bencia Outdoors Outdoors, recreation, rectangle trampoline, Sports, trampolines

Being in the outdoors and spending time doing things like fishing and boating is something a lot of people dream of. If you’re the type to spend your weekends away on a lake and in the outdoors then you may be interested in Snowbee products. You can find a huge range of options on the web and you should have no problems finding what you need, as long as you do your research properly.

Buying on the web is really simple these days but it’s important to remember that you’re looking for a good deal so you need to take your time. There’s no sense in rushing online and buying the first thing that you see because you will never know if it was a good deal or if you were being ripped off.

There are lots of options to choose from and you may find it difficult to make up your mind. Well, if that’s the case then you should read on to learn how to choose the right products for your needs. You will also need to set yourself a budget so that you don’t overspend.

The first thing you should consider is the type of purchase you’re planning on. This will be an important aspect of your decisions so make sure you understand what you’re looking for before you buy or pay for anything. You will need to be aware of everything available on today’s market so take your time while you’re browsing the web.

You will then need to consider the type of Snowbee products available on today’s market and do some research to find out which options are best suited to your needs. It can be quite easy to find what you’re looking for if you hit the internet and have a good look around.

Overall, buying Snowbee products or any other outdoors equipment on the web is really easy. Just make sure that you do your research and that you compare prices too. Make sure that you keep track of your progress so that you can be sure you won’t miss out on any good deals.

Lucy N Bolton Outdoors le chameau, Outdoors, snowbee, tweed jacket

The first men to travel across the globe used only what they knew to navigate around. They traveled across land and sea with only the sun, moon and earth to provide a sense of direction. We even used to think the earth was flat. How times have changed.

The invention of the compass changed navigation and made it possible for explorers to always know which direction they were heading in. Maps of the early earth helped us to keep track of where we were and where we wanted to be.

In the 21st Century, we have come so far that all these things can be rendered obsolete. The reason is that information is all saved digitally. There is something called GPS (Global Positioning System) that allows us to connect to satellites to find the exact location of places, all from the palm of your hand.

GPS have been incorporated into the best automobiles as we look for ways to make travelling easier. With a GPS system located on the dashboard, drivers can find their way through street maps easier than ever before. Simply select your destination and be guided there visually and audibly.

Those who have been lucky enough to experience the joys of travelling in a vehicle with GPS will be able to testify as to how simple it makes navigation. When you have a digital map in front of you with the route already set out, you can’t go wrong. With voice commands, you’d have to be an idiot to get lost.

Advancements in important fields like science and technology means human beings are constantly discovering ways of making life easier and more functional. Upgrades of things like computer chips and mobile phones means more technology can be fitted into smaller gadgets. GPS handheld devices are the smallest versions of maps and compasses we can use today.

It’s not only when travelling that GPS can be very useful. GPS receivers can also pinpoint the location of other GPS receivers within a certain vicinity. So next time you go to a carnival with the kids, or to a public place where it could be possible to lose somebody, think about how easy it would be to find each other with GPS handheld devices.

So it would be worth getting GPS if you’re somebody who loves travelling, off-roading, mountaineering or any activity where you might need to know your whereabouts at all times. As a GPS handheld, it makes you geographically mobile. As a GPS system in a car, you’ll never get lost on the roads. GPS can make a lot of things easier to find in your life.

George Prince GPS Boating, Electronics, Fishing, GPS, hiking, Hobbies, Hunting, navigation, Outdoors, recreation, Security, Sports, Technology, tracking

It isn’t every fisherman who will look back nostalgically on the Spring 2008 fishing season – but there are a few out there who will smile fondly. Despite that, most anglers are just glad it’s over. Spring 2008 was the windiest that has been seen in decades; there was just one baitfish which salvaged these horribly windy spring days for many middle coast guides and anglers.

We all know that summer is the time for tides and the shrimp migrate in the autumn; but spring is the season of the minnow – the glass minnow. These flashy little creatures show up in the shallows in schools of thousands. Drawn by this display, pelicans and other birds descend on the flats for weeks at a time. Speckled trout and redfish will be waiting for their chance to feed as well. If you can wait for them to get hungry enough, you can bring in quite a catch!

On the brink of one of the windiest days last spring, Capt. Ken Sabin and I guided a large group of fishermen from Dallas and Austin. Winds had just swapped from the south at 20 mph to the north at around 30. Mother Nature’s last minute decision to alter the wind’s direction did a fantastic job pulling out the tide and muddying up every inch of wadeable water.

When we were heading out of the water, Sabin and I were ambushed with recommendations by other guides to cancel instead of attempting to wade in the blown out waters. Instead of sending them home from a fishing trip that did not even involve a boat ride, we opted to give our customers a fighting chance at catching a fish.

We could see pelicans diving into the shallows of a cove along the south shore; it looked like the cove was packed with baitfish! We moved close enough to cast and got ready for what promised to be some pretty heavy mud by getting on our waders. Even though the waters were murky and the tide was starting to fall, I had an instinctive feeling that the big fish would make a move soon. We decided to mimic the glass minnows with some Brown Lures glow and chartreuse soft plastic lures – they’re ideal for these situations. I added a miniature chrome topwater and before long, we were starting to attract some attention from redfish. They started off biting slow, as they always do; but then they really started to rush in!

A patch of bait that was previously the size of a swimming pool quickly became tightly confined. Minnows flipped and bounced on the surface like popcorn. Trout were seen jolting clear out of the water in pursuit. The surface of the water boiled as piranha-like predators furiously attacked glass minnows like machines.

Usually, you’d reel in quickly keeping the lure over the surface of the water to get trout interested – but this cove was so full of them that we did better with a slow reel. To give you an idea of how well this trip went, we all caught our limits of redfish!

If spring 2009 awaits your casts, find bait and fish late. The bite often just begins at nightfall.

Captain Kyle Tomek Fishing Fishing, fishing gear, fishing lures, fishing tackle, Outdoors, recreation, salt water fishing, salt water fishing lures, saltwater fishing, saltwater fishing lures, Sports