​This week was jam packed with fun activities that taught team building, creativity, how to set attainable goals, the importance of taking the steps to help us attain our goals in life, like attending college, and more. Even though the campers are leaving camp today, each one will take away valuable lessons and friendships. In college, students must make important decisions, test their skills and creativity, solve challenges, and even work together to learn and gain a degree to help them pursue their dreams. The campers did just this through programs at Swift University, and their hard work paid off at the Swift Graduation ceremony during the final dinner. Today, the campers were surveyed to test how well Camp Swift achieved the goals we set through programs and we will use the data to plan programs. The outcome of the survey will be published in the fall.

​Campers are coming home with more than they came with- not only with new memories and lessons learned, but also with picture frames they decorated containing their very own cabin picture, a nutritious sack lunch, and a Camp Swift t-shirt. 

The last full day of Camp Swift started with a delicious homemade breakfast burrito meal and the best weather we’ve seen all week. Breakfast burritos and hot breakfast potatoes... yum!! Then the youngest boys and middle girls were off to canoeing and hiking at the lake, while the oldest unit competed in a color war style battle of the cabins.

​The cabins gathered for the final lunch of the session and cheered at the top of their lungs for the coveted spot of “first in the lodge”. For lunch the campers experienced another Camp Swift favorite, hot chili. Nothing is better on a chilly day in Prescott. 

​After lunch the youngest girls went canoeing and hiking, describing it as “beautiful”, “amazing” and “so much fun”. Meanwhile the middle unit had a Monster’s INC themed bonding experience. As the final activities of the session were finished in the afternoon, everyone realized that camp is actually coming to an end with MBB promising to “keep their new friendships.” 

​As the final night of the session approaches the cabins showered and got ready to represent their cabin and college at the anticipated college themed cafe swift dinner. The lodge was transformed into a “graduation” celebration with colleges across the country represented. The campers were encouraged to wear the graduation caps they made in art and colors that represented their cabin’s colors. Cafe Swift included a special chicken dinner and chocolate cake desert that was served by Swift's adult volunteers. It was a extra special evening that included transforming the camp lodge into an amazing graduation themed party. All in attendance had an awesome final dinner at Camp Swift. At the conclusion of Cafe Swift there was one more surprise in store for all of camp...the Swift Carnival! 

The Swift Carnival is a long standing camp tradition where the camp barn transforms into an exciting carnival full of games, prizes, and engaging activities. Campers, counselors, and adult volunteers alike have a blast in this final night program of the session. The final evening on camp concludes with a very special Swift slideshow that highlights the very best moments of the last week. As the slideshow ended, the evening wrapped up at Camp Swift and everyone went to their cabins eager to experience the final day at camp. 

Though day 3 started off with a chilly morning, campers warmed up quickly with excitement for everyone’s favorite meal at Camp Swift: grilled cheese and tomato soup! Campers fueled up for a fun day of activities with a breakfast of pancakes. The Golden Broom, Camp Swift’s daily award to the cleanest cabins went to YGB from the youngest unit and OBA from the oldest unit. Campers love the presentation of the award, which features a funny video from the Director of Fun searching camp to see who has the cleanest cabin. The Golden Broom is Camp Swift’s way of reinforcing personal responsibility and teamwork in a positive way.

​After breakfast, the oldest boys had lots of fun playing sports and the oldest girls built their perseverance and teamwork skills at the ropes course. The youngest girls had a great time problem solving during the science program while the youngest boys loved making the frames that will hold their memories from camp for years to come. The middle boys explored the great outdoors by hiking and the middle girls splashed around in Camp Swift’s pool during the swimming hour. 

​As we mentioned earlier, everyone’s favorite meal at Camp Swift is grilled cheese and tomato soup lunch! Camp Swift tries to make every meal fun for campers, but grilled cheese day is extra special because our staff goes above and beyond – dressing up as grilled cheese and tomato soup, wearing red or orange, and leading cheers of G-R-I-DOUBLE L-E-D, GRILLED CHEESE! GRILLED CHEESE! It’s safe to say that everybody leaves grilled cheese lunch full of food and excitement for the afternoon. Speaking of the afternoon, the middle unit expressed their creativity in the art and cooking programs. The oldest unit built their sportsmanship skills by playing gaga and learned to overcome their fears at the rock wall. The youngest unit spent time building their friendships with one another during their cabin time activities. 

​For dinner, campers enjoyed a filling meal of hot-off-the-grill hamburgers. After dinner, the oldest unit spent the evening at Camp Swift’s Game of Life program. This fun program helps campers develop problem solving skills by providing them with a fun versions of real-life scenarios. Campers can earn tickets by working, can choose to go to college, and can spend their tickets at the store where they can ‘buy’ toys, books, or other items. The program is a light-hearted way for campers to start thinking about their goals and emphasizes the value of Camp Swift’s theme: college! The program isn’t all real-life though, as campers can earn free ‘concert’ passes or go on ‘spring break.’ No matter what a camper chooses during the program, our staff makes sure that they are learning and having a great time! 

The morning was action-packed​ with so many fun activities for all of our campers. The youngest unit spent time in the barn practicing their goal setting as they climbed the rock wall and also explored their creativity through our art program. Middle unit had a blast playing sports like soccer and our camp favorite, gaga! Oldest unit had an adventure while they canoed the lake and went for an exciting hike. 

After the excitement of our first full morning, campers had a scrumptious lunch of homemade pizza. Most campers made healthy choices by taking a visit to the salad bar and the crowd favorite, fruit bowl. Once lunch had concluded, campers were encouraged to take a little break before their busy afternoon was underway. In the afternoon youngest unit went to the ropes course where they worked on their teamwork skills as they tackled difficult challenges by communicating and working together. Middle unit was experience "cabin time", an hour where they were able to decide as a cabin the activity that they would participate in. Oldest experienced some of our favorite camp activities like swimming. 

​The fun began early at Camp Swift! High school counselors and college support staff spent Thursday and Friday bonding as a team and becoming better friends with one another in preparation for the campers arrival on Saturday. Cabin and bed signs were made, program boxes were created, and team-building activities were planned for the campers’ arrival. All staff and counselors were trained on how to help make this the best week of campers’ lives! And, of course, a Camp Swift orientation wouldn’t be complete without a 5-legged race and a game of capture the flag!

​After meeting their new cabinmates and learning fun cheers, the campers had their basic needs met by eating a delicious meal of pasta, salad, and fruit. High school counselors helped serve the campers and keep them hydrated as the campers began a long day of fun. After lunch, campers had the chance to visit our Krazy Keppies store! At Krazy Keppies, campers had the chance to select new warm clothes, towel, sleeping bags, and any other necessities they may have forgot. Once the campers had their basic needs met with warm clothes and full stomachs, we began a great afternoon!

​Our youngest unit was able to practice their friendship skills in the pool and on the sports court! Our middle unit spent their time developing an interest in exploration on a hike and at the art shack. Our oldest unit built their sense of independence on the rock wall. They also became more confident problem solvers during science.

​In preparation for dinner, our amazing unit heads and counselors taught our campers some of the Camp Swift traditional songs. After cheering as loud as they could, the oldest campers went on a short hike and enjoyed hot dogs around a campfire. Our middle and youngest campers had a tasty dinner of tacos and hamburgers in the lodge. Once dinner was over, our youngest unit took part in the Pentathlon program! The Pentathlon program includes 5 different games and activities for the campers. Each of these games is college-themed and helps campers use their friendship skills and perceived competence. The middle unit took part in the Game of Life night program which helped campers understand how to make responsible choices and exercise their independence, while having fun.