Welcome, my little saplings, to the wonderfully weird and woodsy world of New Jersey, affectionately known as the "Garden State." Now, I can hear some of you whisper, "Garden? But I thought gardens were for flowers?" Well, you're spot-on! But here in NJ, we have a unique type of garden, a tree garden, vast forests blooming with trees of every kind, from the mighty oaks to the elegant dogwoods. Now let me introduce you to our cool imaginary character, Jovial Jersey Jay, a fun-loving blue jay with a knack for telling jokes. He's your guide on this tree-planting adventure. With a twinkle in his eye, he’d swoop down with a hearty, "Hey there, kiddos! Ready to get your wings dirty?". He'd ruffle his feathers, and in the next moment, he would be showing you how to plant your very first tree. This group of NJ kids, or as we call them, "The Tree Troopers," are the most enthusiastic batch of seed-sowing superheroes. They donned their capes, or rather, their gardening gloves and filled their utility belts, I mean, their buckets, with acorns, pine cones, and seeds of all sorts. With their spades in hand, they set off on their mission, digging holes and dropping seeds, all under the watchful eye of Jovial Jersey Jay. Laughter echoed through the woods as Jay cracked his nutty jokes, "Why did the tree go to the barber? Because it was a 'pine' time for a trim!" So, buckle up, young explorers, and join the Tree Troopers on their quest to replenish the New Jersey woodlands. It's a journey filled with laughter, learning, and a whole lot of love for our leafy friends. After all, as Jovial Jersey Jay always says, "In the Garden State, every day is Arbor Day!"
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Nestled in 178 acres of lush woodland is a serene escape from the city, a place fondly known as Camp Swamp. This overnight Christian camp, located just two hours east of bustling Atlanta, has been serving as a peaceful retreat since 1992. We like to think of it as our own "little slice of heaven," offering a respite from the daily hustle and bustle, and inviting people to reconnect with nature and their spirituality. Our primary offering is a week-long summer camp, but we've expanded over the years to include more than just summer fun. As part of our mission to support families and churches, we now also host three family camps throughout the year, as well as four parent/child retreats. These events offer a chance for families to bond, parents to connect with their children, and individuals to grow in their faith. Moreover, our facilities are not exclusive to our organized events. Camp Swamp also offers rentals to schools, churches, universities, sports teams, and even business groups. Whether you're planning a camp, a retreat, or a team-building excursion, our serene setting and well-equipped facilities provide the ideal backdrop for an unforgettable experience.
Antinanco is committed to preserving traditional and indigenous knowledge, and providing access to education through wellness, mindfulness and nature experiences, as well as hands-on projects and environmental conservation projects. We involve children, families and youth groups in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania in environmental stewardship, educating about the impact of our actions on the environment, and providing resources and solutions to maintain the integrity of the Northeastern ecosystems. In doing so, we lean extensively on indigenous traditions. We also work together with the Hopi, Navajo and Oceti Sakowin Oyate (Lakota, Dakota and Nakota) Indian reservations to provide COVID-19 relief, health and wellness, food sovereignty, clean water and solar energy solutions. We support learning of practical earth-based skills, wellness, mindfulness and peaceful dialogue.