Keep Day Camps Fresh
Some ideas on how to spice them up
By David Peters
Photos: Town of Erie Parks and Recreation Department
Humans are creatures of habit. We wake up, eat breakfast, brush our teeth (most of us), and head out the door to work. Lather, rinse, repeat.
It’s easy to fall into the same routines and patterns we’ve known for months, even years, especially for those of us who work in a day-camp setting. During the first few weeks of the summer, we decide on the activities that campers enjoy and stick with those week after week:
• Dodgeball
• Swim time
• Snack
• Park time
• Arts and crafts
• Gym time.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
While routines are well and good, parks and recreation professionals want to provide the best possible experiences for participants. Plus, summer and day camps should be fun, right? But, how can one get out of the rut of routine and spice up the programs?
Try These On For Size
These ideas have been successful for a number of camps serving a variety of age groups. Naturally, working within a camp’s specific guidelines is a must, but, hopefully, these few ideas will inspire some creativity within camps and make the upcoming summer the best one yet!
• Weekly Themes
Having a weekly topic to discuss with campers is a simple and easy way to make camp more meaningful. Structuring games and activities around specific themes help give staff members direction and show parents this isn’t just a “day care,” which is often associated with day camps. Plus, dress down/costume days can be incorporated. Who doesn’t love that? Theme ideas might include All Sorts of Sports, Jurassic Park(s) and Recreation, Space Station Vacation, Stars and Stripes, and much more!
• Lip Dub Contests/Competitions
Participants are divided into groups (under the supervision of their camp counselor) and choose a camp-appropriate song to lip sync. The group works collaboratively to edit a video and show it to the other camp groups.
• Buckaroos (Positive Behavioral-Incentive Programs)
Keep campers on the right track by awarding buckaroos for positive behavior. At the end of each week, campers can “cash in” their buckaroos for small prizes and items.
• Campers’ Choice/Unstructured Play Time
Many campers have such a regimented schedule that they rarely get any “down time” to relax and just be kids. Giving them the option to choose their next activity is huge and typically leads to more creative and independent campers and staff members.
• Community Scavenger Hunts
Many campers are unaware of the amazing opportunities and other relationships just outside their doors. Working with local businesses, police and fire departments, and other community partners is a great way for campers to become more familiar with their surroundings as well as to build and foster relationships that can last a lifetime. Think of the Amazing Race, but with campers instead!
• Make Your Own Board Game
Campers are challenged to create their own life-sized and playable version of a favorite board game (or even make their own). Creating or modifying a game inspires creativity, teamwork, arts-and-crafts abilities, hand-eye coordination, and much more.
• End-Of-Summer Video
After collecting video snippets and photos during the summer, camp directors can put together an end-of-summer video (with music) to show on the last day of camp. Parents may be invited to watch the video and see all the fun and exciting activities that occurred throughout the summer. Naturally, multi-media waivers will have to be signed for each camper. The video should not be shown to anyone outside the camp program or put online for public access.
While this handful ideas can show how to spice up summer-camp routines, remember to work within state licensing guidelines. Give a couple of these ideas a try this summer and break the habit of lathering, rinsing, and repeating programs and activities!
David Peters is the General Interest Programs Coordinator for the town of Erie Parks and Recreation Department in Erie, Colo. Reach him at dpeters@erieco.gov.