Lifelines to Jumpstart Your Camp Program: A “Million” Ideasfiles.€¦ · Lifelines to Jumpstart Your Camp Program: A “Million” Ideas Kim Aycock * Camp 2 Campus Learning Solutions

Lifelines to Jumpstart Your Camp Program: A “Million” Ideas

Kim Aycock * Camp 2 Campus Learning Solutions * 601-832-6223 * [email protected]

Staff Training/ Morale

Evening Programs/ Special Events

Outings/Overnights

Meals and More

Kim Aycock * Camp 2 Campus Learning Solutions

601-832-6223 * [email protected] * www.kimaycock.com

Arts/Crafts

Program Activities

Games

Out of the Ordinary!

Kim Aycock * Camp 2 Campus Learning Solutions 601-832-6223 * [email protected] * www.kimaycock.com

Staff Training Book: Essential Staff Training Activities by Jim Cain, Claire Marie-Hammon, and Dave Knobbe (www.training-wheels.com) Favorite Activity: Leadership Dance, p. 60 Use a Camera

close-up photo camp tour staff create their own slideshow to demonstrate what they will DO to work with campers of different ages in group living, program activities, etc. digital (or Polaroid) camera scavenger hunt staff slideshow for end of staff orientation training

Time Capsule: create during orientation and save for mid-summer (stash away ideas and props to be used at a later date – take out at a future staff meeting)

Staff Morale (trophies/awards from www.trainerswarehouse.com): Top Banana Hot Air Balloon Award (for staff who rise above the rest!) Mini-Sneakers (for someone who has gone the extra mile or walked in someone else’s shoes) Puzzle Piece Trophy (for staff who work well as a team) Super Hero (for staff who exceed expectations) Karate Belt Wristbands (different levels of goal setting) Staff Bingo (a fun way for staff to “keep it fresh”) – see detailed handout Evening Programs/Special Events Case of the Missing Forks (Giant Game of Clue – see detailed handout) Tie-Dye Theme Party (www.familyfun.go.com)

Tie-Dye shirts, socks, shoelaces Blow Painting (watercolor paper + india ink) Mini Tie-Dye T-shirt Lapel Pin (clay) Tie-Dye cake and ice cream (using vanilla ice cream + different flavors of gelatin)

Sharpie Pen Science (white t-shirt, plastic cup, rubber band, Sharpie markers, rubbing alcohol) http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000032 Twisted Fairytales (The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs as told to Jon Scieszka) Wacky Watermelon Carve/Decorate a Watermelon Contest (Family Fun Magazine: June/July 2009) Greased Watermelon Relay (in a pool or lake) Watermelon Seed-Spitting Contest Watermelon songs (http://www.preschooleducation.com/swatermelon.shtml) Watermelon Look-Alike Dessert = honeydew melon, raspberry sorbet, chocolate chips (www.familyfun.go.com) Camp 500: create land, sea, and sky activities (build a race car – can use edible materials, a raft, and an egg-drop contest). Each team competes in each area; give same supplies “Glow” For It: come decked out in something that glows in the dark for evening program Minute to Win It: see list of games on www.nbc.com (each has to be completed in 60 seconds or less). Hole in index card: http://teachkidsart.blogspot.com/search/label/math (Paper Magic) Camp trips/Outings (www.momsminivan.com) Pirates of the Caravan (dress up in costumes for your next roadtrip!) “Key Lock”: make up your own rules for identifying different vehicles on the road Car-i-Oke (Sing to your heart’s content to this backseat boredom buster music CD and booklet

by David Shiller; sold on www.amazon.com) Printables: Roadtrip Bingo, License Plate Game, Counting Cows, Battleship Aluminum Foil Art, Cootie Catchers, String Games (Jacob’s Ladder, etc.)


Overnights (Family Fun Magazine: June/July 2009) Campfire Caps = felt, sticks, marshmallows (www.familyfun.go.com) Star gazing + constellation formation (challenge campers to find and name their own constellations) I’m Going to the Moon (twist on “I’m Going on a Picnic” alphabet game) Sneakers (game to play in the dark – silence is key!) Grilled Bananas (bananas, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, butter) Wintergreen Lifesavers (chew with your mouth open in complete darkness and a friend will see sparks fly!) Color Challenge (identify specific colors in the dark – use construction paper swatches) Mealtime Fun Perdue Dinnertime Fun Book (download 3 pages of games – free!) Original Dinner Games, Gather ‘Round Dinner Game, Restaurant Dinner Games (Family Time Fun Games) Grammie Sammies: graham crackers and frosting (yum!) Dirt/Sand Cake: make your favorite concoction in a flower pot (add gummy worms) or bucket (add sea shells) Edible Campfire: tortilla + licorice ring + (peanuts), (peanut butter) + Chinese noodles, tootsie rolls + pretzels + candy corn, hot chocolate mix + white grape juice Arts/Crafts (www.familyfun.go.com) T-shirts: puzzle piece, fool the eye tie Bracelets: magazine roll=up, edible, fish swivel + beads, snack bag/gum wrapper chain, etc. Accessories: designer flip-flops, silly sunglasses, stylin’ sleep mask Duck Tape: bracelets, wallet, flowers, hiking gear, etc. (www.ducttapefashion.com) Misc: God’s Eye memory keeper, charm bags, rock necklaces, recycle robots, pipecleaner creations, thumbprint art, lightswitch cover (use camp logo), etc. Program Activity Areas Ball sports: use a tennis ball in soccer or a Nerf ball in basketball Tennis: use wadded up socks Swimming: frog kick + freestyle arms; variety of uses for fun noodles (www.swimmingpooltoys.net) Beach Ball: use Sharpie marker to write various “drills” (15 bobs, tread water for 1 min., etc.) Archery/Riflery: have campers design their own targets Slacklining: balance activity on 1 inch webbing tensioned between 2 anchor points Games Whoonu (by Cranium) and Racer’s Ready (www.ftfgames.com) Ruckus card game (www.funstreetgames.com) and Ratuki (Hasbro) Dice (Skunk or Bunko – see detailed instructions in packet), Left/Center/Right, Farkle Anything Auction: campers/staff collect a bunch of objects for points (www.familyfun.go.com) Knuckle Jousting: tape roll on top of hand (“losers” cheer for “winners” by joining end of line) Hot Weather: sponge/bucket relay, musical ice buckets (use trash can lids or round sleds) Out of the Ordinary! Bugs, Birds, Butterflies, and Blossoms: take time to show children the wonders of nature White Squirrel: have camper groups decorate the camp mascot found at various locations I Scream: ask your local ice cream hotspot if they will name a flavor after your camp! Red Cadillac: bonus points if you have a fun vehicle escort your group on their ice cream mission Gutter Sundaes (Camp Illahee, Brevard, NC) Cucumber Canoe Races (Family Fun Magazine: July/August 2008) Frozen T-shirt Contest (Family Fun Magazine: July/August 2008) Spider Webs: combination of game, art, and obstacle course! (Family Fun Magazine: May 2008) String games (Cat’s Cradle, story of your name, hometown, shoelace tie, etc.) Shoes (throw/kick/stack/sculpture/relay) The World’s Largest Underwear – 3 people will fit in this giant pair of underwear…it is fun to walk around camp and visit campers and staff in their activities! (www.training-wheels.com) Bubber – the lightest modeling compound on earth (www.amazon.com) Hide and Seek – what interesting object can be hidden for campers to find? Where in the World is Your Camp ??? Contest: have campers send in photo with a given camp object


Website Resources www.training-wheels.com (Training-Wheels by Michelle Cummings – props, books, you name it!) www.trainerswarehouse.com (Trainers Warehouse by Susan Landry – more props, books, training ideas, etc.) www.ultimatecampresource.com (Songs, skits, games, events and more camp ideas!) www.wilderdom.com/games/ (Games organized by categories of icebreakers, team-building, trust, environmental, etc.) www.funattic.com/game_list.htm (Games organized by categories of ball, carnival, card, circle, relay, etc.) http://www.free-party-games.com/index.html (Free party games of all kinds!) www.familyfun.go.com (A resource of Disney’s crafts, recipes, party themes, printables, etc.) www.momsminivan.com (A resource of ideas to use on roadtrips such as games, printables, etc.) www.ftfgames.com/product.php (Family Time Fun Games) http://teachkidsart.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html (Teach Kids Art -- GREAT activities!) www.summercampprogramdirector.com (themes, programs, arts and crafts, skits – you name it!) http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-wrap-bracelet/ (cool wrap bracelets – a party for your arm!) Good Books (recommended by my Mom!) – great for campfire/bedtime stories! I’m Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell (“I’m gonna like me wearing flowers and plaid. I have my own style. I don’t follow some fad.” The key to feeling good is liking yourself because you are you!) Flop-Ear by Guido Van Genechten (Flop-Ear was sad because he was not the same as all the other rabbits. This charming story describes Flop-Ear’s hilarious attempts to be like everyone else, and his eventual acceptance of the fact that he is different.) What If The Zebras Lost Their Stripes? By John Reitano (Zebras would be much too smart to let their colors tear them apart!) The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper (an oldie, but goodie!) Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home by Schim Schimmel (A tender reminder of the responsibility we all have to protect the world in which we live.) The Empty Pot by Demi (A story of how honesty is always the best policy!) One Smile by Cindy McKinley (A story of how even the smallest act of kindness can powerfully impact the lives of others.) Pete & Pillar: The Big Rain by Jeffery Stoddard (A story of friendship that gets put to the test.) Enemy Pie by Derek Munson (Maybe your enemy is not really your enemy after all!) The Perpetual Story (HoS conference attendee, November 2009) – use a blank journal/ composition book and have campers “read” a story by passing book from person to person and making up characters, plot, etc. as they go along. Story can be continued at any time or campers can start a new “book” as needed. From Simple Truths (www.simpletruths.com) Sample Titles (some have 3 minute video clip on website) 212*: The Extra Degree Heart of a Teacher Laughter is an Instant Vacation Finish Strong



CAMP STAFF BINGO (inspired by Camp Wingate-Kirkand * Yarmouth Port, MA)

Sit by a camper you don’t know very

well for a meal

Write a note to brighten the day

of another staff member

Play a new game with your campers

Add a twist to one of your activity

periods (ex: play soccer with

a tennis ball)

Teach a new song

Invite a camper to lead part of an activity you are

teaching

Listen to a camper for an entire minute without interrupting

Read to or make up a story for your

campers

Go to bed EARLY tonight!

Dress up in a fun costume today just

because…

Compliment the kitchen staff

Give a high-five to a 1st year camper

FREE SPACE

Find 5 things you have in common

with your co-counselor

Take your campers on a (night) hike

Be a buddy to a camper who is

having a hard time and introduce them to another camper

Ask your campers what they are most

proud of

Show your appreciation for the

maintenance and support staff

Write down a fun activity and save it for the next rainy

day

Find 5 creative ways you can incorporate a

balloon into a typical day and do them!

Have your camper group dress alike in some way for an

entire day

Be on the lookout for a camper who is homesick today and find a way to make

them smile

Write a letter/email to someone at home to tell them about

what you have learned this summer

Teach campers a game using a piece

of string

Do a random act of kindness for

someone on the medical staff


The Case of the Missing Forks: A Camp Mystery Theme Day Scene:Breakfastonwhatappearstobea“normal”dayatcamp.Butwait!Theforksaremissing–thereisnotoneforktobefoundincamp.Thecharactersfrom“CLUE”(ProfessorPlum,Mrs.Peacock,etc.)makeanappearance(A.K.A.askit!)tosolicithelpfromthecamperstosolvethismystery!Thereareplasticforkshiddenallovercampthatcanbeturnedinforpointsandaprizefortheteamwhofindsthemostbytheendoftheday.LaterThatDay:campersgatherinacentrallocationtofindcluesaboutwhotookthemissingforks,wheretheyweretakenfrom,whatvehiclewasusedinthegetaway,andwheretheforkswerehidden.ToStart:Eachteamwillbegivenanenvelopecontainingachecklist,apencil,andanumberof“Clue”cards(Thenumberofcardsineachenvelopedependsonthenumberofteamsplayingandthenumberofpeople,places,andthingsinvolvedinthemystery.Onecardfromeachcategorywillbeplacedintheconfidentialenvelope;thesecardsareconsideredtobethesolutiontothemystery).Eachteamwillbeginthegameatthedesignatedcentrallocation,wherearepresentativefromeachteamwillrollthedie(ordrawanumberiftherearemorethan6teams).Thenumbersonthedie(orthataredrawn)determinethelocationeachteamwillstart(haveteamsstartatadifferentplaceifpossible).Examplesofpossiblelocationsaregivenbelow:

• Location#1–BallRoom(McLeodLodge)• Location#2–BilliardRoom(RecLodge)• Location#3–Conservatory(CanoeLake)• Location#4–DiningRoom(DiningHall)• Location#5–Hall(WishingWell)• Location#6–Library(CurtisLodge)• Location#7–Lounge(TotemPole)• Location#8–Parlor(SwimLakeBleachers)• Location#9–Stables(Barn)•

ToPlaytheGame(anadaptationoftheboardgame,“CLUE”):1. At the start of the game, each team should look at the cards that are given and check these suspects, escape vehicles, starting locations, and

hiding spots off their checklists. (Because they have these cards, they know they are not the cards that are in the confidential envelope.) 2. ThroughoutthegametheentireteammusttravelTOGETHERandarriveTOGETHERtotheplacesnamedabove.

Whenateamarrivesataparticularlocation,theteamproposesapossiblescenarioforthe“mystery,”i.e.“WethinkMr.Greentooktheforksusingafunnoodleasthegetawayvehicle,andtheyweretakentotheTreehouse.Teamsmust;however,alwaysusetheplacewheretheyarecurrentlylocatedintheirscenarioastheplacetheforksweretakenfrom.(WhenattheDiningHall,theycannotguessthattheforksweretakenfromtheLibrary.)

3. Whenteamsproposepossiblescenariosateachlocation,theywillbeshownONEofthecardsofONEofthepeople,places,orthings,involvedinthemystery(byapersonwhohasbeenassignedtofacilitatethegroupsarrivingateachlocation).Therefore,theynowknowthatitisnotoneofthecardsintheconfidentialenvelope.Teamswillthenbegintonoticewhichcardsarenevershown.Asmorecluesarerevealed,eachteamwillbegintoformulateanideaastowhatthetruescenariois.

4. Duringthegame,teamsmovefromplacetoplacebyalwayscomingbacktothecentrallocationafterhavingguessedONEscenario(onlyoneguessperturn)torollthedice(ordrawanumber)thatwilldeterminethenext“move.”Teamsareallowedtogotoaplacemorethanonce;however,afterrolling(ordrawing)thesameplaceforthethirdtime,theteamisallowedtorequesttoroll(ordraw)againuntilgettingadifferentnumber.

5. Attheendofthegameabellwillringandallteamswillreturntothecentrallocationwhereeachteamwilldotheirdetectiveworkandquietlydiscussthemystery.Thegroupmustagreeonthesuspect,wheretheforksweretakenfrom,theescapevehicle,andwheretheforksarenowhiding.Itisimportantforteamsnottoshareanyinformationatthispoint!!Teamswillrevealtheirconjecturesduringeveningprogram.

EveningProgram:eachteamwillpresenttheirconjectureforthesolutiontothemysteryinagivencentrallocation.(Allowapproximately20‐30minutesforgroupstomakefinalpreparations.)Propswillbeprovidedthatcanbeusedinthe“skits”(forks,getawayvehicles,etc.)Prizeswillbeawardedtotheteam(s)withthecorrectanswer(orthemostaccurateanswer)andalsotothegroupwiththemostenthusiasmandcreativity.Itisimportantforeachteamtohaveanexciting,creative,anddramaticperformance.Don’tforgettoawardaprizetotheteamthatcollectedthemostplasticforksthroughouttheday!References:thereal“CLUE”gamebyParkerBrothers,thefirstadaptationbyAliceLurain(CampWoodland,EagleRiver,WI),andthesecondadaptationbySusanEdwards(CampIllahee,Brevard,NC).


BUNKO 1. Have 4 people sit at each table. It’s not necessary to “assign” people to a

particular table because they will be moving around anyway. Any “extras” should be combined to existing groups of four; two people can act as one OR there can be one group of two.

2. Give each person an index card or piece of paper to keep score. Put name on

score sheet and then number down the side from 1 to 6.

1 2 3 4 5 6

3. Each table should be given three dice. 4. A “round” consists of the following:

• Players take turns rolling the three dice, and they should be rolling for “1’s.” A player rolls the dice until a roll produces no possible points. Points are tallied by one point given for each “1” that is rolled or if three-of-a-kind is rolled (of any number EXCEPT “1’s”) five points are added to a person’s score. Only count dice that land on top of the playing surface. At this point, the tallies and scores are individual.

• All play STOPS when one person in the room gets “BUNKO.” BUNKO can be obtained in one of two ways. First, it can be a score of “21” tallies OR it may be an instant BUNKO if someone rolls three “1’s.” (This is an automatic 21 points for the person who rolled the three-of-a-kind.)

• Now all individuals count up how many tallies were gotten for this round and mark off to the side on their score sheet. Persons sitting opposite each other now combine scores (no need to write this down) and compare with the other opposite pair in each group of four. The two persons in each group of four with the LOWEST combined score move to the next table (clockwise or whatever – you decide) and the other two with the HIGHEST combined score stay at their original table. If the two pairs tie for a given round, have both pairs stay at the same table for the next round.

5. Play continues after everyone is settled at new (or old) tables and Round 2 begins. Round 2 is identical to Round 1 with the only exception being that players are rolling for “2’s.” (An automatic BUNKO would be counted if a player rolls three “2’s.”)

6. Have a snack break after the end of Round 6. Play then resumes beginning with

rolling for “6’s” (again) and then back down to rolling for “1’s.” The game is officially finished after 12 rounds of play (or whenever you decide it is over!). Now have individuals find their total scores by adding up the tallies gotten in all rounds of play. Prizes can be awarded for the 3 top individual scores or as otherwise decided.



SKUNK The Game of “Choice vs. Chance”

(adapted from the April 1994 issue of Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School)

S K U N K

How to Play: Each letter of “SKUNK” represents a different round of the game; play begins with the “S” column and continues through the “K” column. The object of “SKUNK” is to accumulate the greatest possible point total over the five rounds. The rules for play are the same for each of the five rounds.

• Have players make a “SKUNK” score sheet as shown above. • To accumulate points in a given round, a pair of dice is rolled. • A player gets the total of the dice and records it in his/her column, unless a

“1” comes up on either die. • If a “1” comes up, play is over for that round and all the player’s points in that

column are wiped out. • If “double 1’s” come up, all points accumulated in prior columns are wiped out

as well. • If a “1” does not occur on any given roll, the player may choose either to try

for more points on the next roll (stay standing) or to stop and keep what he/she has accumulated (sit down until next round).

• Once a player chooses to stop for a given round, he/she must stay seated until a new round begins (when all players are seated).

Note: If a “1” or “double 1’s” occur on the very first roll of a round, then I usually let players write down the value of whatever points have been rolled and continue the game from there. Discussion points:

• Winning vs. self-improvement • Goal-setting • Risk-taking (safe vs. unsafe risks) • Power of Peer Pressure • When do you “put on the brakes”? • Listening to your “gut” or the “voice inside your head” • Choice of decisions you make vs. Chance or “luck”


POLAROID SCAVENGER HUNT

Using a polaroid (or digital) camera, take the pictures listed below including everyone in your group:

1. with something beginning with the letter “I” 2. wearing a hat 3. under something 4. with someone not in your group 5. with something cold 6. with not one smile or smirk 7. with a 6-legged friend 8. standing by a camp sign 9. hugging a tree 10. on the stairs


Pass the Parcel (From FamilyFun magazine,

June 2007, page 76)

It’s hot potato meets musical chairs,

and the player stuck with the parcel

when the music stops must open it to

reveal her task. Here are some silly

tasks to include in your parcel.

• Make your scariest face, your

silliest face, your angriest face,

and your saddest face.

• Hold on to your tongue and say

“I love olive juice” five times

fast.

• Invite someone in the group to

play ring-around-the-rosie with

you.

• Give the person to your right a

30-second foot massage.

• Pantomime making and eating a

10-layer peanut butter and jelly

sandwich.

• Sing “Row, Row, Row Your

Boat” while doing jumping jacks.

• Spin around 10 times with your

fingers in your ears.

• Do the hokey pokey.

• Pinch your nose and sing

“Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”

• Make someone in the group

laugh without touching him or

her.

• Play patty-cake with the person

across from you.

• Recite the alphabet backward.

• Lead the group in the Pledge of

Allegiance.

• Waddle and quack like a duck.

• Howl at the moon for 15

seconds.

• Close your eyes and blow kisses

while jumping on one foot in a

circle.

• Do a crab walk around the group.

• Throw a temper tantrum.

Anything Auction (From FamilyFun magazine,

June 2007, page 74)

In this zany roundup game, kids have

3 minutes to collect a bunch of

household items for points. Here are

some suggestions for the auctioneer’s

point list.

• Comb or brush: 5 points

• Something in a frame: -10

• A nonbreakable candle holder: 9

• Something squishy: 11

• Toothbrush: -3 (unless it belongs

to the holder, then it’s worth 3)

• Teddy Bear: 14

• Something completely black: 12

• Washcloth: 5

• Magazine: 10 (an extra 10 points

if it’s FamilyFun!)

• Book: 8

• Oven mitt: 7

• A sharp object: -12

• Writing instrument: 8

• Plastic spatula: 5

• Something with flowers on it: 18

• An article of clothing: 2

• A left shoe: 6

• A right shoe: 8

• Something made of paper: 9

• Eyeglasses: -7

• A hat: 12

• Something perfectly round: 10

(an extra 5 if it bounces)

• Something made of wood: 12

• Fork: 4

• Spoon: 5 (an extra 3 points if it’s

made of metal)

• Pillow: 15

• Coaster: 3 (set is worth 12)

• Box of tissues: 6

• Dish towel: 2

• Napkin: 1

• Something made of wood: 15

• Roll of toilet paper: -3

• Butter knife: -5

Documents

Lifelines to Jumpstart Your Camp Program: A “Million” Ideasfiles.€¦ · Lifelines to Jumpstart Your Camp Program: A “Million” Ideas Kim Aycock * Camp 2 Campus Learning Solutions