Summer Camp Activities

Horseback riding, swimming and canoeing are standard activities for summer camp. Some camps offer specialized themes which focus on a particular area all week such as music, dance, horses, or sports. However, if your kids attend a general summer camp, you can expect your child will participate in a variety of activities while at camp.

The campers' day begins very early in the morning. Some camps have chapel before breakfast. After the campers have breakfast and cabin clean up they're off and running. Because there are so many things to do at camp, the kids will be lucky if they participate in the same activity more than once during the week.

There will be some activities enjoyed more than others. Expect your child to bring home some crafts. Macramé, beads, painted horseshoes, and crafts made with flowers and pine cones are some typical arts and crafts activities. If your child doesn't care much for arts and crafts there are plenty of other activities.

Silly camp songs will be standard protocol. They often have signing contest between the cabins to determine which group can bellow the loudest. The counselors take pride in having the most thunderous, usually off key, group of crooners.  They'll sing on the way to meals, at meals, and after meals. No campfire would be complete without camp songs!

Your child can anticipate performing on stage for the other campers. Usually a talent show or skits are acted out. The group presentations foster teamwork among cabin mates. The performances are guaranteed to be side splitting entertainment.

Because the kids are early to rise and lights out is at the far end of the day, each day includes some downtime for the campers. Many kids use the time to read, nap or write postcards. Whether they admit it or not, camping makes them very tired.  They're in the fresh air, running around, getting up early and staying up late.  Not too many complain about the quiet time.

Whether on foot or on horseback, the kids spend time on the trails at camp. They have an opportunity to learn about nature, get some exercise and practice their team building by staying together and watching out for one another.

Some camps have both canoes and kayaks. Life jackets, paddles and oars are standard for this activity. The kids will spend a lot of time in the water, regardless of weather. All children will take a swimming test on the first day. That gives the life guards an opportunity to evaluate the swimmer's abilities. This test is used for water placement activities.

Other camp activities might include bowling, tug of war, wall climbing, zip cord, scavenger hunt and obstacle course.  If one activity doesn't thrill them, likely the next one will. One thing is certain you kids won't have time to be bored at camp!