Summer camp is a lot of fun, and campers love the event and the friendships they make there. Unfriendly summers, scheduling, or cost issues make summer camp impossible. But don't worry. With a little planning and organization, you can create a summer camp atmosphere in your own home!
Step
Part 1 of 2: Setting Up Campground
Step 1. Talk to interested parents and children
Before you start summer camp, you should gauge the interest of parents and children in your neighborhood to join the camp. Depending on the age and generality of participants, there must be at least one adult to supervise the campsite each day.
There must be at least one adult for every 10 children aged 6-8 years
Step 2. Choose the right campers
Don't let anyone feel isolated. However, if the age of the campers is not much different, they will have a lot of fun at every camp session. It is better to choose participants who already know each other at school, or family, and so on.
Step 3. Determine the length of the camp session
Once you've gauged interest in going to camp, you can use that information to determine how long the camp will last. For example, there are 9 children who want to join, and 5 parents who want to supervise them for one day for each person. You can arrange a 5 day camp session with one adult supervising the participants each day.
Step 4. Choose a theme
If all of the participants like the same hero or are already friends and share common interests, it's a good idea to choose a theme for the camp. This can help you think of activities, decorations, art projects, and other camp-related activities.
Step 5. Find the right location
Just because parents already want to supervise camp on certain days doesn't mean they want to do it in their home. Find out if each parent prefers to create activities around their home, or take the kids on field trips when he or she is on duty.
You can also use this time to gather ideas about activities to do from parents to make a list of what camp events can be implemented
Step 6. Choose several activities
With a great theme and location, you're ready to build a list of activities campers can do. Try to think in creative ways to combine the theme with the camp you are creating. Make sure you also choose activities that are age-appropriate for the participants.
- For sports camps, consider the following: minor league sporting events in your city; availability of a baseball, baseball, or basketball court in your home garden area; practical exercises; sports quiz games, sports museums or museums of famous people in your area of home, and so on.
- For a superhero themed camp or something else, consider decorating the campsite to match the theme (or having participants decorate it with their own crafts), watching a superhero movie, creating a treasure game with an appropriate theme (as the clues left will refer to Batman or the clue will lead the participants to a buried treasure for a pirate-themed camp), drawing or coloring superheroes as closely as possible, separating the participants into two teams and playing cat and mouse, board games or making something out of Lego that refers to on the theme, and so on.
- For an art camp, consider letting participants carve clay, design their own t-shirts with stencils or markers, learn about a particular artist or style, visit an art museum, and more.
- For camps with young children, focus on creating craft projects and games, coloring, less structured events, and providing plenty of space to run around.
Step 7. Create a schedule
Once you've got your list of attendees, supervisors, and activity plans, you're ready to finalize the camp schedule. Consult your list of ideas with other participants and parents and add a few other highlights. If you planned this camp well ahead of time, consider getting the most votes from the activity list to find out what activities the participants are most interested in.
Step 8. Gather equipment
If you have a schedule, you will know what equipment is needed for the camp. Don't forget to provide food for all participants and decorations that match the theme.
- Party supply stores are a great place to buy inexpensive decorations that go with the theme.
- If there are several items that each participant must provide-such as a sleeping bag or pocket money for lunch during a field trip-be sure to communicate the list to parents as soon as possible. The sooner they are notified the better.
- Always make sure the first aid kit is included in the general equipment list just in case.
Step 9. Set it up
You can build a fort or set up a tent to decorate. This can be done beforehand, but building a fort can also be a fun activity, so you can just wait for the participants to arrive.
Part 2 of 2: Have Fun When Campers Come
Step 1. Make an attendance list
Especially if the camp lasts for more than one day (not all participants attend every day). Make sure you keep track of the attendees every day. This way, parents supervising camp that day can know how much to supervise, feed, etc.
Step 2. Provide a contact number
In addition to attending participants, adults who are on duty must keep an emergency contact number for each participant, as well as a list of relevant allergies or taboos in the food menu.
Step 3. Provide plenty of snacks and drinking water
The participants will feel thirsty and hungry. Make sure to bring plenty of snacks and drinking water, especially if the event is being held away from home, such as a nature walk.
Step 4. Always provide games
There's bound to be a lot of boring idle time between activities, or while driving and waiting for food. Provide cards, board games, coloring books, and other toys to keep participants entertained while the supervisor is busy changing the next event.
Step 5. Forget schedules when there's a chance to do something else
One of the best things about the campground is the spontaneity of some of the activities. Don't rely too much on a schedule if there's something more enjoyable. Let the participants be creative and improvise for fun.
Step 6. Create a tradition
Camping traditions are what make every summer camp different. During a day (or days) of camping, let participants think of a camp name, a song, a mascot, and any other traditions they would like to keep. This makes the camping experience even more enjoyable.
One of the activities on the first day was to ask the participants to make posters or other creative media about the camp
Step 7. Remind participants of their needs
If your camp lasts several days, make sure that each participant returns home in the evening with a list of things to bring the next day.
Try providing information to bring sunscreen, swimwear, towels, baseball gloves, or other essentials based on your chosen theme
Step 8. Have fun
More importantly, pay attention to the participants. Try to get everyone involved, share their views, and have fun. If you have to change plans at the last minute for fun, do it! Basically, summer camp is for participants, so get their feedback and don't be afraid to try new things!
Tips
- Experts recommend assigning one adult to supervise every 10 children aged 6-8 years.
- Make sure a list of emergency telephone numbers is available to each participant, and have a first aid kit available at all times.
- Make sure all parents are aware of any important camp schedule changes. Some parents will worry if they think their child is in a museum but the child has gone elsewhere.
- Keep a record of everyone you invite and who replied to your invitation. Include a record of the participants' allergies, their favorite foods, whether they are vegetarian or not, and any medications they need if they need them.
