Hobbies And Interests
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Get the most out of your rustic locale by making a nature exploration game. Divide campers into teams and send them off with a checklist of sights and artifacts. Some things you could put on the list include "something that smells nice," "something colorful" and "something bigger than you." Explain in the rules that all finds must be 100 percent naturally derived. To preserve your camp's environment, distribute cameras for the campers to record their findings or request written descriptions.
Water Balloon Relay Race
Relay races teach campers teamwork. Incorporating water balloons into races cools them off and adds thrill to the game. The Ultimate Camp Resource website describes a water balloon relay race called "Back to Back." Pair campers off and provide each team with a bucket of 10 water balloons, with each pair's bucket lined up evenly. Measure 15 feet from the buckets and place a second, parallel line of buckets. Instruct the campers to transfer the balloons to the opposite buckets by holding them between both of their backs pressed together. The pair who gets the most intact balloons in the bucket wins and they also stay driest.
Tag With a Twist
Tag is a camp classic. It works well with a large group. The premise of tag is simple: one person is "it" and her goal is to chase the other campers until she is able to touch someone, who then becomes "it." If your campers are tired of the traditional game, make small changes to turn it into a fresh game. Try "Chain Tag" where every time someone is tagged he must join hands with the camper who tagged him -- "it" quickly becomes a chain of campers who must coordinate their movements to tag the rest of the group. Another option is "Secret Tag." Whisper "not it" to all campers except one who you whisper "it" to. The camper who is "it" must be quietly tag other campers who must freeze once tagged. No talking is allowed, but eventually the campers will figure out who is "it" and try to avoid her. The "it" camper will want to keep her identity hidden and tag as many campers as possible before being outed.
Capture the Flag
Originating in Boy Scout camps, this war-themed game is now common in all types of summer camp. Divide campers into two teams and assign each of them a team color and "territory" located within the play area. Give each team a piece of fabric dyed in their team color. This is their flag -- instruct them to hide it within their territory. Place a circle of chairs or rocks within each territory to serve as the "jail." The goal is to capture the flag of the opposing team. If campers are tagged by an opposing team member while in "enemy" territory, they must sit in the jail area. Campers can liberate jailed teammates by getting through the opposing team's territory to tag them. The first team to capture the enemy flag wins.