- Most times, icebreakers are used on the first day (and sometimes the entire first week) of camp so that campers get familiar with each other and learn to trust the people around them. Popular icebreakers include Get to Know You Bingo and camper interviews. Get to Know You Bingo is a game where the camper spends 20 to 30 minutes asking other campers if they fit particular descriptions on the bingo card. For example, some descriptions include things such as: "has three brothers and sisters," or "has received more than two A's on his or her report card." The first camper to fill the squares in a certain pattern not only wins the game. During interviews, campers may ask other campers a string of questions, just as a journalist does. The campers report their findings back to the group.
- There are lots of camp programs that focus on team building. Team building activities include obstacle courses, relay races and outdoor adventure games such as team navigation courses.
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When youth camps cater to large groups, there are certain activities that work much better than others, especially outdoor games. Kickball and individual sports practices and games are great activities to use with large groups. When there are more than 20 campers present, organized activities such as basketball, dance/aerobics, flag football, volleyball and soccer tend to work well and keep children engaged.
Capture the flag is a popular summer camp game that allows two teams campers to run against other with the goal of obtaining the opposing team's flag. -
Indoor activities should be offered to campers as well. These could include silent reading (have campers bring a book), movies, power lunches (which include lunch, movie and a snack), card and board games, and indoor arcade and board games.
Many camps also organize age-appropriate theater productions. Each camper signs up for a certain aspect of the production (i.e. acting, stage production, costumes, and lighting). The production takes a while to put together and is usually performed at the end of the summer. - Field trips, whether they happen regularly or sporadically, keep campers busy. Visits to museums, bowling alleys and amusement parks are entertaining ideas, as are nature hikes and swimming at outdoor sites.
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Campers and their parents have the option of attending day camps, or sleepover camps. Some of the camps focus on a specific activity, such as sports, study abroad, weight loss, religion, adventure, community service, academic and the arts.
Overnight camps teach youth independence and encourage them to make choices. Activities at an overnight camp may include the same activities as a day camp; however, these camps may offer additional activity choices such as camping, survival skills, telling scary stories around a campfire, and roasting marshmallows.
