Activity Suggestions

[NeedleandThread 0]

Hello! New to the forum, wanted to ask if anybody here had suggestions for activities for summer camp program. I'm an area director at a BSA camp in my council and we're dealing with some slight program changes (read: i'm losing most of my staff and have to reshuffle my schedule). I'd like to run some fun activities and games relevant to Cit in the World, Cooking, and Communication Merit Badges, but most of what I'm able to find online is either really short opener games (I have most of a 2-hour program block I want to work with here) or doesn't accomplish requirements. The precedent in other areas of the camps is that I don't strictly need to be running activities that complete requirements in this time as long as it's relevant, but I'd like to spend this to be an engaging way for them to get things done. Does anyone here have any ideas?

[RememberSchiff 3683]

@NeedleandThread welcome to our campfire which IMHO could use some wood.

Edited December 27, 2023 by RememberSchiff

[Eagle94-A1 2687]

1. WELCOME TO DA FORUMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (and yes i am shouting at ya )

 

2

17 hours ago, NeedleandThread said:

 I'd like to run some fun activities and games relevant to Cit in the World, Cooking, and Communication Merit Badges, but most of what I'm able to find online is either really short opener games (I have most of a 2-hour program block I want to work with here) or doesn't accomplish requirements.

Why the focus on advancement, will this be something done during classes?

 

3.

17 hours ago, NeedleandThread said:

. The precedent in other areas of the camps is that I don't strictly need to be running activities that complete requirements in this time as long as it's relevant, but I'd like to spend this to be an engaging way for them to get things done. Does anyone here have any ideas?

DO SOMETHING FUN THAT THE SCOUTS WILL ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (this time MAJOR emphasis)

Summer camp is suppose to be fun, not school. Sadly too many camps are turning it into school. Do something fun and memorable that the Scouts will enjoy and want to come back for more. Do not worry about advancement.

 

4. Good luck.

 

EDIT: I am an old school Scouter, in that I think the goal should be fun, not advancement. Sadly too many folks focus on advancement, including my Troop CC and Scouts. When I was a Cub Scout Day Camp PD, while most activities had some advancement element to is, not all of them. Kids had so much fun, that we doubled out numbers my second year. The year I stepped down, the camp focused on advancement again, and it was not fun for the Cubs. I came back as PD.

During COVID, my troop did their own summer camp. While  we did some advancement, the focus was on fun.Every one said it was the best summer camp ever, but the problem with it they said was only 2 MBs were able to be earned.

Edited December 27, 2023 by Eagle94-A1

[SSScout 1615]

Ideas (if you don't have them already)

1)  An Orienteering course.   "Scout's Honor", this can be a self run activity after the Scout gets some training in Map, and Compass.

2)  Find "specialists"  to do Merit Badges not always done at summer camp. Pros could come in , one day and do, say, Surveying,  Bugling,  etc.   

3)  Fishing...   if you have the lake, stream front.  In addition to the usual waterfront stuff,  time out activity.   Prizes for what's caught. Sell supplies at the Trading Post.  

4) I hope yu have the trails well marked (Eagle project?), distances, places/stuff/nature/history  of interest signage.  Various Merit Badges possible.... 

5)  Scouters don't need to sit in camp all the time.  Enlist the interested adults.  Make known your desire, need, possibilities.  I worked the Scout Skills pavilion when I accompanied the Troop some weeks. 

6)   Woodcarving?  Woggle making?  

Don't forget , camp should NOT be ONLY about "rank advancement"   

And you too, have fun !  Smile and wave as you go by....

[Momleader 65]

Cooking MB - you could do a supermarket sweep themed relay game - doesn’t take the whole block of time but the theme would generate some laughs - and you have from now until summer to gather props (empty cans and boxes) laminate so they survive longer.  Have the scouts run it as a 3 legged race and at least there will be plenty of belly laughs had for all.