Last year, my kids and I got it into our heads that we ought to create summer camp right here in our own back yard. This is a fun, inexpensive way to encourage kids from the neighborhood to pay a visit and stay for awhile and a great way for kids to enjoy a summer camp experience without spending the money, doing the car-pool thing or spending days away from your favorite buddies.
Step One: Create a time frame that you will hold camp. This might be every day for a week or one day a week for the whole summer. We are going to do a week-long camp since our schedules are very busy and it will be hard to include others with busy schedules as well. We planned to hold our camp from 10 am until 3pm. This gives me time to wake up and prepare and allows plenty of down time at the end of the day.
Step Two: Pick a theme. This is the fun part and I suggest including the kids on the decision! Our theme was “Out At Sea”.
Step Three: Now that you have your theme, create a schedule for your day. Below is an example of our schedule, yours will vary.
- 10:00-11:00 Swim (rain activity; watch a theme-related video)
- 11:00-12:00 Work on a themed craft (this leaves time for drying, if necessary)
- 12:00-12:30 Lunch
- 12:30 – 2:00 Theme-related field trip
- 2:00-3:00 – cook and eat theme-related snack together
Step Four: You have a general idea of how you want your camp day to break down, now you just need to fill in the daily details. If you get stuck for ideas, do a web search on your theme and you should find a plethora of ideas!
- Theme related videos: Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo
- Themed Crafts: Paper bag octopus, decorated visors, sea animal picture frame (with group photo!), sea creature wind mobile craft, and sea shell paper weight craft
- Field Trips: Fishing (Monday to a lake, Thursday to a fish farm), tour of a local hatchery (Tuesday), boat rental at the state park (Wednesday), visit local aquarium (Friday)
- Themed snacks: Jello fish bowls, gummy fish and worms (homemade), chocolate shark suckers, hot dog octopuses, mini fishy toasts
Step Five: You are almost done! Now go over each activity and make sure you have all the elements needed to pull it off. Get books or videos from the library. Shop ahead for groceries. Try places like Joann Fabrics or Michael’s for craft kits, visors, t-shirts, etc. Set up any field trips in advance. Make sure you have enough generic supplies on hand (towels, sunscreen, bug spray, etc). You might consider asking for adult chaperones for field trips if neighborhood kids will be involved. Also consider, now, any safety considerations and plan accordingly. In my case, all guests who are younger than 6 need to wear life vests in the pool (our pool is very shallow). Will any of your guests have allergies (pets, food, seasonal)? Consider if you want to provide this camp free of charge for neighbors or if you will be collecting a small overall fee or perhaps just a fee to cover the field trips.
Step Six: This is your last step! Send out your invitations or make your calls and let the good times roll! A well planned summer camp in your own back yard will be fun, relaxing and enjoyable for all – even Mom! And best of all, it will create memories that will last a lifetime. You may just create a new family tradition!