Planning summer day camp can be a daunting task. For homeschoolers, this means coming up with camp activities and games for all age groups. More importantly, it means coming up with a few days worth of activities to last all day long, with little or no time to regroup.
One alternative is the co-op summer camp, where each family is responsible for a day's worth of activities. For 5 families and 5 days of homeschool summer day camp, each family would “work” one day and have 4 days off. If it's necessary, though, for one person to plan it all, it's OK. There are still plenty of ways to make sure all the bases are covered.
Organizing Summer Day Camp Activities
Begin summer camp planning with a schedule of the day. For example, campers arrive at 9:00 a.m. and leave at 4:00 p.m. Using a spreadsheet or printable dayplanner, divide the day into 15 minute increments, with a 15 minute morning snack, a 3 minute lunch and a 15 minute afternoon snack. Plan summer camp activities to fill the remaining gaps, in 15 and 30 minute increments.
Be sure to evenly disperse the activities, so that there's an art project each day, periods of free play, physically strenuous games and challenges, plus calm and quiet activities.
Choosing Activities for Summer Day Camp
It's important to remember that children have different energy levels, attention spans and interests. Some children will simply not be interested in the art projects while others will savor the time spent being creative. Also be aware that children's interests and attentions will change throughout the day. After lunch is often a good time for something calm.
During pick-up and dropoff times, it's important to have activities that don't require much adult supervision, to facilitate communication between caregivers and parents. The distraction of waiting for mom or just arriving can make it difficult for kids to concentrate.
Summer Camp Games and Traditions for Kids
A potato sack race is a summer camp tradition that many kids enjoy. In lieu of potato sacks, use donated pillow cases. A three-legged race is a similar game that cam be played with rope, instead of potato sacks and involves a bit more teamwork. Jumping rope, playing hopscotch and running through sprinklers are classic summertime traditions.
Activities with food are also popular summer camp traditions. Serve an ice cream sundae snack with a buffet of fruit and candy toppings. Grilled burgers and hot dogs are also popular summertime traditions. A watermelon seed-spitting contest works well for a snack and a game. Have a lemon-squeezing activity and provide pitchers of sweetened ice water for homemade lemonade. Make s'mores, after a camp fire safety talk.
Planning a homeschool summer camp is a great way to engage in lighthearted socialization, prevent boredom, relieve parents and create summertime memories for homeschooled kids. Mixed age groups, sunshine and old-fashioned fun and games make for an unforgettable day camp experience.
Lisa Russell - Lisa Russell is a freelance writer and mom of six daughters. She blogs about their life at lisarussell.org
