One-Day Day Camp

[Marzz]

It's time for me to start thinking about what to do at my annual one-day day camp this summer. Since I have to work in a boring office, indoors and away from fun things like camp and playing with kids, I created a one-day day camp for the children of my co-workers (ranging from 5 to 12 years old). This year will be the third year for the camp. I love it because I get to plan stuff and hang out with fun kids all day and I get to be the Camp Director. So, I am looking for some fun ideas to do with the kids in our limited time together. In the past, we have tie dyed, made box oven pizzas, learned about photography, gone on a color walk, painted flower pots, and had a waterballoon fight, among other activities.

This year I would like to have more emphasis on nature and the environment and will be incorporating Project Wild! into the program. Other than that, I am still looking for some fun games and crafts to do with the kids. We'll probably have about 6-8 children total. Much to my dismay - they do not like singing. The budget is very tight, so I need super low-cost ideas. I can spend about $30-$40 per child for 8 hours worth of program including lunch. Lucky me, I have a volunteer staff of 2-3 counselors, so I don't have to worry about paying them. Also, Since I do not carry insurance, I only allow children to come to camp if I know their parents personally and I make them sign a illness/injury waiver. We've never had a problem.

Any ideas?

[Angel_Jenny]

You could get some plain small pots that the children can paint and decorate themselves, then let them plant something in them! I used to love doing this and once the plant grew I used to give them to parents as a present! It doesnt costmuch, takes a little time up and is nature!

Can also do a scavenger hunt! Make a list of things to find and make 2 small groups! for nature wise you can say a 3 pronged leaf, something prickly etc

Leaf printing is fun! How about getting some cheap jotters or making own with scrap paper, and letting them leaf print on paper that will be used to make the cover of their own books?

Hope these ideas help :) Have a fun day daycamp!

[Marzz]

Thanks Angel_Jenny! Last year we painted flower pots and planted flowers in them. The nature scavenger hunt is a GREAT idea! I forgot about leaf prints. I used to do them at camp all the time...also a very good idea (and inexpensive!)

Keep 'em coming!

[Angel_Jenny]

In the past, we have tie dyed, made box oven pizzas, learned about photography, gone on a color walk, painted flower pots, and had a waterballoon fight, among other activities.



oops LOL I obviously didnt read that part of the post properly sorry!!!
glad the other 2 suggestions were of help ;)!

Been trying to think up some more ideas...

* Daisy chains?? all you need is daisys lol so if there aren't any that could be a problem!

*collages! Always fun and again inexpensive, can use items collected from scavenger hunt!

* Rock painting (maybe even make small competition? can be prizes for all too) If they are big enough they can be made as paper weights! If they are more like pebbles they could make a pet ;)

* Tissue paper flower bouquets (can use pipe cleaners for stems- not sure if u call them that over there?)

[laurathistle]

You could also do bark rubbings if you are doing leaf printing.

[Recreation Guy]

Here is a link to a program called Art in Nature that might work for you.
http://www.recreationpros.com/artinnature.html

[Campy Measius]

Ohh I love making picture frames with small branches and hemp. And you can add stuff to them that you find on your nature walk, like leaves, flowers and that type of thing. Kids usually really enjoy it. :)

[Marzz]

Thanks for all the great ideas! I really like your picture frame idea. The first year we did mosaic picture frames, so I think the kids would did the naturey ones too.