With Mrs. Bee's Busy Classroom

Great ideas for a camping trip in the mountains or for Summer Camps!
You can make a neat campfire by using real logs & tissue paper for the flames
Creating Confetti Pillows
This is a great idea a camping theme -What neat sit-up-ons! Just think of the fun the children will have exploring the different textures and colors of the filling, and then cutting, shredding, stuffing and sewing. The process is as rewarding as the spectacular cushions you will create.
You will need: clear plastic cut into 1-15 inch squares large ric-rac trim (about two yards) cut to 4 15 inch strips a variety of filling material: fabric pieces (felt, burlap, silks and netting) ribbon, yarn, streamers (crepe paper or metallic)  glitter, confetti, shredded paper, colored feathers, etc..... What to do: 1. place the ric-rac 1" from the edge of the plastic pieces
2. stitch both plastic pieces and ric-rac together, use a zig-zag stitch to prevent tearing the plastic
3. leave a 6-8" opening and enough ric-rac to cover the opening
4. prepare the filling by cutting, shredding and mixing the fabrics and papers
5. fill the pillow with stuffing
6. stitch the pillow closed

Camping Ice Breakers
*Telling their names:Go around the group with each child saying his name and something he/she looks forward to doing on this camping trip.
*Show and tell :Pair off and find something really interesting to share  with the group.  It might be an unusual rock, ant hill, an interesting tree,pretty leaf,etc.
*Drawing:  Give them paper and items to draw and make it into a contest. Ask them to draw whatever comes to their mind when you say the word CAMP.Save it and give it to them at the end of the trip. They could keep it as a keepsake of their trip.
*Name Games: There are many many variations to this game.  -We're going camping and I'm bringing (something starting with "A")The first one will say what they will bring, the next will repeat that item and add their own to the list, something that starts with "B".This continues all around until the whole alphabet has been used. At the end of the evening,(or next morning, even) give them each a piece of paper and see who can write down what was listed (from A-Z) earlier in the game.The one who can remember the most will get a prize! -My name is................................ (then roll the ball to)........................ -Introduce the child sitting next to you, and something they like to do.
*Continued Story: Leader starts a ghost story (or an adventure or mystery)..continue it with each child adding to the story.

Ideas for summer camp craft activities
potato prints
mobiles
puppets
stationery
kites
face painting
cartoon drawing
sand castle building
tie dying
stone people
pet rocks
mini flower pots
paper plate letter holders
macaroni and seed pictures
plaster art
bug collecting
pencil holders
peanut butter sculptures
cookie decorating
graham cracker houses
apple people
marshmallow people
piggy banks
animal masks
origami
God's eyes
piņatas
paper mache
finger painting
texture drawings
splatter painting
egg carton animals
weaving
decoupage
leather
bottles
tissue paper
seed jewelry
peach pit rings
snake prints
sun silhouettes
pressed flowers
clay objects
litter collection
build mini cities
waste baskets
pudding finger paint
bread painting
edible necklaces
pretzel and peanut butter log cabins
nature collages

T-shirts
Collect a dollar from each child, or have them bring a white t-shirt.  Have fabric paint and permanent ink pens available for them to create their work of art on.
Friendship Necklaces
These can be made the first day or week, and the kids can exchange with their buddy.
Good Deed Necklaces
Photocopy bright yellow happy faces, laminate them, and punch a hole in each. For good deeds the kids are given a smiley face to put on their necklace. At the end of the trip give a medallion for the one who has collected the most smiley faces.

Scrapbooks
Kids love to have things to remember their friends and summer trips by.They can collect things throughout the summer and assemble the items into a scrap book at the end of summer.
Adopt a Tree
Most of the time, when camping, there will be a nice tree nearby or a group of them. Go on a nature hike and choose a tree to  adopt.Have the children sketch the tree using charcoal, or pencils.
Posters
At the beginning of the week roll out the butcher paper and write a chosen theme for the week.Have the children decorate it with things that correspond with that theme. Stickers or rubber stamps will make it interesting!

Rubbings
Peeled crayons, trees, pennies,  anything that has a texture or embossing that can be rubbed with a crayon onto paper.

Make Your Own Book
Choose some clear white paper, choose number of pages that will be in the book, and staple them together.The children can decorate the front with their name and date and campsite name.Then they can draw and color anything they want in the book (family,friends,map of their campsite, animals they've seen, starry night, favorite camp food, the list is endless!) Then during a sharing time, they can show their book to everyone!

Backyard Tent
A tent can be made from almost any heavy material such as an old rug, or bedspread, or unbleached muslin. Hang over a fence, clothesline or even a picnic table.
Use a plastic drop cloth to cover the ground.

Autograph Book
What's camp without an autograph book to bring back home and cherish? Have them each make a small book, decorate the cover, and have all their friends write their name,address and a little poem or saying in the book.

Flip Books
Get some little writing tablets from the dollar store or  make your own from white paper.Have the children draw little pictures at the bottom of the pages. Each page must have a little picture that will look like the one before but a small difference in a movement of some kind.  When you flip the pages the drawing appears to be moving. (Ideas for the flip book are someone kicking a soccer ball,someone's balloon popping, someone diving into a pool, a flower or tree growing, etc.)
Straw Painting
Get some straws, watered down tempera paint, pieces of paper and make sure everyone has a smock, or play clothes on.  Place paper on newspaper, dab some wet paint on the paper, and blow air through the straw. The paint streams across the white paper and looks really neat!.
Poster Contests
Pick a topic ,such as conservation or preservation of the earth,and have a contest to see who can come up with the best poster.This can be used when they have free time to do what they want.
Toothpick and Marshmallow Sculptures
Get a box of toothpicks and a bag of miniature marshmallows.  Give the children some of each and tell them to create a free standing object.
The marshmallows work as good adhesive and they will eventually harden.

Card Towers
Hold a contest to see what group can make the biggest card tower.
Puzzle Making
Take old magazines, or greeting cards, mount on tag board.Cut into different puzzle shapes. Store in an envelope or zip bags.

Bingo Dabber Pictures
Get bingo dabbers from the bingo area or from the dollar store. They come in many different colors. They are fun to make pictures with.

Musical Cupcakes
Have each group decorate a cupcake. Provide many different types of candy for them to use.When they have been decorated,play musical cupcakes. When the music stops the winner gets to pick a cupcake.
Scavenger Hunt
Print clues on index cards. Separate group in at least 2 teams.   Give each team a list of about 30 items to look for( the list depends on where you are camping out and what buildings,for example are near you) The prize or treasure can be anything from small toys  to candy.  
Miniature First Aid Kits
-using film canisters http://www.guidezone.skl.com/minature.htm If you are worried about the canisters being dirty, you can  sterilize them in a bleach solution.
Camp Crafts -geared to all ages http://www.guidezone.skl.com/campc.htm
Q-tip Pictures
Get a box of Q-tips ( You can get huge bags of those in dollar stores for very little money). Let the children glue them to tag board. You can make a contest out of it and see who can be the most creative.
Popsicle Stick Crafts
Kids love to build things with popsicle sticks.They can make picture frames, buildings, card holders, jewelry boxes. Wood glue(carpenter's glue)  works the best with this. These items can be decorated with pasta pieces. Let dry overnight,then spray paint with gold or silver. Adds a really nice touch to it!
Nature Hike and Collages
Have children  bring along a large ziplock bag in which they are to collect things from nature.When they come back from the trip, the things they collected in their bag are used to make collages. Hang these up on the walls to show them off!

Nature Bracelets
Cut strips of clear contact paper about an inch wide. Stick leaves, tiny twigs, anything nature-related on it.Put another piece of contact paper over top and press down hard.Wrap around wrist for proper measurement, and secure with another small piece of contact paper.
Water Balloon Toss
Need: small water balloons Pair off kids and have them face their partner.Everytime the balloon is caught they take a step back.  When they miss they usually get splattered with cool water.
Balloon or Beach ball Volleyball
Divide group into 2 teams Use regular net for volleyball. Same rules apply, or you can vary them a bit depending upon the age group.

5-10 Minute Fillers
Here's a list of games that could be played if you have a few minutes.
Charades
cards
guessing games
I SPY
name that tune
coloring pages
cross word puzzles
imaginary island
read
duck duck goose
What Time is it Mr. Fox?
Red Light,Green Light
Hot Potato
run laps
calisthenics  (exercises)
musical dancing
Simon says
hop scotch
leap frog
hokey pokey
dancing
sidewalk chalk
blow bubbles
thumb wrestle
rock, paper, scissors

Summer Activities  
http://db.ok.bc.ca/summer/
 http://www.netfix.com/poptart/summer.htm
Tin Can Lanterns
Before the day of this activity, fill cans with water and freeze overnight. Cut strips of brown paper just to fit around the can. One can and one paper pattern per person, plus a few extra,just in case. Have children draw a simple dot "lantern" design on brown paper pattern. (flower,heart,star,snowflake circles,etc). Use masking tape to attach pattern to the can. With adult supervision, children place can on folded towel, and using hammer and nail, hammer the dots design. Remove paper design,and let ice melt. Set cans on table with flashlight or lighted votive candle inside.  
Camping Out Indoors!  
Materials needed  Sleeping bag for each child  
Small camping tent  Camping equipment  
Lincoln logs (to make pretend fire)  
Colored tissue paper (to make pretend fire)  
What to do  1.  Notify parents of your activity.  Ask them to provide a sleeping bag or bed roll for their children.  This will be kept at school for one week.  Ask them also to provide any camping gear such as mess kits, canteens, flashlights, backpacks, etc.  
2.  Set up the play area with the available equipment.
 3.  Talk about what is needed when we go camping and demonstrate the camping equipment. 
Talk about the children's own camping experiences.  
4.  Act out things families do when they are camping
(setting up tent, fishing, cooking, roasting marshmallows).  
5.  Compare camping out to being in one's own house.
 6.  Read the children a story while they snuggle in their sleeping bags or bed rolls.  
7.  Allow the children to use the camping equipment during free play time.  
8.Lay a trail throughout the building or playground for the children to follow.  At the end, have a special treat or game.  Make hot dogs and beans or campfire stew for snack time.  
9.The second week in the camping unit is about the night, the moon, and stars. Hang from the lights, gold stars and a moon on the wall by the tent. At the beginning of the week  write a note to the parents that you will be having a PJ PARTY and the children should bring their PJS and a soft sleep toy on friday. At the party,  have popcorn and watch a video, e.g.. " Barney Campfire Sing-Along".
10. Color with glow-in the -dark Crayons  
11. Make star gazers out of toilet paper rolls and wax paper  
12. Make stars and ask the children what they wish for and hang them above the camp fire  
13. Make an Owl Mask  
14.Talk about night workers LIST THEM  
15. Talk about Night Animals and what they do
16. What do we do in the day and what do we do at night
17. Talk about where they sleep. Compare it with different animals
18. Graph what the kids sleep with.
19. List moon and star facts.
20. Ask the kids what they do before they go to bed
21.Make paper bag knapsacks, fill with small *hiking* type treats and go on a neighborhood hike
22. Sing songs around the campfire
23. Take *quiet time* and story time on sleeping bags around a pretend campfire  
24. Make s'mores for a fun treat
25. Change dramatic play area into a camping area: backpacks, sleeping bags, hiking boots, sweatshirts, flashlights, cooking tools, a tent etc.
26. Pretend to sit around the campfire. Sing campfire and favorite songs.  
Good lead into fire and match safety.
 
A-Camping We Will Go
 (tune: the Farmer and the Dell)
 A-camping we will go  
A-camping we will go  
Hi-ho we're off to the woods  
A-camping we will go
 (Child's name) will bring the tent  
Oh ______will bring the tent  
Hi-ho we're off to the woods  
A-camping we will go  
(Child's name) will bring the food  
________will bring the food  
Hi-ho we're off to the woods
 A-camping we will go  
Continue with other supplies and change the children's names
*Author Unknown
 
Camping safety
 Discuss the following  -Always put out the fire before going to sleep or leaving the campsite  -Swim in safe areas and with a parent  -when walking or hiking away from your campsite, always have an adult with you  -always were a life jacket in the boat

Bag Owls
 Loosely stuff a bag full of crumbled newspaper.  Bring the top together and fold the two outer edges in toward the center & glue to form a point.  Fold the point down.  Cut eyes and feet from construction paper and glue to the owl. Big grocery bags will make grandfather owl, small candy bags turn into baby owls, and all sizes between are the flock.

Star Gazing
You can make small templates of the star constellations and tape the paper template to the bottom of black film cannisters and using a strong pin punch through the cannister using the template as a guide. Then you can shine a small flashlight though the hole and it will show up on the side of the tent.
Scavenger Hunt Containers
Give each a film canister and have them ,in 15 minutes ,collect small items. They are not allowed to pick anything only take loose objects.

Water-Proof Canisters
As long as you do not punch a hole in the film cannister it makes an excellent waterproof container for matches.

Mini Survival Kit
You can make a neat survival kit from a film canister kit which contains: waterproof matches, birthday candle, sugar packet, beef boullion cube, bandaid, needle, piece of tin foil etc.
Toiletry Bags
Materials: Plastic gallon bleach jug, cut off top where it begins to curve in toward spout
Length of 10 inch wide fabric,enough to go around circumference of jug, plus seam allowance
Length of sturdy cording, circumference of jug, plus a foot or so
Procedure: Using a paper punch, make holes around top (the cut off end) of jug spaced about 1/2 inch apart. Fold a hem in one side of fabric, and using cord threaded in large size needle, attach fabric to jug. Tie the cord ends in a square knot (reef knot). Also hem, the children  can do this by hand the other side of fabric, and also run a cord through to allow the top to be pulled shut. Besides recycling the plastic jug, this is an easy "craft" or gadget for campers to do. And the plastic is great on wet sink counters, and even from protecting other things in the camper's pack if something spills. If  bathrooms have hooks for towels this bag can be hung on the hook.
Lanterns
For a night hike, make lanterns using those big gallon cans from the school cafeteria.   
1.Lay the can on its side.   
2.Straighten out a coat hanger, and using a wire cutter, snip off about an 18" length.   
3.Punch two holes in the can, one near the forward edge (the open end of the can)
and one in the back (bottom).   
4.Put the ends of the hanger piece in these holes and bend them back to hold them in place;
this is your lantern handle.   
5.Light a candle and drip a little wax on the bottom of the lantern (the side of the can) and stick the candle in it. Now you have a lantern like they used to use in the "old days" before batteries! Then take the children on a heritage hike, where they can imagine they are scouting the woods as the pioneers did or along a lake, where the candles reflect nicely on the water, or to a cave .
Flash your Lights
Give each child a tiny flashlight. Everyone can crawl into the tent and took turns telling ghost stories and lighting the flashlights under their chins as they speak. Use a more powerful flashlight for a game of flashlight tag.
 
Books  
When Peter Was Lost in the Forest  by Hans Peterson  
Bambi's Fragrant Forest  by Felix Salten  
Bailey Goes Camping  by Kevin Henkes  
Curious George Goes Hiking   by Margaret Rey and Alan Shalleck  
Camping in the Mountain  by Lucille Wood  
http://www.michaels.com/kids/projects/kp99043.html Summer camp crafts
Tent graphic is courtesy of Vikimouse!
Love that site!
Thanks also to Weeones/Weerbigger  for some of the great ideas!
Camp recipes page
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