I have all sorts of camping advice and tips on my website(see at the end of article) that are free to all. This is just a small sample.

Camping Games

One child pretends to sleep in a sleeping bag at the front of the circle. She puts out three camping items (binoculars, water bottle, flashlight, etc.) While "sleeping" the bear (another child) sneaks and steals an object. The class yells "Wake up" and the sleeping child guesses which item was taken and three chances to guess who the bear was. The bear then gets a turn to sleep and the game continues.

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Go on a scavenger hunt for nature items. First have each child decorate a paper bag and write name on it. Then as a group go for a walk outside and collect different items. I made a list and then drew the picture next to the word. I also read the items aloud as we walked to remind them what they are looking for. (yellow leaf, rock, bug, stick, etc.) We had a lot of fun!

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Have all the kids sit in the tent with the lights out. I stand outside with die cuts and a flash light and hold up a die cut. The kids inside the tent guess what the object is. I use a leaf, sailboat, sun, etc.

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Ah soh koh

Everyone sits in a circle, and learns the 3 commands and their movements.

1) Ah the person says "Ah" loudly, and takes their left or right arm across their chest, pointing at the person next to them

2) Soh - the person says "Soh" loudly, and takes their left or right arm above their head, pointing at the person next to them

3) Koh  the person puts both arms together in front of them and point to someone else, anywhere in the circle.

The phrases must always go in that order, and each phrase needs its correct hand motion. You go when you are pointed at by someone next to you using "ah" or "soh," or by someone across from you using "koh." When you are "koh"ed at by someone you can either start again with "Ah" or put your hands up and say "nooooooo." If you say "noooooooo" then the person who said "koh" has to start again with "Ah." If you mess up, you step out of the circle and walk around the outside trying to confuse people by shouting random words.

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Button, Button

One person sits in the middle of a circle of children. A button is passed around behind the backs of the children. The child in the center closes her eyes while the passing continues. When everyone says, "Button, Button, who has the button? She opens her eyes. She then has three chances to guess who has the button.

Button, Button

One person sits in the middle of a circle of children. A button is passed around behind the backs of the children. The child in the center closes her eyes while the passing continues. When everyone says, "Button, Button, who has the button? She opens her eyes. She then has three chances to guess who has the button.

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Clothes Pin Seven-Ups

Description

Give each person 7 clothes pins. On Âgo each person must get rid of their clothes pins by pinning them on someone else. Only one pin per person!! The game continues for about 5 mins, or more depending on how much fun youÂre having.

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Pigs Fly

The children should stand in a group facing the leader. Each child should have enough room to make full "flapping" movements with their arms. The leader calls out "Ducks Fly" , "Owls Fly" , "Pigs Fly"...and so on. If the animal that is called out really does fly, the children should continue flapping their "wings". If the anilmal is the type that does not fly, then the children should stop flapping.

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Silly Symphony

The purpose of this game is to discover the beautiful sounds that can be created by the natural objects in our environment.

Each player is given 10- 15 minutes to find objects in nature that make a noise when banged together, or blown on, or rubbed together. Players bring back their 'instruments' and a conductor is chosen, who organizes the group into a semi -circular orchestra.

Each musician is allowed to 'tune' his instrument, so the rest of the group can hear the different sounds. If a player can play more than one instrument at the same time, he is welcome to do so. The conductor can then choose a familiar tune with an easy rhythm, and lead his orchestra in song. Let the players make requests for songs they would like to play;

give musicians the opportunity to work on 'solos' that they can perform for everyone.

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Balloon Baseball

Description

Players are divided into two teams. Each team designates a pitcher who pitches to his own team. Each batter gets two pitches to hit a balloon with his fist. If the ball is hit, the fielding team tries to blow the balloon to the ground before the batter runs around the bases. If they do not, a run is scored. Play continues until everyone on the batting team has been "up to bat". Then, the inning is over and teams switch places. The game continues for a specified number of innings.

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Bubble Gum Art

Give each participant a piece of bubble gum to chew, a toothpick and an index card. Allow them 10 minutes to chew the gum, place gum on index card and then design something on index card using only the toothpick as a tool (No Hands). The person with the best and most creative design is the winner. If you have quite a few players you can have several categories of winners, like "most ingenious", "most creative" and of course the "What is that?" Award.

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The Best Actor/Actress

Set this up like its an award ceremony and the entire group is in attendance. Each camper will get a chance to win the "Best Actor Award"(this can be just about anything you can get your hands on...the more outrageous the better...like a toilet brush). When it is their turn, they get up in front of the group and give an acceptance speech thanking all of the people who helped them achieve such a "prestigious" award. They should also remember to mention the name of the movie they won the award for.

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Scavenger Hunt

Make a list of things that can be found around a campsite or on a hiking trail, and see who can find the items fastest. If you're in an area where nature shouldn't be disturbed, kids can identify things by sight.

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Flashlight Walks

Taking a walk in the dark is a bit daring, even eerie, and full of unusual sights and sounds. While it's still daylight, have one parent scout out a short, safe trail near your site. Then, after dark, give each child a flashlight, and slowly walk along the trail. Focus on such details as a pair of glowing eyes staring back from a tree branch, or a glistening spiderweb. Ask your kids to describe what they see. When you've covered a few dozen yards, turn off the flashlights, have everyone be quiet, and listen to the provocative sounds of night. If a child gets scared, quickly turn the flashlights back on.