Planning Your Camp or Retreat
What is Camp Programming?
The American Camping Association (ACA) states that, "Program is the
heart of camp - where camp philosophy and objectives are implemented in a sustained
experience which provides a creative, recreational, and educational opportunity in group
living in the outdoors. Camp programming utilizes trained leadership and the resources
of the natural surroundings to contribute to each camper's mental, physical, social, and
spiritual growth."
Some say that this is one of two the great "Teaching Tools" that separates camping
from other methods of learning. Those tools are the experience of camp programs and
the community of camp. Everything we do at a camp is program including the nonscheduled activities such as making friends during cabin bunk time. There is a design or
purpose for every activity or moment of the day. Combine that with a nurturing
community of caring older youth and adults that care for each individual's experience
and you have a formula for success.
Camp programs include:
Games Special "All-Camp" Activities
Music/Campfires
Crafts
Service Work
Pool or Water Activities
Sports Meal Times
Rest Time on "bunks"
Skits
Trips away from camp
Adventures in Nature
As stated earlier in this guidebook, we are asking that you care for the needs of your
campers through offering quality programming that has a purpose.
That purpose should include the following goals occurring at the same time:
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Meeting the standards of safe programs
Making your camp fun and exciting - leaving a lasting positive memory
Helping young people learn new skills and make new friends
That's why you want to put some planning and development time into your camp. We
didn't want to fill this book with tons of options for songs, crafts, games, special
activities, campfires, work projects, and more. Instead, we want to share thoughts to
help you plan along with as many resources that will provide options for you.
Questions to answer when planning your program:
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What time of the week is it and what is the goal for this part of your camp?
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What is the purpose of the activity? How can you use it to meet your objectives
for that part of the schedule
What do you know about the people who will take part? Is it appropriate for their
coordination/skill level, overall maturity, and their level of physical conditioning?
Does it include everyone? (special needs, size, age levels, etc.) Can the activity
be adapted?
Is there adequate space or will location be a factor? Will you have to adapt the
activity to fit the available space or conditions?
Do you have the needed equipment? If not, can your team use their creativity to
adapt other equipment?
Will campers enjoy taking part and want to do again?
Remember, all aspects of your camp experience and programming should have a purpose that
you understand and that will meet your overall objectives of the week. For more help in this
planning contact your campsite director or the State 4-H Camping Center Staff.
Meal Times
Use this time for:
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Community building through special messages and creating a routine that will be
easy to follow from the first time to the last time
Promotional messages through simple announcements or with an added touch,
such as a short skit or dramatic presentation (infomercials). Use your staff to add
energy and variety in sharing what's coming up at camp following the meal
If there is a way for you to plan for cabins to help serve, prep food for meal or
participate in the meal, this will be a new experience for many.
Mail time - be careful about "hazing" the campers who get mail from home that
causes them to be embarrassed at camp. Some campers enjoy this while others
learn to hate this time because of what they see as negative attention
Music
A fantastic method for getting everyone involved, giving them something to take home
with them as a memory from camp, for memorizing special songs or messages, to fill
the free time with songs that you seem to find yourself singing even when no one is
around, and to have lots of fun. For years to come many campers will still hold those
"special songs" close to their hearts and minds - and that will key other positive
memories from camp as well.
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Plan ahead for your music times at campfires and activity times by having a
song-leader or team, by pre-selecting songs (with that purpose in mind again i.e. relating to time and setting - getting them engaged & active - simply having
fun - etc.)
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Have lyrics available to help teach the words.
Use what you have to create rhythms and background music. Kitchen items
make good drumming sounds etc.
Get your entire staff involved - so the campers can see that it's OK to get
involved as well
Games
You can use games for a variety of goals, including:
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Initiatives (also known as Challenge - or New Games) that will help to build trust,
communication skills, understanding of leadership, team building, among other
goals.
Some of these activities require a "trained" facilitator - which you can request
from your site director or program coordinator
To use up stored energy - get outside and move their muscles (so they will sleep
better)
As a "Time-filling Option" when your other plans get changed or delayed. When
you are forced inside because of bad weather.
To simply have FUN - and thereby get to know each other better
There are a ton of ideas and resources for songs available from the State 4-H Camping
Center.
Crafts
Crafts can be effective in a similar way to music - in that it can involve everyone, give
them something to take home that will stimulate positive images from camp, and for
providing ideas for working exhibits and county fair exhibits. When considering adding
crafts to your program options consider:
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Just as adventure, horseback riding, music, or sports may be the key element
that draws campers to those camps - having quality crafts can draw other
campers.
Use crafts from materials gathered from nature (keep environmental practices in
mind) to highlight the outdoors or emphasize a special learning or message.
Crafts can help campers discover new talents and the joy of creating. Crafts also
bring counselors and campers together in a positive setting when working
together in completing a craft.
They are a very positive program addition for younger campers, families, and
older adults. A different kind of craft could be considered for the adolescent age
levels.
Waterfront and Aquatics
Water activities are a strong program that is involved in most of our 4-H camps in Iowa.
This is a positive aspect of camping that attracts many campers and offers a wide range
of program possibilities including: swimming, canoeing, boating, fishing, rafting, sail
boarding, "the Blob", and more. There are, however, some great risks involved that
need to be considered and managed. You should try to have someone on staff that is
familiar with water safety procedures and can set up safety checks and procedures
ahead of time to make sure your adventures in and around the water are safe. You are
to always consider the possibility that a life-threatening emergency will take place
whenever campers are on or near the water!
Some key points to remember include:
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If your campers are in water that could cause risk, there should be a designated
life-guard on duty or your campers and leaders must be wearing their life-vests
along with a designated and acceptable adult "Lookout" in place.
Someone needs to be aware of the weather and lightning storms in the area. No
swimming etc. until 15 minutes after the thunder and lightning have clearly
stopped.
Clear adult supervision needs to take place when you have activities around or in
the water, as that is when a variety of injuries take place - not only swimming,
but also canoeing, fishing, boating, water-skiing, and more.
Creating Or Planning Your Camp
Reviewing and Clarifying the Purpose of Your Camp
This step includes checking what was stated in your publicity related to your camp
event. This is a list of promises that campers are expecting as a part of their experience
at your camp. Keep in mind the age levels you will be working with and how you would
like to impact each of their lives.
A camp experience touches camper's lives in a variety of ways that might include:
learning something, building a camper community that cares for each other, seeing
something new, learning new things, or simply to have a great deal of fun. You want to
include program elements from these many options (and more!) to better ensure a
positive impact for each camper.
Establishing a Theme for the Week
This step may not be a primary need for the success of your camp, but could help to
relate your overall curriculum options and tie things together for both your leaders and
campers. There are ideas and resources from a variety of places including other staff
doing camps the State 4-H Camping Center programming director, current marketing
ads, the internet, popular songs, and your own staff.
Some options might include:
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Current marketing slogan or cliché - "Just Do It", "Survivor", and "McGyver"
Check the internet for lots of Camp Programming Ideas…just google it.
From the development of the above theme choice, a great deal of the balance of your
planning will generally "come into place". Sharing this work with members of your camp
staff or with your site director will also create a synergy around such things as:
Daily Schedules
Final curriculum
Program options (places to visit)
Special crafts options
Special speakers or teachers to invite
Music and campfire
options
Staff to Camper Ratios in IA
ACA guidelines allow a 1:8 ratio, which is a good guideline to start with. Remember not
to count yourself as camp director or your assistant director as they may be times when
or both of you may be off-site picking up supplies or taking someone for medical
treatment.
Training your camp staff
Training your camp leadership team is one of the most important areas will you will want
to focus on in helping build their levels of experience and undertanding win providing
programming that meets the four basic needs of youth, belonging, mastery,
independence and generosity. Your camp leadership team also needs to know the skills
and abilities of the campers to plan successful program elements that campers will be
enjoy and be able to successfully complete. The State 4-H Camping Center provides a
training for youth planning on helping with camp counseling at your camps or at a State
4-H Camping session. Contact David Seilstad, seilstad@iastate.edu for help in planning
your camp leadership team training. There is also a Powerpoint on the Growing 4-H
Through Camps website.
Actively Recruit Campers
Do not depend on the camp brochure to do it all. Get your staff involved as well. Some
people need to be asked and many times these are the ones who most need to be at
camp!
Make sure you have campers and camper’s parents evaluate the camp
experience to help you continue to improve and grow. Forms for adapting to
your program are available on the Growing 4-H Through Camps Website.