by Melody Pickle, Ph.D.
For each of these activities use discretion when providing guidelines
for campers. Any guidelines should be tailored to fit your campers and
desired camp experience. Possible guidelines include, appropriate language,
appropriate subject matter, and time limits. Try to keep guidelines positive.
(Better to say “use appropriate language” than to say “no
profanity” in most circumstances.)
Unintentional Poems
Give each camper one minute to write one word on
a 3-inch- by 5-inch note card. Then in groups of five to eight, give
campers one to two minutes to use the words on the card to make a poem.
(It need not be a complete thought or sentence and no rhyming is necessary!)
Writing guidelines could include: Write one word that describes what
you want to remember about today. Write one word that describes how you
feel about your camp experience. Or, you can leave it open and see what
happens. If you have more than one group, you can combine poems into
a longer thought.
Reflective Words
Have each camper write (or paint,
or color, etc.) one to three words that describe his or her camp experience
to this point. Post note cards, paper plates, coffee filters, or papers
they have cut out in the shape of their hands on a wall anonymously.
At the end of camp, repeat the exercise with the same campers. Then give
campers a chance to read the responses.
Drawing in the Sand (or Dirt)
Have campers write two to five words in the sand or dirt that describes
their favorite memory of the day or week. This can be done in groups
or alone. Drawing is encouraged.
Pile of Rocks
Using small rocks (not
pebbles, not boulders) to spell out one word that describes an attitude,
a feeling, or memory that campers wish to take home from camp (or the
day). This can be done individually or in small groups. Let them take
a rock home to remember their work. They can also write the word on the
rock they take home as a reminder. Have each camper put one rock in a
pile to build a cairn or other rock memorial of their camp experience.
(This connects words and a memorial to the experience.)
Mud Version (If
you are feeling brave and have a muddy field . . . .)
In groups of three
to five, have campers pick a word that reminds them of camp or describes
their day (or week.) Using their feet have each group of campers march/walk
in the mud in such a way as to spell out the word indicated by the group
with their feet. The challenge is to try to only leave marks in the mud
that indicate the word so others can read it.
Human Words
In groups of
five to eight campers, pick a word that reminds them of camp or describes
their day (or week.) They can also pick a word that describes a certain
camp objective such as leadership.
Then have each group figure out how
to spell the word with their bodies lying in the grass. Their bodies
should form the individual letters so that others can read the word.
(Depending on the word and the group size, they may need to ask for additional
bodies to form letters.)
Originally published in the 2008 March/April
issue of Camping Magazine. |
