Camp is a place where learning happens naturally through exploration, creativity, conversation, teamwork, and trying something new. To help camps build on those experiences, Young Minds Inspired (YMI) is partnering with the American Camp Association® (ACA) to bring a growing collection of free educational activities to camp programs.

For more than 45 years, YMI’s team of educators has created unique learning experiences that connect kids with topics that matter to them. We’ve created programs across diverse age groups and subject matters for partners including American Red Cross, Disney, Lockheed Martin, Safe Kids, Neutrogena, Hasbro, Netflix, and more. Now, we're bringing that experience into the camp setting with activities designed to complement the fun, flexible nature of camp.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Camp gives kids room to learn in ways that feel different from school. A science activity can become part of an outdoor adventure. A puzzle can spark a friendly competition. A teamwork activity can give campers a chance to express themselves and share ideas.

YMI's collection is designed to fit naturally into those moments, giving camp professionals additional ways to engage campers without turning camp into a classroom.

Activities can be used as individual projects, small-group challenges, enrichment activities, or extensions of existing camp themes. They can also provide an easy option when plans change or campers need something new to do.

Activities Kids Want to Do

YMI resources cover a variety of topics and formats, giving camps opportunities to engage different interests and age groups.

Campers might solve a puzzle, explore a new topic, complete a challenge, or create something of their own. The goal is to make learning feel like part of the experience, not something separate from it.

The collection will continue to grow throughout the year, with seasonal activities, themed resources, and new materials created with YMI's educational partners.

A Resource That Grows with Camp

The camp collection is available at: ymiclassroom.com/camps

This fall's collection focuses on safety and wellness.

New resources will be added several times a year, giving camp professionals fresh options to draw from across seasons and programming needs.

Whether an activity becomes part of a planned program or simply gives campers something engaging to do on a particular afternoon, the collection is designed to give camps more choices.

Young Minds Inspired creates free, research informed educational materials for schools, community programs, and youth serving organizations. For more than four decades, YMI has partnered with leading corporations, nonprofits, government organizations, and cultural institutions to develop accessible, engaging learning experiences for young people. Our mission is to support educators and program leaders with resources that inspire curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning.

Photo courtesy of Camp Carysbrook in Riner, VA