Making music in the great outdoors is one activity that every person can enjoy, no matter their age. Whether it’s a five-year-old, an 18-year-old, or an 80-year-old, they can all play music together.

That’s why music around the campfire is such a popular activity for campers — it helps to bridge the gap between generations and is truly inclusive. This blog explores the benefits of intergenerational music-making within camp environments.

Cross-generational camps are becoming increasingly popular as people value the chance to bond with family members of different ages, particularly with the rise in multigenerational living. To accommodate this trend, camps that welcome multigenerational visits need to adapt their curricula to be inclusive for all ages. Incorporating outdoor music into the program is an excellent way to achieve this.

A White Paper by Percussion Play reports the positive effects of intergenerational outdoor music-making and its ability to promote inclusive play. Highlights from the research include:

  • Multigenerational music-making offers numerous benefits for families, including strengthening bonds between family members, as they collaborate creatively and make lasting experiences. This shared activity encourages communication and understanding across age groups, helping to bridge generational gaps. Families also benefit from developing a shared sense of achievement when they create music together, boosting self-esteem and promoting teamwork. Music also serves as a powerful way to preserve family traditions and shared histories, creating lasting memories that can be cherished for generations.
  • As families engage in music-making, they also have the chance to appreciate the stories and cultural backgrounds that different musical traditions represent. This encourages open conversations about heritage and personal experiences, enriching the overall camp experience. Ultimately, summer camps that embrace family involvement through music provide a supportive atmosphere that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and intergenerational bonding.
  • Outdoor music-making can be profoundly therapeutic. The natural surroundings amplify the calming effects of music, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
  • Playing music in a relaxed, outdoor setting encourages creativity without the pressure of formal performances. Campers feel free to experiment, whether through improvisation or trying out new instruments. This sense of exploration builds confidence in individuals of all ages, particularly when encouragement flows freely between generations.
  • It has been proven that when senior citizens take part in cross-generational learning activities with children and adolescents, it can help improve their physical, cognitive and social well-being. Intergenerational interactions and play help senior citizens have a renewed sense of purpose, encouraging both children and adults to explore new challenges.
  • Research* shows that younger people that take part in intergenerational play can accelerate the development of social skills, emotional processing, and communication and help improve self-esteem. The research also highlights that children experienced heightened brain function and performance following an intergenerational music program. Program leaders noted the reduced behavioral issues in one specific child with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Overall there was a reduction in age-related stereotypes, enhanced morale, and enthusiasm for the program. 
  • Music can bring a diverse group of people together in the community because it transcends language limitations — instead providing its language of rhythm and melody to enable its players and users to communicate with each other nonverbally. This is perfect for babies and toddlers who are still learning language, as instead of needing words, they can use music to interact with older children and adults.

Intergenerational outdoor music-making in camp settings is more than just an activity, it’s an enriching experience that bridges gaps, nurtures well-being, and builds lasting memories, both within families and wider communities. You can read more research on the benefits of outdoor music-making and intergenerational play here.

* The Hamilton Intergenerational Music Program (HIMP) research.

This blog is sponsored by Percussion Play.


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The views and opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Camp Association or ACA employees.