Water-Supply Challenge
We all learned in school that two-thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered in water, but only 3 percent of that is fresh water. And of that, only a fraction is available for human use; that is
Top Programming Ideas
The possibilities are endless—but what makes your campers shout for more or ask to play “that game” one more time? We surveyed our readers and here’s what they told us makes their
You Can Do It
A great indicator of a successful camp experience is hearing former campers attribute much of the success in their adult lives to their early years at camp. I never tire of hearing, “I think that
Get Up And Get Moving
Whether it’s a relay race, a skit, or a game, nothing gets the blood pumping like good, old-fashioned play. Here are some ideas to get your campers moving (and playing) together:
Ready, Set, Action!
My husband, a TV and film producer, often compares my summer camp life to a film shoot—a 24/7 job filled with trouble-shooting and dealing with a wide range of personalities.
A Spiritual Approach
The true goal of any church-based recreation program is to retain participants and attract prospective members. However, there’s another crucial element in delivering a successful
Regrouping For Youth
Just because summer is over doesn’t mean the fun has to end. Freshen up your day camp or after-school program with these new ideas:
Retreat For One
Living in overdrive and well on the road to burnout 20 years ago, I bumped into the idea of personal retreat. This revelation coincided with an unspoken longing. Is this it?
Staffing Your Camp The Easy Way (Kind Of)
“Employees are a company's greatest asset - they're your competitive advantage. You want to attract and retain the best; provide them with encouragement, stimulus, and make them feel that they are an
Spinning Yarns
After several decades of resting in the corner of my living room--and basically serving as a decoration--my spinning wheel is back in use.
Sugar Sand Park Community Center
It was a typical Monday morning last summer at Sugar Sand Park Community Center in Boca Raton, Fla. I walked out of my office to see the bustling actors taking their places. The production assistant
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
With all the energy spent planning camp programs and new activities, it can be tough coming up with the time to dedicate to fine-tuning the smaller elements.If your slate of relay games has become
Hunger Games Camp?
The "Hunger Games" books and movie are extremely popular with teens and pre-teens. So naturally summer camps are thinking about how to incorporate "Hunger Games" themes and activities into their
Email Roundtable Compilation
Summer camp people are always looking for new programming ideas. This week only, you can add 1,000 ideas and programming resources to your files by purchasing The 2011 Summer Camp Program Director
Choosing A Scheduling Style
When selecting a summer camp for your child, keep in mind scheduling options for daily activities.Some camp programs are pre-scheduled, meaning the activities are planned out ahead of time for all
Songs Of The Summer
Does your camp count on institutional memory to keep its summer songs alive?Perhaps you have a songbook or a cassette tape to jar your memory from year to year.Or maybe the songs are so stuck in the
Thanksgiving Fun
Need some ideas for your Thanksgiving holiday camp or after-school program?Or maybe you'd like to hold a Thanksgiving theme day at camp this summer.Here are some great ideas from the folks at
Everything Is A Programming Opportunity
How do you become a chainsaw artist? That is the question that has been “stumping” me lately. You see, I work at a camp in a forest, and while there are thousands of trees, there are also thousands of
Special Needs Camp Survey
Do you run a special needs camp?Anna Park, recreation supervisor for Glastonbury Parks and Recreation in Connecticut, is looking for feedback.If you run a special needs camp, she would appreciate
Off-Season Camps For Adults
Summer is almost over, but that doesn't mean your camp has to sit idle in the off-season.Many camps open their doors to groups during the Fall, Winter and Spring for reunions, retreats, weddings,