Camping Ideas from Early Start Day Care

Let the children spread peanut butter onto the "leaves" of the pine cone. When the pine cone is sufficiently coated, put in in the ziploc baggie filled with bird seeds. Seal the bag and shake to coat. After removing the pine cone from the bag, tie some string around the top of the pine cone to hang. TIP*** If it's possible, hang the bird feeder so that it rests on or just above another branch. The birds seem to prefer it when they can stand on something to get at the food.

Bring supplies so that artists of all ages can record their representations of what they see around them. Mountains covered with trees, a campground filled with tents, a field of flowers, or even a bug crawling in the dirt. Let their imaginations direct them. * It's nice to have something hard to draw on so that the artists is not confined to a table. You can bring books, lap desks or fashion your own creations. We used cardboard pieces and taped the paper on with scotch tape. Large paper clips or even rubber bands can also hold the paper in place.

You will need to make a list in advance and assign point values to each item (points should reflect the difficulty in obtaining the item). Make enough copies for each individual or for several teams. You will need to establish a time limit on the game. Our hunt was 2 hours. We had teams of 4 to 5 players and we were in a secluded mountainous area, so they needed some time to get around. Make sure to include a wide range of things that COULD be found in the wilderness. Our list is below with point values included:

PINE CONE - 10	FOXTAIL - 25	OLD, DEAD BATTERY - 50
WHITE ROCK - 10	ROPE - 25	BONE - 50
DRY PINE NEEDLES - 10	SAFETY PIN - 25	LIVE LIZARD - 75
FLOWERS - 10 / EACH KIND	BOTTLE CAP - 25	LIVE TADPOLE - 75
BLACK ROCK - 15	SMOOTH ROCK - 25	CIRCLE OF WOOD - 75
TREE SAP - 15	FORK SHAPED STICK - 25	SHEDDED SNAKESKIN - 100
BURNT MATCH - 15	FEATHER - 50	HORSESHOE - 100
ACORN - 25	RED ROCK - 50	BULLET SHELL - 100
Y SHAPED STICK - 25	TIN CAN - 50
YUCCA LEAF - 25	5 FOOT LONG STICK - 50

**You don't have to tell this to the kids, but the neat counter effect of this game is that it gets everybody to pick up trash in the wilderness!!

Now don't get all panicky on me! You don't have to be an actor or a comedian to do this! As a matter of fact, we had several participants who were incredibly shy. But they did it. Granted, some of them giggled through the whole thing, but they got up there and we all had a blast. Don't underestimate the kids. They are very imaginative and loved this activity. Oh yeah, would you like me to explain it now? Sorry, I do tend to ramble at times... Cut or tear paper into small strips or segments. Write down a topic on each scrap of paper:

On a deserted island, breaking up with your boyfriend, flies, ants at a picnic, at a Barney concert, at an audition for the movie "Scream", 3 new Power Rangers, create your own superhero, pitching an idea for an amusement park, teaching a dog tricks...

Get the idea? This is so completely hilarious! You will need to make a lot of topic sheets. We ran out and had to make up more on the spot. Put the pieces of paper in a hat and take turns pulling out a topic (clockwise around the campfire). Now, this part is important: Let each person read the topic and decide how many assistants they need to join them in their performance. Nobody has to be alone! Read the topic aloud to the audience before beginning, and the performers may discuss BRIEFLY before they start. You should agree in the beginning on a time limit. Although you don't want to stifle anyone, kids can tend to drag it on for a long time. Most others will stop well before their limit. Beware, inciting others to laughter is very contagious. You will have people begging to be chosen to get up there and everyone will want to be funny. Have fun!

Begin by preparing your graham cracker and chocolate. You need to break the graham cracker into 2 even halves. Place ½ of a candy bar on one half of the graham cracker. Skewer a marshmallow. Roast the marshmallow over fire. When done, place the mallow on the candy bar and place the other half of the graham cracker on top of the hot mallow. Squeeze the graham crackers together and pull the mallow off of the skewer. Recap: Graham cracker, marshmallow, Hershey bar, Graham cracker. MMMMMMMMM.

Hold a banana in your hand so that it forms a U. On the inside of the U, you will be cutting the banana lengthwise down the center. At each end of the line you just cut, cut a short perpendicular line. This will make it look like a capital I. Pry the banana open a little and shove mini marshmallows and chocolate chips in it. Wrap it all up in foil and place on the coals for 8 - 10 minutes. When you open it up, everything should be nicely melted so that you can scoop it out to eat with a spoon (if not, re wrap and put back for another minute or two). This is my favorite campfire snack. I learned it in Girl Scouts, and we've been making it ever since. (and that's a LOOONG time!)

Skits are lots of fun to do around the campfire. Here's a funny one to get you started.

Bubblegum Skit

GIRL: comes out skipping rope and gets caught in the gum. She struggles to get free and leaves the gum on the floor as she exits

DUDE: comes out carrying a ghetto blaster on shoulder and bopping along when he gets caught in the gum. He struggles to get free and leaves the gum on the floor as he exits.

BABY: comes crawling out and gets caught in the gum. Baby struggles to get free and leaves the gum on the floor as it exits.

(You can add other characters if you choose like someone rollerskating or on a bike, a mime, etc)

DOG: comes out on all four legs and gets caught in the gum. It struggles to get free and leaves the gum on the floor. the dog lifts leg and urinates on the gum before it exits.

CHEWER: walks out casually until he or she sees the gum on the floor. Wow! My gum! It's still here! Picks up the gum and puts it in mouth. MMMMMMMMM. Delicious!

Boy Scouts of America - Family Fun - This page has lots of goodies: Scout tips and famous sayings, quiz games on knots, weather & state flags, and translators for Semiphores and Morse Code. You can enter a Name, word or phrase and it will be translated for you! Or, if you've been knocking yourself out trying to decipher that code YOU just got, it can translate to English for you!

CampNet America - Everything you need to plan a camping trip! There's a campground and RV camp locator, National and public parks, log cabin rentals, camping forum and recipes, supplies & manufacturers, and more. There are also links to an online route mapper, weather, and on-line first aid. Too much for one visit!

(Home Page) (Photos of daycare) (General Information) (Links) (Holiday & Theme Ideas)

Let everyone know your marvelous, highly intelligent and extremely respected views!

Sign and read my guest book!

Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook

You are visitor #

since 4/20/98

This site created and maintained by Cici. (she's new at this, so be nice!) Please send comments, suggestions, or questions to ciciandjosh@earthlink.net Last updated 08/20/98