3 Ideas for Camp End of the School Year
As the end of the school year quickly approaches, finding new and exciting ways to keep students engaged in learning can be challenging.
Luckily, camps provide an excellent opportunity to help make the last weeks of school exciting and meaningful and will help celebrate the past year with so much fun. Here are three ideas for camp activities and themes that can give a fun way to send off the school year with a bang! With these ideas, your campers will indeed have an unforgettable end-of-the-year experience allowing you to get work done at work! Win-Win!
End-of-School Celebrations Leading Up to the Summer Months
It's that time of year again, folks- the end of the year. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and students everywhere are counting down the days until the end of the school year. But before they can officially say goodbye to textbooks and hello to pool parties, there's one final event that everyone looks forward to end-of-school celebrations! And this year, things are getting a little wild.
First up on the agenda? A good old-fashioned campout. That's right - students will pitch their tents on school grounds for a night under the stars (or fluorescent lights). It can feel like a field trip without all the headaches and the long bus rides! (Personally, I hated field trips, but this one is TOTALLY worth it, plus you aren't really going anywhere!) It's a chance to bond with classmates over s'mores, ghost stories, and camp reader's theater and also an opportunity for teachers to show off their survival skills- and get work done at work. Will anyone be brave enough to lead a sing-along around the campfire? Only time will tell.
Day Camp with a Wide Range of Activities
The best part of an end-of-the-year campout is you can create it right inside your classroom! All you need is some fake logs and some butcher paper flames.
Create a campfire right in the middle of your room. (We had to put our desks and chairs up anyway, so we could create a campfire circle and snuggle up to the fire while forming new friendships and focusing on fun activities in the last week of school.
Here is a list of camp activities that are included in my End of the Year Camp Out! (Plus, you get the print and digital versions that way, you can save on copies when you need to, AND you get TEN STEM camp challenges to go with the week of fun. It's a week of discovery camp all in one Bundle!
Camp Schedule:
Day One
Welcome to Camp Readers' theater
My Year of Favorites
Camp Math problems
Canoe School - What makes your Boat Float Design a Camp T-Shirt
Day Two
Book Opinion
Funky Tales
Camp Addition and Subtraction
Camp Read and Make a Map
Day Three
Book Commercial
Letter to My New Teacher
Math Game Day - Lights Out - like real summer camp!
Quick Sand Science
Day Four
Book Commercial Presentations
My Memories for the Year
Math and science Bubble Day (this is soooo fun, and you end up with the cleanest desks!)
Reflection and Goal Setting
Day Five
Camp Reader and Activity Response to The Camping Trip
Game Day - Race Across Camp
High 5 for a great school Year!
Group Activities For Great Camp Activities
The best part of the camp end of the year is the kids can work in groups for nearly every activity. This leaves plenty of time for you, the teacher, to get work done at work. No more busy weekends filled with end-of-the-year paperwork, report cards, and placement cards! These activities keep kids totally engaged while allowing you to do what you need to do.
Whole Class Team Building at the End of the Week
I will admit, so much team building is going on this week that you will want to be a part of some of it! But don't worry; so many activities require busy students that you won't have anything left to do on your end-of-year checklists!
You should jump into bubble math and science. That is one of my favorite activities. Together you and the students mix the bubble solution and determine who can make the biggest bubble on their desks with straws. (I always warn my kids NOT to sip it, or they will have MASSIVE diarrhea. This usually does the trick, but even if it doesn't, it won't hurt them. But it is NOT a good taste.
Benefits of Camping Out
Are you tired of the same old end-of-year classroom activities? Ready to break out of the monotony and shake things up a bit? Well, have no fear because camping in the classroom is here! Pack your imaginary bags and pitch your pretend tent because we're about to explore all the benefits of camping out.
First and foremost, camping in the classroom allows students to unplug from technology and connect. With no screens or electronic devices, students can appreciate the simplicity of gathering around a campfire and sharing stories. Plus, it's an excellent opportunity for some much-needed fresh fun after months of hard work.
But that's not all, folks! Camping out also promotes teamwork and problem-solving skills. From setting up tents to building a device that helps campers see in the dark (inside ten camp-themed STEM challenges), students must work collaboratively to make their campsite functional. (Save more than 30% when you bundle Camp End of the Year and Camp STEM Challenges.)
Preparation Tips
Don't worry; the preparation has been done for you inside my Camp End of the Year Bundle! I even have a letter you can use to send to parents for donations! All materials are cheap and easy to find. (Just be sure to plan a little bit ahead.)
Free Resources: Camp Reader's Theater and Camp Awards
Are you in need of a few camp-themed freebies? Look no further than these two free resources: Camp Reader's Theater and Camp Awards! Let's start with the former - this is a fun way to engage your campers in reading and performing. Print the script, assign roles, and let the magic happen. Your campers will love getting into character and showing off their acting chops, all while building literacy skills like fluency! (This camp reader's theater is also included inside the camp unit.)
And speaking of showing off - it's time to talk about Camp Awards. We all know that recognition feels good, so why not give your campers something to strive for? These free awards cover everything from happy camper to camp engineer, so there's sure to be something for everyone. Plus, they're customizable using a template in Canva- meaning you can create awards that reflect your unique camp culture (most likely involving lots of bug spray).
It Feels Like Overnight at Camp
In conclusion, the end of the school year is always a great time to bond with your students and make lasting memories. With these unique ideas for camp, you’ll surely have an end-of-year experience unlike any other. So grab your camping gear, round up your squad, and prepare for a fun-filled adventure! Who knows – this might be the best end of the year ever!