Camp!

 Right now, I have camps on my mind.  I’m leading a science camp and a faith camp.  Additionally, I help with VBS. (The Faith camp is for children behind in receiving the Sacraments and runs two weeks.). Friends at a Montessori school are posting everywhere to advertise their summer camp.  Have you thought about hosting your own camp?  The Montessori School, Hilltop, has Baking and Slime Camps, along with academic weeks of camp.  I’m thinking about a French Camp in August.  There are kids who skipped French 1 and need a blast of basics.  Where do you begin?

1.  Select a theme.  Here is a recent post on my science blog about the Joy of Toys Science Camp.  Sometimes, the Science Camp title is Mad Science because it’s composed of random science labs and activities with stuff I have on hand.  Here is the Pinterest Mad Science board for ideas.  

2.  Once you have a theme, start organizing activities.  I use a spreadsheet and Pinterest.  Get in the habit of linking the activity to a specific website.  Make tabs for snack, games, activities, songs, etc.  

3. Pull supplies and organize into boxes as kits and sort them by activity.  Are you having a baking camp?  

4. Recruit help.  I rely on teens, especially experienced campers.  One family used to volunteer to come and clean up after Science Camp.  What a blessing!  

5. Create a budget.  Generally, I charge a fee for the camp materials.  Below is a budget for the Joy of Toys  camp.  I try to keep costs low so families can afford to attend.

No, hosting a camp is not easy.  But, the kids have a blast!  Give it a try!