The Wilderness Campground Games
A Story In The Making:
Get your group together and pick one person to begin telling a story. The speaker need only say one or two sentences, before pointing to the next person to continue the tale. The story keeps getting passed from person to person until it reaches an ending.
Example:
Person 1: "Long ago in a far away land lived..."
Person 2: "a hive of honey bees in a giant tree with a very demanding queen who would often send worker bees out to gather..."
Person 3: "alarm clocks of all shapes and sizes. Her favorite was..."
Word Association:
Everyone in the group begins tapping, snapping or clapping a beat. One person begins by saying a word - any word. Then on the fourth beat, the next player says the first word that comes to mind (it must be a unique word, not previously used). Keep going from player to player until someone gets stuck by not being able to think of a word on the fourth beat, or until the entire group begins laughing so hard that no one can speak! Then start the game over with another word.
Example:
"Campfire!"
"Flames!"
"Heat!"
"Summer!"
"Swimming!"
"White Water!"
Campfire Skits:
It's classic campfire entertainment with a twist! Before leaving on your trip, pack a "magic suitcase" filled with random objects - sunscreen, costume jewelry, a ping pong paddle, an inflatable beach ball, a single sock...the stranger the assortment, the better! Separate into two troupes of actors. The first troupe takes 15 minutes to write a skit, incorporating as many of the random objects as they can into their production. The second troupe then takes a turn, using different props from the suitcase or using the same items in different ways.
Campground Scavenger Hunt:
Make a list of things that can be found around a campsite or on a hiking trail, and see who can find the items fastest. If you're in an area where nature shouldn't be disturbed, kids can identify things by sight.
Flashlight Walks:
Taking a walk in the dark is a bit daring, even eerie, and full of unusual sights and sounds. While it's still daylight, have one parent scout out a short trail near your site. Then, after dark, give each child a flashlight, and slowly walk along the trail. Focus on such details as a pair of glowing eyes staring back from a tree branch, or a glistening spider web. Ask your kids to describe what they see. When you've traveled a few dozen yards, turn off the flashlights, have everyone be quiet, and listen to the distinctive night sounds of the Ozarks. If a child gets scared, quickly turn the flashlights back on.
Picnic Table Games:
Be sure to pack your family's favorite board or card games before leaving home! During your camping trip, play them outside, using the moonlight, lantern or flashlight as your only illumination. Playing under the night sky makes them new and exciting again!