2. 6. STORY TELLING
Youre probably asking yourself how storytelling has gotten better since
you were at camp. You may think storytelling is one of those camp
activities that hasnt changed much since cavemen first invented it.
Although these days, theres an app for everything and many camps are
utilizing this technology to stimulate creativity and most of all fun!
3. Story Dice is an app for your smart phone or tablet that creates creative
writing prompts with the flick of a wrist. You roll computerized dice with
symbols that you are supposed to incorporate in your story.
6. STORY TELLING
4. For example, if you roll a spaceship, a crown and a diamond then you can
tell the story about an interstellar pirate king searching for the lost
treasure of the Andromeda Galaxy. Its a great way to promote group
participation or get over writers block.
6. STORY TELLING
5. Theres another storytelling app called VideoScribe, which allows you to
create a video from images you draw directly on your device. You can
also add images, GIFs and even soundtracks to your presentation. This
allows campers to visually enhance their storytelling. You can even
record the story so you can send the whole thing back to mom and dad.
6. STORY TELLING
6. Number five on our list of cool camp activities is the Arboreal tree
climbing system. Weve all heard our parents scream, GET OUT OF
THAT TREE! when we were caught climbing something we shouldnt
have. Your mom probably thought you were going to fall and break your
neck. Those days are now in the past.
5. TREE CLIMBING
7. The Arboreal tree climbing system is a series of climbing holds that are
strapped to the trunk of a tree. This means that your kids wont plummet
from a tree after snapping off a dead branch. Instead, they can grab on
to plastic hand holds.
5. TREE CLIMBING
8. Most camps combine Arboreal either with a TRUBLUE auto belay or
some type of top rope system that uses a Universal Mount. This allows
tree climbers to get to the top of any size tree.
5. TREE CLIMBING
9. Thanks to Arboreal, not only are todays campers able to climb the highest
trees without the risks that you took as a kid, but they are also climbing
interesting routes that develop problem solving skills and provide a sense of
adventure while they do it.
5. TREE CLIMBING
10. Including a scavenger hunt in your list of camp activities is a great way
to teach map reading and problem solving skills. If done right it can also
promote team-building and encourage friendships that last the rest of
camp.
4. SCAVENGER HUNT
11. Traditional treasure hunts were done with paper maps and clues. These
days treasure seeking enthusiasts use the GPS on their smartphones to
find the general vicinity of a cache.
4. SCAVENGER HUNT
12. Once you are in the right area your phone will give you a hint where the
treasure may be hidden. The really cool caches will even require you to
solve a puzzle to unlock them.
4. SCAVENGER HUNT
13. This phenomenon also known as geocaching isnt only limited to camps.
People of all ages participate in geocaching. At the time this article was
written there were more than 2.5 Million geocaches worldwide. The
boy scouts even have a geocaching merit badge.
4. SCAVENGER HUNT
14. High speed Zip Lines come in at number three on our list of improved
camp activities. If you had a zip line at your camp as a kid, chances are it
was either, slow and boring or had some type of sketchy braking
mechanism.
3. ZIP LINING
15. These days, camps are incorporating fancy high tech braking systems
like Head Rushs zipSTOP. The zipSTOP uses eddy current magnetic
braking to passively stop zip liners even at high velocities.
3. ZIP LINING
16. Now modern day camps are able to install exciting zip lines that will give
your campers an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives
without having to rely on antiqued braking systems.
3. ZIP LINING
17. River Valley Ranch Camp in Manchester Maryland is a Christian summer
camp that has 3 zip lines that use zipSTOPs. Check out their set up and
their other camp activities here.
3. ZIP LINING
18. You probably didnt have outdoor climbing as an option at camp when
you were young. If you did it was probably only reserved for the older
kids that could be trusted to learn the ins and outs of climbing safety
2. ROCK CLIMBING
19. Since that time climbing technology has progressed immensely.
Nowadays campers as small as 22 pounds can clip in to a TRUBLUE
auto belay and get up and down a climbing wall without any problems.
2. ROCK CLIMBING
20. If a camp has multiple auto belays then a camp employee can monitor
several campers as they experience climbing. The Boy Scouts Summit
Bechtel Reserve Camp has an entire artificial outdoor climbing wall filled
with auto belays. Click here to check out their wall and all of their other
amazing camp activities.
2. ROCK CLIMBING
21. In the past the only free fall activities available at camp ultimately ended
up getting you soaking wet in frigid water. You could have jumped off
the high dive, the rope swing or even have been launched by The Blob.
1. FREE FALL ACTIVITIES
22. All of these activities hinged on the camper being able to enter the
water properly and then swim to safety afterward.
1. FREE FALL ACTIVITIES
23. Modern day camps have devices specifically designed for free fall. Head
Rushs QUICKjump unit creates a sensation of free fall, while gently
lowering campers to the ground.
1. FREE FALL ACTIVITIES
24. This attraction builds confidence and instills campers with a sense of
accomplishment.
1. FREE FALL ACTIVITIES
25. This Lake Champion Young Life Camp combined a zip line and a
QUICKjump unit to create a crazy hybrid free fall zip line combo they
call the Leap of Faith. Check out this video of this adventure activity
medley:
1. FREE FALL ACTIVITIES