Finding ways to keep campers active and engaged isn’t always easy. While you may have a long list of things to do during the day, you also need some summer camp evening activities.
Evening activities are the perfect way to end the day on a high note. With the right activities, you can foster camaraderie, relaxation, and lots of fun. Here are some fun activities to do at summer camp in the evenings.
Campfire Stories
Gather around a campfire for storytelling. The goal is to entertain and help campers bond. Select stories that resonate with the age and interests of your audience.
You can also allow campers to share experiences and ghost stories. However, getting campers to take turns speaking aloud is sometimes a struggle. Consider having one of the staff start the evening with a campfire story to set the tone.
Of course, whenever a campfire is involved, practice proper safety. Never leave a fire unattended, and don’t let campers play near it.
Campfire Sing-Alongs
Instead of stories, your campers may prefer campfire sing-alongs. Bring out the guitars, drums, and other instruments for a musical evening. You can perform traditional camp songs or learn something new for the evening.
The easiest option is to select a variety of songs that cater to all ages and musical tastes. Try to incorporate songbooks or lyric sheets so that everyone can join in.
Make S’mores
Making s’mores is another camp tradition. Whether you’re planning on telling campfire stories or singing songs, pass around s’mores and other snacks.
S’mores are easy and fun to make. Depending on the age range of the campers, consider letting them find fallen sticks that they can trim and use for roasting marshmallows. You can also purchase wood or metal roasting sticks and skewers.
Always use caution around the fire and keep an eye on all campers as they roast marshmallows. Keep a first aid kit nearby in case of any emergencies, such as minor burns.
Night Hikes
Night hikes are a fun evening activity for summer campers, especially older campers. Organize a guided night hike, allowing campers to experience nature in a different setting. Make sure that the campers are dressed appropriately and always follow designated paths.
Plan the hike to ensure that you can make it back before it gets too late in the evening. Most hiking trails include an estimate for how long it takes to hike. Include extra time to account for the slower pace of a group of young campers.
Outdoor Movie Night
Set up a screen and projector outdoors and have a movie night under the stars. Provide blankets, popcorn, and a comfortable spot for campers to spread out and get comfortable.
Along with blankets, you should also offer other forms of seating, including chairs and picnic tables. It’s also a good idea to check the forecast. If there’s a chance of rain, have a contingency plan ready, such as finding indoor summer camp activities.
Glow-in-the-Dark Games
Use glow-in-the-dark stickers or paint to increase the visibility of frisbees, flags, and other accessories for outdoor activities. Glow-in-the-dark games add an exciting twist to common outdoor games.
You can play glow-in-the-dark catch, ring toss, and more. You can also encourage campers and staff to create their own games using the available glowing objects.
Make sure that the play area is clearly defined and free of hazards. The light from the glow sticks can make it more difficult to see some of your surroundings. Clear any obstacles to reduce the risk of tripping and other accidents.
Stargazing
At least one night of the camp season should include the chance for stargazing. Teach campers about constellations, planets, and other celestial bodies with the help of telescopes and binoculars. Try to make astronomy both fun and educational.
Most campgrounds are away from cities and their abundance of artificial light. However, clouds and the size of the moon can still impact your stargazing experience.
If possible, check the forecast for the entire week and choose a night that is more likely to have clear skies and less moonlight. This can increase the visibility of stars.
Scavenger Hunts
Plan a scavenger hunt for items around the campground. Create a list of items or tasks that can be safely found or completed in the evening. You may even want to use glow-in-the-dark objects or markers to help guide campers.
An evening scavenger hunt can be a fun activity for campers of all ages. However, when planning a scavenger hunt for younger campers, you may want to limit the activity to a smaller designated area. This makes it easier to keep an eye on everyone, especially in the evening when the sun starts to set.
Talent Show
Host a talent show where campers can show off their skills. Allow them to sing, dance, perform magic tricks, or showcase any other unique talent that they may have.
Create a sign-up sheet and allow campers to volunteer to perform. You should also give campers plenty of time to rehearse.
You can perform this activity indoors or outdoors. If you’re holding it outdoors, you’ll likely want extra lighting. Consider setting up lights that you can direct at the stage.
Karaoke Night
Set up a karaoke machine and let campers take turns performing their favorite songs. Encourage everyone to join in by either singing or cheering. This is also a great alternative to campfire sing-alongs when looking for indoor summer camp activities on rainy days.
As with the talent show idea, consider setting up a small stage with extra lighting. You can also encourage campers to perform in groups or as duets instead of individually. This may help make the experience less daunting for more introverted campers.
Additional Tips for Planning Evening Activities
Summer camps are also sometimes called overnight camps or sleepaway camps, as campers typically stay on-site 24/7 for the camp season. This means that campers are at the campground all hours of the day and night, including the evening.
Evening activities often require a few additional considerations compared to daytime activities. For starters, you’re likely to have less sunlight.
If the activity involves the outdoors, make sure that you have adequate light. Use outdoor lighting, such as porch lights and flashlights, to ensure that campers can see their surroundings.
You may also need to prepare for mosquitoes. Depending on the region, mosquitoes are likely to be a problem in the evenings. Consider using natural mosquito repellents, such as citronella candles, to help keep the pests away.
You can also use oscillating fans to confuse mosquitoes and other flying insects. This may also help keep campers cool on hot evenings.
Whether you plan on outdoor or indoor evening activities, pay close attention to the time. While campers sleep at the campground, you still need to ensure that they get adequate rest. Set a limit for the activities to ensure that you have plenty of time for the campers to get ready for bed. With these details in mind, you shouldn’t have any trouble arranging a few evening activities for your summer camp. However, it’s also a good idea to have a few backup plans. Choose a few activities that you can quickly get set up and running in case your main activity doesn’t work out.