The Summer Olympics are captivating and can serve as inspiration for Olympic-themed activities at summer camp. Forget the usual track and field events, swim races, and high-flying gymnastics routines. Here are six Olympic sports designed to bring laughter and joy to campers of all ages.
Speed S’more Making
Summer’s favorite dessert morphs into a speed cooking competition. Style points can be awarded for perfectly toasting marshmallows without catching them on fire.
Objective: Assemble and eat a s’more as quickly as possible.
Rules:
- Each contestant is given a marshmallow, graham crackers, and chocolate.
- Campers must scour the surrounding area for the perfect toasting stick
- Marshmallows must be toasted over a campfire.
- The first camper to create and eat their s’more without making a mess wins.
Water Balloon Shot Put
Water balloons take center stage in this adaptation of one of the oldest Olympic events. The remains of the balloons make it easy to keep track of where they land. Turn this into a team event by assigning specific balloon colors to different groups.
Objective: Throw a water balloon the farthest distance.
Rules:
- Each contestant gets a set number of water balloons.
- Stand behind a designated line and throw the balloon overhand as far as possible.
- The camper with the farthest throw wins.
Sleeping Bag Sack Race
The best non-asleep use of a sleeping bag ever! This event combines balance and momentum and is sure to end in hysterical laughter. Make sure to do this in a softer, grassier area so falling isn’t a concern.
Objective: Hop to the finish line while inside a sleeping bag.
Rules:
- Each contestant must be inside a sleeping bag.
- Hopping, not running, is the only allowed method of movement.
- The first camper to cross the finish line wins.
Campfire Storytelling Relay
This is a qualitative and creative Olympic activity. An impartial panel of staff members should judge stories. Encourage campers to use expressive gestures and voices to bring their stories to life.
Objective: Tell the most engaging campfire story.
Rules:
- Teams take turns telling parts of a story.
- Each team member must contribute to the story.
- The most creative, spooky, or funny story wins.
Nature Scavenger Hunt Dash
A competitive scavenger hunt is a great way to get campers excited about the fauna that surrounds them at camp. Just make sure they know how to spot and avoid any poisonous plants. Give campers time to familiarize themselves with the area beforehand, and have them work in pairs or small teams to cover more ground.
Objective: Find a list of quirky items in nature the fastest.
Rules:
- Provide a list of specific items to find (e.g., a heart-shaped rock, five-pointed leaf).
- Campers must collect all items and return to the starting point.
- The first camper or team to find all the items wins.
Camp Craft Construction
Creativity and strength come together for the indoor Olympic sport. The goal is to build the tallest, free-standing structure within the allotted time and with each camper or group using the same materials.
Objective: Build the most creative and tall structure using natural materials.
Rules:
- Teams can only use materials found in the forest or identical craft supplies
- Structures must be completed within a set time limit.
- The tallest structure that can stand on its own wins.
- In the instance of a tie, use a fan to blow toward the structure and award gold to the one that withstands the wind the longest.
Creative Supplies for Making Medals
No Olympic event is complete without medals to celebrate the champions! Get creative with your medal-making by using supplies readily available at camp. Here are some fun ideas:
Painted Wooden Discs: Use slices of tree branches or wooden craft discs. Paint them gold, silver, and bronze, and add fun designs or the event name.
Clay Medals: Mold clay into medal shapes, let them air dry or bake, then decorate with paint or markers. Punch a hole at the top to add a ribbon.
Foil Medals: Cut cardboard into medal shapes, wrap them in aluminum foil, and decorate them with permanent markers. Add colorful ribbons to complete the look.
Beaded Medals: String beads onto ribbon to create unique and colorful medals. Use letter beads to spell out “1st Place,” “2nd Place,” and “3rd Place.”
Nature Medals: Use leaves, flowers, and other natural materials to create eco-friendly medals. Glue them onto cardboard bases and attach a ribbon.
Playful and Competitive Spirit
The Summer Camp Olympics is a fantastic way to create lasting memories. These six creative events ensure everyone can participate and enjoy the fun, regardless of their athletic abilities. Don’t forget to top off the event with homemade medals, adding a personal touch that campers will cherish. Laughter, teamwork, and a bit of friendly competition are the perfect ingredients for a memorable summer camp experience.