by Sandy Cameron
Here are some fun group games that will help capers get to know one another and reduce some of the first-day anxiety.
Locomotive Motion
This is a fun name game that gets everyone moving. Campers stand in a circle with one camper in the center. On your cue, the center person introduces himself to a person in the circle and asks the person’s name. When the camper replies, the center person jumps from his left leg to his right leg five times, each time saying the person’s name and extending his opposite arm and leg in the air. After the fifth jump, he turns around and the second player puts her hands on his shoulders. They move around the circle and then come to another person. After the introduction, both campers jump and chant the new person’s name. They then turn around and the new player puts her hands on player one’s shoulders. The second player now leads the train around the circle. Play continues with the train reversing direction each time a new player joins so that each camper has a turn leading the train. If you have an especially large group, you may want to have several trains moving at one time.
Salt and Pepper
This game should be played in an open area where campers can move freely. Designate each camper as either “salt” or “pepper.” On your signal, campers move around the area meeting other campers. When they meet, each states his word. If “salt” and “pepper” meet, the campers shake hands and then move to meet other campers. If the campers have the same word, they are unable to make a match and move on to meet other campers.
There are many variations of this game. For example, campers can be either “peanut butter” or “jelly.” When opposites meet, they hug. Or you could add a sports theme by designating campers as “bat” and “ball.” When campers meet, they say their word and act out the motion that accompanies it. If they find their opposite, they give each other a high five.
So Do I
This is a good get-acquainted game for small or larger groups. Campers form a circle. One person is selected to stand in the center. The person in the center introduces himself then states an activity he participates in, a hobby he enjoys, or a family characteristic. For example, I take karate lessons, I play the saxophone, or I have an older brother. All campers who share this characteristic step forward and say “so do I.” The campers who step forward and the person in the center then scramble to find an empty spot in the circle. One camper will not be able to find an empty spot in the circle. This person goes to the center and then shares a hobby or trait of hers.
Action Relay
For this game you will need two of a variety of items, such as two pillows, two hats, two baseballs, two keys, two pencils and pads of paper, two oars, etc. The items must be small enough for campers to pass from one to another.
Divide campers into two groups of ten to fifteen. Have each group sit or stand in a row facing the other group. Place one set of items in a box at the beginning of each group. Each box must contain the same items. The referee stands between the two groups. The referee calls out an item and a task to perform with the item. For example, “Baseball. Throw it in the air three times and catch it.” The first person finds the item, performs the action, and passes the item to the next person in the line. The referee then calls out the next item and activity. For example, “Pencil and paper. Write your name backward.” “Wood blocks. Build a tower and knock it down.” “Hat. Put it on and do three jumping jacks.” The referee decides the activity and the sillier it is the better.
When the last person in line has performed the activity, he places the item in the finish pile.
Name Circle
Here’s another excellent game to help campers learn names. Divide campers into small groups of no more than ten. Have campers sit in a circle. One camper begins by stating his name and saying something that he likes that begins with the first letter of his name. For example, my name is Kyle and I like to play the kazoo. The next player repeats the first camper’s information and adds her own. Play continues around the circle with campers repeating the previous information before adding their own.
Sandy Cameron is editor-in-chief of Camping Magazine. She is the former editor of Humpty Dumpty’s Magazine and Children’s Digest.
From CAMPING Magazine March/April 1999, p. 18