Summer Camp at Home

Creating a summer camp experience at home can be a fantastic way to keep kids engaged, entertained, and learning during the summer months. For military families moving, doing a summer camp at home allows for continuity no matter where you move. Themed weeks incorporating crafting projects, virtual field trips, and taking advantage of free local activities, you can create a memorable and enriching experience for children of all ages, yes, including the adults!

Theme Ideas

1. Nature Exploration Week:

• Activities: Go on nature walks, create a backyard scavenger hunt, and learn about local wildlife. If you are unfamiliar with local wildlife or natural items, use the local library or tourism websites for lists.
• Crafts: Make leaf rubbings, build bird feeders using pine cones and peanut butter, and create nature journals to document findings.
• Field Trips: Visit a nearby park or nature reserve and participate in any educational programs. The best part – local and state parks are typically free!

2. Space Adventure Week:

• Activities: Study constellations, build model rockets, and watch documentaries about space exploration. Check out Hoopla through base or local libraries to stream documentaries for free.
• Crafts: Create galaxy-themed paintings, make DIY telescopes, and build a cardboard rocket ship.
• Field Trips: Virtually visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum here.

3. Arts and Crafts Extravaganza Week:

• Activities: Set up crafting stations with different materials and themes.
• Crafts: Use recycled materials to make sculptures – this can include but not limited to paper towel and toilet paper cardboard, unused coffee filters, aluminum foil and parchment paper to create new patterns for painting or modeling clay.
• Field Trips: Visit local art museums or galleries that offer free admission through Blue Star Museums.

4. Sports and Games Week:

• Activities: Organize backyard games like relay races, obstacle courses, and mini-golf tournaments.
• Crafts: Make DIY trophies and medals, create personalized team t-shirts, and design a mini-golf course using household items.
• Field Trips: Attend a local sports event or visit a nearby sports complex. Check out your local Blue Star Neighborhood for chances to get tickets for free, donated by local teams.

5. Science Experiment Week:

• Activities: Conduct fun and educational science experiments using household items.
• Crafts: Create volcanoes with baking soda and vinegar, build a homemade weather station, and make slime.
• Field Trips: Virtually visit science museums like the California Science Center, a participant in the Blue Star Museums program.

Crafting Ideas

Using Nature:

• Leaf Rubbings: Collect leaves of different shapes and sizes, place them under a piece of paper, and use crayons to create rubbings.
• Pine Cone Bird Feeders: Roll pine cones in peanut butter and birdseed, then hang them in the yard to attract birds.
• Nature Journals: Encourage children to document their outdoor adventures by drawing pictures, pressing flowers, and writing about what they see.

Using Things at Home:

• Recycled Material Sculptures: Use old boxes, bottles, and other recyclables to build creative sculptures.
• Homemade Playdough: Mix flour, salt, water, and food coloring to create colorful playdough.
• DIY Instruments: Make musical instruments like shakers with rice and empty bottles or drums with empty cans and balloons.

Virtual Field Trips

Many of museums offer virtual tours and online resources, making them accessible to everyone – making it easy to explore them no matter where the military sends you.

1. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Washington, D.C.):

• Explore exhibits on the history of aviation and space exploration through virtual tours and online collections.

2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, NY):

• Participate in virtual tours and explore thousands of artworks from ancient to contemporary periods.

3. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN):

• Enjoy online exhibits and educational resources tailored for children.

4. The Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, IL):

• Discover virtual exhibits featuring masterpieces from various periods and cultures.

5. The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Boston, MA):

• Access virtual tours and educational programs that explore art from around the world.

Free Activities at Local Libraries and Michaels

Local Libraries: Many libraries offer free summer reading programs, storytimes, and craft sessions. Even if you are just driving through an area, you can participate in the activity. Check your local library’s schedule for activities such as:

• Storytime Sessions: Enjoy themed storytime sessions that include reading, singing, and interactive activities.
• Craft Workshops: Participate in free craft workshops where children can make bookmarks, puppets, and more.
• Summer Reading Challenges: Encourage kids to read by participating in summer reading challenges with rewards and incentives. If you are moving and won’t be at one library, check out the DOD MWR Library.

Michaels: Michaels stores often offer free or low-cost crafting events for kids. Look for activities like:

• Kids Club: Join the Kids Club for free crafting sessions where children can create projects like painted rocks, friendship bracelets, and more.
• Camp Creativity: Children can explore different crafting techniques and materials in Camp Creativity sessions.

By organizing theme weeks, engaging in creative crafting projects, exploring virtual field trips, and taking advantage of free local activities, you can create a dynamic and enjoyable summer camp experience at home. These activities provide entertainment and foster learning, creativity, and family bonding.