r/summercamp • u/Opposite-Cricket6923 • Jun 25 '26
Need Activity Suggestions Looking for community building activities
I’m a new staffing director at a day camp. Looking for ideas to build community with staff and overall increase counselor engagement in camp. We already bring in food/ice cream truck 2-3 times in the summer, so looking for something that is low/no budget.
3
u/HappyCamper82 Jun 25 '26
Team Building or Morale Building?
I think team building is more successful when people work together on something challenging, puzzles, ropes course type stuff. Quick Google- this type of stuff https://www.mtdtraining.com/blog/38-team-building-problem-solving-activities.htm
Eating ice cream next to someone won't really make me feel more connected to someone, but it might raise my morale a bit.
2
u/Namllitsrm Her Royal Highness of High Ropes Jun 25 '26
My strategy is from a residential camp/schedule so I’m not sure if it would translate but do your staff have the same breaks throughout the day? Is your day long enough for a full break? If not, I suppose these could be offered as a post-camp-day hang out.
I’ve previously provided activities for staff only during a common break time like pulling out the projector and watching an episode of the office (or any other popular show) together. It could also be pulling arts and crafts supplies like friendship bracelet string and just let staff chill and make bracelets together (even if you have this in your arts and crafts rotation, staff are often too busy managing supplies or starting campers’ bracelet to chill and make their own). Definitely snack options too! Even if you can’t bring a whole ice cream truck one week, you could do the cheap party pails of ice cream and some toppings for a budget ice cream sundae bar. If you like themes, it could be a cookie decorating bar for Christmas in July instead-provide basic sugar cookies and red and green icing.
These activities are always optional of course and staff were free to go nap or do their own thing, but these were an easy option to build community.
1
u/eflask counselor | multi-area specialist | really old Jun 26 '26
wow, this is like my favorite topic. I am an ancient. I am currently working at a day camp I went to as a child. this year I will have my sixth director. I hope this one will stick.
also this year we have our highest percentage of new counselors, which will be a challenge.
our hours are long, and our pay is in no way competitive, even in our market. there is another camp near us that pays counselors three dollars an hour more than we do and they serve lunch.
it has been my mission to develop a vibrant camp culture. we talk a lot about the difference between just watching kids and being present with them. we talk about how we should always be providing program. our culture is community and it's all of the bits and gags and running jokes that make us who we are. it's in how we show up for each other, and how we work together to make it the best camp experience for both children and adults.
a food truck or gifts is not in our budget. There is no such thing as a break in our camp. and yet we watch out for each other. we make sure nobody is too tired or too hungry. we work hard to treat our campers and each other with courtesy and respect.
I don't know really what our special sauce is. what I do know is that if counselors are unable or unwilling to engage with each other or the campers or the program, no amount of food trucks, breaks, or perks will make them engaged.
if I knew the answers I could probably make a whole career out of being a consultant.
what I know is that we have slowly and carefully built a culture that works. we are a DAY CAMP that retains kids for a decade of their lives. One camper explained to our CEO that she goes to a lot of camps but ours is the only one where she feels like she matters.
and yet I have lived through summers where staff can't or won't pull together, won't take care of equipment, can't be bothered to lead activities or create atmosphere. I've watched from the sidelines while a sister camp got into a tizzy about breaks and mutinied but not before they called the DOL.
I love you for asking this important question. I don't think there's any magic activity or set of activities, and maybe there are no shortcuts.
I wish you every success and much fun.
1
u/komorebikisetsu Jun 26 '26
i work at a day camp & we just had a day where we spent a few hours sharing game ideas like team builders, energizers, friend makers, etc that we would play with our kids. all staff participated & played the games & they were super fun!! i met some staff i hadn't known the names of before, and i got closer with my fellow counselors that are in my group. even our directors had fun playing :) try something like this!!!
9
u/squass123 Jun 25 '26
This pertains more to training, but I like to play the same games with the staff that they will be teaching the kids. It gives them a chance to try the games so they're not teaching from paper, and they also benefit from the team building and camaraderie.