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Sample Summer Camp Schedule
Use this sample summer camp schedule to serve as a guide for creating
your own schedule. Remember to try to be specific in your plans so you
can have a great vision of what to do and when, and so your child can be
actively engaged throughout this wonderful camp experience. Your camp
can be as long or short as you'd like. For younger children, half a day (or
just a couple of hours) might work best. Older kids might enjoy (and have
the stamina for) a full day of fun and learning!
Beginning of Day:
Before 8:00am – Wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed
8:00am
Camp Begins!
Play music and do some physical exercise to get the day started. Younger
ones will enjoy activities such as Pat-a-Cake, Ring Around the Rosey, the
Hokey Pokey or Head Shoulders Knees and Toes; For older ones, try
jumping jacks, jump rope, the cha-cha dance, or even jogging (or a brisk
walk) around the block with headphones
8:15am
Intro to the Day’s Theme – “Let’s Talk About ______”
This discussion period is a great way to start your camp day. Introduce
fun facts about the theme, show pictures and props related to the theme,
have a general question and answer session. For example, for a “Jungle-
Themed” week, you could do the following: For preschoolers – show
pictures of different jungle animals and discuss their names, sounds they
make, what they eat, and practice describing the animals. For older
children, discuss the animals’ habitats, diets, life-expectancy, and so on.
8:30am
Arts & Craft
Create a theme-related craft. Craft examples that can take on any theme:
Paper crafts, design a t-shirt (with finger paints, markers, glitter, iron-ons,
patches), design flip-flops/thongs, masks, cross stitch), make a musical
instrument, etc. See a complete list of category ideas.
9:00am
Sharpen the Mind:
Do a variety of jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, brainteasers, word find,
etc. Play a board game such as Candy Land or Memory for younger kids,
Scrabble, Chess, or Checkers for older kids. Find a “game” spot for each
day’s game time, preferably somewhere different in the home than where
the games are usually played.
9:30am
New Experience
Whatever you’ve set out for your child to learn this summer can be
incorporated into this time slot. Do you want to teach your toddler how to
count to 20 or how to say some things in Spanish? Want to teach your
preschooler about gardening or understanding phonetics? Want to teach
your older child some simple sewing techniques, how to play a musical
instrument, etc.? Use this time as hands-on discovery and learning time.
Incorporate whatever activities you find necessary. Things you might want
to teach your child: cooking, how to make homemade ice cream, learn a
dance or song, act out a monologue, learn about a new culture, how to
make and sell something, etc.
10:15am
Snack and Break
10:30am
Outdoor Play & Water Games
This can include driving to the closest neighborhood swimming pool or
playing in the inflatable pool at home; “splash time” with squirt bottles or
sprinkler, riding bicycles, push toys, playing at the local park, playing ball,
sand & water table, etc.
12:00
Lunch
Prepare a healthy and delicious lunch that is different from what your child
usually eats. Enjoy lunch in a different venue. Outside on the patio, in the
backyard or living room floor picnic-style, etc.
12:30 – 2:00pm
Nap time, quiet time, free/independent play, or break time
After a morning of fun activities, everyone (Mom especially) could use a
break. This can be your personal time to do the laundry, clean up from the
morning’s activities, return phone calls, or nap (if you’re lucky enough!). If
your child uses this time to nap, set a new designated area for naps
during summer camp, for example, on the floor with a sleeping bag, or on
a cot. Play soft music in the room. Remember this is about new
experiences.
2:00-2:15pm
Scavenger Hunt
Let your child go through the house and find items (pre-hidden by you)
that relate to the theme. You can provide clues, etc. Older children might
enjoy a photo scavenger hunt, where they have to take pictures (on a
digital camera) of the objects, rather than collect the objects in a bag.
Have a prize for the end of the game!
2:15 – 2:30pm
Storytime
Use a different environment than norm. Read in a different area of the
house, in a cozy closet, or a makeshift (or real) tent. Read a few books to
younger ones, or let them read to themselves. Older kids can enjoy
delving into new books from the library or even a new magazine.
2:30pm
Snack Time
Incorporate snack time into storytime (above) if you wish!
NOTE: Throughout your camp, you can substitute entire mornings or
afternoons for a field trip. Field trip ideas include zoo, beach, museums,
space center, aquarium, and other local attractions. Even if you want
to limit the main camp activities to you and your child(ren) as
participants, it might be fun to ask friends and neighbors to come along
for the field trips for added fun and social interaction. You can also
invite your child's friends over for a portion of the day to participate in
one or two activities, even if not for the entire day.
Use this sample summer camp schedule to serve as a guide for creating
your own schedule. Remember to try to be specific in your plans so you
can have a great vision of what to do and when, and so your child can be
actively engaged throughout this wonderful camp experience. Your camp
can be as long or short as you'd like. For younger children, half a day (or
just a couple of hours) might work best. Older kids might enjoy (and have
the stamina for) a full day of fun and learning!
Beginning of Day:
Before 8:00am – Wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed
8:00am
Camp Begins!
Play music and do some physical exercise to get the day started. Younger
ones will enjoy activities such as Pat-a-Cake, Ring Around the Rosey, the
Hokey Pokey or Head Shoulders Knees and Toes; For older ones, try
jumping jacks, jump rope, the cha-cha dance, or even jogging (or a brisk
walk) around the block with headphones
8:15am
Intro to the Day’s Theme – “Let’s Talk About ______”
This discussion period is a great way to start your camp day. Introduce
fun facts about the theme, show pictures and props related to the theme,
have a general question and answer session. For example, for a “Jungle-
Themed” week, you could do the following: For preschoolers – show
pictures of different jungle animals and discuss their names, sounds they
make, what they eat, and practice describing the animals. For older
children, discuss the animals’ habitats, diets, life-expectancy, and so on.
8:30am
Arts & Craft
Create a theme-related craft. Craft examples that can take on any theme:
Paper crafts, design a t-shirt (with finger paints, markers, glitter, iron-ons,
patches), design flip-flops/thongs, masks, cross stitch), make a musical
instrument, etc. See a complete list of category ideas.
9:00am
Sharpen the Mind:
Do a variety of jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, brainteasers, word find,
etc. Play a board game such as Candy Land or Memory for younger kids,
Scrabble, Chess, or Checkers for older kids. Find a “game” spot for each
day’s game time, preferably somewhere different in the home than where
the games are usually played.
9:30am
New Experience
Whatever you’ve set out for your child to learn this summer can be
incorporated into this time slot. Do you want to teach your toddler how to
count to 20 or how to say some things in Spanish? Want to teach your
preschooler about gardening or understanding phonetics? Want to teach
your older child some simple sewing techniques, how to play a musical
instrument, etc.? Use this time as hands-on discovery and learning time.
Incorporate whatever activities you find necessary. Things you might want
to teach your child: cooking, how to make homemade ice cream, learn a
dance or song, act out a monologue, learn about a new culture, how to
make and sell something, etc.
10:15am
Snack and Break
10:30am
Outdoor Play & Water Games
This can include driving to the closest neighborhood swimming pool or
playing in the inflatable pool at home; “splash time” with squirt bottles or
sprinkler, riding bicycles, push toys, playing at the local park, playing ball,
sand & water table, etc.
12:00
Lunch
Prepare a healthy and delicious lunch that is different from what your child
usually eats. Enjoy lunch in a different venue. Outside on the patio, in the
backyard or living room floor picnic-style, etc.
12:30 – 2:00pm
Nap time, quiet time, free/independent play, or break time
After a morning of fun activities, everyone (Mom especially) could use a
break. This can be your personal time to do the laundry, clean up from the
morning’s activities, return phone calls, or nap (if you’re lucky enough!). If
your child uses this time to nap, set a new designated area for naps
during summer camp, for example, on the floor with a sleeping bag, or on
a cot. Play soft music in the room. Remember this is about new
experiences.
2:00-2:15pm
Scavenger Hunt
Let your child go through the house and find items (pre-hidden by you)
that relate to the theme. You can provide clues, etc. Older children might
enjoy a photo scavenger hunt, where they have to take pictures (on a
digital camera) of the objects, rather than collect the objects in a bag.
Have a prize for the end of the game!
2:15 – 2:30pm
Storytime
Use a different environment than norm. Read in a different area of the
house, in a cozy closet, or a makeshift (or real) tent. Read a few books to
younger ones, or let them read to themselves. Older kids can enjoy
delving into new books from the library or even a new magazine.
2:30pm
Snack Time
Incorporate snack time into storytime (above) if you wish!
NOTE: Throughout your camp, you can substitute entire mornings or
afternoons for a field trip. Field trip ideas include zoo, beach, museums,
space center, aquarium, and other local attractions. Even if you want
to limit the main camp activities to you and your child(ren) as
participants, it might be fun to ask friends and neighbors to come along
for the field trips for added fun and social interaction. You can also
invite your child's friends over for a portion of the day to participate in
one or two activities, even if not for the entire day.
