Summer camp is the perfect opportunity to educate children about a wide range of topics, including the exploration of different cultures. Incorporating world activities for summer camp is a fantastic way to broaden their horizons and cultivate a greater sense of global awareness.
Here are some fun activities that you can incorporate to help teach kids about different countries. Let’s dive in!
Craft Workshops
Crafting is a great way to experience elements of other cultures. It’s also easy to find crafts that are suitable for campers of all ages.
For example, you can teach children origami, which is the Japanese art of paper folding. Have your staff help find a selection of origami instructions that your campers are likely to be able to follow.
You can also have your campers explore African cultures through the creation of traditional masks. Use cardboard, paint, and embellishments to create intricate masks.
Crafting dreamcatchers is a way to explore Native American cultures. Dreamcatchers can be made using a wood loop, yarn, beads, and some feathers.
Global Kitchen Cooking Classes
Plan cooking classes with different international themes. Use each class as an opportunity to learn more about a different culture from around the world.
For example, you could make pasta for a class that explores Italian culture. Kids can learn more about Japanese cuisine and culture as they make simple sushi rolls. Campers may discuss Mexican food traditions as they learn to make tacos or burritos.
International Sports Day
Arrange a sports day that focuses on a sport from a particular part of the world. For example, you could introduce campers to cricket, which is one of the most popular sports in both England and India. You can teach campers the basic rules, the history of the sport, and the cultural connections to England and India.
When exploring Japanese culture, consider teaching campers about sumo wrestling. For discussions about Canada, teach campers how to participate in curling.
Young campers may also be surprised to learn that soccer is called football in many parts of the world. Spain, Brazil, and England are just a few of the countries where football is almost a national sport.
Language Fun
Teach children some basic greetings and phrases in languages from around the globe. You can also incorporate this into any of the other activities.
For example, when learning about Japan through sumo wrestling or making sushi rolls, teach children some basic Japanese greetings and phrases.
Along with languages spoken in foreign countries, you could broaden your campers’ cultural knowledge by introducing basic sign language. Discuss the importance of sign language and how it varies across different countries and cultures. As with spoken languages, sign language is unique to different parts of the world.
Cultural Storytime and Theater
Research folktales from various cultures. Share these stories around the campfire. If your campground has young campers, consider creating a shadow puppet play. Create shadow puppets to tell children about stories from different cultures.
You could also have the campers put on a traditional play or performance for a specific culture. Learn more about the different types of performances from various cultures, such as different plays and activities.
Global Music and Dance
Incorporate global music and dance sessions into your camp season itinerary. For example, you could plan a drum circle. Explore rhythm and music by learning to play drums and other percussion instruments. Discuss the importance of drum circles in certain African cultures.
Teach campers a simple Bollywood dance routine. Discuss the importance of dance in Indian culture.
You could also teach campers the basics of salsa dancing. You can introduce campers to Latin cultures through music and dance.
World Fair Day
Set up booths that represent different countries. Each booth should include access to traditional foods, games, crafts, and facts.
Campers can visit each country while learning and participating in different activities. You could even consider dividing campers into groups and having each group research and create a separate booth exploring a specific culture.
If internet access is unavailable, make sure that campers have access to all the resources they need at the campground, such as books and magazines with relevant information.
How to Plan World Activities for Summer Camp
To incorporate some of these world activities for summer camp ideas, try to think about which activities your campers are most likely to enjoy. Some activities may be better suited for certain age groups or camp settings.
You should also try to incorporate a variety of activities to broaden the cultural experience. This also helps keep the activities engaging and memorable.
Here are a few other tips to help you effectively plan these activities:
- Set clear objectives
- Research and select themes
- Incorporate educational elements
- Engage with experts
- Foster an environment of respect
- Incorporate reflection and discussion
- Celebrate diversity
When planning a world activity, set clear objectives. Define what you want campers to learn from the activity, such as specific information about another culture.
Carefully research and select themes and activities. Learn more about the cultures that you want campers to explore.
Try to incorporate educational elements seamlessly. Use stories, hands-on crafts, games, and cooking lessons as teaching tools.
If possible, try to engage with experts or community members. For example, you can invite guest speakers to share their experiences and knowledge of their culture. This direct engagement can provide a more authentic and memorable learning experience.
Make sure that you promote a respectful environment when discussing and learning about different cultures. Encourage campers to ask questions. However, campers should also understand the importance of empathy, open-mindedness, and the value of learning from others’ experiences and perspectives.
Give campers a chance to reflect and discuss the information covered in each world activity. Ask campers what they learned, what surprised them, and how their perceptions may have changed. This can help reinforce the educational aspect of the activity. The bottom line is that world activities are intended to help celebrate diversity. By following these steps, you should help enrich the experience provided at your camp. You can also help plant the seeds of global awareness and understanding. Consider using these ideas to help inspire curiosity, respect, and a lifelong interest in exploring the diverse world we all share.
