Indoor Camp Curriculum

Introduction

It’s worth stating the obvious - we’re an outdoor adventure camp running programs indoors. It’s not ideal. Though, depending on the commitment and enthusiasm of the instructors, this pivot can be extremely beneficial and satisfying for campers. Indoor camp provides opportunities to more deeply talk about topics like Leave No Trace, do more team building activities, and overall facilitate lessons that cover areas we don't often have enough time to cover when we're outdoors running our standard programming. By framing these days with excitement and enthusiasm and with lots of prepared games, riddles, and lessons, instructors can help campers embrace their time together indoors and provide an enriching day of camp under less that ideal circumstances.

Overview

This resource provides activity suggestions as well as links to additional resources for Instructors and Camp Leadership to use to plan out an entire day of indoor camp for campers of all ages and for all camp sizes. Camp Leadership and Instructors will come up with activities for 3 different stations that groups will be able to move through over the course of a day utilizing the space provided at their unique facility, resources they have on hand, and additional purchased resources (as necessary). Throughout their time indoors, campers can expect to be engaged for the entire time.

Packing List

There are numerous resources that should be available for indoor camp, examples include:

• Explorer Art, Music, Yoga bins

• Aftercare bins/resources

• Hiking day resources (Blindfolds for team-building initiatives, compasses, Plant & Animal guide pamphlets, etc)

• OIQ Resources

• Ropes/Tarps for initiatives

• Paper and markers/crayons

• First Aid Kits

• Ask your Camp Director for additional resources if needed

Special Considerations

Behavior:

Behavior management is especially important when indoors. Remember to set the tone early, clarify expectations, and have one on one discussions as needed in order to keep campers focused and engaged with the activities.

Additional Entertainment:

If time indoors surpasses two days, Camp Leadership will provide the opportunity to have campers watch outdoor focused, age appropriate movies.

Space & Access:

Activity stations may be limited due to space. Camp Leadership will be able to provide guidance to which activities are most appropriate. If there is access to a large room (or gymnasium), Camp Leadership will determine if a “free space” is an option or if a larger group game can be played.

Explorer Art/Music/Yoga:

Explorer instructors should still plan to run their campers through the Art/Music/Yoga rotation daily. This activity will most likely be done during the Static Activity Station.

Outdoor Use:

Camp Leadership will be in close contact with Regional Managers & staff to determine when it will be appropriate to go back outdoors to regular scheduled programming. If we can go back outside, we should and will.

A Day in the Life of Indoor Camp

9:00am Morning circle, Ice Breaker, organize backpacks, gather supplies

9:30am Activity Station #1

10:15am Activity Station #2

11:00am Activity Station #3

11:45pm Lunch

12:30pm Activity Station #1

1:15pm Activity Station #2

2:00pm Activity Station #3

2:45pm End of day debrief

3:00pm Camper sign out and parent conversations

Link to Planning Sheet (Print one per group)