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HOME » FOR TEACHERS AND YOUTH WORKERS » TIPS ON CAMPS & RETREATS » CAMP TRADITIONS Camp traditions are those little events that serve as "icing" on the cake of the camping experience. They are not mandatory but a whole lot of fun. Traditions serve both as a draw and anchor points for the campers who come often. There are spontaneous traditions born out of an occasion of silliness, challenge or whatever. Such as climbing a mountain peak with flags in hand, meeting under an old tree or jumping into a freezing lake early in the morning. The right combination, the right timing, something just "clicks" and the tradition is on. A smart camp leader will "exploit" the occasion and put it into an annual occasion. The tradition becomes stronger each year, becoming a draw in itself. There are traditions that can be created. We have listed a few below. GWARK CLUB The Gwark club is another version of the old "snipe" trick ... an exercise in futility! Create a "GWARK CARD" ... a small 3X5 card handed out to everyone during the first day of camp. The idea is to have a lot of tongue & cheek fun with the campers. The more screwy requests the better. Promise outrageous prizes for the winner ... bicycles, motorcycles, etc. No worry, no one will be able to win. At two or three occasions each day (lunch, dinner, etc.) give one progressively confusing request to do on the card. Announce that one mistake will disqualify you. Listen closely. Make the first few requests difficult but possible. Then the requests become more confusing and ultimately impossible. Examples, write your name on the front side (not print), or put a "dot" in the middle (dot). Write your counselors first and last name on the front and back of your card. (First on one side and last on the other) The last requests are impossible, example ... Sign the 17th presidents name on the upper left hand side of your card. You get the idea. COMPETITION Good competition is great at camp! Its part of camping. It creates teamwork and a camp spirit. The secret to good competition is creating even sides or teams and arranging your point system right. Too often one or two teams will be runaway winners by Wednesday ... halfway thru camp leaving you with no competition at all in the last few days. The losers sulk and the winners have a hollow victory the last two days are flat! To guard yourself from this "tragedy" make a point system that builds each day. Monday the point value is 10 points. Tuesday the point value is 15 points. Wednesday, Thursday the point value increases and on Friday double it! That way the points are so heavy on Friday that any team can still win. It works like a charm.

HOME » FOR TEACHERS AND YOUTH WORKERS » TIPS ON CAMPS & RETREATS » CAMP TRADITIONS

Camp traditions are those little events that serve as "icing" on the cake of the camping experience. They are not mandatory but a whole lot of fun. Traditions serve both as a draw and anchor points for the campers who come often. There are spontaneous traditions born out of an occasion of silliness, challenge or whatever. Such as climbing a mountain peak with flags in hand, meeting under an old tree or jumping into a freezing lake early in the morning. The right combination, the right timing, something just "clicks" and the tradition is on. A smart camp leader will "exploit" the occasion and put it into an annual occasion. The tradition becomes stronger each year, becoming a draw in itself.

There are traditions that can be created. We have listed a few below.

GWARK CLUB

The Gwark club is another version of the old "snipe" trick ... an exercise in futility! Create a "GWARK CARD" ... a small 3X5 card handed out to everyone during the first day of camp. The idea is to have a lot of tongue & cheek fun with the campers. The more screwy requests the better. Promise outrageous prizes for the winner ... bicycles, motorcycles, etc. No worry, no one will be able to win. At two or three occasions each day (lunch, dinner, etc.) give one progressively confusing request to do on the card. Announce that one mistake will disqualify you. Listen closely. Make the first few requests difficult but possible. Then the requests become more confusing and ultimately impossible. Examples, write your name on the front side (not print), or put a "dot" in the middle (dot). Write your counselors first and last name on the front and back of your card. (First on one side and last on the other) The last requests are impossible, example ... Sign the 17th presidents name on the upper left hand side of your card. You get the idea.

COMPETITION

Good competition is great at camp! Its part of camping. It creates teamwork and a camp spirit. The secret to good competition is creating even sides or teams and arranging your point system right. Too often one or two teams will be runaway winners by Wednesday ... halfway thru camp leaving you with no competition at all in the last few days. The losers sulk and the winners have a hollow victory the last two days are flat! To guard yourself from this "tragedy" make a point system that builds each day. Monday the point value is 10 points. Tuesday the point value is 15 points. Wednesday, Thursday the point value increases and on Friday double it! That way the points are so heavy on Friday that any team can still win. It works like a charm.