10 of the Best Summer Camp Games
Ah, summer break. A time for leisure, recreation, and takin it easy – especially if you’re spending part of it with your friends and family! But a ten year old can only sit while the adults play cribbage for so long…
Here in Minnesota, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find someone with no childhood memories of cabin or camping vacations with aunts, uncles, and cousins. Personally, I remember hunkering down behind a lichen coated rock, trying so hard to steady my excited breathing while flashlights hit the trees around me. There were nights by the fire and away from it, running free with my cousins while the adults chatted. I never went to summer camp, but I did have summer camp games, thanks to my many older cousins. So, if you’re like me and starting to forget the games you can play while at family reunions or group camping trips, here are some of the best summer camp games we have to offer!
1. Sardines
Starting us off is one of my favorite summer camp games, Sardines. How’d it get that name? Because at some point in the game, everyone is going to be packed in like sardines in the hiding spot. It’s reverse hide and seek. One person hides, and everyone else tries to find them. Once you find them, you join them in their hiding spot until one person is left searching. It’s great for any size group, and a blast to play in the dark!
2. GaGa Ball
Originating in Jewish summer camps, GaGa Ball is a chiller version of dodgeball. Standing in an octagon enclosure (portable ones available online), you try to hit your opponents in the legs with a ball to get them out. Last man standing wins, though if the ball goes out of bounds or the last to touch it suffers a penalty, people have the chance to get back in. If you’re visiting us here at Campfire Bay, you’re welcome to use our GaGa Ball pit!
3. Volleyball
Whether it’s in a sand pit or in the grass, volleyball doesn’t require proper coaching and organization to enjoy. If you are somewhere without a volleyball net, you can also just string a rope between to trees. Split up your family into two teams, figure out who is standing where, and have some fun! At Campfire Bay, we have an outdoor sand volleyball court and an indoor court in our rec center. If it’s raining, you can not only play volleyball, but also pickleball, basketball, or even foursquare there!
4. Freeze Tag
Perhaps one of the easiest summer camp games you can play with no equipment, this variation of tag can be played a variety of ways. Everyone knows the basic form; you’re tagged, you freeze, and you get unfrozen by another runner tapping you or crawling between your legs. There’s also toilet tag (where the frozen sticks their hand out like a flusher and someone has to push it down to free them), which was a staple in my elementary school. If it’s night time, try flashlight tag, where the beam hitting you gets you frozen and other runners have to tap you to free you!
5. Ghosts in the Graveyard
This is the game I have the most childhood memories of. Best played at night for maximum ghostly vibes, this is another reverse tag game. First, designate a safe zone – a non-hauntable space, if you will. After the “ghost” is designated, kids count from 1 to 12, when they declare “MIDNIGHT! GHOST IN THE GRAVEYARD!” and try to make it back to the safe zone before they get caught by the ghost and become one themselves!
6. Ships Across the Ocean
If Red Rover and Tag had a nautical-themed baby, this would be it. Split your group into Captains (taggers) and Ships (runners). Captains stand still in the middle of a field, spaced out. They can’t move their feet, but they need to tag the ships crossing to create “seaweed.” Following the chant of “Ships across the ocean, ships across the sea, Captain, Captain, you can’t catch me!” the ships run through the field of Captains. If they’re touched, they have to freeze and get as many other ships as they can!
7. Horseshoes
A classic summer camp game good for smaller groups! Simply team up and throw a horseshoe around the spike opposite you. Portable sets are available online. If you’re spending time with us, you can use our horseshoe pit right out next to the lodge!
8. Dodgeball
This one isn’t as readily available as the prior games on this list, seeing as it’s best played in a gym or a large field, but dodgeball is an easy, quintessential game. Simply divide into teams and try to get people out by throwing balls at the others! But remember not to hit them in the face. Our Rec Center has a great space for dodgeball if you’re staying with us!
9. Carpetball
This game started out as a version of bocce ball, but played indoors. Now, it’s a fun mix of bowling, shuffleboard, and billiards. Stop by the side of our lodge to try it out for yourself! All you have to do is stack your balls on your end of the trough in whatever pattern you wish, and when it’s your turn, attempt to knock your opponent’s into their pit!
10. Capture the Flag
Perhaps the most iconic summer game, Capture the Flag can be as complicated or as simple as you want! To start, get two flags and two teams. Divide a space into Team A’s territory and Team B’s territory, and place their flags at the far ends. Designate a space for a jail. Do your best to snag the other team’s flag and bring it on to your property before getting caught!
We hope this post sparked a little nostalgia for you, and some creativity for your vacationing group! While these games are most popular amongst groups of kids, we encourage you to partake as well. After all, throwing yourself into family and fun often results in the most memorable vacations!
