Songs

1. A-Camping We Will Go (tune: Farmer in the Dell)

A-camping we will go,

A-camping we will go,

Hi-ho and off we go,

A-camping we will go.

More Verses:

First we pitch our tent

Next we chop some wood

We light the campfire now

We cook our dinner now

We tell fun stories

It's time to go to sleep

2. Lets’ Go Camping

Lets’ go camping,

Lets’ go camping,

Pack the tent,

Pack the tent

We will all go hiking

We will all go swimming

We will have fun

We will have fun

3. Did You Ever Go A-Camping (tune: did you ever see a Lassie)

Did you ever go a-camping,

A-camping, a-camping

Did you ever go a-camping

and sleep in a tent.

2. and catch a big fish

3. and have a campfire

4. and hike in the woods

5. and go swimming

 

Stories

1. When I go camping with Grandma by Marion Dane Bauer

A child enjoys a camping trip with Grandma that includes hiking, canoeing, fishing, and cooking out.

2. Camping Out by Mercer Mayer

When Little Critter and Gator camp out in the backyard, strange noises bother them until they discover that there is a harmless explanation for each one. Includes activities.

3. My Camp-Out by Marcia Leonard

A young girl camps out in her bedroom and is joined by her mother.

4. Arthur's Camp-Out [book on tape] by Lillian Hoban

Bored with spring vacation, Arthur decides to go alone on an overnight field trip in the woods behind his house.

5. Zachary in Camping out by Bertrand Gauthier

Zachary and his dad camp at the seashore with friends at the time of the full moon.

 

Circle Activities

1. Camper, Camper What Do You See (Brown Bear Innovations)

Camper, Camper what do you see?

I see a bunch of tents all around me.

Tents, Tents what do you see?

I see a campfire shinning beautifully.

... stars sparkling above me.

... a lake flowing out to sea.

... fisherman standing next to me.

... a rainbow trout swimming close to me.

2. Going Camping Fingerplay

I am going camping (point thumb proudly to chest)

Time to pack (point to wristwatch)

My tent, my bedroll (make tent with hands; then fold to cheek)

And a snack (pretend to eat)

I’ll sit my the campfire (warm hands over fire)

It glows so bright (fan and wiggle fingers to resemble fire)

Then snooze in my tent (pretend to snore)

Until the morning light! (open eyes wide, forming sun over head)

3. Five Little Campers

Five little campers sitting in the sun

The first one said, "I'd like to have some fun."

The second one said, "Let's all go for a swim."

The third one said, "I'll ask a grown-up to watch while we're in."

The fourth one said, "Let's get our safety vests."

The fifth one said, "We're the best."

"O-O-O-O-K went the parents",

"Yeah went the kids",

And the five little campers began to swim.

4. Campfire Pokey (Tune: "Hokey Pokey")

You put your marshmallow in, You take your marshmallow out, You put your marshmallow in and you shake it all about, You do the campfire pokey, and you turn yourself about, And that's what it's all about, hey!

Substitute "marshmallow" with hot dog, potato, apple, popcorn, and anything else that you can roast over the campfire.

At the end, use the phrase: You put your whole dinner in, You take your whole dinner out, You put your whole dinner in, and you shake it all about, You do the campfire pokey, and you turn yourself about, And that's what its all about, yum, yum!

5. Going Fishing Fingerplay

When I go fishing down at the brook, (Hold fishing pole over shoulder)

I put a wiggly worm on my hook. (Put wiggly worm on hook)

I toss it into water, (Swing pole into water)

And hope with all my might,

A little fish will swim on by. (Left hand-fingers together)

And take a great big bite. (Move thumb away from fingers -- then snap them back together)

 

Crafts

1. Who's Sleeping in the Tent?

Trace or precut a tent pattern (use large triangle shape) Let children decorate their tents, then cut a slit up the middle to make the tent flaps. Print out a picture of each child and glue the picture to a pre-cut out shape of a sleeping bag. Glue photo and sleeping bag onto a piece of construction paper and then glue the tent over top so the picture is shown when flaps are open. Add cut-out trees and stars above.

2. Campfire

Cut out log shapes with brown construction paper. Glue onto paper. Give each child a blob of red, yellow and orange paint and let them finger paint to make a campfire.

3. Nature Collage

Collect things outside that you would find hiking in the woods while camping. Glue the items on to paper to make a nature collage.

4. Starry Night

Provide the children with star stickers and black paper. The children can stick as many stars as they want to make a beautiful starry night.

5. Tackle Box

Make two holes approximately three inches apart in the center of the lid of an egg carton. To form the handle, thread a cord through the holes and tie. Paint the box. Add a few rubber fish (minnows) for pretend bait.

 

General Activities

1. Campfire

Using real sticks make tee-pee shape fire and put yellow, red and orange tissue paper underneath to make a campfire.  Put real rocks around the campfire and sit around it to do circle time.

2. Tent

Set up a tent with sleeping bags, flashlight, dishes, backpacks, canteens

3. PJ Day

Have the children come to daycare in their pajamas.

4. Picnic Area

Set up picnic basket with food and table.

5. Lake

Set up a lake with fish and fishing poles.