How do your tween/teen age children stay in touch with the great, new friends they make at summer camp? For many children it will be their first time at sleepaway camp and they connect with children from all over the country. Many are campers from the NY/NJ/PA/CT region however, some come from as far away as Florida and California!
Staying in touch can be challenging, especially when going to back to a school year routine.
Here are some great ways to stay connected with new friends from far away, until which time you can reconnect in person/at camp again! (These games and methods also work well for local friends to stay connected during a busy academic year):
1. Scavenger hunt
Use the free GooseChase App to design a scavenger hunt! Want to create your own? Creating your own requires some parental assistance (or a "game master"), but it is super fun for the kids. Generate a list of items that the group can find in their houses or outside (within walking distance). Reveal the items one at a time while the tweens are together online. The first one to locate the item and show it on camera for each round gets a point, and the one with the most points at the end of the hunt wins a small prize.
2. Virtual bingo
I was an avid bingo player in high school and college. It was SO MUCH FUN and it gave us something different to do with our friends. Pick your favorite pair of pajamas, or your wackiest outfit, and try your luck at the My Free Bingo Cards site.
3. Painting class
There are about a million painting tutorials on YouTube, and canvases are not terribly expensive. In fact, you can often find painting canvases and art supplies at your local dollar store! Bob Ross is making a serious comeback among high school and college kids, and he has quite the arsenal of tutorials online. Gather up and let your creativity shine!
4. Secret pal
Use Elfster to easily manage a group gift exchange. It's free and does all the work for you. Your teen and their group of friends can deliver small gifts to their Secret Pal for a designated number of days or weeks. It's even more fun when they leave a clue with the treat and try to guess their gifter. Be sure to establish a spending limit to keep it equal.
5. Talent Show/Open Mic Night
The sky is the limit for this hilarious activity. Prerecord or go live but be sure to have fun and showcase your "talents." Set a time limit for each act. TRUST ME.
6. Drawize
Most kids are at least familiar with Pictionary, even if they've never actually played. Use Drawize and play online for free with friends. The group will quickly divide into the talented and not-so-talented artists, and the results are definitely going to be good for a laugh... or ten.
7. Cookie or cupcake decorating (à la the show Nailed It!)
Attempt to recreate a professionally decorated cookie or cupcake while hanging out with friends online. I guarantee there will be a ton of laughs when they reveal their final products. Must do: Shout "Nailed it!" when it's your turn to reveal.
8. Trash bag fashion show
The rules are simple for this fun activity. Each player gets a large black trash bag, which they have to use to design something to "wear" on the runway at the fashion show. Decide ahead of time what supplies they are allowed to use to create their masterpiece. I think you'll be shocked and amazed at what they come up with! Well, most of them.
9. "Would you rather?" night
There are enough "Would You Rather?" books out there that will make this activity simple to execute or get creative and have each player come up with a few of their own questions. Coming up with the questions won't be hard however, answering them might be!
10. Two truths and a lie
It's simple to execute, requires no supplies, and is a great way to get to know your friends (or people you haven't met). Tell three things about yourself: Two truths and one lie. Everyone takes turns guessing the lie before you reveal it to the group. There are usually some real shockers in the mix that get the group talking!
*Socializing with others is an important part of maintaining our mental and emotional health!*
Elisa
** Adapted from an article by: Christen Reiner, publisher of Macaroni Kid Lakewood-Littleton and Macaroni Kid Denver
