What would it be like if we could gather all the camp directors in one place to share insights with one another? “Fantastic!” is the only word I can think of that even comes close. It doesn’t look like that will happen, but that should not stop the exciting exchange of ideas that would occur at such a meeting. Camp directors were asked to share their favorite idea. Here are some of the best!

One director found a way to prevent lost and stolen snack money, belly–aches from too much candy, and spoiled appetites at mealtimes. He recommends including the drink stand cost with registration fee so that all campers receive “free” refreshments at designated times.

Another director recommends limiting snack time to no more than twice daily. He has also found that pastors on the district make very good camp chaplains. Finally, he says exercise is an effective discipline technique. Chronic offenders join the camp director in jumping jacks, push–ups, jogging, etc., which is also good for the director!

Pay Phones on campgrounds have been the bane of many camp directors. One creative director found a way to prevent homesick campers from calling home. Place “Out of Order” signs on the camp’s public telephones, and tape the coin slots closed to keep campers’ attention on camp.

Another camping team designed and distributed T–shirts bearing their camp theme (corresponding to the theme from Children’s Ministries). Counselors measure campers for shirts on Monday. Completed T–shirts are distributed on Friday when the whole camp wears them to breakfast. To keep that identity going even after camp, they give every counselor a computer–generated set of mailing labels for the campers in their cabin and instruct them to send follow–up letters inviting them back for the next year. A list of older campers is given to youth camp directors.

Teen workers are no headache for one on–the–ball director. “I appointed another couple to be in charge of my teen workers. It really helped me keep my mind and energy focused on the children, my main priority,” she said.

Need more time with staff to talk about problems of the day, and make plans for the next? This director just may have a solution. She says, “After children are in bed, we spend maybe 30 minutes or more with the counselors doing crafts or having refreshments. This gives us time to discuss problems, promote cooperation, and pray for campers’ needs.”

Other experienced directors shared the following ideas:

“I make bringing a friend to camp really pay. I offer discounts for campers who recruit friends to come to camp. I also try to build staff morale by providing special treats they like. I remember each camp with a camp photo album, complete with captions for the snapshots. Finally, competition is with oneself, because campers receive awards for individual achievement instead of ‘best this’ or ’best that.’”

“The most effective thing we have done to improve the camp is to get the chaplain, Bible teacher, director, assistant director and quiz leader together prior to camp, about 4–5 months ahead, to do planning for the theme and implementation. Normally we do some discussion of this issue at the close of the prior year’s camp as well. That gives me some time to work over the fall and winter prior to our meeting in the very early spring.”

“I have considered a teen worker to watch counselors’ preschool children so I can have adult counselors. The preschoolers have a schedule all their own, including playground, free play, handwork, snack, storytime, and nap time, with meals and swim time with parents.”

“Establish after–dinner activity groups to satisfy special interests. Include gospel magic, first–aid, Red Cross lifesaving and CPR, archery, bicycle safety, physical fitness, and special speakers such as EMT’s, firemen, K–9 dog patrol, and state police underwater diving teams. Most groups will bring equipment and give a demonstration of some type.”

“If your camp is suffering from the DULLS, have one giant feature or program each year and be willing to spend the dollars to do it up BIG. One example is hot–air balloon rides. What we lost in expense, we gained in excitement and free advertising for the next year.”

“‘You can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!’ is my motto. Allow kids to have things, such as shaving cream battles, as a special camp activity. This lets the adults remain in control, deciding when and where this will happen, and ensuring it is done safely.”

“Put a different twist on the familiar ÔWorld’s Records’ theme. Anyone can set one. If you’re the first to hop all the way from your cabin to the dining hall, it’s a world record. Counselors can write the record on a 3 x 5 card and give it to the director to be read aloud to campers around a campfire or whenever a filler is needed.”

“We have experimented with several different activities. This year we took a field trip to a nearby lake. There we had a fishing derby (trophy for the largest and most fish caught), grilled hamburgers, and then created a sixty–foot banana split. The banana split was made in a raingutter lined with aluminum foil. We used 18 gallons of ice cream! It was pure delight. The largest fish was caught on a pole made from a tree branch and fishing line.”

“Knowing their Bible should pay big dividends at camp! Make Bible trivia questions part of the fun. The first person to answer each question correctly gets a discount at the snack shack.”

“Mission education received high priority. Encourage campers to donate left–over snack shack funds for mission offering. Mission awareness should be stressed in all camps. You can make wise use of the mission education material prepared by Children’s Ministries.”

“Do crafts sometimes appear to be more trouble than they are worth? Eliminate crafts if the expense is an issue, which it can be if you are trying to provide quality craft ideas and materials for 250 or more campers. Instead of crafts, we have creative dramatics. Children participate by acting our or pantomiming stories, complete with simple props, costumes, and sound effects. Everyone is involved in a presentation in some way. The drama activity is followed by games and songs that reinforce the truth or concept of the story.”

“Here is a novel way to teach Bible verses. Put memory verses on poster board, then nail them on trees throughout the camp. Below the verse, put instructions, such as ‘Circle the tree three times saying the verse, hop around the tree on one foot while saying the verse, etc.’ Then sometime during the camp, I will tell campers they can’t line up for supper until they have gone around all the memory verse trees.”

“I have appointed a full–time chaplain (in addition to the camp evangelist) to meet with children, hold daily devotions for staff, and support the speaker. This has made a noticeable difference in the spiritual atmosphere at camp.”