Planning a Summer Camp Part 1: A Round-Up of Resources

I know it’s only March, but I like to take advantage of the time off during spring break to begin planning my studio summer camp so that I can begin advertising in April. (And I can’t exactly advertise unless I know what it IS that I’m advertising.) In years past, I’ve offered camps where I work with one group (based on age/ability) for a couple of hours a day for the week. This year, I’m expanding my camp and bringing in a large group of all ages and abilities at the same time, dividing them up into smaller groups and hiring older, advanced students to oversee crafts and activities while I take turns working with students in the lesson portion of camps.

There are so many fantastic resources available for teachers and studio owners in the way of innovative crafts and musical activities. I’ve reached out to a talented group of bloggers from the Kid Blogger Network and rounded up some of their fabulous teaching ideas to provide a helpful, go-to list for crafts and activities as you work on your summer camp schedule:

CRAFTS:

Tutorial for making Rainsticks (by Danya Banya):

Ten Music Instruments (with video demos!) by Red Ted Art

Crafts inspired by “Flight of the Bumblebee” (by Next Comes L):

Ideas for simple, make-your-own musical instruments by Little Bins for Little Hands

Guide to making an Ocean Drum by World Music for Children

Musical Massage Shirt by Lalymom

A round-up of ALL KINDS of homemade instruments by Crafty Moms Share

How to make Dancing Ribbon Rings by Buggy and Buddy:

Make a Rattle-Drum by Pink Stripey Socks:

Making a Chinese Gong by Kid World Citizen

GAMES and ACTIVITIES:

Activities inspired by ‘The Nutcracker’ by Africa to America

Music Sensory Bin by And Next Comes L

Exploring tempo with drums by And Next Comes L

10 patriotic songs and printable by Wildflower Ramblings

A variety of circle games by Let’s Play Music

Five games to get kids up and moving to music by Learn With Play at Home

Music note sorting game by And Next Comes L

Activities and printables for learning chords by And Next Comes L

Easy sensory bins by Fun-a-Day!

Composition activity with stickers by And Next Comes L

A symphony scavenger hunt by Africa to America

Theory games with a chalk keyboard by And Next Comes L

A song cube by Bambini Travel