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Looking for a selection of camp activities for teenagers that they will love to participate in? Camping with teenagers can be a lot of fun provided you know how to keep their interest levels high.
Find activities and games that can be undertaken in all weather and will excite the adventurous, the sporty and the first time campers. Everyone will be sure to have a fun filled time.
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Camping for teenagers is a lot of fun. The camping could be for an organised group, a birthday party with some friends, or just a couple of families with teens camping together.
Regardless of the initial reasoning behind your camping trip, thinking about some activities to undertake with the teens will make the entire camping experience more rewarding and a lot more fun.
Camping is absolutely great for teenagers. It allows them to disconnect from technology, explore the great outdoors and also build and strengthen relationships with others.
These ideas are perfect for keeping them happy and engaged throughout the entire camping experience. Choose from a range of fun camping activities that will ensure everyone has a great time.
How Can Teenagers Benefit From Camping?
There are so many reasons to go camping and it benefits people of all ages.
For teenagers it is a great experience for them to try something new, test their boundaries and learn some new skills.
Aside from this, camping is great for:
- Being physically active and off technology for a few days. Participating in physical activity does wonders for teens.
- Building relationships and bonds with others.
- Appreciating nature and learning about the great outdoors.
- Encouraging teamwork and working together.
- Depending on the group, camping can even be an opportunity to make some new friends.
- Getting some amazing fresh air!
Ice Breaker Activity
Every camp needs an ice breaker activity. This is fantastic when the teenagers don’t all know each other, but it’s also super useful even when they do. Either way it’s a fun way to break the ice at the start of a camping trip.
Camping is not an activity that is done all the time, so even if teenagers are used to being around each other, being in a different environment can quite often change dynamics amongst the group.
That’s why an ice breaker activity is always useful as soon as you set up camp.
This is one of the easiest ice breaker activities which every teen will be able to join in with. It’s called the “line up”.
- Gather all the teens together in a group and inform them that they are going to be given some instructions from which they will form a line.
- Once a line has been made they will be given more instructions to form another line.
- Instructions need to be simple and easy for the teens to communicate with each other.
- The first instruction can be to form a line without talking to each other based on their height. Tallest to shortest.
- The following instructions to form lines can be to line up according to the month of their birthday, to how many siblings they have or how many pets they have. Line up according to the letter of their first name and then their last name.
- Think of as many line up instructions that you can that will ensure the teenagers all mix together. They will have to work together to form the lines and also find out a little bit of information about each other too.
Ice breaker activities are important to occur near the beginning of camp to ensure that everyone starts of the experience in the most relaxed way possible. This game is also great if you have kids of all ages and even younger children can participate.
Adventure Camping Activities
For the adventurous teens, these fun outdoor activities will be sure to keep them active and wear them out for a good nights sleep!
Hiking Nature Hike
Hiking is not only fantastic for getting in some exercise but it is also great for enjoying the local campsite surroundings.
You might find that teenagers need a bit of convincing to go on a hike. If that’s the case ensure that you chose a trail that has an “end point”. Something that leads to a spectacular view, a waterfall or a swimming hole would be ideal.
If the teenagers know what they are heading towards then it gives more of a focus and enjoyment. Hand them all a compass so they can navigate their path. It’s also the perfect time to test them out on some simple survival skills.
Scavenger Hunt Treasure Hunt
Another fun alternative to the scavenger hunt would be to make it a selfie scavenger hunt. Let’s face it, all teenagers love their selfies!
Send them off searching for specific items and when they have found them they need to take a selfie with the item. This will definitely ensure that no cheating occurs and it will provide some fun photos to look back on after camp.
Geocaching – geocaching app
New to geocaching? It’s super simple to get started.
Teens will enjoy hiking and exploring looking for hidden treasures. You will need to download the geocaching app in order to obtain instructions, but the fact that its using technology will get the teens even more excited about it!
The hidden treasures are left by other players and can contain literally anything. It might be note, a plastic figurine, some marbles, a picture or a painted rock. Who knows. That’s half the surprise. Take the treasure, leave your name and leave a new treasure. If you don’t want the treasure or don’t have a new one to replace it with, then simply put it back and simply enjoy the thrill of the hunt.
Obstacle Course
An obstacle course can be set up anywhere and it’s easy to use what you have handy at a camp site.
Use logs and boulders to climb over, camp chairs and tables to climb under and planks to balance on. Lay out a picnic rug and have the teenagers crawl under it.
Be creative with what you have accessible to you and you can have a lot of fun creating an obstacle course.
Water Games & Activities Teenagers Will Love Whilst Camping
Camping near a body of water? Water opens up a whole lot of opportunities that would be fun for teenagers whilst camping, especially on hot days. Be sure to check any rules relating to any water activities at the site before commencing an activity.
Kayaking
It doesn’t matter whether the teenagers have used a kayak before or not as this is a fun activity that they will all enjoy.
This is an activity that will work on their balance and strength and more than likely cause a lot of laughter in the process.
Swimming
Swimming can be a great option for teenagers if there is a nice water hole. Teenagers don’t even seem to be bothered by the weather so as long as it’s not freezing cold, this can still be an activity in almost any season.
Ensure that there are several supervisors watching the teenagers closely so that everyone can be involved with the fun safely.
Water Fight
It goes without saying that if there is water, it’s a prime opportunity for a water fight. Bring lots of water pistols and let the battle begin.
You are never too old for a water fight and this is something everyone can easily be involved in.
Having a water fight with water balloons is also an option, but be sure to collect all remnants of balloons when the game is finished. If that sounds too hard or time consuming, then it’s best to stick to the classic game of water pistols.
Fishing
Check for any conditions relating to fishing and if there are no restrictions, this can be a great fun activity whilst camping.
Let the teenagers catch their own fish to cook on the campfire for dinner!
Fishing can be a great relaxing and bonding experience which would be great for a small group of teenagers.
Bird Watching
This could be a new experience for the teens or something they have done before. Provide each teen with a set of binoculars so they can get a closer look at the birds they are trying to distinguish.
Also ensure that several bird books are available to help them identify and tick off the birds that they find.
Sporting Camping Activities
You are always onto a winner with some simple classic physical exercise whilst on a camping trip. The best part is that everyone knows how to play these games, and it doesn’t matter whether the teens are any good at them or not. These activities are also great if you need to fill up some free time.
Bike Riding
For an adventurous group of teens, bike riding is the perfect camping activity. Look for bike trails and study the gradients before you get started to ensure that the trail is suitable for all in the group.
Get all the teens to pack a backpack and then set off on an adventure.
Set ground rules before you start such as keeping together and having designated stopping points.
Football
If there is an open ground near the camp site then football is a great team sport to play. Divide the teens into two teams, set up goal areas then set a timer for the play to begin. And all you need to take with you is a football!
Cricket
Another great team sport if you have the space available.
Whether the teens have played cricket before or not, this is a game that everyone can get involved in and have a lot of fun with.
Camping Games
There are so many simple but classic camping games that can be incorporated into the trip. These are fun activities regardless of how many times they are played.
Frisbee
Don’t underestimate how much fun can be had with a simple frisbee. Enjoy a simple casual play or split into teams and make it a competition.
This will get the teens running around, laughing and easily having fun. It’s the perfect game to instantly wear off some energy.
Tug Of War
A tug of war is such a simple game but also a super fun game. If you have a group of teenagers who need to release some energy this is a fantastic way of doing it.
All you need is some rope and some willing participants.
Divide your players into two teams (of equal build) and let the tug of war begin. The team members can battle out their strength against each other, with the first team to be able to pull their opponents across the line crowned the winners.
Nerf Battle
A nerf battle is a lot of fun and something the teenagers will really enjoy. It’s a great way to engage in some friendly competition.
However this battle will take a bit of clean up. You are in nature and you don’t want to be leaving nerf bullets behind. So only play if you are prepared to collect and account for all the nerf bullets after the game.
Lazer Tag
The lazer tag is played in much the same way as the nerf battle except you don’t have to worry about collecting bullets! It therefore might be an easier game to play whilst camping.
Every player will however need a lazer gun and also lazer vest.
Then split the teens into teams, set up the rules and let the battle begin.
Night Time Camping Fun
Campfire Cooking
Not every teen has cooked at home, let alone cook over a campfire. But cooking on a campfire is so much fun.
There are many simple recipes that teens can cook themselves that they will also enjoy eating. They can either cook their own meals, or a group can cook for the other half of the group.
Either way this will be a fun activity that the teens will enjoy doing together, plus they will also learn some basic skills too. It’s a win win activity.
Star Gazing
Camping and star gazing go hand in hand. Hopefully there will be a clear night or two that will allow for some sensational star gazing.
Move slightly away from the camp fire to ensure less light interference and enjoy the wonders of the night sky.
Roll out a blanket, lie down and get comfortable as you stare into the night wonders.
If you have a telescope of binoculars, bring them along to add to the experience. You can guarantee that the teenagers will be queuing up to have a go looking through them.
Ghost Stories
Telling ghost stories is one of those experiences that everyone wants to do on camp, but no-one want to do on camp!
Ensure that the stories told are suitable for the age group in attendance. If there are younger teens then it would be a good idea to keep the stories fairly tame unless you want the teens up all night!
If you would rather opt away from the “ghost stories” then normal stories are fine too.
Some examples of conversation starters are:
- The bravest thing I have ever done
- The most exciting adventure I’ve ever been on
- The best day of my life was…
Campfire Charades
Charades is a lot of fun and even more fun when played by a campfire.
Add a little extra campfire fun to it by ensuring all the phrases are related to camping or camp wildlife in some way.
This game is one of those old family favorites, that never gets dull.
Rainy Days Camping Activities
Whilst no-one wants to go camping in the rain, unexpected weather can always happen. It is therefore a good idea to come prepared with some rainy day activities “just in case”.
It is also the perfect opportunity to have some quieter time, or some get to know you time as you are forced to spend more time together in a close proximity.
Board Games
When it’s raining, it is a great opportunity to whip out some board games. Teens can either cosy up in their tents and play whilst snuggled into their sleeping bag or set up an area under cover outside. Just be sure that there is enough room for everyone to sit in the dry comfortably.
Board games are a great addition to any camping experience, so even if it’s not raining they are good to pull out for some quiet time, or evening time fun.
Camp games don’t always need to be loud and active. Sometimes it’s nice to just chill and enjoy the camp site!
Card Games
Card games are easy to take onto a camping trip. They are small to pack and easy to play. There are also SO many card games that can be played ensuring fun for everyone.
And if the weather is bad? The teens can huddle together in a tent or under shelter playing card games until the weather improves.
Verbal Games
Verbal games are super easy to play and the great thing about them is that they don’t need any preparation. These games can simply be played on a whim just by gathering everyone together. Examples of verbal games include:
Who Am I: On a piece of paper write down an object or a person. Hold it over one players head for the rest of the group to see. That person then has to ask questions to the group to work out who or what they are. To make it more fun, either set a time limit or only allow them to ask a certain number of questions before they have to identify who or what they are.
Two Truths and A Lie: Ask every camper to think of two truths and a lie about themselves. In turn every player tells the group of their truths/lie. The rest of the campers have to identify which is the lie.
Story Telling: The first person has to start a story with one of two lines. In turn going around the circle everyone contributes a further one or two lines to the story. The last person has to finish off the story in their allocated one to two lines.
The Alphabet Game: This is a word association game where everyone has to say an item that begins with the letter of the alphabet. For example the item could be “fruit or vegetables”. Camper one could say “apple” then camper two has to think of something beginning with the letter B such as “Bananas”. Then the third camper has to say something beginning with C such as “carrots”. The game continues throughout the alphabet until someone can’t think of an item on their turn. The game then starts again with that person beginning at A with a new item.
Get In The Rain
The teens might be inclined to simply get in the rain! This will ultimately depend on the type of group you have camping and whether this is something they would be comfortable with. But if the rain doesn’t bother anyone, then continue on with your activities as planned. The only difference is everyone will get a little wet!
Alternatively if everyone has rain jackets or ponchos and gum boots, then that will help to keep the rain off slightly. Maybe everyone can even go singing and dancing in the rain and bring out their inner child.
Camping is such a valuable experience for teenagers. For some it will get them out of their comfort zone, whilst others may be seasoned campers.
Use these great ideas to ensure that whether the teen is experiencing their first camp, or one of many, that it will be a memorable camp experience.
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