Rachel Raccoon Have a group (8 or less) get in a circle. Have each person say his/her name and an animal that matches the first letter of his/her name. Have all members go in a circle and select their animal (no

two people can have the same animal). Then introduce a ball. Make everyone say the name of the person they are passing the ball to. Add more variations for a greater challenge. 60 second Interview Split the group into pairs. Have each person learn as much about their partner in 60 second. Have partners introduce each other to the entire group.

Group Juggle Have the group form a circle. Person #1 begins by saying his/her name and passing a ball to Person #2, while saying their name. Person #2 says thanks Person #1, I’m person #2. Person 2 passes to another who follows the same pattern. Variant– Story Pass, person says name and adds one word to an evolving story by the group.

Zip Zap Zoom Have the group stand in a circle. Explain how when the game begins, someone will be asked to stand in the middle. This person will meander around the circle, stand in front of someone, and say “zip,” “zap,” or “zoom.” If the person in the middle is standing in front of you and they say “zip” you must respond by saying the name of the person to your right, if they say “zap” you respond by

saying the name of the person to your left, if they say “zoom” you respond by saying the name of the person in the middle. If the person in the middle can count to 10 after saying one of the commands before whoever has been pointed at can say the correct name, they switch places. Name Joust Have the group stand in a circle. One person will be in the middle,

and they will remain in the middle throughout the duration of the game. When they point at someone, this person will bend over or squat down, and the persons on either side of the squatter must say the name of the opposite person before that person can say their name (ex. A, B, and C are standing together in the circle, the pointer points at B, B squats, and A tries to say C before C can say A).

Action Syllables

With the group standing in a circle, have the participants each choose an action for every syllable of their name. Example: Elvis has 2 syllables, so he does a hip shake with “El” and snaps his fingers

for “vis”. Once Elvis has done his action while saying his name, the whole group repeats. And so on until everyone’s done it. Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar? Group (sings):Who Stole the cookies from the cookie jar? (Insert name of camper) stole the cookies from the cookie jar! Camper: Who, me!?!?! Group: Yes, you! Camper: Couldn't be! Group: Then who? (Camper uses another campers name) stole the cookies from

the cookie jar! Song keeps going until each camper's name is used. Name Aerobics Have the group stand in a circle. The person who starts says his/her name, a feeling that he/she feels right now, and an action that complements that feeling (ex. “I’m Randy and I’m feeling energetic!” while jumping up in the air).

Boundary Breaker Style Have everyone in the group get into a circle. Ask a question (favorite dessert/animal, years at camp, hometown, etc.) and have everyone go around and say their name and answer to the question. For older kids, have members of the group take turns asking the questions. Writing on Air Have kids take turns writing out their name in the air with their

biscuits. A fun, silly way to break the “too cool for camp” attitude.

Darn Glad To Meet Ya.. Get in a circle, one person is in the center. Begin with one person. Have them approach another person and say, Hi (name), I’m (name) and I am darn glad to meet ya! If the person being greeted laughs,

they are the new person in the middle. Who is Missing Kids sit in a circle and close their eyes. Then, the person running the activity walks around and taps one person on the shoulder. The person that got tapped leaves the room or hides somewhere where no one can see them. Everyone opens their eyes and tries to find out who is missing. To make it harder, have kids stand up and move them

around so they don't know who is near them each round. Silent Interviews Split the group into pairs. Have each person learn 3 things about their partner without talking. Afterward, have the partners introduce the other to the group based on what they believe they learned in their silent interview.

What’s in a Name? Get group into a circle and ask the question “Where does your name come from?” Campers share the story of where their name comes from and what it means. Sentence From a Name Have everyone pair up with someone they don't know. Each person writes his/her first name on a piece of paper and exchanges it with a

partner. After a minute or two getting to know each other, each person makes up a sentence with words starting with the letter of the other person's name. For example: KEVIN: Koalas Enjoy Vegetables In November. Name Objects Spread a bunch of objects on the ground. Have each camper pick the

object they feel represents them the best or the one they like most, share their name, and why they chose the object. Don’t have any props? Have kids find an object in nature… so long as it isn’t poison ivy! The Pony Game A simple verse is sung and each kid gets a turn to be the "star" of the song, and another great way to break the “too cool for camp” attitude.

Player gallops around the circle as the song is sung “Come on, Anna, ride that pony, come on, Anna, ride that pony, come on, Anna, ride that pony. This is how we do it (Player stops in front of someone in the circle and both dance as directed in the song) Front to front to front, my baby. Back to back to back, my baby. Side to side to side, my baby. This is how we do it.” Players switch and the song begins again with the new person’s name instead of Anna.

Rhythm Game Person A starts a simple beat and on the beat says their name and B’s. Person B must stay on beat and say their name and C’s, etc. If someone messes up, they can either be out or just start over. Start slow and see how fast your group can get going without a mistake. Name Yell

Go around the circle and have the kids say their name three times: the first softly, the second a little louder, and the third time as loudly as they can! Best if played outside. Name Train Groups make two lines, face to face. One person starts out. They approach someone, introduce themselves, and invite them to join the name train. The more sound effects and enthusiasm that go into this

game, the better. Two Truths & A Lie Give each person an index card and a pen. Have each person write down 2 things about themselves that are true and I thing that is not true. Have participants trade cards and read them. The group must guess which is the lie. The three things can also be written.

Are You More Like A….. Call out of pair of objects. Participants must decide what they are more like (not what they like more), in other words, what thing best represents their personality. Participants will stand in the center of

the room. They choose which they are more like and move to that designated side of the room. Participants go back to the middle and choose again. Some ideas: River or lake, Flashlight or Candle, Tennis Shoe or High Heel, Typewriter or Fax, Eagle or Goose. Face to Face Have participants find partners and stand back to back. When ‘Face to Face’ is called out, each person finds a new partner and begin

discussing the question that is asked (i.e. What is your favorite holiday?). When ‘Back to Back’ is called out, the duo turn and place their backs together. When ‘Front to Front” is called, each person finds a new partner and begins a new discussion. This one can also be done with predetermined positions. For example, you might say Princess to Prince(one person sits on the knee of another) or King to Knight(one kneels, the other pretends to knight). Must find a new partner each time.

Vampires This game is a variation of Poison Ivy. Everyone has their eyes closed the entire game. Leader chooses one person to be the vampire and everyone else is a normal human. Everyone wanders around shaking hands with people with their eyes closed. When two humans shake, they will talk to each other. Vampires will not speak when they shake. If a human shakes hands with a vampire, they become a vampire. If

two vampires shake, they both become human (of course). Long Lost Relative As a group 1) Ask each person to turn to their right and greet him/her as if they really didn’t want to be there. 2) Everyone turn to the same person and greet him/her as if s/he is a long lost, deeply loved relative who has just returned home for the first time in years! 3) Turn to the same person and greet him/her as if this person just told you that you

won the state lottery for 50 million dollars and you have the ONLY winning ticket! Noah’s Ark/Hum that Tune Assign everyone an animal and ask them to close their eyes. They must use animal noises ONLY to meet up with other animals of the same species. Loud, fun, chaotic, buy gradually order and unity emerge. This game can also be played with songs (Row, Row, Row your

Boat, Mary had a Little Lamb, etc.). Everyone closes their eyes and tries to find others humming the same tune. Talkfest Divide the group in half and line them into two rows. Each row will stand back to back with the other row, each person matched up with a person from the other row. At a signal, the players turn around and

they must talk to each other without stopping. They both must talk at the same time, about anything, for 30 seconds. Everybody Like Me…..( I Have Never..) Have everyone sit in a circle except one person. The person says “Everyone like me who has (seen this movie, ect.).” Everyone who has also experienced or done this must get up and find the empty seat of other people who also got up. The person left without a seat is now

the person in the middle. Boppity Bop Bop Have the group stand in a circle. One person stands in the middle. This person walks around the circle, stands in front of someone and says “Boppity Bop Bop.” If the person can say “Bop” before the middle finishes, they switch places. Actions (Jell-O, Viking, Cow, Hydrant, Girl Scout, Elephant,

etc.) can be added as the game goes on.

Gotcha! Fast moving, short activity to get people together and focused. In a circle, everyone places their right finger on the left palm of the person next to them. On go, try to grab a finger before yours gets grabbed.

Hog Call Break the group into pairs. Each pair must choose two things; a machine and an animal. They then have to decide who is which. The pairs then divide up on opposite sides of the room. Everyone must close their eyes (if they feel comfortable), and by making only the noise that their character would make, they must find their partner. When they find their partner, they can open their eyes and wait until

everyone else is done. When conducting an activity with eyes closed, have the group raise their hands in front of their chests as “bumpers,” and have at least one staff member acting as a spotter. Shoe Factory Have the group stand in a large circle shoulder to shoulder. Then have everyone remove their shoes and put them in the center. After the group has formed a pile with their shoes, the leader has everyone

choose two different shoes other than their own. They should put them on their feet (halfway if they are too small). The group then needs to successfully match the shoes and put them in proper pairs by standing next to the individual wearing the other shoe. This will probably result in a tangled mess - and lots of laughter! Solemn and Silent Explain that this exercise will take self control. Members pair back to

back. On the count of three, everyone must face their partner, look each other in the eyes, and then try to remain solemn and serious. No speaking! The first to smile or laugh must sit down. All who remain standing then take a new partner and the activity continues until only one person has not smiled or laughed. (Second round of playing can involve two teams competing to outlast each other.) If you get a pair at the end who are both keeping a straight face, the rest of the group can act ask hecklers to disrupt them.

Wrapped Around My Finger Group passes around a pre-cut length of string or a raccoon circle. When it is his/her turn, that person must share one piece of information about themselves for every wrap of the string. Take As Much As You Need Get a roll of toilet paper and explain to your group that they are going

camping and need to take as much toilet paper as they think they may need for a three day trip. Once everyone has an ample supply, explain to the group that for every square in their possession, they must share something about themselves. If someone knows the game, ask them not to ruin it for others. Number Bunchers

Group leader calls out a number. Everyone must form a group with that exact number of people in it. If they are unable to do so, they are out. This is a good one to process and discuss how it feels to be excluded, etc. Birthday Partner Have participants mingle and find the person whose birthday (month and date, not year) is closest to their own. Have them find out 2-3

other things they have in common. Yes, Your Highness Give everyone in the group a playing card. They should put it on their forehead without looking at it. Then everyone mingles, interacting with

people as if they were their card (King is very respected, Ace is next to dirt, etc.) Everyone then tries to figure out where they fall on the number spectrum. A great one for

discussing how we treat others and why, how it feels to be disrespected, etc.

FFEACH See FFEACH page– possibly the best large group game of all time. Chaos

Give each group a die. Each number on the die represents a task they must complete. As a cabin, groups roll the die, then do the task. Tasks can be done as many times as fate dictates, and whoever has completed the most in ___ minutes wins! Sample tasks: 1– Sing a song to the frogs in the pond 2– Leap frog across main street 3- Play Ring Around the Rosie around Manchoo 4– Ask a question and have everyone in the group say their name then answer it 5– Spell out “Kitaki” with your bodies using everyone in the group 6– Sing a song

to another person or group. Any Style of Relay Relays are great for orientation time because they are typically active, involve everyone, and foster a sense of unity among cabin groups. Use props, get silly, participate, and have fun! Predator, Prey

Form two teams and have them line up facing each other. The leader stands at one end of the two lines of players and calls out two animals (one predator, one prey). The predator animal chases the prey, who must try to make it back to their safety zone without being tagged. If tagged, campers join the other team. Once kids have got the hang of the game, you can throw in some confusing combinations like “unicorn” and “Pegasus” or “tree” and “flower.” Always play with their minds. Talk about not tagging too hard to connect to friendship.

What Time is It, Mr./Ms. Fox? Mr. Fox starts out at one end of a designated area with his/her back to the group. The group at the other end then yells out “What time is it Mr./Ms. Fox?” Mr. Fox then calls out a time that is on the even hour (1 o'clock - 12 o'clock). The group then takes that many steps. When the group gets to where the fox is, but not past him, and asks the time, the fox can yell "Midnight!" They then turn and chase the group.

Those that he catches are to sit out. The last one left becomes the fox. Caught players can also sit and help tag others. Smaug’s Treasure Have the group form a circle. This is Smaug’s cave (Smaug is a dragon for those of you who did not know). Smaug has stolen a priceless treasure from the elves, who naturally would like to get them back. Anything Smaug touches turns to stone. Smaug must guard

the treasure In the center while the elves try to take it without being touched (make it outside the circle) Smaug is nasty. He tries to taunt the elves by calling them out (calls out a description of anyone with long pants, color of clothing, green eyes. Anyone who fits that category has the opportunity to steal Smaug’s treasure. The object is to grab the treasure and make it out of the circle without being tagged by Smaug. If you make it out you get to be Smaug. If you are tagged,

you must go back to your spot and wait for the next call that applies to you. Number Bunchers Processing this game is a great way to talk about cliques and how it feels to be excluded. Call out a number, and campers must get into groups of that value. Play a round or two where the numbers must be exact for the groups to stay in the game, then switch and say the goal

is for everyone to have a group, encouraging group members to say “over here” to unconnected kids. Then talk about why we want an inclusive environment at camp.

Back to Back Tag Two people start off holding hands as It. They can only use their free hand to tag. When they tag someone, that person joins the group by

joining hands, again only the two free hands can tag. Players are safe from being tagged if they stand back to back with another player, but they can only stand safely for 10 seconds. A good one to talk about working together.

Wizards and Gelphlings Far and away the best tag game of all time. The set up is the most important part of this game. Campers have been transported to a magical land, and in this land there live two types of creatures:

Wizards and Gelphlings. Wizards (It) are mean and nasty, and like to stomp around and grumble, and they hate the Gelphlings- happy, carefree folk who love to skip and frolic. Tra la la. If a Wizard catches a Gelphling, the gelphling is frozen and must stand calling “help me, help me!” until two other gelphlings come up, join hands, and chant “run free, young gelphling, run free!” This is a great way to break the too cool for camp attitude, so long as you and the staff get into it.

Color Tag Have everyone line up on one side of a designated area to start the game, and select 1-3 people to be the artists (it). The artists call out a color, and anyone who is wearing that color tries to run across to the other side. If tagged, they sit down and become drops of paint on the artists canvas. They can tag anyone who runs passed, but must remain sitting the whole time. Be sure to warn campers to be careful, as eventually there may be people running from both sides and

crossing paths in the middle. There are many variations on this basic style of game, and all are tons of fun. Ninja Time Kind of red, light green light, kind of capture the flag. The kids are divided into two groups. One team of ninjas, one team of guards. Ninjas have a place where captured items go; a rock, Ninja base, etc. Each guard places an item on the ground within the boundary

created. They can stand no closer than ten feet from the object they are guarding. The object for the Ninjas is to get all items back to base without getting caught. The object for the Guards is to capture the Ninjas that are taking their flag or Ninjas trying to get back to base. All the kids stand still then a counselor says go. The Guards close their eyes and turn around, and the Ninjas try to pick up as much stuff as possible by stalking and creeping into the guarded territory. Periodically (every 10 to 45 seconds) the counselor yells “Alarm” and

the guards open their eyes and try to tag the Ninjas as they flee to the base. If the Ninjas get tagged they go to the Guard jail where they wait to be rescued. A Ninja needs to get to the jail before the counselor says, “Alarm” in order to free the captured Ninjas. If the Ninja gets

back to base before they are tagged they are safe.

Everybody Like Me/Tip the Fruit Bowl You need some sort of place marker for this game (chairs, shoes, yo-yos, etc.) Assign each camper a fruit from a selection of 4-6 fruits. (i.e. apple, orange, pear, banana) One camper is in the middle and calls out one of the fruit types. Everyone with that fruit tries to find a new spot, while the person in the middle also tries to find a vacant space. Whoever is left without a spot is now in the middle. Middle person can also call out “tip the fruit bowl” and everyone must change places.

Everybody like me has the same premise, but the middle folks call out traits and those who share the trait move. Face to Face Have participants find partners and stand back to back. When ‘Face to Face’ is called out, each person finds a new partner and begin discussing the question that is asked (i.e. What is your favorite holiday?). When ‘Back to Back’ is called out, the duo turn and place

their backs together. When ‘Front to Front” is called, each person finds a new partner and begins a new discussion. Winks, Blinks, and Belly Laughs Ask kids to think of a number between 2 and 6. Once they have the number, ask them to find everyone else in the group who has thought of that number. However, they cannot tell others their number or

show it with their hands. They must communicate their number by winking the proper number of times. Once everyone has found their group, start over with new numbers. This time everyone must blink to communicate. The final round, everyone must belly laugh to find their group. You can change the minimum and maximum number, and once in groups you can have everyone complete a task or get to know each other a little better before moving on.

A charades race! Categories are Fast Foods, Electronic Appliances, and Cartoon Heroes(FFEACH), but can be changed to fit your needs. Cabins compete against each other to complete a predetermined list of words by coming up to you and getting a word, going back to their group and acting out the word for them to guess, and then sending a new person to tell you the word they just guessed and get the next word. This is a great way to get kids moving around, acting silly, and connecting to other campers early on. Tips:

• Change up the lists to keep the game fun for you and staff returning to your unit.

• It is a good idea to tell the kids what categories all the words will fit in, especially if they are younger and you have some challenging words.

• Tell groups to spread out and remind them to whisper their answers so groups who are farther behind don’t hear their words.

• If a group is far behind everyone else, there is nothing wrong with skipping a word or two to help them along. They won’t know, and this way the first place teams won’t have to wait forever for everyone to finish. You can also have the game end when the first group gets through the list to solve this problem.

• Make sure a new person comes up every time, and that everyone on the team has had a turn before anyone goes twice.

• A list of around 20 words is usually the right length for the game.

Here are some ideas if you are playing the traditional categories of FFEACH(Fast Foods, Electronic Appliances, Cartoon Heroes)

♦ French Fries

♦ Blender

♦ Wonder Woman

♦ Curling Iron

♦ Bacon Double Cheeseburger.

♦ Pepperoni Pizza

♦ Blow Dryer

♦ Batman

♦ Milkshake

♦ Chicken Nuggets

♦ Bean Burrito

♦ Toaster

♦ Wolverine

♦ Microwave

♦ Bugs Bunny

♦ Alarm Clock

♦ Green Lantern

♦ Espresso Machine

♦ Crab Rangoon

♦ The Incredible Hulk

♦ Pizza Oven

♦ Onion Rings

♦ The Flash

♦ George Forman Grill

♦ Krispy Kreme Donut

♦ Beast Boy

♦ Food Processor

♦ Spicy Chicken Wings

♦ Buzz Lightyear

♦ Electronic Mixer

♦ Buttered Lobster Bites

♦ Lightning McQueen

♦ Dishwasher

♦ Remote Control

♦ The Carebears

This game can be modified to any set of categories, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Be sure you select items that can be acted out without too much difficulty, but don’t be afraid to throw in some challenging ones, especially if you have

older kids. For example: TVCSSG(TV Shows, Camp Stuff, Sports Gear)

♦ Fairly Odd Parents

♦ Poison Ivy

♦ Peach Drink

♦ Tennis Ball

♦ Friendship Bracelet

♦ Helmet

♦ Dora the Explorer

♦ Trading Post

♦ Scuba Tank

♦ Lost

♦ Climbing Tower

♦ Law and Order

♦ Hockey Stick

♦ Thomas the Tank Engine

♦ Knee Pads

♦ Family Guy

♦ Swim Check

♦ Soccer Socks

♦ The Wiggles

♦ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

♦ Tablehopper

♦ A Pup Named Scooby Doo

♦ Hobo Dinner

♦ Baseball Mitt

♦ Lost and Found

♦ The Price is Right

♦ Bowling Shoes

♦ Bug Juice

♦ Net

♦ Chapel

♦ Little Bear

♦ Golf Tee

♦ Spongebob Squarepants

Everybody’s It Everybody is it. When tagged you are out. A variation, Limb Tag, has the same rules except you have four limbs and once one is tagged you lose use of it for the game.

Crows & Cranes Form two teams, one is the Crows and the other is the Cranes. The players of both teams are lined up across the playing area, along the center line, back to back. The leader stands at one end of the two lines of players and calls either “Crows” or “Cranes”. If Crows is called, the Cranes try to catch them before they get to base. If caught, they have to join the other team.

Fugitive Select someone to be the fugitive. Everyone else is out to capture the fugitive working as a team (FBI). Capture the fugitive by hitting her/him below the waist with the ball. The fugitive can run anywhere within the boundaries. The FBI agents are frozen in place around the perimeter of the boundary. Strategy involves passing the ball to an agent near the fugitive who would then

have a good shot. Anyone hitting the fugitive above the waist is out for the game. If the fugitive is hit, the FBI wins. You can set a time limit to create the possibility that the FBI will not win, or you can just keep the game going and give lots of kids the chance to be a fugitive. In a variation of the game called Wolf Pack, all but two members of the group are the sheep and stay inside the boundary. The two wolves try to throw the ball at the sheep, and then the sheep join the wolf pack.

Car Lot An active version of boundary breakers! Pick a category (favorite fruits, cars, candy) or, for older kids, a question (would you rather eat, if you had to…) Once the category has been picked, select two campers (or counselors) to be "it" and send them to the middle of the playing area. All the rest of the campers line up at one end of the playing field. Once lined up, the campers that are

"it" yell out 3 items within the category. The campers independently choose one of the 3 items to "be." When the "it" people call out one of the 3 choices, everyone who picked that choice runs to the other end of the playing field trying to avoid being tagged by one of the "it" people. If tagged, that camper must sit down right when they are tagged. When sitting down, the camper may tag someone. If someone is tagged by a sitting down person, the person sitting down may get back up and play the

game. Example: Caller 1: The category is favorite Fruit Caller 2: The 3 Choices are: Apples, Oranges, and Strawberries (Wait for campers to SILENTLY choose item) Caller 1: Apples( Apples run) Band-Aid Tag

One person is "it." Whenever someone is tagged by "it" they must hold a Band-Aid (their hand) on the spot where they were tagged. Then the game continues. When someone runs out of Band-Aids, (they get tagged three times), they are frozen until two other people come over to them and "operate." The two other people need to tag the frozen person at the same time and count to five. Let the game continue for as long as it remains exciting and fun. Switch the person who is "it" often.

Color Tag/Octopus/Hey, Little Fishies Group lines up along one side of a boundary with 1-2 kids in the middle who are It. For color tag, the painters (Its) call out a color and whoever is wearing that color tries to run to the other side of the boundary without getting tagged by the painters. If they do get tagged, they sit down and add some color to the painters canvas by helping tag other players as they run past. There are tons of

variations on this basic game format. For example, in Hey, Little Fishies the Its call out a method of crossing (hopping, Astronaut-style, etc.) and everyone tries to get to the other side while moving in the style the Its have called. A great chance to get creative! Shadow Tag Just like freeze tag, but players tag shadows instead of bodies.

Elbow Tag Each person needs to find a partner and lock arms with them. The

partners must now help form one big circle with all of the other participants. One child is “it”, another is the one being chased. These kids must run in, around and through the circle. The kid being chased may lock arms with another child who is part of the pair. That kid’s original partner must now run and be chased. The game continues until s/he is tagged. They then change roles and the chase begins again. Note: if the

chaser cannot tag it, the leader should assign a new chase and/or “it.” Freeze Tag On cue, “it” chases the other kids and tries to tag them. When tagged, the person must freeze immediately. In order to be unfrozen, the person must be touched by another unfrozen person. Once free the kid can return to play. Set boundaries and

rotate “it” often. Lots of variations on this game-get creative!

Dragon’s Tail Have the cabin form a line by holding onto the person’s hips in front of them. The object is for the person at the head of the line to catch the person at the end of the line. Everyone is to be moving at all times and must follow the head.

Blob Tag If a player gets tagged, they hold hands with the It and join the 'blob' which keeps growing until everyone is part of the blob. Set boundaries and make sure kids are careful not to hurt each other. Meltdown Tag One person is "it". If they tag anyone, that person must begin to

"melt down" by lowering themselves to the ground slowly. If they are touched by another player before they reach the ground they are free. If they melt all the way to the ground then they become another "it". Continue until there is only one player left. Red Robin Play in front of a building, or designate a space to run around with rope. Players all start in front of the building/object. Red

Robin declares, "I'm thinking of a type of (shoe, car, candy bar, etc.)." The other players then try to guess what the Red Robin is thinking of (for example, Nike, Adidas, or Keds). The Red Robin calls out the name of the player who eventually guesses the correct item. Then, the Red Robin and the player who guessed correctly take off running around the building/area in opposite directions. The first person to make it back to the starting line

becomes the Red Robin. Line Tag Everyone picks a line to start on. Assign 1-2 people to be It. All other players try to avoid getting tagged by the It, but everyone must be on a line at all times. If tagged, It and runner switch roles. Can be played on the mecca, an area with chalk drawn lines, anywhere with cracks in the sidewalk.

Cat and Mouse Have the group stand in a circle, far enough away that people can run between them, but close enough that they can grab the hand of the person next to them. Choose someone to be the mouse (they will begin in the middle of the circle) and someone else to be the cat (they will begin outside of the circle). The mouse will try to weave in between people in the circle while trying to keep away

from the cat. Every time the mouse runs between two people, those two people will link hands. Nothing happens when the cat runs through. The object is for the mouse to make it between everyone to close off the circle with the cat on the opposite side of the mouse (the cat’s inside, the mouse is outside or vice versa).

Crocodile Race/Relays of any sort Form 2 teams. Each team stands in a straight line. One person is the leader and all of the others on the team need to put their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. Teams

crouch down, forming the crocodile. Race to some point. Giants/Elves/Wizards Like a group rock, paper scissors game with a twist. Divide the group into two teams. Explain the game and the symbols for each creature. Each group decides if they are going to be a W,E, or G. The 2 groups line up facing each other. On the count of three, the two groups make their symbols. The team who wins tries to tag as

many of the losing team before they make it back to their base (designate base ahead of time). Any person who is caught must join the new team. If there is a tie, a new symbol is chosen. Giants beat Elves Elves beats Wizards Wizards beats Giants The Scream Game

Have the group get into two tight circles. Explain that they will be told to look at someone else’s shoes (and only their shoes!), and then when you say look up, they’ll look up at whomever’s shoes they were looking at. If that person is also looking at them, they’ll scream and join a different circle. Wizards and Gelphlings The best game ever? I think so. Just like freeze tag, only the Its are

Wizards, mean and cranky folk who stomp around and try to freeze the happy-go-lucky Gelphlings (non-Its) who are frolicking merrily about singing “tra-la-la.” If a Gelphling gets tagged, they must freeze and shout “Help me!” until two other Gelphlings come up, encircle their frozen friend, and say “Run free, young Gelphling, run free!” Then all three can continue frolicking. Set boundaries, change out the Wizards often, and for heaven’s sake, PARTICIPATE!

Rabid Nuggets Toss tennis balls around the area. When the leader calls out “rabid nuggets!” the other players must keep the balls moving constantly. If the leader sees an unmoving ball, s/he cries “Dead nugget!” and begins counting down from three. If the ball is not moving before s/he reaches zero, that is one strike. The game continues.

Dead Ant A tag game that will wear your kids out!! Make really big boundaries. One person is "it." This person has to chase the others. When he tags someone, that person must lay down with both hands and feet sticking straight up, like a dead ant (because everyone knows that's what dead ants look like) and sings “Dead ant” to the tune of the pink panther theme. In order for the dead

ant to come alive, four people must tag one limb each. Once someone has been a dead ant three times (this is on the honor system), they are now "it". It's always possible to have multiple people being "it" and makes it crazier when you don't know who to run from! Cut the Pie Everyone holds hands in a circle except one person, the Pie Maker,

who walks around the outside of the circle, stops in between two people, “cuts” the two apart and says “cut the pie.” The game then becomes a race between the pair. The pair runs around the circle in opposite directions and tries to be the first to tag the Pie Maker’s hand. The winner becomes the new PM. Crocodile Race/ Relays of any sort Form 2 teams. Each team stands in a straight line. One person is

the leader and all others on the team need to put their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them and crouch down, forming a crocodile. Race to some point. Relays are an easy way to make a silly game that can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Encourage your kids to cheer each other on, and maybe even offer some incentive to the winning team (UD super scrape, perhaps?)

The Car Game Teach the participants the only words they will be using throughout the duration of the game. These words are “vroom,” “errrrr,” and “beep beep.” Decide a direction you would like the

game to start in, the first person says “vroom,” which means they’ve passed the car onto someone else. When someone (anyone) says “errr” (tires squealing), this means it changes directions. When someone (anyone) says “beep beep,” it means they’ve skipped the person that they would’ve passed it on to if they had said “vroom.” When someone makes a mistake have them sit down (if the group is standing) or sit out (if the group is sitting).

Honey, If You Love Me/Duckie Wuckie One person stands in the middle of the circle. They go up to someone in the circle and say “Honey, if you love me, won’t you please, please smile.” The other person, without smiling, must reply “ Honey, I love you, but I just can’t smile.” If they succeed, the middle person moves on to someone else. If they smile or laugh, they become the new person in the middle. The middle

person can use funny faces, voices, gestures, anything except touching the person in order to get them to laugh. Variation: "Would you be my Duckie Wuckie?" The single individual has to respond "No, I will not be your duckie wuckie" without smiling or laughing. Indy Five Hundred A fun variation on Duck, Duck Goose. The group should be

sitting in a circle and numbered 1-4. Give each number a name of a car. (ex. 1's are Porches, 2's are Ferrari's... etc) The game leader calls a car name and those cars have to get up and run around the circle. The first person back to their spot wins. There is a twist to this game. The cars can have things wrong with them as the leader chooses (I.e. FLAT TIRE-Hop around on one foot, RUN OUT OF GAS-Crab Walk, TURBO BOOST-run around, NO MUFFLER– noisy!)

Jammyquack Have the group arrange themselves in a circle. Choose a few people and have them come to the middle of the circle. These folks are the Jammyquacks. They will close their eyes and while their eyes are closed, you will decide where the hole in the circle will be (should be about 3 to 4 feet wide), everyone else will be holding onto one another’s hands. Then you will have those in

the center assume the Jammyquack position (bent over, ankles grabbed, eyes closed). The people in the circle cannot speak, but they must help the Jammyquacks find the hole in the circle. This is done by gently tapping the JQs with their feet. Once the first JQ has made it into the hole it must quack as loud as it can to help guide the other JQs to their home.

PDQ To start the game, everyone gets into a circle and puts on hand in the middle. The lead person (usually the person that won the last game) will give everyone a number. Then the leader says "PDQ" and everyone jumps back. Now the only person that can initiate a jump is the person whose turn it is according to their number. So, the first person that can jump is #1.

Once #1 has jumped then everyone else can jump if they want. There are 3 ways to get out. 1) If someone lands on your feet 2) If the initiator fakes a jump and you leave the ground 3) If you jump out of order (3 initiates before 2) If you are out then you are out until the next game. If someone is out then you simply skip their number and go to the next number. The winner of the game is then the next leader.

Bucketheads Scatter a few objects over an area. Take 2-4 campers and place a bucket on each one’s head. Spin them around. Go! The goal is to see who can collect the most objects while keeping the bucket on their head, but it is mostly just ridiculous fun!

Lily Pad Leap

Spread a few pieces of newspaper, hula hoops, or any other object you have lying around out across an open space. These objects are the lilypads, you are the fish and the kids are frogs. Frogs can swim in the water (the area that doesn’t have newspaper, etc. covering it) until you call “Here comes the hungry fish.” The campers must make it onto a lily pad without getting tagged by the fish. When you

call “guess there’s no food here,” the frogs know it is safe to swim in the water again and leave the lily pads. If the frogs are tagged, they join the fish and try to catch more frogs. Four Corners One person is "it" and closes his/her eyes. The rest of the group goes to one of the 4 corners (or 4 designated spots) of the room. "It" calls a number and children in that corner sit down. Whoever sits

down last is out. Continue until there are 6 or 8 left, then you tell them there must be only 2 in each corner or when 4 left - one in each corner. The last person left - gets to be "it.” Can also be played where everyone in the corner with the number the “it” calls is out. Cats in the Corner Mark off square play area. A beanie baby/ball thrower will be in the center of the square. There are safe zones at each of the corners

where all the Cats will be. When the thrower calls "Cats In The Corner", the Cats have to run from one corner to another without getting hit by the beanie. They can go any direction including diagonal as long as they do not get hit. Any player hit by the ball is out. Buffalo Robe A Native American game, helping develop strength and agility. A

“buffalo robe”, such as a blanket or poncho is spread out on the ground. Members of the group hold hands in a circle around the robe. The object is to get others to step on the robe or lose their grip. Anyone touching the robe is out and becomes a referee. If there is a break in the circle, players on each side of the break are out, regardless of whose fault it was. The circle continues to get smaller until the last one is the winner. Depending on how big your robe is,

you may have to fold it up a bit as the circle gets tighter in order to keep play going. Last one in is the winner. Just keep an eye on everyone so the game stays fun and injury free! Hot Pepper Players stand in a circle. Leader stands in the center with the hot pepper (playground ball, volleyball, etc.). Leader throws ball to camper saying "hot pepper". Camper throws the ball right back.

If a camper drops the ball, they're out and sit down where they are. Winner is last one standing. ACTIONS (best part of the game): When the leader says "asparagus" all campers jump up and down twice and say "woo woo" (sitting campers just raise their arms instead of jumping). When the leader says "broccoli" all campers wave their hands wildly and say "ooga ooga ooga". You can add any word and any action at any time. Variations:

1. A word that brings all campers back in the game. 2. Nobody gets out. Counselor Extreme Makeover Collect old clothes, hair gel, whatever you want to use to let your kids give you the makeover of your life. Get your PC or another cabin involved and see which group can give the “best” makeover.

Charades/Pictionary You don’t need a board to play these creative games. Give kids a word to act out/draw and see who can guess it first. Catch the Rain Contest Have all the kids grab their water bottles and see who can catch the most rain. A great excuse to run around outside! Be sure to leave time to change into dry clothes and warm up. If you ask very nicely,

the kitchen might even mix up some hot cocoa…

True Colors The leader sits in the middle of the circle, points to a player and calls "red" the player has to name an object that is red (tomato, fire engine etc…)before the leader can count to 10 out loud.

The same object cannot be repeated. If a player fails to think of an object before the leader has counted to ten, the two switch places. Sleeping Lions/ Dead Everyone lies on the floor, face up, eyes closed, and tries not to move. One hunter tries to wake up the sleeping lions by making them laugh or move without touching them. Awake lions join the hunter.

Red vs. Blue Take 10-12 scraps of paper and color one red and one blue. Divide into two teams. The red team is trying to flip all the sheets over onto the red side, the blue is trying to flip to blue. Be sure to set a set a time limit. Can be played with any two sided object, any amount of players and objects. Fruit Salad

Kids get into a circle and each chooses a fruit. One player is in the middle and calls out the name of a fruit three times. Whoever has chosen that fruit must interrupt and say the name of their fruit once before the middle person finishes. If they don’t say it in time, players switch places. The game can also be played with camper names or other categories (cars, vegetables, cereal, etc.) Slow Tag

Everyone who plays is it, but cannot move until a designated person says “Step.” When step is called, only ONE step can be taken. Players try to tag other players when they are close enough. Remind the participants to be careful when tagging (not to hit) and to move toward the other participants (rather than playing a chasing game). Polaroid Like Group Story but with an image. One player starts with anything,

like, "a penny." Someone else adds a detail the he or she actually imagines when picturing a penny - a 1978 penny. The next player adds yet another detail "on a red checkered table cloth." The goal is not to tell a story, but simply to say what you're seeing. Hide in Sight Select an object (stuffed animal, clipboard, etc.) Have all the kids close their eyes. Hide the object somewhere in the room so that it is in plain

sight. Have all the kids stand up and open their eyes. Once they spot the object, they sit down quietly. Kids can hide the object, too. Psychiatrist One person leaves the room. Everyone in the circle decides on a “problem.” (Ex. everyone is the person to their right, everyone is afraid of shoes, everyone says no when the question begins with a vowel).

When a problem is chosen, the psychiatrist comes back into the room and starts asking questions to people in the circle. They continue asking questions until they know the problem. If a person cannot answer the question, they say “psychiatrist’” The psychiatrist has three guesses to try and figure out the rule. Chief Everyone sits in a circle, and one person leaves, then one person is

selected to be the Chief or the ‘It’. Everyone else in the circle has to follow the movements that the Chief does (clapping, snapping, banging the ground). The person who stepped out of the circle then comes back and tries to see whose movements everyone is following. Group Story Have everyone in the group sit in a circle. One person begins a story, and “passes it on” to their neighbor, who must continue the plot that

has been started. Puddle Jumpers Make sure all kids have an extra pair of dry shoes before you start playing this one!

Zoom Ball Have the group form a circle. The game involves an imaginary ball of energy. There are 4 noises & motion combos that can move the energy. Practice them one at a time until everyone understands the

actions: Zoom—keeps the ball moving in the same direction (arm moves across the body) Boink– allows someone to block the path of the ball and change its direction (arm goes up and down) Bounce—player may bounce the ball across the circle using both hands as if they are bouncing a ball. It must be clear who the ball is going to.

Shawah—this involves catching the ball with your hand and making a motion as if slinging it around your back, saying Shawah. It skips two people. If someone goofs up (wrong motion, or takes to long). They are out and become a stone. They sit on the ground. It is up to others to remember who is stone and who is not. Build a Spaceship Build a ship and blast off to a new planet. What do the kids see

when they land? The answers are sure to produce loads of laughter. Skits in a Bag Give groups a bag of props and some time to prepare their skit. It may be a good idea to give them some guidelines: Create a new product and an infomercial advertising it, act out a fairy tale or movie, use only 3 words, other twists and plots you can think up. See Improv Games list for more ideas.

Tomato Everyone sits in a circle. One person who is it stands in the center of the circle. Each person asks the person who is "it" an appropriate question. The only answer to every question has to be answered as " Tomato ". The first person to make the center person ( It ) laugh wins a try in the middle. Ex: What color is your hair? Tomato. What do you brush your teeth with? Tomato.

Circle/Indoor Soccer Have everyone stand in a circle, legs about shoulder width apart and feet touching the feet of those next to them. Kids use their hands to try and knock a soccer ball (keep it on the ground) in between everyone else’s legs. Telephone/Telephone Pictionary

Play the traditional “pass the phrase” way, or for older kids add a twist: Sit in a circle. Give everyone 6-10 slips of paper. Each person writes a word on one slip, then passes their whole stack of 6-10 slips one person to the left. That person looks at the word/phrase, places it at the back of the stack, then tries to draw the word or phrase they were given. Pass again, and the person tries to describe the picture they were handed using words. And so on until there are

no more blank slips. Then everyone shares the progression of their word/image pairs. Hilarious! Storybook Creations As a cabin, have the kids make up a story, write, and illustrate it. Later, the cabin could read their story for the juniors. You could even make copies and have a “book signing” and meet the author time. Could also be done as an individual activity and kids could

share their books or comic strips with the rest of the cabin. If kids are struggling, you could give them a theme or moral to write about. The Crazy Question Game Have campers sit in a circle and pass out paper to each. Have everyone write a question on one side of paper, but not the answer. Collect the papers and randomly give them back to people, making sure nobody has their own paper. Tell them to write the answer to

the question they received on the back of the paper. Collect and redistribute the papers one more time. One person starts off and reads the question on their sheet. The person to their left “answers” the question by reading the answer on their slip. Then they read their question, and the cycle continues.

Craft Projects Kids may like boondoogles and friendship bracelets, but a totally wacky and creative craft will be far more memorable. Whole group craft projects can be a lot of fun, and will teach kids how to listen,

work together, and share ideas. See Crafts sheet. Silent Ball Once the game begins, anyone who talks is out. Players toss the ball to one another (can’t pass to the person who just tossed to them or to their neighbor until there are 3 people left). If a player drops a fair toss, makes a difficult or aggressive throw, or talks, they are out.

Do as I say, Not as I do The first participant states something they like to do (ex. “I like to jump up and down.”), but while saying it they are doing something else (ex. “flapping their arms up and down”). The next participant has to DO the action that was SAID by the previous person (jumping up and down) and SAY something they like to do (ex. “I like to run in place”).

Head Elephant This game requires chairs or some other place holder arranged in a circle. Everyone selects an animal and an action that represents that animal. Whatever chair they are in is now that animal for the rest of the game. The Head Elephant( leader) begins and makes their action (i.e. makes a trunk with arm) followed by someone else’s action (i.e. monkey-scratches head and belly). Then the person in the monkey chair makes the monkey action and another action (i.e. bat-flaps

arms) and so on. If someone messes up, they move to the last chair (to the right of Head Elephant) and everyone else behind them moves up. The goal is to go as fast and possible and to become the Head Elephant, and the trick is that your action changes when you move up to a different chair, making it tricky to remember. Triangle Tag Three kids hold hands, forming a triangle. One is being chased by a

4th kid, who is on the outside of the triangle trying to tag the chased. The other two kids in the triangle twist and turn in order to protect the chased kid from being tagged. Quick Draw Master Similar to a big game of paper, rock, scissors. Show the group three different signs they can do with their body (make sure they are very different, so there is no confusion!). They will then get into a line, to

begin a Draw Master will be chosen. The DM will say “I, 2, 3.. Shoot” and on “shoot” everyone will throw their signs. If anyone has thrown the same sign as the DM, they need to sit or squat. It goes until there is one other person besides the DM. They have a shootout: stand back to back, take three paces, turn and throw signs. If the signs don’t match, the person becomes the new DM.

Waa (007, etc.) A simple pattern is passed around the circle. The trick is to go as fast as you can, with all the energy you can muster. If you mess up, you are out. Waa: “Waa” is shouted each time. First, the Waa ninja shouts and points with hands together at someone across the circle. That person shouts and raises their clasped hands in the air. Vulnerable now, the two people on either side shout and chop the person at the waist. Then the chopped person starts the pattern again. 007: “0” is

shouted as the leader starts the game and points at someone in the circle. “0” is repeated, then “7,” then “bang” (hands in gun shape) . Then the people on either side shout “aah!” and the shot person begins the pattern again. Fast paced and fun. Back to Back Drawing Pairs sit back to back. One person draws a picture, then tries to describe it to their partner. Once they

think they have got it, the pair compares pictures. See who came the closest to the original drawing, then switch roles and try again. A good game for talking about communication and how easily misunderstandings can occur.

On Land Sand Castle Building Contest Give kids a theme (Jurassic Park, Moon Colony, Fort) for an added challenge, or just let their creativity run wild.

Volleyball What would happen if you had to serve the volleyball backwards? Or had to have everyone on your team hit it before it could go over the net? Find out!

Towel Volleyball

Pairs of kids try to launch a water balloon over a net, or across an open space, without dropping or popping it. You can play with traditional volleyball rules, or just see how far apart teams can get while successfully passing the balloon. Water filled zip lock bags make a good water balloon substitute.

Relays Here are a few of the endless possibilities for a water-based relay: -Filling a bucket with water using your hair, a spoon, or a cup with a hole in it -Walk through an obstacle course with a cup of water on head -Foot to foot– Have teams lay on their backs and pass a water balloon down the line using only their feet.

-Fireman’s Relay-Form a line, with one person spraying the line with a hose about 10 feet from their line. First person in line tries to catch as much water as they can in a cup, dump it in a bucket, and pass the cup to the next person.

Drip, Drip, Drop Like Duck, Duck, Goose: It walks around and drips water on seated

kids’ heads. When ready, they pick someone to drop all the remaining water on. That person chases It around, and the It tries to make it back to that person’s spot without getting tagged. Be careful– grass can be slippery when wet.

Water Balloon Darts

Give each kid a water balloon and have them stand on top of the stairs in front of the dining hall. Draw targets on Main Street for the kids to aim at, or even better, use staff as targets.

Steal the Bacon– H2O Style Place a water balloon or cup of water in the middle of two lines of

kids. Call out two numbers/names. Those two kids race to be the first to the balloon/cup. Whoever gets there first gets to soak the one who doesn’t. Also works in the pool with a plastic bottle.

Back to Back Partner kids up. Have each pair stand back to back and place a

water balloon in between them. Without using their hands, and using only their backs, teams must transport their balloon from one area to another. If they pop or drop it, they must get another balloon and start over, or they can be out and help cheer on other pairs.

Water Balloon Hot Potato

Play music. Toss a water balloon around the group. Whoever is holding it when the music stops breaks the balloon over the person to their left’s head.

Tank Partner kids up and give each pair a water

balloon. Blindfold one partner. Partner who can see stands behind blind partner and gives them commands to guide them around. Tanks try to toss balloons at other tanks. If blind partner is hit, the pair is out. No consequences if seeing partner is hit. Switch roles and play a second round.

Jump Rope Water Splash Give each kid a cup full of water. Two people twirl a jump rope, and one at a time each kid goes in and takes three consecutive jumps while holding their cup of water, trying not to spill. Whoever has

the most water at the end wins.

What Time is It, Blue Whale? Group lines up shoulder to shoulder, with one It standing further away with a hose (have counselor help), facing away from the group. Group asks “What time is it, Blue Whale” and blue whale (It) responds

with 10 o’clock, noon, etc. When Blue Whale thinks someone is close, they answer “Spray time,” turn around, and soak the closest person with the hose BELOW THE WAIST– water in the face hurts. Sprayed person becomes new Blue Whale.

In Water Marco Polo It closes their eyes and calls out “Marco.” Everyone else must respond

“Polo.” It listens and tries to tag someone. If tagged, they become the new it.

Keep Away This game can provide hours of fun, but make sure kids aren't feeling left out or overly frustrated by the game.

Sharks and Minnows Swim from one side of the pool to the other without getting tagged.

Relays

Here are a few of the endless possibilities for a water relay: -Kickboard relay -Oversized t-shirt relay -Dolphin relay– push a ball from one end of the pool to the other

Ping Pong Ball Battle

Teams line up face to face and try to blow a ping pong ball onto the other team’s side

Style Contest Whether jumping into the pool, zooming down the slide, or going off the ropes swing, give your kids a chance to show off their creativity as

they cool off on a hot summer’s day.

Water Aerobics/Synchronized Swimming/Water Ballet Find fun music to accompany your “work out.” The sillier the better!

Clean Up/Dirty Back Yard Divide the pool in half and make two teams. Give each team an equal number of pool toys. On “go,” teams try to get all of their toys to the other team’s side.

Tugboat

Using a rope or fun noodle, one player must pull his entire team across the pool Can be a relay, a race, or just a fun activity.

Underwater Football (Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Bowling, etc.) Same rules as touch football, but played in the water.

Bombardment Each kid or team has a hula hoop to float near them. Everyone tries to toss splash balls into the opposite team’s hoop. Teams can defend, but can’t touch or stand in the hoop.

Whirlpool Have everyone stand in a circle with a kickboard (optional). On “go,” everyone runs as fast as they can, then on “float” everyone stops and enjoys the ride in the raging current!

Categories See if kids can name something in your category before hitting the water.

Trash Bag Raft Race Give kids a trash bag and tape, and see who can make the best raft.

Survivor It stands in middle of pool and calls out one of the following: Dolphin(players swim on top of water), Submarine(swim on bottom), or Frog(run). Players try to cross to other side without getting tagged by the it. If they make it, they yell “Survived!” If they are tagged, they are the new It.

Follow the Leader

ABS Game This is a scene consisting of 26 lines of dialog. The first line starts with a given letter (say `R`). The reply to that line must start with a `S`, and so on, until the whole alphabet has been covered. After `Z`

comes `A`. Players that hesitate, or use the wrong letter `Die`, and are replaced by another player. The replacement needs to take over the character of the player s/he replaces. Silence and Sounds Get a catastrophe. Players begin to act out a scene based around that catastrophe happening. A controller alternatively calls out 'silence' and 'sound' - when silence is called, the players act out the

scene silently and then resume sound when sound is called. Remote Control Players begin acting out a scene. One person with the “remote” gives them commands like pause, rewind, fast forward, etc. Players must try to keep a logical flow of the scene going. World’s Worst/World’s Best

Get suggestion of occupation, social situation, etc. Players line up then step out with the worst/best thing to say or do in that situation. Dr. Seuss Give players a basic plot. A scene is improvised in the style of Dr. Seuss. Lots and lots of rhythmic rhyming. And when you're stuck for a rhyme, just use a nonsense word.

Freeze Two players begin to act out a scene. At any time, a member of the audience can shout freeze. Players freeze in whatever position they are in, and the shouter taps one of them out, takes their exact position and starts a new scene. Park Bench

2-3 players are sitting on a park bench. They each have something distinct about their personality (British, loves hair, etc.) Characters interact for a while, and then one gets up to leave and another member of the audience joins in. Keep this one short. Professor Know-It-All Three players form a single brain and answer questions from the audience by speaking one word each in turn. “What is the meaning

of life?” “LIFE - is - Like- A - big - Balloon - MADE - of - Cheese.” Truth or Lie A very simple game: someone makes a statement and other people have to decide if it's the truth or a lie. To make it harder, the other people can ask questions.

The Question Game A competitive game. Divide into two teams. Players from each team face off. Players can only respond in question form, and the scene must make some sense. If they repeat, make a statement, or don’t make sense, they are out, and the next team member must take their place. You can give a location/scene to help start things off. Party Quirks

One person is hosting a party. S/he leaves the room. His/her guests are each given a strange quirk (thinks he’s a cow, afraid of walls, etc.) The host returns and greets each guest, and as the party goes on tries to guess what is ailing each guest. History of… Panel of 4 or so 'experts' talk about the history of an audience-selected object. One panelist begins explaining its history, and when

MC claps hands, next panelist picks up explanation in mid-sentence. Keep history moving forward. Only go through panel 3 or 4 times. MC ends game by clapping three times. Panelists say in unison 'And that's the history of _______'

Dubbed Film A country and two foreign movie titles are elicited from audience. Scene will be movie from that country. Two players on

stage act out movie and speak in gibberish. Their gibberish is 'translated' by two other players. Similar to the Caveman skit often seen at Campfire. Super Hero Senior Home The activity begins with two audience suggestions: A) What’s a common activity for an elderly person? B)

Name your favorite superhero. Embracing those two suggestions, the actor begins the scene as a geriatric superhero. Other elderly comic book characters (and perhaps a nurse or two) enter the scene and participate in the suggested activity. Don’t forget, the characters should still possess some superpowers, though their super-skills might be a bit rusty. Fairy Tale/Movie in a Minute

Actors are given a fairy tale and one minute to act it out. You can provide twists for their scene, and can also make cards to warn them how much time they have left. Sit, Stand, Floor 3 players. At all times one player must be sitting, one standing, and one laying on the floor. Players act out a scene, and when one changes position the other two must quickly adjust.

Place and Problem A group of 2-5 actors are given a location and a problem to be solved by the audience. For example “On Mars” and “Out of peanut butter” or “can’t find their ears.” The actors must act out the solution to the problem. Can also be done with props. What Else?

Have the group sit in a circle and give the group an everyday object (a Frisbee, a paperclip, a lamp, a rubber chicken). The goal is to think of as many uses for the object (beyond the obvious) as possible. The more creative, the better. Can be done as a collaborative effort where everyone passes the object around the circle (this encourages everyone to participate, but be sure to give the option to pass so nobody is put on the spot), or can be set up as a Scategories style competition where groups write down their ideas for a set amount of time, then compare

to see which team came up with the most answers (no points for duplicate responses). Radio Call In There are two principle players; a host of a radio talk show, and a special guest. Typically, the special guest is the author of a best-selling book, the title of which is suggested by the audience. The three

remaining players are "callers" that will call into the show to ask the author question (perhaps about the book, perhaps not). Between callers, the host will also interview the author. Tag Line The game of Tag-Line is an excellent game for someone who has never played an improv. game before. Four players are chosen from the audience to play Tag-Line. Two of these are the performers, and two

are partners. Each performer is paired with a partner. The performers are given a relationship and a task to complete, and the game begins. If the performer "blanks" (i.e. have no idea what to say next), they tap their partner on the shoulder. It is the job of the partner to shout out the very first word that they can think of. The performer must then use that word to start the next line of dialogue, justifying it's use in the context of the scene. The job of partners is very easy and great for kids who may be uncomfortable with improv games. Preferably, the

words given by the partners have nothing to do with the context of the scene. A quick example..... (Performer) "And I didn’t have a bottle so I had to feed the baby a ......" -TAP- (Partner) "Watch!!" (Performer) “But after I fed him the watch, he was too wound up (groan) to sleep!”

Most of these improv games work best with older kids, but any game can be modified for any age.

Easy/Warm-Up Questions • Tell the story of your first name...who gave it to you, why did they choose it, do you like it, anything unique about it?

• What is the title of the last book that you read?

• What is your favorite book/movie/song/album?

• What is the best movie you have ever seen?

• What is the best program on television?

• What is your favorite sport?

• If you could be any animal (not a human)…what animal would you be?

• What leisure time activity pleases you the most? What is your favorite way to relax?

• If you were a care bear what care bear would you be, and what would the picture on your stomach be?

• If you were a super hero, what would your super power be?

• What is your favorite artificial flavor?

• Describe your perfect meal?

• If you had to eat one type of food for the rest of your life what type would it be?

• What is your favorite camp food?

• What is your favorite cartoon?

• What is the worst injury you have ever sustained?

• What is the best smell in the world?

• What is Art?

• Do you believe that life exists outside of Earth?

• What is your favorite candy bar?

• What cartoon character do you think is most like you?

• What is the strangest food you have ever eaten?

For the Leader of the Session: This is a list of Boundary Breakers, which will hopefully have a little more in the way of progression then the other one does. In order to

successfully foster an environment where people are comfortable sharing about themselves then you must progress into it. You cannot sim-

ply jump to a question like “When do you feel the loneliest?” and expect everyone to be comfortable sharing. So instead taking a route that begins with questions like “What is your favorite book?” progresses to “On what Basis do you select your friends?” and eventually gets to “When do you feel the loneliest?” you will get more honest and complete answers, and less passes. That being said this list is organized roughly on a “difficulty” level. So questions further down the list are deeper then others, and so should be moved through roughly numeri-cally. By no means does this mean you should do every question. You will also want to attempt to judge the group as you go, there might be a level of question that the group is just not ready for, or after a particularly meaningful or emotional question, you might want to do an “easier” question to relieve the tension. Also if a group is doing very well consider allowing them to come up with a couple of questions of their own for a while.

There are also a number of different ways to lead Boundary Breakers. I would start with standard BB’s, and only do the other types

with groups who are familiar with boundary breakers. Here is a brief list of ones I have encountered: -“Standard/Formal”-the leader asks a question and everyone answers, and then repeat. -“Group Led” – go around the circle having each person in turn ask a question which is then answered by everyone in the group. Basi-

cally this is standard BB’s with the questions being asked by the group. -“Individual” – each person is successively asked a question by everyone else in the group. For example person A is asked a question by

person B, then by person C and so on. Then it is B’s turn to get asked questions. This can be very meaningful, and very time consuming.

Works best with groups of 10 or less (purely for time reasons), but do not let that discourage you from doing it with bigger groups. -“Informal” – This is fun to do with a group who has done boundary breakers a lot. Basically inform the group they will be doing bound-

ary breakers, do not go over the rules, and after you have done some questions start backing of on making people follow the rules. Basically you will let people start to discuss others answers, and if done correctly you will end up with a big discussion with everyone involved. Your job is to continue posing questions and involving everyone. In my experience you get down to stuff like “What is your favorite cartoon?” “Thundercats?” “I love Thundercats do you remember when…” everyone chimes in their opinions, and then someone else talks about there favorite. This whole process is facilitated by the fact that the participants know they are doing BB’s, and so they will make sure that people are answering and stay involved. It is a very cool process!

Boundary Breaker Rules (Should be mentioned before each session):

Everyone must sit in a circle where they can see and make eye contact with everyone else Everyone must be on the same eye level, so all sitting cross legged Explain the Question – Answer Format You may pass but we will come back to you, everyone will give an answer to each question The questions mean what you interpret them to mean, so answer them as such You choose whether a question deserves a one word answer, or a explanation of “why”

The only person who should be speaking is the one who is answering the question There is no commenting on other peoples answers, or amending your own after you have finished Everyone must talk loud enough for everyone else to hear them easily Give the speaker your full attention Do not leave the circle while a question is being answered, ask the leader if a break is needed

Respect one another

Easy/Warm-Up Questions • What is your favorite kind of music?

• What is your least favorite food?

• What would you like to teach others about?

• If you saw someone trip and fall, what would you do and say?

• What is your favorite cookie?

• Do you like to dance? Sing?

• What is your favorite way to get exercise?

• What is your favorite day of the week? Why do you like it?

• What is your favorite season?

• What is your favorite thing about the way you look?

• What store do you like to shop at the most?

• If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

• What is the last movie you saw in theaters?

• If you were given 1 million dollars, what would you spend it on?

• What would be your dream job?

• What are your favorite pizza toppings?

• What is your favorite thing to do in the winter?

• What do you do to protect the earth?

• What is your favorite board or card game to play?

• If you lost your sense of smell (taste, etc) but could pick 3 things you would still be able to smell, what 3 would you pick?

• What do you do when a song you really like comes on the radio?

• What is your favorite restaurant?

• What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy (sunny, winter, etc.) day?

• Will robots ever be as smart as people? What good or bad things might happen if they were? If so, when do you think this will happen?

• If you were president, what would you change in this country? How would you make that change?

• Where do new ideas come from?

• If you could change one thing about camp, what would you change?

• Do you believe in magic?

• If you had to choose between never washing your bed sheets or never washing your bath towel, which would you pick?

• If you could tell a newborn baby one piece of advice and have them understand it, what would you tell them to prepare them for life?

• Of the four core values (Honesty, Caring, Respect, Responsibility), which do you feel is most important?

• What is your favorite word?

• If you could have any job at camp, what job would you want?

• Which do you like more: talking on the phone, talking in person, or emailing/texting?

• Would you rather wear socks and shoes, wear sandals, or go barefoot?

• What is the best game you’ve played at camp so far?

• What is the weirdest dream you remember having?

• Would you ever go skydiving, bungee jumping, cliff diving, or some other extreme activity?

• What is the best Halloween or dress-up costume you’ve ever worn?

• If you were going to start a new restaurant, what food would you serve? What would it be called? What special or unique things would

your restaurant have? Creative Thinking and Mood Lightening Questions • How do they cram all that gram?

• How many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?

• What does Camp Kitaki Food do to you: make your poop more, poop less, or ride the roller coaster?

• How do you use toilet paper? Wad, wrap, fold, origami?

• Do you pee in the shower?

• Why doesn’t glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

• If you burp and fart at the same time, would it make a vacuum in your tummy?

• Why do people tell you to stay a kid for as long as you can, but when you do something childish they tell you to “grow up?”

• Is Bigfoot real? How about the Loch Ness Monster?

• Is the grass really greener on the other side of the fence?

• Is it better to get what you want, or want what you get?

Intermediate Questions • If you could travel to anyplace in the world…where would you go first?

• If you were to be shipwrecked on a desert island, what one item would you most want to take with you? (No people, radios or TV’s)

• What physical thing do you want to build more than anything else?

• What television advertisement bothers you the most?

• What is the greatest piece of music ever composed?

• On what basis do you select your friends?

• If you could destroy one thing and only one thing, what would you destroy?

• What do you feel when you stand on the shore of an ocean?

• If you had to be one or the other, would you rather be blind or deaf?

• How many children make the ideal family?

• What emotion is strongest in you?

• What would you like put on your gravestone?

• What is the most beautiful (hilarious, ugliest) thing you have ever seen?

• When you think of tragedy what do you think of?

• What person has most influenced your life?

• What talent would you like to have that you do not have at this time?

• What gives you the most security?

• What word best describes advertising?

• Select the one word that best describes a sunset?

• When do you feel the most alive?

• Select a word that you feel describes people your age?

• What is the biggest waste you know, in terms of a product?

• What do you want to be doing ten years from now?

• What future discovery are you looking forward to the most?

• When you think of children under age three…what comes to your mind?

• What color is love (greed, anger, hope, happiness)…if you have to paint it?

• What name carries the most meaning for you? Why do you feel so strongly when you hear that name?

• What movie of the past school year meant the most to you?

• If you could meet any person in the world living today whom would you most want to meet? What question would you ask that

individual?

• If you could meet any person in history, whom would you most want to meet? What would you say to that person?

• What is the most beautiful thing about people?

• Suppose you were a great painter and could perfectly capture one image? What would you most like to paint and have remembered for

all time?

• What is the most over-analyzed item, thing or event in our times?

• When do you feel most productive?

• How much emotional satisfaction do you get out of music?

• Select one word you think best describes school?

• What is the best thing about your home?

• Should a man ever cry?

• What is the greatest sound in the world?

• When do you feel the freest?

• What does this mean: Eat when you are hungry, sleep when you are tired.

• When did your life last take a major shift?

• Your house is on fire, and everything that is alive is outside and safe (pets, family, roommates etc.). WShat one thing would you save if

you could?

• What has been the happiest day of your life?

• What has been the worst day of your life?

• What work is worth doing for free?

• What are three words that describe you?

• Do you like talking to new people?

• Do you prefer to be early, right on time, or a little late?

• What is the first thing you notice when you meet a new person?

• Do you get along with the people in your family?

• If you were the camp director, what would you change about camp? How would you make that change?

Advanced Questions • Does TV actually transmit feeling or is it a non-feeling experience?

• What event of the last three months stands out in your mind the most?

• What force of history are you most aware of as you plan your life?

• What subject is the most frequent topic of discussion among your friends?

• Your closest friend is being placed in solitary confinement for 60 days, and the court has said you may go in his/her place. Will you

go? And what word describes your feeling as you say yes or no?

• What is the most overwhelming thing you know?

• What makes you feel the most humble?

• What is the greatest problem in the United States? In the world?

• What value that guides your life the most?

• What is the greatest crime one person can commit against another?

• How would you symbolize the human soul?

• If you were making a phonograph record and you wanted to put the sound of violence on that record what would that sound be?

• What sound would you put on to record beauty?

• If the atomic bomb were going to fall in ten minutes…what would you do in that last 10 minutes?

• Select a word that best describes your total life at this moment of time?

• What is your biggest worry?

• What do you think people like in you the least?

• What do you think people like in you the most?

• What institution is most in need of changing?

• When do you feel the loneliest?

• You have seen certain people all year and you have not spoken to them, why?

• What embarrasses you the most?

• Who is the best candidate on the political scene?

• What political issue is the most important to you?

• What is your greatest fear?

• What do you love the most?

• If you had to use another word for God…what would you use?

• What one person so inspires you that you would you follow them to the end of the earth without question?

• What one day in your life would you like to live over?

• What is the most powerful force loose in the world today?

• What is the most unreasonable thing you know?

• What is the most sacred thing you know?

• What book that you have read has given you the most hope?

• What trait best describes an open person?

• What is the most spiritual event you have experienced?

• People have various loyalties, to what or whom do you feel the most loyal?

• Love may be experienced in various ways. Is love most closely related to something physical, emotional, intellectual, or spiritual?

• What person in this group are you now observing most closely as they answer the questions?

• How would you describe your lifestyle?

• What school event during the past school year stands out most in your mind?

• When you think of reality, what comes to your mind first?

• What is the most divided part of our society? From where does this divide come?

• What fills you with the most hope?

• What one thing would make the earth a better place?

• What thought consumed you today?

• When do you die a little?

• When were you born? (Not birth date)

• What decisions are hardest for you to make?

• What idea does the world need most today?

• What is the last think you would give up?

• Who or what would you give your life for?

• How do you want to be similar or different from adults you know when you become an adult?

• If you were an alien, judging earth only by what you see on TV, how would you describe earthlings? Why?

• A wise man once said “show me someone who resorts to violence, and I’ll show you someone who has run out of good ideas. Do you

agree?

Very Advanced… Synthesis Set Group members must have demonstrated a great deal of respect and maturity before I would invite them to answer these questions. This set can be highly valuable, but it is difficult to get to in a session of BB’s, because in order to get to the point where these questions can be answered you have to do BBs for a while, then adding this on top of it makes for a long session. They are good questions and should be used, even if it is just one or two at the end! Answer these based on the answers given by the group members.

Which person...

• Did you learn the most about?

• Do you want to learn more about?

• Did you think was the most honest?

• Did you think hid themselves the most?

• Do you think you could get along with best over a long period of time

• Did you think had the deepest insights?

• Is most sensitive?

• Is the best planner?

• Is the most balanced?

• Has the most promise…the most unfulfilled potential?

• Do you feel will make the best leader?

• Do you feel is the most/least like you?

• Enjoys life the most?

• Has the most charisma?

• Has the most soul? The most humanity?

Which answer...

• Do you want explained here?

• Surprised you the most?

• Could you relate to the most?

• Taught you the most about the person answering? Add your own ideas for BB questions here:

Step In is a boundary breaker activity that moves at a little faster pace, and provides for a little more anonymity. Get in a circle with everyone and ensure that everyone can see everyone else. Tell everyone that you will be reading a list of statements. If the statement applies to them personally, they take a step forward into the middle of the circle. Everyone pauses for a second or two and glances around to see to whom it applies. Then the people in the middle step back into their original position and the next statement is read. Each statement is formatted in a basic “If you …” format. Some are in a list format and should be broken up into individual statements so that everyone can answer. It is good idea for you to discourage talking during this activity. Cross the Line follows the same basic format, but instead of a circle everyone lines up a few feet away from a line. If a statement applies to an individual, that person crosses over to the line, turns and faces the group, and only walks back when the leader says “step back” (or something similar). This list can serve as a springboard for your own ideas. Feel free to add your own statements. Step In/Cross the Line if you…

• Male...Female

• Freshman...sophomores...etc.

• Live with one parent…both...alone or with guardians

• Have brothers...sisters...only child

• Oldest...middle...youngest

• Pets

• Always lived in one state

• Moved from out of state

• Been to Disneyland/world

• Traveled to at least 10 states

• Been out of the country

• Acted in a school play

• Watch a lot of television

• Have been on television

• Are color blind

• Have ever made a volcano with baking soda and vinegar

• Ever won a prize in a contest

• Know all the words to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song

• Will not willingly tell your middle name.

• Prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla.

• Have ever been sky diving

• Would rather eat crunchy peanut butter

• Middle name is Marie

• Your second toe is longer than your big toe

• Have ever had a job in food service

• Like cats better than dogs

• Are left handed

• Have eaten sushi

• Always take your shoes off when you enter your house

• Do your own laundry

• Own a Garth Brooks cd

• Have an outie belly button

• Enjoy rap...rock...country music

• Have twins in your family

• Are a Husker fan

• Football/Soccer/Volleyball is your favorite sport

• Ever been snowboarding

• Have no cavities

• Have run more than 5 miles without stopping

• Use aerosol deodorant

• Have seen a bear in the wild

• Know how to surf/ski

• Sing in the shower

• Can wiggle your ears

• Can speak 2 or more languages fluently

• Are related to someone famous...even if it’s a distant relative

• Know what you want to be when you grow up

• Have seen a shooting star

• Have been to a Hard Rock Café

• Have tasted Spam

• Have golfed (not miniature golf)

• Are morning/evening person

• Enjoy school

• Don’t ever want to get married

• Want to have kids

• European, African, Latino, Asian, Native American, multiracial…

• Have had a shaved head

• Have seen an ocean

• Played with leggos as a kid

• Want to go to college...grad school

• Consider yourself a good student

• Have your own car

• Drive over the speed limit

• Have ever gotten a ticket

• Have a job working over 20 hours a week

• Both parents work

• Participate in activities specific to your ethnic heritage

• Your house has more than 2 generations in it

Deeper Questions • Consider yourself to be outgoing

• Consider yourself to be shy

• Would rather spend time outside...Inside.

• Count someone of a different race/ethnic group as one of your three closest friends.

• Family is working...middle...upper class

• Have ever experience prejudice

• Have ever been prejudice

• Consider yourself a Christian/Jewish/Buddhist/Muslim/Native spirituality/ have a spiritual life other than these religions

• Are agnostic/atheist

• Don’t consider your “birth” religion to be a major part of your life

• Practice your religion

• Have lost someone close to you to death

• Have someone in your family who is seriously ill

• Are Pro-choice...anti-choice

• Know someone who is gay or lesbian

• Have dated outside your race

• Have been punched/hit in the face

• Changed completely an opinion or feeling

• Are a pacifist

• Never use alcohol/tobacco

• Have something about you that nobody knows

• Have been self-conscious about the way you look

• Are in favor of the death penalty...against

• Republican...democrat...independent...none

• Eat meat...vegetarian

• Know a teen parent...have a teen parent in the immediate family

• Could ever kill someone

• Could sacrifice your life for a cause or another person

• Your family has ever experienced economic hardship

• Smoke

• Have every been sent to the principal’s office

• Know someone who uses marijuana...drugs...has attempted sui-cide...spent time in jail...has been raped

Deeper Questions • Have been made to feel inferior by teachers...peers

• Ever felt completely alone

• People routinely mispronounce your name

• Been stereotyped for skin...clothes...sports...etc.

• Feel you can judge someone by their shoes

• Can honestly say you hate someone

• Cry at movies

• Your feelings are easily hurt

• Are considering the military

• Love your country

• Are scared of death

• Believe in sex before marriage

• Have every been sexually harassed or assaulted

• Have reported it

• Have ever been ridiculed for how you dress/look (short, tall, etc.)

• Have ever contributed to the spreading of a rumor?

• Have ever given money or food to someone in need

• Have ever broken a friend’s trust

• Have ever broken a parent’s trust

• Have ever avoided someone because you didn’t want to be seen

“in public” with them

• Have ever intentionally hurt someone’s feelings

• Have ever pushed, or physically participated in hurting someone

• Have ever been the victim of a lie being told about you

• Have ever created a lie about someone

• Have ever stood up for someone who was being teased or lied

about

• Have ever taken the risk of standing up for someone who was

being physically harmed

• Have ever gone out of your way to help a friend

• Have had a friend go out of their way to help you

• Feel like you have someone who will always be there for you no

matter what

• Believe your parents are: always right...always wrong...always

getting in your business...fun to be around...do the best they can to help you

• Believe your friends are: people to pass time with...people who

make you laugh...people who you think are cool...people who want to spend time with you...people you can trust

• Feel your parents (grandparents, friends, peers, neighbors,,

teachers, camp staff) care about you

• You have ever been put down because you are a girl...boy

• You’ve ever been picked last in games or sports or left out of an

activity all together

• You have ever felt unwanted...unwelcome

• You’ve been teased because of the color of your skin

• You’ve been teased because of your religious background

• You’ve been teased because of your accent or voice

• You’ve been teased because of the part of the world or country

your family comes from

• You’ve been told that you can’t sing

• You have been told you shouldn’t cry, show emotions, or be

afraid

• You have ever felt pressure from your friends or an adult to do

something you didn’t want to do

• You have ever been the only person of your race/ethnicity in a

classroom

Debriefing It is important to follow up with a debriefing activity, particularly if you feel strong emotions may have come from participating. It is bet-ter to address sensitive issues that may have come up right away, but also be careful not to be judgmental or shaming in your ques-tions. Try to revisit some questions that had a particularly strong response as well as questions where perhaps only one or two people

stepped forward. Don’t be afraid to allow some time to pass in silence if no one re-sponds to a question right away. Waiting, even as long as a minute or more, will invite people to speak who might not otherwise share. Here are a few examples of debriefing questions: What are some feelings that came up for you during this activity?

Why was it so important to be quiet, respectful and sensitive? What was the hardest part for you? What did you learn about yourself? About others? Were there any statements that were true for you that you found it

difficult to step in for? What made admitting this truth difficult? What do you want to remember about what we’ve just experienced? Were you surprised at all by the number of people who stepped for-

ward for a particular question?

How does it make you feel when you are getting teased for something that you cannot help?

Why do you think other people tease?

Add your own Step In questions here: