Coordinating different camp activity stations and rotating groups from one station to the next is a common practice. It’s also a great way to do many activities in a small amount of time. Here are some guidelines to make sure your stations and transitions from one activity to the next run flawlessly:
1. Set up all the stations prior to starting your station activities.
2. While setting up each activity station, inspect the area to make sure it’s clean and safe for campers.
3. Explain each station activity to all kids prior to starting your rotations. When arriving at each station, the counselor then needs to do a quick reminder on what the activity is and they’re ready to go. This is also an opportunity for staff to learn each activity so they can pass it on to their campers. It will reduce time at each station if you can do so before you start.
4. Make sure each group is cleaning up after themselves before the next group arrives. It’s important to set clean up expectations with campers from Day One. It doesn’t take long for cleanliness to go south if none of your groups clean and organize each space before they leave.
5. Always be thinking ahead. Once your activity begins, start to think about how you’re going to wrap up, clean and get the group to the next one.
6. Make sure the activity at each station is appropriate for the time available. These are generally quicker activities that can be coordinated with less kids.
7. Space out each activity to make sure you have ample area to not only run the activity, but for your groups to go to each space and not interfere with any other groups. An example of a four-station rotation could be indoor activity, outdoor activity, arts and crafts, and game room.
8. Have a back-up plan in case one activity doesn’t work. You and all your counselors should always have a few of those low-key, down-time type activities your kids enjoy. If a new activity isn’t working and you still have time, change it up and throw in a quick game to finish that station and be ready to move on to the next one. If this happens, make the next group aware the issues you faced with that activity, so they know what to expect.
9. Clean and put away all equipment immediately after the station ends. Get groups in the habit of bringing equipment back and putting it away when they are the last ones at the station.
10. Make mental notes or jot down all the station activities that are working well or not working. When you need to repeat station activities that are working well and the campers enjoy, you will know exactly which ones you want to work into your rotations.
While coordinating camp activity stations, transitions are happening from one activity to the next with your group. It’s extremely important to ensure you’re not wasting time in between activities. Here are three tips for successful transitions:
1. Use tactics like whistles, chants, claps, and hand signals to make sure kids are attentive, listening and paying attention to avoid wasting time. Do this with enough time left to clean up and get organized.
2. Have your campers lined up and ready to move to the next space a minute or two before time is up.
3. When you get to the next activity, do a quick overview and then start the activity as soon as possible to maximize your time.
Not considering the items above can cause your activities to go south quickly. Camp activity stations should be fun, structured and organized so that once it starts, it runs itself. Streamlining your transitions will result in less down time for your campers to get in trouble or be bored, will maximize the time you have available for each activity throughout your day and create more fun for your campers. Coordinating as many engaging activities as possible with limited down time will ensure campers are having a great time and want to come back year after year.
