Welcome to Camp Mightier!

The American Camp Association says “the camp experience is recognized by child development professionals as valuable in helping children mature socially, emotionally, intellectually, morally, and physically.”

COVID-19 has jeopardized, or in many cases, canceled camp this summer. While we can’t recreate the social bonds formed over camp fires, or build lakes and tree houses in our backyards, there are many activities and learnings you and your kiddo do together at home. Below you’ll find a list of #CampMightier activities, let us know which ones you try and feel free to share your own with us!

Make Lemonade with Fresh Lemons

There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than fresh lemonade! Whether you simply mix together fresh lemon juice and sugar or find a fun, new twist on lemonade, this is a great way to connect with your kiddo and enjoy a delicious treat together! Fun fact: did you know that the process of squeezing lemons is actually another way to practice Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)? As you’re making your next batch of lemonade together, see if your kiddo will talk about how their body feels before and after squeezing the lemons. If you want to take it a step further, use the red, grey, and blue zone language from the gizmo to help them learn more about their mind body connection.

Find Shapes in the Clouds

Take advantage of a partly cloudy day by laying out in your backyard or at a nearby park and taking a moment to look up. What does your kiddo see first? Shapes, animals, maybe even their favorite lavaling? This is a fun way to get a glimpse into your kiddo’s perspective and getting them to open up in a fun way.

Dance Outside to Your Favorite Song

Beyond being a fun way to express yourself, dancing has actually been studied and used as a form of therapy. So crank up your favorite song and get moving! To help your kiddo see how dancing affects their physical body, have them wear their Mightier heart rate band and watch their Gizmo! After the song ends, take a few calming breaths together and watch them get back into the blue.

Write Positive Messages on the Sidewalk

Positive messages are a great way to empower kids and build confidence. Turn your driveway or sidewalk into a huge canvas with a little bit of sidewalk chalk! Write a few positive affirmations to boost their confidence — or have them write positive notes to everyone in the neighborhood to send a bit of brighten someone’s day!

Collect Sticks & Stones and Make an Image

Help your kiddo see the beauty that surrounds us by picking up sticks, stones, flowers, and other natural elements on a walk around the backyard or through the park. Arrange your foraging finds in different image combinations – how many can you make? Take a photo of each art piece to put in a scrapbook for later.

Blow Bubbles

Aside from being a fun way to spend time outside, there are real benefits to blowing bubbles! The first is helping your kiddo learn how to control their breathing. Big, deep breaths help make larger, longer-lasting bubbles. Beyond breath control, blowing bubbles helps kids with spatial awareness, visual tracking, and hand/eye coordination.

Make a Scavenger Hunt for Your Family

Scavenger hunts are a camp staple! All that’s required to make one at home is a little bit of imagination. Help them create one for a sibling or family member. Remember to take a video when the hunt begins so you can rewatch it later!

Talk About Your Day Under the Stars

After a long summer day, take a few minutes to unwind below the stars. Talk about your favorite part of the day, or things your kiddo might want to do tomorrow. Perhaps they’ll feel more open sharing their feelings outside in nature. Use this short time to find a new way to communicate and connect! And, remember to keep an eye out for shooting stars!