Preschool Programs Chapter
By Heather Coleson
Camping Under the Stars
- Books to Share
- Nametag
- Songs
- Stories
- Crafts
- Games and Activities
- Books to Display or Booktalk
- Bulletin Board
- Display
- Decorations
- Refreshments
- Guest Speakers
- Audio Recordings
- Videos/DVD’s/Films
- Web Sites
- Professional Resources
- Craft Materials
Books to Share
Bailey Goes Camping by Kevin Henkes.
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen.
Maisy Goes Camping by Lucy Cousins.
Monk Camps Out by Emily McCully.
Otto Goes to Camp by Todd Parr.
Quiet Night by Marilyn Singer.
Nametag
Backpack
Make backpack nametags using the pattern provided. Or, use the tree pattern from Jean Warren’s Preschool Express at http://www.preschoolexpress.com/pattern_station02/tree_patterns.pdf.
Songs
This Camp is My Camp, This Camp is Your Camp
(Adapted by Krystale Garrett. Sing to the tune of “This Land is My Land.”)
This camp is my camp,
This camp is your camp.
We can go hiking
Then maybe biking.
We can go fishing,
See fish so squishy.
This camp was made for you and me.
Sing “A Camping We Will Go” from Jean Warren’s Preschool Express at http://www.preschoolexpress.com/theme_station06/aug06_camping.shtml, to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell.”
Sing “Cooking Marshmallows” and “I’m Going Camping” from Jean Warren’s Preschool Express at http://www.preschoolexpress.com/theme_station06/aug06_camping.shtml, to the tune of “The Hokey Pokey.”
Sing “Yeah Rah, Camp” on P. 157-158 in A Storytime Year by Susan Dailey.
Stories
Tell “Adam Alan’s Camping Trip” on P. 160-163 in A Storytime Year by Susan Dailey. This is an interactive story that has the children make sounds when the storyteller says a specific word. The author includes patterns for picture cards that the storyteller can hold up when it is time for the children to make a sound.
Tell “The Chicken in the Library” at http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activity/the-chicken-in-the-library.html.
Crafts
Paper Bag Backpack
Visit Danielle’s Place at http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/backtoschoolcrafts.html for instructions on how to make this craft.
Binoculars
Materials
- Two toilet paper rolls
- Construction or copy paper
- Glue sticks or liquid glue
- Scotch tape
- String
- Hole punch
Directions
Before the program, cut pieces of colored paper to fit around the toilet paper tubes, and cut pieces of string approximately 15-24 inches long. Give each child two toilet paper tubes, two sheets of pre-cut paper, and two pieces of string. The children glue the colored paper around the toilet paper tubes and tape the two tubes together. Punch one hole on the outside edge of each tube and tie the string in the holes. The children can hang the binoculars to wear around their necks.
Games and Activities
What Would You Pack?
Talk about the kinds of things campers use on camping trips. Hold up photos of camping items, pictures such as those in those included at the end of this program, or pictures from magazines. Ask the children if they would take them on a camping trip or not.
Bring a backpack. Bring items you might bring camping and items better left at home. Ask the children help you select which items to put in the backpack.
Jean Warren’s Preschool Express has lots of cute camping games to play. See http://www.preschoolexpress.com/theme_station06/aug06_camping.shtml for directions for playing “Hungry Bear”, “Owl Search”, “Peanut Toss”, “Fishing Game”, and “Flashlight Pictures.”
Play “Camping Bingo.” Reproducible cards can be found at Making Friends at http://www.makingfriends.com/scouts/camping_bingo.htm. Choose from 12 printable cards.
Books to Display or Booktalk
Babar’s Rescue by Laurent Brunhoff.
Bear Hug by Laurence Pringle.
Camping by Nancy Hundal.
Follow the Trail by Jessica Loy.
Frank and Izzy Set Sail by Laura Kvasnosky.
Let’s Go Camping by Jan Mader.
Oh Yeah! by Tom Birdseye.
Bulletin Board
Come Camp Out With Us!
Make campfire logs from brown construction paper, and make flames from red, yellow and orange tissue paper.
Display
Display items you would take camping, such as a backpack, flashlight, canteen, etc. Add books about camping, cooking camp food, and hiking. Ask your local Boy Scout troop for items to display.
Decorations
Build a fake campfire in the center of the room. Use real logs or logs made by wrapping log-shaped objects in brown paper. Add orange and red tissue paper to make the flames. Sit around the “campfire” with the children during storytime.
Refreshments
Serve graham crackers, individual mini marshmallows, and individual mini Hershey® bars.
Guest Speakers
Invite a representative from your local zoo, state park, or nature refuge to talk about Texas wildlife. They might be able to bring an animal with them. Ask your local Boy Scout troop to talk about Boy Scouts and camping.
Audio Recordings
“Cows” on Dance Party by The Wiggles.
“I’m a Cow” on Dance Party by The Wiggles.
Videos/DVD’s/Films
Kidsongs: Day at Camp. (30 minutes)
Sing Along Songs-Campout. (30 minutes)
Web Sites
Go Camping America Kids Pages http://www.gocampingamerica.com/kidspages/index.aspx This web site provides information for kids about camping. It includes games to play in the car, safety tips, first aid, and information on plants, bugs, and animals, as well as recipes. It also includes information on the 50 states.
Professional Resources
A Storytime Year: A Month-to-Month Kit for Preschool Programming by Susan Dailey.
The Best Kids Book Site
http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/
Storytime ideas, books, crafts, and fingerplays are available on this web site.
Danielle’s Place
http://www.daniellesplace.com/
This web site contains instructions and samples of high quality crafts for educators. Selected crafts on site are free, while others require a paid membership.
Jean Warren’s Preschool Express
http://www.preschoolexpress.com/
This site includes toddler and preschool storytime activities, songs, crafts, and patterns. The pattern section is useful for making nametags.
Making Friends
http://www.makingfriends.com/
This web site contains instructions and ideas for making crafts on numerous themes. Most of the crafts are free and have printable patterns, others have kits that must be purchased.
Oriental Trading Company
http://www.orientaltrading.com/
Craft supplies, craft kits, party supplies, and small inexpensive incentives are all available from this web site.
Craft Materials
Backpack Nametag
What Would You Pack?
