In case you haven’t heard, the World Cup game of Germany vs. USA starts in less than an hour. This has us thinking about what makes for a good game. We do play the traditional kickball, soccer, basketball, etc. occasionally, but the best camp games tend to be the ones campers don’t get to play everyday. So, what makes a good game? The best ones engage all campers. We never want someone to feel like they are left out, so a good game keeps campers playing, still engaged if they are “out,” or have a fast turnover rate so a new game is quick to start. A good camp game also has the element of teamwork. Campers have to work together or interact with each other during the game. Games get bonus points if these interactions encourage campers to mingle and mix with the entire group. And most of all – games have to be fun. No one wants to play a boring game. The game that has quickly become a favorite at Asbury Hills is Ships and Sailors. Here’s how you play:
Ships and Sailors
This game is a cross between Simon Says and Mingle. The facilitator is the captain and gives these commands:
- Ships- run to the left
- Sailors – run to the right
- Captain on Deck – stand and salute. The captain will try to make you laugh.
- At ease – Stand normally
- Man overboard – Everyone pairs up in twos with one person on their tummy and the other with their leg on their back and hand over their eyebrows as if they are looking out to sea.
- Chicken in the henhouse – 2 people. One person goes on all fours. The other puts their knee on the 1st person’s back and clucks like a chicken.
- Walk the plank – 4 people line up single file
- Three men in rowboat – get in groups of three and pretend to row
- North Star – get in groups of 5 and walk in a circle with right (or left) hands in the center
- Hit the Deck – Everyone drops to the ground
- Beluga Whale – Everyone lies on their stomach grabs their ankles and sticks their tongue out
- Life Preserver – Everyone runs and hugs a buddy
- Cockroach – Lie on your back and wave your hands and feet around
Kids who do the action incorrectly or get left out of the groups are considered “out.” The last person remaining wins.
Asbury Hills Camp 