Yay camping! Since I live in a smallish town in the midwest, it seems like a lot of our patrons are into camping. Still, there are always some families who have never been so this is a great theme to introduce kids to it or to celebrate fun times with kids who are already familiar with it.
Introduction: Before we really get started with our opening song, we talk about what camping is and why we do it. I share that I like to go camping because it’s nice to be outdoors and that I love camping activities such as hiking, stargazing, and s’more making. I also ask the kids who have already been camping, what their favorite part is.
Sign of the Day: I asked the kids what they expect to see during a camping trip and then teach them four ASL signs to go along with our first song.
Song: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. I love this call and response song. Kids have so much fun using their bodies to act out how to get through the different natural elements, and of course, love acting out meeting a bear! I use some of the ASL signs for “bear,” “grass,” “river,” “storm,” & “cave.”
We’re going on a bear hunt (We’re going on a bear hunt)
Gonna catch a big one (Gonna catch a big one)
I’m not scared (I’m not scared)
What a beautiful day! (What a beautiful day!)
Oh look! It’s some long, wavy grass!
Can’t go under it (Can’t go under it)
Can’t go over it (Can’t go over it)
Can’t go around it (Can’t go around it)
Gotta go through it (Gotta go through it!)
(Trees, River, Storm, Cave, etc. until you meet a bear; then run back!)
Book: The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann
This book is just such a nice slice of life book about a black family’s camping trip. A great introduction for any child who might be going camping for the first time.
Felt: Camping Chant. Use felt pieces that the kids can pick out of a hat to go along with this fun little chant. Puppets can also make this chant a bit more fun 🙂
I was laying in my sleeping bag
I couldn’t go to sleep
I looked at my watch and wanted to weep
I rolled to my left
I rolled to my right
but all I could hear were animal noises in the night.
I heard a ‘Owl’, ‘Hoo, hoo, hoo’.
Repeat with Wolf, Bear, Crickets
Book: Come Home Already! by Jory John
These Bear and Duck stories from Jory John just crack me up and this one is no exception! Duck wants to hang out with his friend, Bear, but Bear is camping and fishing for a week. Whatever will Duck do???
Rhyme: Five Little Fireflies. You can certainly use felt for this rhyme, but I like to throw in a little magic for this one. I turn the lights down low and I have these little finger lights that I switch on, one by one throughout the rhyme as I put them in a glass jar. If you have a helper, you can also have them “fly” around the room before going into the jar.
One little firefly shines very bright
Two little fireflies show their lights
Three little fireflies glimmer and glow
Four little fireflies watch them go!
Five little fireflies fly in the night
Blink! Blink! Blink!
My! What a sight!
Closing: After the last rhyme, we’re ready for our Closing song!
More Books to Check Out:
Librarian Ginny 