Build a Miniature Campsite

Help your group prepare to go to camp by making a camp for teddies, lego figures or dolls before you go.

Before you start

Prepare the group by asking them to bring a toy to ‘go to camp’ to group night. Leaders can bring some spares in case people forget.

Have different craft options on hand to build the campsite e.g. fabric, sticks, string, wool, natural materials, paper straws, card and some pens / pencils to decorate. If you have some Lego or building blocks you could bring these too.

What to do

Start by supporting the group to think about where they want their toys to camp. Split into smaller groups and use the prompts below to help groups think about their setting and what they might need to take.

Choosing Your Campsite

One of the most important things when camping is where your campsite is and what it’s like. This is as much the case in miniature. Give the young people options around your meeting space of where their camp could be set up, if you have outdoor space, you could use this too! Some things groups might want to consider are:

1. Would you like an indoor or outdoor campsite? Think about the benefits and difficulties of each.  Maybe scout out some different options and see which feels best.
2. Consider how sheltered your spot is – high winds can be a real pain in the middle of the night!
3. Find somewhere with a flat surface, no-one wants to wake up having slid across the tent in their sleep, or with all the blood rushing to their head from being upside down.
4. Consider how noisy the area is – if your miniature campsite is right next to the TV your small campers might not be able to sleep.

Setting Up Camp

Now to create a den or tent for your chosen campers, have a range of materials for people to choose from to make their camping area as complicated or as simple as they like. Here are some ideas and considerations to think about:

1. You will need a frame of some kind to make the structure of your tent/den and ensure your campers can fit inside. What do you have that could make this?
2. You could use fabric to cover your tent/den, or a piece of paper or card. How could you decorate it to make it really personalised?
3. Do you want to make your tent/den from natural materials? You could collect sticks and then use leaves to make a roof
4. If your campsite is outdoors you might want to think about finding some waterproof materials for your tent/den
5. Do you want to provide any other amenities for your camper? A second larger tent for cooking and eating in? A wash tent for brushing teeth and having a bath? A games area for playing? What else might you want on your campsite?

Once groups have created their camping spaces, take everyone on a tour round and give each group a chance to present their campsite and show others around.

Discussion Questions

• Would your campsite be good if there is a storm?
• What did you like about other people’s campsites?
• What will we do the same or different when we go on a camping trip?