Our organization runs after school enrichment programs. We do not offer a day care program as there is already one at the elementary school. Fortunately a number of parents want more than a day care program for their kids. However, if you run the same programs over and over the kids will get tired of it no matter how good the program is.

Recently we brained stormed some new ideas. Our sports programs are very popular. What we needed were some ideas for indoor programs. One of those ideas was Spa and Relaxation.

Here are the scheduled activities:

• Candle Making
• Soap Making
• Lotion Making
• Creating relaxation sounds using different instruments
• Learning some basic massage techniques
• Spa Treatments
• Yoga
• Breathing Exercises
• Manicures
• Pedicures

The kids would take turns giving each other manicures, pedicures and massages.

There are some great books on soap making, lotion making and candle making as well as kits that you can get from a craft store or Amazon. There are a number of things you can make from beeswax, including lip gloss.

We won’t actually offer the program until the fall. I’ll let you know how it goes. If you have any other ideas for the Spa class please let me know in the comments below. Thanks.

Equipment: About 100 4×6 or larger cards with large letters drawn on them…one Z, one X, two Ys, two Ws, five As, five Bs, etc.
The leader turns over one card at a time, while telling a little story, “On our last canoe trip we noticed many interesting animals, the first one was…At this point he turns over the first card. All of the campers try to be the first to yell out the name of an animal beginning with the letter, for example if a “B” was uncovered…Bear, beaver, bobcat, etc. The first one to be heard with the correct answer gets the card. The leader then continues, “later on that afternoon, we paddled by an island where we noticed a…,” turning over another card. The object is to see which camper or cabin can collect the most cards. An animal cannot be used more than once, if the same letter turns up again, After a while, the leader changes the category to perhaps birds, fish, trees or flowers. The activity works best with 15-40 campers.

Credit: Camp Kooch-I-Ching
International Falls, Minn.

Even thought the above game was written as a camp game, using it for an after school rainy day activity would work great.

“Spinners? Is that where you spin the paper and drop paint on the paper making cool designs.”

“No Curt, it’s a jump rope program.”

“Huh? You want kids to jump rope for an hour of after school programming?”

“Exactly. They’ll do different types of jumping, double dutch and partner jumps, and they’ll learn tricks. Believe me, the kids will love it.”

“You’re outta your mind. I bet not one kid signs up for that program.”

2 WEEKS LATER

“Hey Curt, Spinners is full and it was the first after school program for 1st and 2nd graders to fill up this season.”

“Show me.” She showed me. “I can admit when I’m wrong. Good call. I never would have believed it.”

Check out the video below of the Shasta Skippers and then go and start an after school jump rope program.

Shasta Skippers from Sacramento Bee on Vimeo.

A few weeks ago we started an after school program based around fitness. If you have ever tried to plan a fitness program for kids you know that it’s not as easy as having the kids run and do sit-ups. You want the kids to enjoy themselves so that they will continue to be active throughout their childhood.

So when we started planning the class I suggested we purchase FitDeck Junior. My staff asked me the same question I’m sure your thinking. What in the world is a FitDeck?

FitDeck is a special deck of playing cards. Each card has either a movement, stretch or exercise on it with illustrations and instructions. The movements, stretches and exercises require no equipment. They require only a person’s bodyweight to perform.

While there are a variety of decks (I personally have the bodyweight deck and love it) I’ll be focusing on the Junior version here.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Here are some ideas taken from the Fit Deck website:

• Obstacle course – set up a mini obstacle course inside or outside; set up stations that require children to run around, over, through, or inside. At each obstacle, children must perform a FitDeck Jr. card that is assigned.
• Scavenger Hunt – place cards around house, playground, classroom, daycare, or hallways; children split into two groups; teams are challenged to find cards, return to home base, perform exercise, and return to find rest of cards.
• Color Stations – set up four exercise stations that represent the four FitDeck Jr. colors (blue, red, orange, green); children rotate from station to station and perform that station’s cards.
• Relay Races – using relay race-friendly FitDeck Junior cards (duck walk, knee taps, bear crawl, crab crawl), administer a relay race with two teams. Cards are selected by the teams at random.

You’ll want to get the FitDeck Junior Games and Activities Booklet which has over 70 games and activities for kids. FitDeck Junior is also a perfect indoor fitness solution when outdoor activities are cancelled due to inclement weather.

CAMP PROGRAMS

While all of the activities you see above can be used with great success in a camp environment, below are a couple of other suggestions. You may want to use FitDeck Bodyweight for these.

• Sunrise Movement – as the kids wake-up (resident camp) or arrive at camp (day camp) have each camper in the group choose a card randomly. Then have the kids perform each card.
• Tough Stuff – set-up a “Ranger” or “SEAL” program where (resident camp) campers are invited to get up before everyone else for morning PT (physical training). I did this one summer at camp and had around 30 kids take part. They felt like they were part of something that other campers were not. They felt great about themselves. We included running with our bodyweight work, I wish I had the FitDeck at the time. It would have made the program 100x better.
• Warm-ups – sports are a big part of many, if not most, camps (day or resident). Have the campers randomly choose a few FitDeck cards to perform as a warm-up.

FUNDRAISER

Selling FitDecks can be a wonderful and appropriate fundraiser these days. Instead of selling cookies and candy at the next bake sale, try selling fitness. Children can sell FitDecks to parents, coaches, neighbors, and to the public.

A Drum Circle (a.k.a. rhythm circle) is an empowering group activity which uses a combination of various percussion instruments. The main purpose is to experience the joy of group music making.

The facilitator creates an atmosphere charged with excitement – and focuses on developing group cohesion. We have an innate ability to feel and respond to a strong stable pulse which ensures group success regardless of age, ability or musical experience.

The strength of the circle unites the kids in the joyful experience of music making. What transpires is a heightened feeling of camaraderie – that what was shared was unique, easily attainable, and valuable.

During this program participants will sit in a circle with a percussion instrument. The facilitator, who will usually stay in the middle of the circle, but not always, starts things off with a beat.

This program is based on good facilitation, especially with kids. At the bottom of the page you will find a great website that will help you out.

DRUM CIRCLES: SAMPLE PROGRAM OUTLINE

1. Get the group in a circle, set the ground rules, and pass out the instruments!

2. Decide the “vibe” you want your circle to have. – What is your goal for starting a drum circle? If it’s simply to have fun, your circle can be pretty laid back. If you’re setting out to learn about, say, the rhythmic principles of Classical Indian Music, you’ll want your drum circle to have a more serious attitude.

Djembe Drum

3. Have the group facilitator give some instruction. Start a basic rhythm and let everyone join in, either mimicking that rhythm or playing a rhythm that they find complimentary. Let the rhythm happen for as long as everyone wants to keep playing.

4. Have fun! – That’s the whole point, so if the others don’t seem to be having fun, you’re doing something wrong. Be encouraging and supportive.

DRUM CIRCLES: ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

If everyone in the group is a beginning drummer, starting with very basic rhythms is recommended.

Rhythm Circles fit in nicely with staff trainings as well. It shows what can happen when everyone is on the same page (beat).

DRUM CIRCLES: MATERIALS REQUIRED

Drums! – You’ll need hand-drumming or percussion instruments. A Djembe is a good, reasonably inexpensive and practical choice as a beginner drum, and you may also consider investing in a few small but cheap alternate percussion instruments, such as egg shakers or claves. For great prices and free shipping check out Musician’s Friend.

I also recommend you set up a camp account with eBay. You can find great deals on percussion instruments there as well.

DRUM CIRCLES: RESOURCES

For more great information go to the Remo website. You’ll find some neat tips on running a drum circle.

Below are some really good books that will help you facilitated drum circles.