Superhero Camp: Part 2
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Opening & Closing Time
This is part 2 of my Superhero Music Camp mini-series. If you didn’t catch part 1, be sure to read it for decoration and music ideas!
Opening and Closing Time are a perfect time to get all of your campers excited, on the same page, and warmed-up and ready for the day or the following day. It doesn’t take much to have a really solid start and finish to your day of camp, but it definitely isn’t a part you should skip planning out well!
Superhero Opening Time
For way too many years of directing camps, I forgot to plan my opening time activities. Or I plannned them, and then got sidetracked with putting out fires during check-in. Sound familiar?
I realized I need to have multiple options for this time. I have a themed music playlist that is going, and other activities for students who show up early before we are ready for opening time. Try these open-ended coloring pages to get their creativity flowing!
I also have superhero-themed opening time ideas in my Superhero Themed Music Camp Complete Teacher’s Guide!
If at all possible, find someone to help you with checking students in. You can handle opening time, and they can handle any latecomers who need to get signed in and find nametags.
I have found that all of my students, even the older ones, like to know what the schedule for the day is. For my littles we have a picture schedule that is always posted, and for the older students I just have a schedule poster up. It helps everyone stay on track and know what is coming next.
When you are ready to get started, get everyone going with group warm-up activities. I usually only plan 5-10 minutes for opening time before I send them off to their first session of the day.
Warm-ups
Group warm-ups get everyone rounded up, focused and energized, and physically ready for the day. You can learn names and help students feel more comfortable being at camp by planning this part well!
A few of my favorites for Superhero Music Camp:
Get-To-Know-You Games
Tongue Twisters
Breath and Voice Warmups
Themed Movement Cards (included in all of my Summer Camp Plans!)
Acting or improv games
Themed yoga sequence
A superhero-themed yoga sequence started our 3rd day to get everyone focused and re-energized. We were all a little tired by the third day, and it was a great way to slowly get into our activities for the day.
My high-school aged helper led this warm-up, which gave me time to get ready for our first activities. You can find this and a Superhero mindfulness activity in my Superhero Camp Teacher Planner.
Superhero Closing Time
After a whirlwind day of camp, closing time gives you another chance to come together as a group, do a short game or activity, and clean up your space.
At the beginning of closing time, I give assignments for the next day. At my camps (for older elementary-high school) students learn and memorize music for a short performance at the end of the week. I usually give them a memorization assignment for the next day so they feel comfortable by the end of the week.
There is ALWAYS a fair amount of clean-up to do and projects to sort. It definitely is easier on me when I ask the students to help!
Closing with a game is a great way to keep students occupied (and out of trouble!) while they are waiting for their ride. I have a number of themed games in my Summer Camp Plans, or you could just put on a playlist and freeze-dance!
Conclusion
Opening and Closing Time are a great way to get to know your campers. You can begin and end with fun activities that make them excited to come back the next day (and year!).
In part 3 of my Superhero Music Camp mini-series, I’ll show you some different crafts and activities that my students loved! Read part 3 here.
Ready to start planning your Superhero themed camp yet?
Save yourself a TON of planning time with my Superhero Camp Guide! Check it out here.
Happy planning!!
