Camp Noah Curriculum Overview A Resource for Site Coordinators and Team Leaders This resource is intended to give you an overview of the activities taking place during each day/session of Camp Noah. It is not the complete curriculum, but rather a summary of the activities taking place during Camp, in chronological order. This document has been prepared with content from the Camp Noah Elementary Curriculum, Second Edition. 2012 by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota All Rights Reserved. Use of this curriculum without the express written permission of Camp Noah at Lutheran Social Service of MN is prohibited. www.campnoah.org
Day 1: I Am Somebody Special (Life Before the Ark) Noah s Wise Words #1: I am somebody special! There s no one else like me! I like the way I am. This is who I want to be! Goal: Every camper will feel safe, welcome and special! Key resiliency skills: Develop a sense of self-worth Understand oneself as unique and special Understand we are each an important part of a diverse community Laughter, play, creativity Session 1 Pre-camp Camper Registration and Check-in Breakfast/Meal Crafts and Games Large Group Large Group Leader welcomes everyone to Camp Noah, explains what camp is about, how things will work, who to ask for help (yellow/blue shirts), reviews schedule. Set ground rules for camp with campers. Music Campers meet Noah, who shares Wise Words #1. Noah and family perform Skit #1. All Camp Staff team members are introduced. Joke of the Session. Campers are dismissed to Small Groups. Small Groups 90 minutes Goal: Every camper will feel safe, welcome and special! Objective/Key Resiliency Skills: Outcome of Session: Develop a sense of self-worth Campers will be able to identify and Understand oneself as unique and special share something special about themselves. Understand we are each an important part of a diverse community Laughter, play, creativity 1
Introductions and Special Sacks In-or-Out Kids Kits Safe Spots Apple Exercise (snack) My Camp Noah Books Reflect Time Growing Tree Recreation and Craft Time 60 minutes Note: Campers are divided into 2 groups during this time (older and younger campers). One group will begin at Crafts and the other at Rec, then switch. Craft project: I am paintings Note: Campers will need their Kids Kits for this activity. Recreation: Suggested games for Younger Campers: Colors, Colors Bean Bag Balance Silent Ball Suggested games for Older Campers: Colors, Colors Bean Bag Balance Spud If your Camp schedule is 1 Session per day, the next activities will be: Camper Check-out Camp Staff Debriefing Prepare for next Session(s) If your Camp schedule includes 2 Sessions per day, continue to Session 2. 2
Day 1: I Am Somebody Special (Life Before the Ark) Session 2 Pre-camp (For camps doing 1 Session at a time) Camper Registration and Check-in Breakfast/Meal Crafts and Games OR Lunch (for Day Camps) Large Group: Story Time with Noah Large Group Leader asks campers what they are grateful for. Introduces birthday party. Puppeteers perform Puppet Show #1. Noah reads On the Night You Were Born. Everyone sings Happy Birthday to Noah and themselves. Campers are dismissed to Small Groups. Small Groups 45 minutes Goal: Every camper will feel safe, welcome and special! Objective/Key Resiliency Skills: Outcome of Session: Develop a sense of self-worth Each camper will make a poster that Understand oneself as unique and special identified ways he/she is special and unique. Understand we are each an important part of a diverse community Laughter, play, creativity Story Time and Discussion with Hooray for You! I am Somebody Special Posters Reflect Time Growing Tree All-Camp Activity: Birthday Party (including snack) Person in charge: Craft Leader Camp Staff involved: ALL 45 minutes 3
Birthday gift bags Noah leads everyone in singing Happy Birthday. Cake, ice cream and punch for everyone! Face painting Decorate crowns Camp Noah temporary tattoos Noah Bingo Handwashing/bathroom break 10 minutes Large Group 20 minutes Campers are invited to share what they learned about themselves and Noah today. Noah shares what he learned about several campers. Music Joke of the Session. Optional: slide show of photos from camp. Campers are dismissed to check out. Camper Check-Out Camp Staff Debriefing Prepare for next Session(s) 4
Day 2: Storm Stories (Getting Onto the Ark, the Storm Begins) Noah s Wise Words #2: When a storm comes, I am not scared. Want to know why? Because I am prepared! Goal: Each camper will tell their own unique disaster story and feel prepared in case of another storm in life. Key Resiliency Skills: Telling one s story Listening and empathy Dealing with anxiety Session 3 Identifying support systems Preparedness skills Relaxation techniques Pre-camp Camper Registration and Check-in Breakfast/Meal Crafts and Games Large Group Large Group Leader welcomes everyone, reviews ground rules; everyone repeats Noah s Wise Words #1 together. Music Noah and family perform Skit #2. Large Group Leader introduces the concepts of preparedness and working together to respond to challenges. Noah s Wise Words #2. Joke of the Session. Campers are dismissed to Small Groups. Small Groups Goal: Each camper will tell their own unique disaster story. 90 minutes Objectives/Key Resiliency Skills: Telling one s story Listening and empathy Identifying support systems Relaxation techniques Understanding real vs. imagined fears Outcome of Session: Campers will create a My Story poster that helps them explain/share their story. 5
Telling My Story (review Noah s Wise Words #1 and #2) Campers receive their blankets! Special Sacks Story time: The Two Bobbies Icebreaker: Name Game My Story Boards Share Story Boards Snack 15 minutes Note: Some camps find it easier to have snacks delivered to Small Groups rather than having everyone together for snack time. Be sure to talk through this with the Site Coordinator, Team Leader and Kitchen/Meal Leader to decide what s appropriate for your camp. If you decide to incorporate snacks into Small Group time, be sure to adjust the clock time schedule. Recreation and Craft Time 45 minutes Note: Campers are divided into 2 groups during this time (older and younger campers). One group will begin at Crafts and the other at Recreation, then switch. Craft projects: Feeling Stones (part 1) and God s Eyes Recreation: Suggested games for Younger Campers: 3-Spaces Snowball Rally Suggested games for Older Campers: 3-Spaces Snowball Rally Head and Side Tag If your Camp schedule is 1 session per day, the next activities will be: Camper Check-out Camp Staff Debriefing Prepare for next Session(s) If your Camp schedule includes 2 Sessions per day, continue to Session 4. 6
Day 2: Storm Stories (Getting Onto the Ark, the Storm Begins) Session 4 Pre-camp (For camps doing one Session at a time) Camper Registration and Check-in Breakfast/Meal Crafts and Games OR Lunch (For Day Camps) Large Group: Story Time with Noah Note: Campers should bring their blankets to this and all future Story Times with Noah. Large Group Leader asks campers what they are grateful for. Large Group Leader invites campers to lie on their blankets and leads group in a relaxation exercise. Puppeteers perform Puppet Show #2. Noah goes through the Let s Get Prepared PowerPoint with everyone. Campers are dismissed to Small Groups. Small Group Goal: Campers will feel prepared in case of another storm in life. 60 minutes Objective/Key Resiliency Skills: Dealing with anxiety Identifying support systems Preparedness skills Relaxation techniques Understanding real vs. imagined fears Outcome of Session: Campers will receive a Preparedness Pack and understand its purpose and how to use it. What is a Worry? Read book about worry: Wemberly Worried, A Terrible Thing Happened, or Is A Worry Worrying You? Process and book and continue discussion about worry Disaster scenarios Campers receive their Preparedness Packs! 7
My Camp Noah Book Reflect Time Growing Tree Snack 15 minutes All-Camp Activity: Recreation 25 minutes Suggested games: Kickball Variation Human Foosball Balloon or Beach Ball Volleyball Large Group 20 minutes Music Noah appears briefly, looking for a lost item. Large Group Leader encourages campers to take their Preparedness Packs home to share with their families. Repeat Noah s Wise Words #2. Joke of the Session. Optional: slide show of photos from camp. Campers are dismissed to check out. Camper Check-Out Camp Staff Debriefing Prepare for next Session(s) 8
Day 3: Why am I Feeling This Way? (Life After the Storm) Noah s Wise Words #3 No matter how I feel today, I m looking forward to a brighter day! Goals: Campers will better recognize and understand their feelings; honor important people and things in their lives; and identify signs of hope in the ever-changing landscape of recovery. Key resiliency skills: Identifying and naming feelings Processing grief and loss Empathy Understanding real vs. imagined fears Developing coping strategies Session 5 Pre-camp Camper Registration and Check-in Breakfast/Meal Crafts and Games Large Group Large Group Leader invites campers to share their favorite parts from the last day/session of Camp Noah, reviews, ground rules, has everyone repeat Noah s Wise Words #2. Music. Noah and family perform Skit #3. Large Group Leader introduces topic of feelings by commenting on how Noah s family members were feeling during the skit. Noah returns to share Wise Words #3. Joke of the Session. Campers are dismissed to Small Groups. Small Groups Goal: Campers will better recognize and understand their feelings. 90 minutes Objective/Key Resiliency Skills: Identifying and naming feelings Developing empathy Coping strategies Outcome of Session: Each camper will create a Safe Place picture. 9
Special sacks Movement time: Simon Says Process the Noah story Safe Place pictures (Finding, Discussing, Writing, Drawing, Using the Templates, Sharing) Story Time: I Feel Silly Today and Feelings Activity My Camp Noah Book Reflect Time Growing Tree Snack 15 minutes Recreation and Craft Time 5 minutes Note: Campers are divided into 2 groups during this time (older and younger campers). One group will begin at Crafts and the other at Rec, then switch. Craft projects: Feeling Stones (part 2) and Water Bottles Recreation: Suggested games for Younger and Older Campers: Parachute Games (Popcorn, Ball Roll, Mushroom, Cat & Mouse, Parachute Tag, Fruit Salad) If your Camp schedule is 1 session per day, the next activities will be: Camper Check-out Camp Staff Debriefing Prepare for next Session(s) If your Camp schedule includes 2 Sessions per day, continue to Session 6. 10
Day 3: Why am I Feeling This Way? (Life After the Storm) Session 6 Pre-camp (For camps doing one Session at a time) Camper Registration and Check-in Breakfast/Meal Crafts and Games OR Lunch (For Day Camps) Large Group: Story Time with Noah Note: Campers should bring their blankets to Story Time with Noah. Large Group Leader invites campers to share what they are thankful for. Large Group Leader invites campers to lie on their blankets and leads group in a relaxation exercise. Puppeteers perform Puppet Show #3. Noah reminds everyone of his Wise Words #3. Noah reads The Invisible String. Noah leads invisible string activity with all campers and camp staff. Helpers (with scissors) are needed to cut string so each person receives a piece. Campers are dismissed to Small Groups. Small Groups 60 minutes Goal: Campers will honor important people and things in their lives, and identify signs of hope in the ever-changing landscape of recovery. Objective/Key Resiliency Skills: Identifying and naming feelings Processing grief and loss Empathy Coping strategies Outcome of Session: Each camper will create a brick for the Wall of Memories and a Brighter Day! poster. Movement: Seed to Flower Stretch Disaster and Loss & Wall of Memories A Brighter Day! Poster Reflect Time Growing Tree 11
Snack 15 minutes All Camp Activity: Recreation Suggested games for all campers: Freeze Dance Blob Tag Steal the Bacon Large Group Review Noah s Wise Words #3. Music Joke of the Session Optional: slide show of photos from camp. Campers are dismissed to check out. 15 minutes Camper Check-Out Camp Staff Debriefing Prepare for next Session(s) 12
Day 4: I Can Do That (On Dry Ground) Noah s Wise Words #4 When things get tough, I learn a lot About who I am and what I ve got! Goal: Campers will celebrate their own special, unique set of gifts and talents, and the gifts and talents of people around them. Campers will identify themselves and survivors. Key resiliency skills: Identifying oneself as a survivor identifying unique gifts and talents developing teamwork skills understanding diversity Session 7 Pre-camp Camper Registration and Check-in Breakfast/Meal Crafts and Games Large Group Large Group Leader invites campers to share their favorite parts from the last day/session of Camp Noah, reviews ground rules, has everyone repeat Noah s Wise Words #2. Review Noah s Wise Words #3. Music Noah and family perform Skit #4. Large Group Leader and Music/Drama Leader have a conversation about gifts and talents. Noah shares Wise Words #4. Joke of the Session Campers are dismissed to Small Groups. 13
Small Groups 90 minutes Goal: Campers will celebrate their own special, unique set of gifts and talents, and the gifts and talents of people around them. Campers will identify themselves as survivors. Objective/Key Resiliency Skills: Identifying unique gifts and talents Developing teamwork skills Understanding diversity Outcome of Session: Campers will create a Coat of Arms, which identifies how their personal gifts and talents can be used to help others. Special sacks Movement time: Mirror Image Game Process the Noah Story Story Time: Jack s Talent Gifts and Talents Play-Doh Activity Coat of Arms My Camp Noah Books Reflect Time Growing Tree Snack 15 minutes Recreation and Craft Time 45 minutes Note: Campers are divided into 2 groups during this time (older and younger campers). One group will begin at Crafts and the other at Rec, then switch. Craft projects: Tambourines (younger campers) or Rain Sticks (older campers) Recreation: Suggested games for Younger Campers: Button, Button, Who s Got the Button? Statue Tag Pulse Suggested games for Older Campers: Bigger and Better Pulse If your Camp schedule is 1 session per day, the next activities will be: Camper Check-out Camp Staff Debriefing Prepare for next Session(s) If your Camp schedule includes 2 Sessions per day, continue to Session 8. 14
Day 4: I Can Do That (On Dry Ground) Session 8 Pre-camp (For camps doing one Session at a time) Camper Registration and Check-in Breakfast/Meal Crafts and Games OR Lunch (For Day Camps) Large Group: Story Time with Noah Note: Campers should bring their blankets to Story Time with Noah. Large Group Leader invites campers to share what they are thankful for. Large Group Leader invites campers to lie on their blankets and leads group in a relaxation exercise. Puppeteers perform Puppet Show #4. Noah reads The Story of Ruby Bridges. Noah leads group in saying, I AM A SURVIVOR! and has everyone repeat his Wise Words #4. Campers are dismissed to Small Groups. Small Groups 60 minutes Goal: Campers will celebrate their own special, unique set of gifts and talents, and the gifts and talents of people around them. Campers will identify themselves as survivors. Objective/Key Resiliency Skills: Identifying oneself as a survivor Identifying unique gifts and talents Developing teamwork skills Understanding diversity Outcome of Session: Campers will work together to create an act for the Talent Show. Reflect on Story Time with Noah Survivor Circles Get Ready for the Talent Show! 15
All Camp Activity: Talent Show Emcee: Large Group Leader or Noah Staff involved: ALL Snack 15 minutes Note: Some camps may want to have snack before the Talent Show. Be sure to talk with the Site Coordinator, Team Leader and Kitchen/Meal Leader ahead of time to decide, and communicate this with the Camp Staff. Large Group 15 minutes Noah reviews Wise Words #4. For Day Camps inviting families to a closing program: Large Group Leader encourages campers to invite their families to the closing program. Music Joke of the Session Optional: slide show of photos from camp. Campers are dismissed to check out. Camper Check-Out Camp Staff Debriefing Prepare for next Session(s) 16
Noah s Wise Words #5 My future is bright! Filled with sunbeams! I have hope! I have dreams! Goal: Children will feel hopeful about the future and empowered to share that hope with others. Key resiliency skills: Nurturing a sense of hope for the future identifying future goals identifying community support systems developing an action plan to give back teaching gratitude Pre-camp Camper Registration and Check-in Breakfast/Meal Crafts and Games Large Group Large Group Leader welcomes campers. Reviews ground rules and Noah s Wise Words #4. Music Noah and family perform Skit #5. Large Group Leader reviews the plans Noah s children have for the future, and introduces the day s theme of using one s gifts and talents to help others. Joke of the Session Campers are dismissed to Small Groups. Small Groups Goal: Campers will feel hopeful about the future. Objective/Key Resiliency Skills: Nurturing a sense of hope for the future Identifying future goals Identifying community support systems 75 minutes Outcome of Session: Campers will identify a hope or dram and create a seed and flower symbolizing this hope/dream for the Seeds of Hope garden. 17
Special Sacks Movement Time Process the Noah Story Story time: Boxes for Katje Seeds of Hope Garden My Camp Noah Books Reflect Time Growing Tree Snack 15 minutes Craft Time: Arks 60 minutes Note: All campers will begin at Craft Time, painting their arks. As campers finish, they can choose to work on unfinished craft projects from other sessions, or go to Recreation. If your Camp schedule is 1 session per day, the next activities will be: Camper Check-out Camp Staff Debriefing Prepare for next Session(s) If your Camp schedule includes 2 Sessions per day, continue to Session 10. 18
Pre-camp (For camps doing one Session at a time) Camper Registration and Check-in Breakfast/Meal Crafts and Games OR Lunch (For Day Camps) Large Group: Story Time with Noah Note: Campers should bring their blankets to Story Time with Noah. Note: The Site Coordinator and Team Leader should decide if it is appropriate to take a group photo at the beginning of this session, depending on photo releases for campers. If you are planning to take a group photo, make sure all campers have received their Camp Noah t-shirts and are wearing them. Large Group Leader invites campers to share what they are grateful for. Large Group Leader invites campers to lie on their blankets and leads group in a relaxation exercise. Puppeteers perform Puppet Show #5. Noah share what his family has learned through their experience with the flood, then reviews Wise Words #5. Large Group Leader or Rec Leader explains All-Camp Recreation activity. Campers are dismissed to All-Camp Activity. All-Camp Activity: Recreation Note: The Recreation Leader and Helpers can choose what to play during this Recreation time, selecting favorite games from past Sessions, using water balloons, or working with the Site Coordinator to have a special activity/recreation time. 19
Small Groups Goal: Campers will feel hopeful about the future and feel empowered to share their hope with others. Objective/Key Resiliency Skills: Nurturing a sense of hope for the future Identifying future goals Identifying community support systems Developing an action plan to give back Teaching gratitude Outcome of Session: Campers will make a Sunshine Box to give to someone special. Camper evaluation forms Sunshine Boxes Reflect Time Growing Tree Get Ready to Go Snack 15 minutes Note: Depending on the type of Camp Closing you have decided to do, you may choose to incorporate snack time into the Camp Closing. If so, you can add these 15 minutes to the All- Camp Activity: Recreation or Small Groups, or use the time as part of the Camp Closing. Large Group: Camp Closing 45 minutes Note: Site Coordinators and Team Leaders should discuss the Camp Closing early in your camp to decide what type of Camp Closing event is appropriate in this community, i.e. whether it will be open to the community or simply be for campers and Camp Staff. Potential key activities: Review Noah s Wise Words for each Day/Session. Present a slide show of photos taken during Camp. Music Present each camper with a Camp Noah Certificate. Applause for everyone! Joke of the Session Thank everyone for being part of Camp Noah. Instruct campers who to collect their belongings at the end of camp. 20