If you’re looking for a special event or theme that brings activities back to a simpler time, Mark Twain Days may be just the thing.
Below are some activity suggestions.
FIND THE PIE
During the week, campers are told to look for a pie (made from paper mache and painted) like the ones Aunt Polly placed on the window ledge to cool. The pie(s) should be hidden in plain sight.
When a group finds a pie, you can have them either take it and turn it in for points, or you can leave a sheet under it where groups can add their group number for credit.
FENCE WHITE-WASHING
At your local hardware store pick up materials to make 8 short picket fence panels about 2’ wide and 4’ tall. You might want to see if the hardware store will donate what you need.
Stake these into the ground for stability. During the competition, campers must use fly swatters for paint brushes and race to brush a mixture of white paint and water (about 1:3) onto the panels to see how much of the panel they can cover in a minute’s time.
Have them wear disposable rain ponchos. You can get them cheap at Dollar Tree or Walmart.
FROG JUMP RACE
If you’re lucky enough to have a creek or pond at camp with frogs, catch a few (this could be an activity in and of itself) for a race.
Line the frogs up and have one camper from each group prompt the frogs, without touching them, to reach a finish line.
Just know, frogs don’t really cooperate well, but it is a lot of fun.
MINI-RAFT BUILDING
Give each group materials at the beginning of the week to build a raft by lashing.
The materials:
- six 3/8” dowel rods approx. 6 inches long
- twine or jute
- craft items to decorate the rafts
During the competition have each group place their raft in a pool of water to see which ones float and which don’t.
Of course, they all will float, but it’s a great group activity and fun to see how each group decorates their raft. Some will be pretty elaborate.
PIE EATING CONTEST
Hold a “Pie Eating Contest” for the counselors or the unit leaders. Campers love cheering on their leaders and watching them make a mess.
The pies are thawed crusts in tin pans filled with pudding and topped with whipped cream. We all know how a pie-eating contest works. Hands behind the back and go to it.
SACK RACE
Get yourself some burlap sacks. You can find them online or a local feed store. Campers get into their own sack and hop to the finish line.
- 6 BURLAP POTATO RELAY RACE SACKS: Measuring 23” x 40” these sacks are great for...
- TOUGH AND DURABLE: Naturally tough, the natural burlap fibers can be used repeatedly....
TRIVIA CONTEST
Hold a trivia contest for the camp. Questions can include anything about Mark Twain, any of his books, the 1800s, etc.
AWARDS
Ribbons can be given out for all sorts of things.
- Competition Winners
- Overall Winners
- Best Dressed Group
- Best Attitudes
- Best Decorated Items
- Mark Twain Spirit
- Adequate Quantity Supply: With an astonishing package content of 48 captivating award...
- Elevate The Ceremony: Each ribbon for medals boasts a vibrant design, The blue ribbons,...
SPECIAL GUEST(S)
You can look for a college student (drama major?) or a local storyteller who will come in costume as Mark Twain and tell the story of his life on the river with Huck Finn and Joe.
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