It’s the first day of camp. As usual, you’ve got dozens of kids, all exhibiting various signs of insecurity. Some are bluffing until they’re comfortable, while others are natural in their shy efforts to say hello and nervously chat with other campers. A few are too overwhelmed to try, sticking to the margins and observing it all with clamped jaws and crossed arms. All indicators point to a perfect time for team building games.
First, take a look at a few reasons why you should bother with team-building games:
It gives kids a place to focus their attention besides on themselves and their discomfort.
The right team-building games help kids loosen the tension and begin to chat, discovering connections and similarities.
You’ll start to spot leaders, those campers who seem to genuinely cheer on others and offer encouragement.
All of the great starts to friendships come out in a good game: building trust, communication, and vulnerability.
Now that you’re convinced, you need some games ready for camper arrival:
9 Square in the Air: This game, invented by a youth pastor wanting to build connections through fun, combines elements of volleyball and 9 Square. It’s easy to learn, easy to play, and sets up in a matter of minutes. You can also play indoors or out, so there’s no need to regroup if rain threatens your campers’ first day. 
Best of all, 9 Square in the Air helps your campers connect. You’ll be surprised how quickly kids begin to talk and laugh together as they play. And since there are no winners or losers of this game, your campers will start their week feeling great about their time together.
Field Games: Relay races can be a fun way to build group identity if your campers will be in designated teams or tribes for the week. Have them compete in traditional games, like a three-legged race, sack race, or egg relay. You could also up the fun with a water balloon toss or a relay where they try to move water and fill up big buckets without spilling on their way. Get silly with a shoebox slide (kids wear shoeboxes on their feet) or a leapfrog race.
Get-to-Know-You Games: Taking a few minutes to play a traditional icebreaker game is a fun way for campers to chill out after playing 9 Square in the Air or participating in field games. It will only increase their connections to keep these games going! 
Beach Ball Questions: Blow up a beach ball, then write a question on each panel. Play some music and have the kids bat the ball around. When the music stops, the camper who touched or caught the ball last has to answer the question on the panel that their right hand is touching. If the kids are older or you want the game to last longer, consider adding more sections with a marker so that more questions fit on your ball. Ask things such as names and kinds of pets, number of siblings, favorite book or movie, best summer ice cream treat, etc.
The Wink Game: In this one, you have a circle of chairs with a camper standing behind each one. There are also campers sitting in some of the chairs, but not all. The goal for the standing campers is to get someone in their chair. The standing campers wink at the sitters to get them to move to their chair without being seen winking. If another standing camper catches them winking, the camper caught winking has to answer a get-to-know-you question.
Team building games go a long way in getting your campers comfortable! Make it easy on your staff by setting the foundation with a 9 Square in the Air game set. Contact us to order yours!