Camp Games for Older Scouts

Table of Contents

Introduction to Camp Games for Older Scouts

Games have always been one of the most important elements of Scouting and of the "Patrol Method".

With "GOOD" games, you can emphasize and practice whatever skill you are teaching that week. A good game or contest will show whether the boys have learned their stuff..AND..they'll have FUN in the process.

Just remember any game can go wrong if YOU let it...explain the rules clearly, make up rules that will stop bad things before they happen like "NO plowing through people or kicking in British Bulldog". Think ahead and make rules up ahead of the game..don't be afraid to change rules as the game is played though. THINK SAFETY! Most of these games can be listed under several categories. Observation is a category that can probably have all the games listed under it.

You'll notice a lot of these games fit right into the Camporee theme. You'll probably want to use them to prepare for the annual Camporee. There are literally thousands of games that can be used in Scouting. Remember that Scouting games should...

1. Be FUN

2. Be SAFE

3. Have a theme or skill involved

4. Have all members participate

5. NO ONE should be forced or scored OUT. If a boy has to leave the game because he got tagged out etc...he will probably go to the side and get into trouble...just keep scores until the end of the game and then honor the winners (patrol, individual...). If you can, honor everyone.

A great source of games is "Woods Wisdom", old Scouting books like "Scoutmasters Handbook", "Patrol Leaders Handbook", "Patrol and Troop Activities", "Program Helps". There are also hundreds of books (non-Scouting) that list thousands of games, go to used book stores for the old ones, for new ones...go to any book store and ask for assistance.

Merl A. Whitebook

REMEMBER IN ANY GAME YOU PLAY, KEEP IT SIMPLE, MAKE IT FUN AND MAKE IT SAFE.

Camp Games for Older Scouts

Flying Saucer Kim's

Method: Leader takes item out of bag and throws it to leader #2 who puts it in pack..repeat. Patrols then try to make a list of the items thrown.
Scoring: 1 pt per item

Pack Relay

Method: Patrol lines up. On signal first member races to other end of room and puts one item in pack, races back...repeat until all items in pack. Line up and give yell.

Scoring: First done wins

Sloppy Camp

Method: Campsite set up with 20+ items wrong. Patrol has 5 minutes to observe(silently). Then 5 minutes to list all they saw.

Scoring: 1 pt. for each right

Tent Pitching

Method: On signal patrol sets up tent. After checked by judge, take down, pack up, line up and give yell.

Scoring: First done wins

Tent Strik'n Contest

Method: On signal patrols race to see who can strike one or more tents. Some tents might have to be taken down early to make patrols equal. First tents down and packed, line up and do yell wins.

Scoring: First done wins

Remote Clove Hitch

Method: On signal patrol ties clove hitch around a tree that has a circle marked 7-10 around it..no one can enter the circle. One patrol at a time tries it unless you have many large ropes.

Scoring: Fastest wins

Compass Course

Method: Each patrol is given a compass and one card. On signal they start. They use all 3 courses. Patrol with most courses right(closest) wins.

Scoring: Best wins

Compass Facing

Method: Troop in mass, leader calls out a compass heading. Everyone points to where he thinks it is. If correct, each scout receives 1 pt for his patrol.

Scoring: Highest score wins

Map Orienteering

Method: On signal, patrol races to judge. They must take map and orient it with compass.

Scoring: First done wins

Flapjack Flipping

Method: Patrols line up. On signal first scout runs course flipping a flapjack repeatedly as he goes...repeat all scouts. line up and do yell.

Scoring: First done wins

Bow Saw Relay

Method: Patrols line up facing logs from 20'away.Bowsaw is placed along log. On signal, first scout runs up and saws off 2" slice...repeat until all have done at least once..

Scoring: 1st done = king patrol

Match Lighting

Method: On signal first patrol member races up and has 3 strikes with axe to light a match in log...repeat. First patrol to light or split 5 matches, line up and give yell wins.

Scoring: First done wins

String Burning Race

Method: On signal patrol properly splits wood, prepare shavings and lights fire until string burns and balloon falls.

Scoring: First done wins

Water Boiling Race

Method: First patrol to build fire and boil water wins

Scoring: First done wins

Bandage Relay

Method: Patrol lines up. On signal first member runs to judge and ties requested bandage...repeat. First patrol done with all wins.

Scoring: First done wins

Firemans Drag Relay

Method: Half patrol as fireman and half as victims. First fireman runs up to first victim and drags back to other fireman, next fireman rescues next victim and so forth...

Scoring: First patrol done wins

Stretcher Race

Method: On signal patrols rig stretcher with equipment provided. Put member or balloon or member with water bucket on stretcher and race a course.

Scoring: First done wins

Two-Man Carry Race

Method: On signal patrol assembles a 2-man carry and races through course, repeat. First patrol to do 4 times, line up and do yell wins.

Scoring: First done wins

British Bulldog

Method: Troop lines up on one side of room (field). IT in center. Leader says "go", all try to get to other side while IT tries to catch them and say "British bulldog 1,2,3". If caught, you join IT. Last one left is the winner. Must be off ground.

Scoring: Last left wins

Catch Ten

Method: Mark teams (hat-no hat...). Keep away until ball caught 10 times in a row. Must be called out, start over each time ball is stolen or caught by other team.

Scoring: None

Caterpillar Race

Method: Patrols line up single file behind line. Put chair about 25' in front of patrol. First scout puts hands on floor, others grab ankles of one in front of them. On signal they race up and around c

hair.

Scoring: First done wins

Crows And Cranes

Method: Teams line up in center, back to back. One team crows while other cranes. Leader calls out team name, that team must try to get to their end of room while others try to tag. If tagged, you switch teams. This can go on for ever...

Scoring: None really

Elephant Roll

Method: Line up scouts on hands and knees(alternate facing direction)side by side. IT tries to crawl from one end to the other(on their backs). While those in line sway at their own rate. When he makes

it, he becomes the end...next tries IT.

Scoring: None

Granny's Footsteps

Method: Troop in line, Granny (IT) about 60' away with back turned. On signal scouts try to sneak up on Granny. Granny can turn around any time after he counts to 30 to himself. If caught moving you go back. You become Granny if you make it too her.

Scoring: None

Guard The Fort

Method: Patrol in circle with patrol leader in middle, all other members face out. Rest of troop in circle around patrol. Troop tries to hit the guarded P.L. with a soft ball. Time it, patrol that protects P.L. longest, wins.

Scoring: Longest wins

Hit The Can

Method: Troop in circle with IT standing on can(5 gal) in middle of circle with stave in hand. Ball (volley or soccer) is passed around and thrown at can, IT guards it with stave. If can is hit, thrower becomes IT.

Scoring: None

Island Hopping

Method: Patrol lines up, everyone standing on 2 pieces of paper plus one extra piece in front of patrol. Patrol steps forward in unison and takes paper from back to front. Repeat until patrol covers course. First done wins

Scoring: First done wins

Jack's Alive

Method: Heat stick in fire until a few embers are on end. Pass around circle, blow on stick and say "Jack's alive". The person that passes the stick without an ember is marked with it on the forehead. Repeat..

Scoring: Usually none

Jump The Shot

Method: Troop makes large circle. IT in center swings the SHOT in the center, everyone tries to jump it as it gets faster (below knees). If hit, you get 1 penalty point. If hit you are IT.

Scoring: Low score wins

Lassoing The Steer

Method: Place #10 can in center of circle. Troop around edge, everyone with a rope. Everyone tries to lasso the "steer" and drag it to them. If drug out the scout receives 5 points for his patrol.

Scoring: 5 points ea score

Luck Relay

Method: Patrols in relay formation. First scout runs up, leader flips coin and scout guesses, runs back and tags next...repeat. Patrol that guesses 5 right wins.

Scoring: First with 5 wins

Pocket Rope

Method: On signal patrol tries to make the longest rope they can with the things they have in their pockets or on their person. (belts, socks, neckerchiefs, shirts).

Scoring: Longest wins

Ring On A String

Method: Troop forms circle with IT in middle. String loop with 1 ring on it is held by whole troop. IT tries to guess who has ring while troop secretly passes it along string while IT can't see (back turned). If IT finds out, switch with IT.

Scoring: None

Shoot The Gap

Method: Team (numbered) on each side of room (field). IT in center calls out a number, the number from each side must switch without IT tagging them. If tagged, you become IT and old IT takes your place.

Scoring: None

Sleeping Indian

Method: One scout in middle of room, blindfolded with legs crossed and object(eraser) in front of him. Objective is to sneak up and take object and take back to edge of room. Indian points at noise, if pointed at, you go back.

Scoring: None

Sleeping Pirate

Method: Blindfolded pirate sits in middle of room with treasure (2 erasers) in front of him. Troop tries to sneak up on him and take treasure back to edge of room. If pointed at, you go back to edge of room. 1 pt for patrol if successful.

Scoring: High score wins

Spud

Method: Troop in circle, IT in center calls out name (or number) of scout, and throws spud in air. All scatter until scout called catches spud and yells "spud", all freeze as he picks one to throw the spud at. If hit your IT...repeat.

Scoring: None

Standing Jump Relay

Method: Relay formation. First scout standing broad jumps, next scout jumps from where he ended. Patrol with longest distance covered wins. Some patrol members might have to jump twice to make patrols equal in numbers.

Scoring: Longest distance wins

This Is The Moon

Method: Leader at campfire asks if they can do EXACTLY as he does. He says "This is the moon(coughs),2 eyes, a nose and a mouth" drawing while saying. The trick is the cough. Ask for volunteers, congratulate if correct, don't tell secret.

Scoring: None

Three-Man Tug-O-War

Method: 12' rope is made into a loop. 3 scouts grab to form a triangle. Place a hat... about 6' from each scout. On signal they tug until one gets his hat.

Scoring: None

Tiger In A Cage

Method: Large circle is drawn on the ground. Tiger in circle. Everyone can torment the tiger by jumping into the circle and then out again. If tagged by tiger, you become the tiger. Tiger cannot leave circle to tag tormentors.

Scoring: None

Transport

Method: Patrols line up. On signal, first 2 scouts take staves and carry bottle between them to area 30' away, run back and touch next 2, they then race to bottle and carry back...repeat. First patrol to do it 4 times, line up and do yell wins

Scoring: First done wins

Tug-O-War

Method: Patrols make teams to match each other in weight. Rope with center marked is tugged until mark is pulled 10' from center

Scoring: Best wins

Tugowar Steal-the-Bacon

Method: Teams line up on opposite ends of room (field). Number team members 1-??. Leader calls out number(s). Number races to center and pull or take tire back to his side. Point if tire brought back.

Scoring: 1 point if tire retrieved

Hot Isotope

Method: Can set in center of infected area. On signal patrol uses equipment provided to retrieve can out of area without entering it.

Scoring: First done wins

Knot Relay

Method: Patrols line up facing judges. On signal first member runs up and ties requested knot for judge. First patrol to tie all knots, line up and give yell wins

Scoring: First done wins

Knot Trail (Kim's)

Method: Several pieces of rope are tied together between 2 trees (50'apart) with several kinds of knots. Patrol has 1 minute to walk along rope(silently) then they depart and have 5 min. to list in order. 1pt for each right.

Scoring: 1 pt for ea. right

Log Raising Relay

Method: On signal patrol rigs log raising devise with materials provided. Must raise to top. First to top and gives yell wins.

Scoring: First done wins

One Hand Knots

Method: Same as any knot relay except that limited to tying with one hand only. Variation...2 hands behind back, or 2 hands in bag.

Scoring: First done wins

Pony Express Race

Method: Patrol lines up. On signal, all tie their rope with a clove hitch to the ankle of the scout in front of them. Patrol then goes through course and back. Untie, line up and do yell.

Scoring: First done wins

Chariot Races

Method: Patrols line up next to equipment. On signal they assemble a travoi (A-frame). Place scout on it and carry him around a course and back. Tear down chariot and line up and give yell.

Scoring: First done(right) wins

Cross The Pit

Method: On signal, patrol rigs up an a-frame with guy lines on top. Scout on frame tries to "walk" it across the alligator pit while his patrol steadies it with the guy lines. At other end, dismantle, line up and give yell.

Scoring: First done wins

Flagpole Raising

Method: On signal patrol assembles flagpole from poles and their patrol flag. When erected and secure, salute and give yell. Disassemble and line up.

Scoring: First done wins

Radio Isotope

Method: Coke bottle in #10 can in middle of restricted area. On signal patrol tries to remove bottle from can (without touching can) with any equipment provided. First to get bottle out of restricted area wins.

Scoring: First done wins

Rat Trap Race

Method: On signal patrols assemble 2 or 3 section pole and try to spring rat trap that is set up too far from reach with one pole. Disassemble line up and give patrol yell.

Scoring: First done wins

Reactor Transporter

Method: On signal patrols erect tripod with legs secured with an extra rope, hook suspended from center. Patrol must not touch the can with anything but the hook (can't hit sides)..transport can from one end of the room to other. Dismantle, line, yell.

Scoring: First done wins

Tripod Lashing

Method: On signal the patrol assembles a tripod. One member must be able to suspend himself from a rope attached at top. Disassemble line up and give yell.

Scoring: First done wins

Map Symbol Relay

Method: Patrols line up. On signal first member runs to judge and identifies symbol from card or map or draws on request. First patrol done with all cards or identifies set number of symbols wins King Patrol.

Scoring: First done wins

Height Measuring

Method: Patrols try to estimate the height of the flag pole, tree... using any method from the Scout Handbook.

Scoring: Patrol nearest wins

Nature Kim's Game

Method: 20 objects of nature under cover. Patrol has 2 minutes to observe. Then have 5 minutes to list.

Scoring: 1 pt for ea right

Bombing The Camp

Method: Troop on day hike, is stopped 1 mile from camp. Messenger from camp tells of bomb threat on camp in exactly 12 min. 15 sec. to late{boom},15 sec. early{bomb not set} and can come back any time to set...must be in time frame & douse.

Scoring:

Invisible Kim's

Method: Leader takes out invisible items out of bag and mimes using them...turn on flashlight etc. Patrols then try to make a list of what was taken out of bag.

Scoring: 1 pt per item

Kim's Game

Method: Spread 20 items on table and cover. Patrol comes up and has 1 minute to look(no talking). They then depart and have 5 minutes to list them. 1 point for each correct answer.

Scoring: 1pt for ea. item

Candle Relay

Method: Patrol lines up in pool. First man swims with lighted candle up and back the length of the pool and hands to next scout...repeat. First done and give yell, wins. Have candle lighters (Scoutmasters) along the edge of the pool

Scoring: First done wins

Lifeline Relay

Method: Patrols line up in relay formation. On signal first scout throws line at target, next scout coils rope and throws...repeat until the target has been hit 6 times.

Scoring: 1st done is king patrol

Spoon Race

Method: Patrols in relay formation in pool. On signal first scout swims with spoon in mouth with egg on spoon. Swim to marker or edge of pool and return. Repeat.

Scoring: First done wins

Wet T-Shirt Relay

Method: Half of patrol on each side of pool. First swimmer wears tee shirt, swim relay...exchanging and wearing tee before diving in and swimming. First patrol to finish (in tee) wins.

Scoring: First patrol done wins

Capture The Flag

Method: Flags within 200' of center and visible. Guards must not be within 50' of flag unless chasing enemy. Jail is 50' from line. Free walk back if rescued.1/5 hr. time limit...flag captured or most prisoners is winner.

Scoring: See above

Crossing The Gap

Method: 2 scouts in center of 500'x200' area. Troop on one side. Objective is to get to other side without being spotted. If spotted, you stand through the rest of the game.

Scoring: Patrol with most through wins.