Activities On-site Activities

6 School Camp Activity Ideas


Planning your upcoming school camp at Keswick Christian Camp? Or maybe you've already booked in, great choice!

Tucked away just outside Rotorua, our peaceful lakeside setting offers the perfect environment for students to disconnect from screens and reconnect with each other and the natural world around them.

Whether you're aiming to build teamwork, explore the outdoors, or deepen understanding of Māori culture, we've collated a range of on-site activities you can facilitate to make your camp experience both fun and meaningful. Below are some of our favourite options to help your group grow, bond, and create lasting memories.

 

  1. Night Sky Observation

  • Activity: Set up blankets or a comfortable viewing area and have a night sky observation session. With minimal light pollution, Rotorua offers an amazing view of stars, planets, and constellations.
  • Educational Focus: Astronomy, constellations, and cultural stories of the stars.
  • Equipment: Binoculars or telescopes (optional), star maps or apps like SkySafari.

 

  1. Māori Cultural Experience

  • Activity: Invite a local Māori cultural guide to share traditional knowledge, perform a powhiri (welcoming ceremony), or teach students about weaving, carving, or flax work.
  • Educational Focus: Māori history, language, traditions, and values.
  • Extras: A traditional hangi or cooking experience can be incorporated to give students a hands-on cultural experience.

 

  1. Orienteering Challenge

  • Activity: Teach students how to use a map and compass, then organise a race or treasure hunt that requires them to navigate their way through the campsite.
  • Educational Focus: Navigation, problem-solving, and teamwork.
  • Extras: Use GPS devices or apps for added tech engagement.

 

  1. Campfire-Style Stories and Songs

  • Activity: Create a cosy evening storytelling and song session using lanterns, fairy lights, and blankets to mimic a campfire atmosphere, no real fire needed!
  • Educational Focus: Oral history, creative expression, and team bonding.
  • Extras: Encourage students to come up with their own stories, skits, or poems. Add a hot chocolate and marshmallow stand to complete the vibe.

 

  1. Nature Art Projects

  • Activity: After exploring the area, have students collect natural materials (leaves, rocks, pinecones, etc.) and create art projects or sculptures.
  • Educational Focus: Creativity, environmental awareness, and fine motor skills.
  • Extras: Organise an art exhibit at the end of the camp, showcasing the students' works.

 

  1. Glow Stick or Lantern Walk

  • Activity: In the evening, take the group on a lantern or glow stick walk around the campground. This can be a magical experience, with shadows and sounds of nature at night.
  • Educational Focus: Safety at night, appreciating nature, and mindfulness.
  • Extras: Introduce a short nature-focused mindfulness exercise during the walk, encouraging students to focus on the sights and sounds of the environment.

 

School camps are more than just a break from the classroom, they’re a chance to grow, connect, and explore. At Keswick Campground, surrounded by Rotorua’s rich natural and cultural landscape, students can build lasting memories and learn valuable life lessons. From stargazing to storytelling, orienteering to art-making, these activities are designed to ignite curiosity, encourage teamwork, and foster a deeper appreciation for the world around them. With the right mix of fun and learning, your school camp can be the kind of adventure that students talk about for years to come.