wilderness
kids
Musical Fun at Camp
Passing the time with some classic songs and
skits
©Outdoor Adventure
Canada
Have
you ever seen a goose chasing a moose? This
is a rhyme from a song called Down by the
Bay. Songs and skits can be great boredom
beaters and they are great fun for the little
ones.
On
one trip there we were traveling with a little
girl named Maria who was only 4 years old.
Everyone would start singing and then stop
to listen to Maria. Her voice and actions
were so cute that we couldn't resist. Maria
also liked many of the old standbys such as
Michael, Row the boat ashore and Row,
Row your Boat.
Songs
with actions are great entertainment for all.
We taught Maria a song about a Little
Green Frog. I still have that song ingrained
in my head and after its mention, I find myself
singing it around the house for days. Another
fun song is Here
Comes Sally, which has actions and is
good for memory. Songs that are more a spoken
story such as Herman
the Worm and The
Boa Constrictor are humourous and children
can't help laughing. Down
by the Bay and the Quartermaster's
Store are great songs for making rhymes.
Two old favourites of mine are A
Hole in the Bucket and the Canadian version
of This
Land is Your Land . I also enjoy the native
rhythm of the Canoe
Song and Land
of the Silver Birch.
Two
of our friends are Scout Leaders. They are
great with leading the group in song and skit.
One of the skits is the Lawnmower.
One person lies on the ground and pretends
to be a lawnmower that sputters but does not
quite start. Several members of the group
come up, at the skit leader's request and
try to pull start the lawnmower but the lawnmower
just won't go. Then one of the male members
of the group comes up to start the lawnmower
and it starts straight away. The leader of
the skit says, "I guess all we needed
was a really big jerk."
Songs
and skits are a great way to pass the time,
lighten the mood and have some good clean
fun. Next time you get bored on the trail,
by the campfire or in the canoe try getting
everyone involved in a round of song.
Written
by Laurie March