DIY Spanish Camp! Run a Spanish Camp like this!
Are you running a Spanish Camp and not sure where to start? After years of running my own Spanish Camp for students ranging from Kindergarten to 5th grade, I have come up with an easy-to-follow and comprehensive guide for delivering a camp that students will love! By following my DIY Spanish Camp, you'll have absolutely everything you'll need to run a fun and engaging camp!
The recommended duration of this DIY Spanish Camp is 5 days with each day of camp running approximately 4-6 hours. Choose the countries you want to visit and the order you want to follow. The guide suggests a possible itinerary, but it is meant to be flexible based on your specific needs. If you are running a full day camp, use all the suggested activities and visit all the countries. For a shorter camp, omit some of the activities or travel to fewer countries. This camp can be held either indoors or outdoors!
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Table of Contents...
DIY Spanish Camp Overview
Camp Kick Off ! Ready to Travel!
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Welcome, Name Tags, Camp Rules & Ice Breaker
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Passport Template
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“Hacer la Maleta” Game & Activity
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Travel Journal
Running Your Camp Day-by-Day
(see below for more detail)
SPAIN
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Boarding Passes, Passport Stamps & Currency
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Activities, Crafts & Games
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Recipes (Tortilla Española, Paella & Virgin Sangria)
PUERTO RICO
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Boarding Passes & Passport Stamps
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Activities, Crafts & Games
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Food (Arroz con Gandules)
CUBA
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Boarding Passes, Passport Stamps & Currency
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Activities, Crafts & Games
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Recipe (Ropa Vieja)
COSTA RICA
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Boarding Passes, Passport Stamps & Currency
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Activities, Crafts & Games
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Recipe (Gallo Pinto)
PERU
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Boarding Passes, Passport Stamps & Currency
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Activities, Crafts & Games
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Recipe (Chicha Morada)
ARGENTINA
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Boarding Passes, Passport Stamps & Currency
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Activities, Crafts & Games
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Food & Drink (Empanadas & Yerba Mate)
MEXICO
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Boarding Passes, Passport Stamps & Currency
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Activities, Crafts & Games
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Recipes (Traditional Guacamole, Mexican Mole Sauce & Agua de Fresa)
Running Your Camp Day-by-Day
Ready to Go!
For each day of camp, you’ll go on a virtual trip to a Spanish-speaking country. Don’t tell your students ahead of time where you’re going to keep them guessing! They’ll need their passports and travel journals before taking off. Make camp fun by incorporating role-play. I like to dress up like a pilot with a pilot’s hat and aviator glasses before taking off!
¡Bienvenidos!
Upon arrival, students will line up before going through customs with passports in hand! At passport control, you’ll hand out a passport stamp and local currency. Students will then paste these items into their passports and update their travel journals by coloring in the country flag and other country-themed pictures. Make sure to speak to your students in Spanish while stamping their passports! Regardless of their Spanish ability, encourage them to make simple, polite conversation with the locals!
Country Fun Facts
Have students gather around to show them a short video with fun facts about each country on your itinerary. Simply click on the hyperlink to jump to YouTube videos from my playlist on “Spanish-Speaking Countries of the World.” These videos set the stage for all country-themed activities!
Special Guest
This takes some planning ahead but adds a real flare to your camp that students won’t quickly forget! Use your imagination and invite a special guest to your camp who can offer an authentic presentation related to the theme. Watch this video of highlights from one of my camps for ideas but the sky is the limit. Think mariachi band for Mexico, or bring in a llama for Peru day, a flamenco dancer for Spain day, or bring in a friend native to the country to talk to your students about their home country.
Activity or Craft
For each day of camp, students will complete a hands-on activity related to the country they’re visiting. This will vary based on your budget, but any budget should allow for some hands-on fun!
Food or Drink
An essential part of travel involves trying out the local food and drink. If you have the time and wherewithal, you can even involve your students in this process by having them help you prepare these items using the recipes provided. Or you can make it simple and buy the items ahead of time and pass them out during camp for students to try. Either way, don’t skip this step if you want your camp to be a real hit!
Game
For each day of camp, I like to incorporate some sort of a game. The type of game you play will depend on whether you’re having your camp indoors or outdoors. If you’re running a summer camp, water-based games are always a hit and I like to include a piñata for the last day of camp.
Wrap Up & Clean Up!
Involve your students in this for the last 15 minutes of camp, or make sure to have a couple of camp helpers. You’ll want to prepare your space for the next day of camp before wrapping up for the day!
Pricing Your Camp!
Keep a spreadsheet to track your expenses and watch your budget. Throughout this manual you’ll find suggestions for activities that you can purchase along with recommendations for more budget-friendly options.
