JTG logo

8 Summer Camp Themes and Activities Kids Love

Nothing says “summer vacation” quite like a fun-filled, action-packed summer camp. And with sunshƒine, warm temperatures, and the end of school on the horizon, campers and counselors are beginning to prepare for an adventure that’s one for the books.

Coming up with an overarching theme for your summer camp can be challenging, though, especially if you’re new to the game or have been in business so long that you think you’ve done and seen it all.

Well, this article is here to share some of the top eight summer camp themes and activities that kids will love. Whether it’s a school-age summer camp themes you need, or you’re attempting to entertain teens on a fun summer excursion, you can find a theme to suit your conditions below.

  • Colors (Best for Young Kids)

colors theme

Summer color themes will always be a hit amongst youngsters, especially those in preschool and kindergarten. Not only do kids of that age love colors, but it also presents a way to teach in a fun-filled way.

Putting together summer camp weekly themes revolving around “colors” is a cinch. For example, you can have a red week where campers wear red, stamp paint with a red-colored apple, and read Little Red Riding Hood. The following week can be blue. Create a blue sensory bin and have a balloon party with blue balloons.

  • Ocean (Best for Young and Elementary-Aged Kids)

ocean theme

Another one of the most popular summer camp themes for the younger crowd is the ocean. This is an especially great idea if you can take your kids on trips. To bring the ocean theme to life, take the kiddos on a trip to the aquarium or splash around in the local pool. Create fun activities to learn about different species each week, like sharks and whales.

Don’t hesitate to step outside of the box with ocean week, as you could run out of examples. For instance, you could create a pirate week - one of the top fan favorite weekly summer themes - or spend a week learning how to stop pollution from happening on our seas.

  • Sports (All Ages)

soccer stadium

Most parents worry that their child won’t be active enough during summer break. So, you can’t go wrong with sports themes for summer camps. The best part is that these summer camp weekly theme ideas can be used for all ages. After all, who doesn’t love sports?

To put this idea together, have a different sport per week, such as basketball, soccer, football, tennis, etc. You can even do something more unique, like a Ninja Warrior week with obstacle courses. Let the kids play the sports together and have the time of their lives!

  • Time-Travelers (All Ages)

olden days scene

Is it 70s week where everyone will dress up like they’re going to the disco, or is it a flashback to the 1800s and kids will learn to churn their own butter and make ice cream in a bag? Time-traveling summer school themes are so much fun, and there are endless possibilities.

The goal is to bring the “time” to life. Set aside summer camp theme days (once per week) where kids can dress up like the date they’re learning about. For instance, kids can dress up in funky 80s clothing for 1980s week. Put together a soundtrack and have a dance party!

  • Around the World (All Ages)

around the world scene

In this day and age, there is a push to learn about other cultures while encouraging diversity, making the “Around the World’ theme one of the top summer program themes out there.

Each week can feature a different culture or area of the world. Start with Africa, then move on to Asia and Egypt. You can feature foods from these areas and teach the kids about traditions unique to each area.

  • STEM (All Ages)

science experiments

Another common concern for parents is lack of education during summer. Well, STEM is one of those summer themes for camp that make learning fun. Kids of all ages will hardly know they’re building their science, tech, engineering, and math skills with a super enjoyable summer STEM camp!

There are endless possibilities when it comes to STEM. The first two weeks can be science-themed with experiments, while the next two weeks are full of tech activities like coding. Make sure that the activities are age-appropriate!

  • Food (Best for Older Kids)

pastries and ice cream cones

Plenty of older kids are interested in food, whether they’re planning to attend culinary school or simply want to travel the world searching for some exotic fare. Regardless, food-related summer program themes will always be a hit.

There are many options to choose from. You can have the kids create a new type of cuisine each week, starting with Mexican, Italian, Asian, etc. Consider taking a trip to local restaurants offering the cuisine.

You can also do baking, which will always be amongst the top favorite summer camp themes and activities. Kids can make tasty treats, such as easy summer-themed cupcakes and a summer theme birthday cake. Have a cake decorating contest for them to show off their summer-themed cake ideas.

  • Music and Arts (All Ages)

colorful guitars

The final option for the best summer camp themes and activities on this list is music and arts. You will want to focus on a different style each week. Here are a few summer camp theme week ideas to choose from: performing arts, art mediums like charcoal, chalk, and oil, and various instruments such as guitar, drums, violins, etc.

You can throw in many activities each week. For instance, you might consider going to a play during “performing arts” week or have the kids dress up as their favorite music performer during “instrument” week.

How John To Go Can Help

outdoor porta potties and handwashing sink

Now that you have your summer program themes picked out, it’s time to focus on where you will hold your summer camp. Whether in a park, a gymnasium, or another establishment, you will need to supply your camp-goers with a safe, clean, and welcoming place to “answer Nature’s Call.”

That’s where John To Go comes into play. We have been servicing summer camp programs for many years, as most administrations wanted to avoid using public park bathroom, pool bathrooms, and other provided facilities.

At John To Go, we have a wide selection of bathrooms for rent, whether you need a simple pool restroom or require multiple bathrooms for rent to accommodate your summer camp attendees.

Don’t focus on just the outdoor bathroom, though. While an outdoor bathroom rental is imperative for your summer camp excursion, you should consider adding hand-washing stations and sanitizer stations to keep kids healthy during the adventure.

mobile restroom rental

Why John To Go?

Why should you choose us? Our testimonials from genuine customers show that we are the leading industry to rent outdoor bathrooms from. Here are a few reasons why.

  • Affordable Prices

We understand the importance of cutting costs, especially in this day and age. At John To Go, we pride ourselves on offering low prices without compromising quality. You know you’re getting the fairest pricing on outdoor bathrooms when you choose us.

So, instead of installing an entire outdoor pool bathroom or other outdoor toilet ideas, consider opting for one of our top-of-the-line porta-potties. After all, have you ever researched “How much does it cost to add an outdoor bathroom?” An outdoor bathroom for pool and other outdoor bathroom ideas is incredibly costly. Save money and time and go with John To Go!

  • Great Service

Our customer service team is always ready, willing, and eager to help you with all of your outdoor bathroom rental needs. With many service trucks on the road, we can provide you with outdoor bathrooms at the last minute, too. With John To Go, you will never be stuck in a bind.

  • Pristine Models

Although we keep the cost of outdoor toilet rentals low, it doesn’t mean we slack on quality. Our units are sanitized, inviting, and quite aesthetically pleasing. We ensure all of our units are well-stocked so there are no mishaps along the way too.

Our bathroom outdoor units are so exquisite that you might forget you are using a trailer or porta-potty altogether.

  • We Make It Easy

The summer is a busy time, whether you’re looking for summer birthday party themes, summer-themed gifts for a wedding, or looking for summer camp themes and activities for your upcoming camp. That’s why we’ve made it easy and hassle-free to get pricing info and book our units.

John To Go mobile bathrooms

Final Words

There are so many excellent summer program themes out there, whether you opt to go with classic “color” summer camp themes and activities or do something out-of-the-box like time-traveling or STEM.

Regardless of which summer camp themes and activities you choose, make sure you have plenty of restrooms for your camp-goers. Not sure how many you need? Start with our convenient unit calculator. Then, move on to pricing and booking in a cinch. If you need any help along the way, don’t hesitate to contact our support team.

purple porta potties

Porta Potties Near Me

When you're researching "porta potties near me," John To Go stands out as the go-to solution for all your portable restroom requirements. We understand that the need for a clean and reliable portable toilet service extends beyond just providing the unit itself.

That's why we focus on offering a comprehensive service package that takes care of all your needs, from the moment you first contact us to the time we complete the pickup. Our diverse range of portable toilet options ensures that we have something to suit every need and budget. With John To Go, you're not just renting a portable restroom—you're investing in a hassle-free experience that covers all the bases.