This idea is from Beverly Anne Baldrey.
The Kind of Program Kids Remember
This is the kind of program that makes the dining hall go quiet.
Not because someone asked for silence. But because kids are actually thinking.
Most of the ideas we share at camp are loud. Big. Energetic. This one is different. It is simple, slow, and reflective. And that is exactly why it sticks.
This comes out of a camp devotion setting.
The director starts the morning with a song, “Today I Am Going to Try to Change the World.” Then they read a short piece from Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul called “If I Could Change the World, I Would.”
Nothing fancy. Just a song. A short reading. And a question:
“If you could change the world, what would you do?”
What This Program Is
At its core, this is a writing and sharing activity.
Campers are given an index card. They can write a sentence or draw a picture that shows how they would change the world if they could.
At the end of the program, the cards are read out loud so everyone hears what their fellow campers are thinking.
Then those cards become part of a display. A large world cutout or poster with the words:
“Today I Am Going to Try to Change the World.”
The cards get hung up around it for the rest of the day or the week.
The display becomes the program after the program.
How I Would Run This at an Overnight Camp
At an overnight camp, I would treat this like a campfire or lodge moment.
The Flow
- Gather cabins together in a quiet space.
- Play the song or read the short passage.
- Hand out the index cards.
- Give them time to write or draw without rushing.
I would save the reading of the cards for the end, when everyone is settled. Hearing what other campers would change about the world has a way of shifting the tone of the entire group.
The Display
I would hang the “world” poster in a central lodge or dining hall where kids walk past it all week. It becomes a silent reminder of what they shared, even after the moment has passed.
How I Would Run This at a Day Camp
At a day camp, I would split this into two parts.
Morning
- Play the song or read the passage.
- Let campers write or draw their cards.
Afternoon or Pickup Time
- Read a handful of cards out loud.
- Reveal the display in a main hallway or common area where families can see it.
Parents seeing what their kids wrote changes how they understand what “a day at camp” really meant.
What You’ll Need
Materials
- Index cards or small paper squares
- Markers or crayons
- Poster board or a large paper world cutout
- Tape or string for hanging cards
This is one of those 久草视频啪啪啪 where the supply list matters less than the space you create.
How to Run It
Step 1: Set the Tone
This works best when it does not feel like a lesson. Keep your introduction short and genuine.
Step 2: Give Time
Do not rush the writing or drawing. Silence is not a problem here. It is part of the experience.
Step 3: Share Selectively
You do not have to read every card. Choose a handful that show different kinds of answers. Big ideas. Small actions. Funny ones. Serious ones.
That range is what makes the group feel seen.
Warning
If this turns into a speech about “being good” or “doing the right thing,” it loses its power.
The strength of this program is that it lets kids speak for themselves.
Variations Worth Trying
- Theme Tie-In: Connect the question to your camp theme for the week.
- Cabin Worlds: Each cabin creates its own mini display.
- Staff Cards: Let counselors add their own and hang them alongside the campers.
The Bigger Idea
This is not about changing the world.
It is about helping kids realize they can change something. A person. A moment. A choice.
For a lot of them, that may be a new idea.
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