Camp Crafts for Kids

Camp Rocks! Paperweight Craft

Children glue small rocks into Plaster of Pair molds, paint them, and then write "Camp Rocks!" or "Jesus is my Rock!", etc. on the outside. Go to the Father's Day Crafts page for directions on how to make these.

Notes from Subscribers: I was a counselor/craft director for the girls at Bible camp this year and I used the rock craft for it. Most of the girls put "Camp Ida Rocks" on it, but my oldest daughter put her name on hers. One of the girls put the rocks on the rim facing inward and made little songbooks for them to hold as they sang around the campfire (she painted the inside red and orange). I thought that was a creative idea. Anyway, the tennis ball containers we have here in Crossett will not make suitable bases so I started out using the tops of Styrofoam cups (I put aluminum foil around the top and cut out the bottom) which is how the green one was made, but then I found little tart pans at Walmart and used them to make the rest; the girls preferred these.
The green one was made by my 4 year old (I did the hot gluing, but she did the painting, glued on the eyes, and drew on the lips with paint. I bought a bag of pretty rocks at Walmart and let the kids each pick one, but the other rocks had to come from the campgrounds.

Worry Cans

I also found an idea on christiancrafters.com and changed it around. I used the idea for "God can do it" (I Peter 5:7) instead of I can do it (Phil. 4:13). I had the girls cover a can with denim (some used patchwork, some part of the waist band, one used a pocket, and some just used the leg part) and then decorate it with fabric paint, buttons, felt stickers, ribbon, etc. I gave them a card to go along with it that said:

You can worry, you can stress
But it won't change a thing.
Give your cares to God
Tell Him everything.

When your worries get too heavy
Just follow this simple plan
And write your problems on a little note
And drop it in this can.

If you do what you are able
According to His plan
Our Lord will take care of you
Because when you can’t, God can.
“Casting all your care upon Him;
for He careth for you.”I Peter 5:7

I got the jeans at a local thrift store for ten cents a pair. We also cut out the pockets and decorated them with paint, buttons, felt stickers, and so forth so the girls could hang them on their walls or lockers with a small stuffed animal in it. This was a big hit. The girls had some very original ideas and some of the best ones were some that they had made a mistake and then smeared together...it made a tie dye/rainbow effect and was gorgeous! They just wrote over it. Rebecca

Sea Shell Paper Weight Crafts

What you will need: Small sea shells, white glue, sand, paint, Wilson Tennis ball container - $1.88 at Wall-Mart, fun foam for base.
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What to do:

1. To make the Plaster of Paris mold for the base cut the bottom off the plastic container about two inches from the bottom.  Cut another inch off but leave two or three one inch tabs sticking up.  This mold can be used over and over again.

2. Fill the base with Plaster of Paris according to the directions. Remove the plaster cast when it is dry by lightly tapping the the tabs of the mold on a table.  The plaster cast should pop out.

3. Cut a three inch circle from fun foam and glue it onto the Plaster of Paris base with tacky glue.

4. Paint the base and let dry.  If you use water colors you can add the sea shells and sand without waiting for the paint to dry.

5. Add enough white glue to some sand to make it moist. Press a small amount sand into the impression in the base.

6. Arrange the sea shell and press them into the sand.

7. Spray the entire paper weight with clear gloss paint.

Leaf and Flower Print Bandanna Craft

What you will need: White bandannas or squares of white cotton material, an assortment of fresh leaves and flowers, and a rubber mallet.
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What to do:

1. Place waxed paper on a sturdy table. On top of the waxed paper place some fresh leaves and flowers. Place your bandanna on top.

2. Use a rubber mallet to pound (gently) on the bandanna over top of the areas where there are leaves and flowers until the color from the leaves or flowers come through the material.  Continue this way with other leaves and flowers until the entire bandanna is covered. The bandannas will be washable, but don't use Clorox or a strong detergent when washing them.

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Sea Shell and River Stone Crafts

This craft is appropriate for older children, ages 8 and older. This craft would be great for Vacation Bible School Craft.

What you will need: wooden cross (The one pictured was purchased from Michael's Craft Store for 99 cents. It's about 8" long.) Small river rocks and sea shells. (You can use other things also like buttons, beads, or seeds.), Grout (Found at hardware stores.) I used antique white, tacky glue, rubber gloves, and sponge.
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You can buy small river rocks and shells like the ones I used for this craft from Oriental Trading Company> (Just type in rocks or shells in the search box to find them. They are under Craft Accessories.) You can also buy the crosses here, but they are a little different than the ones I bought from Michael's

What to do:

1. Glue your decorations onto the wooden cross and let it dry overnight.

2. Make sure all the objects are glued on well.

3. Mix the grout according to the directions. Use rubber gloves and press the grout into all the cracks. Don't try to do the whole cross at one time. Work in sections. Let the grout set for a short time and them wipe off the top of the cross with a damp sponge. Rinse out the sponge and wipe it off again and again until it looks the way you want it to look. Do the whole cross this way. Let it dry overnight.

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