Virtual Junior Ranger Summer Camp: Day 2—Kick Start to Summer

Park ranger with two youth playing the game "Ninja" in a grassy field.

National Park Service / C&O Canal NHP

Outdoor Olympics

A little friendly competition among family and friends is a great way to get active and get outdoors this summer! For Day 2 of the Kick Start to Summer Virtual Junior Ranger Summer Camp you will challenge your neighborhood pal, sibling, or a new friend to some Outdoor Olympics at the C&O Canal.

We've curated a list of FUN ideas to get you started below. Don't worry too much about keeping score, it's all about having some summer fun! Whether you're into thinking games, active play, or games that challenge your perseverance—we have the games and resources just for you!

Connect with us on social media and share your summer camp adventure by using the hashtags #CanalKidsVJR or #CanalKidActivities.

Click image to download scavenger hunt card.

NPS Photo

Scavenger Hunt

Explore the natural wonders of the C&O Canal with a Scavenger Hunt! Watch for wildlife, look closely at the plants around you, and check them off as you go. See how many plants and animals you can find! Of course, make sure to always #RecreateResponsibly and Leave No Trace while exploring the Park!

Youth observing their surroundings while on a canal boat ride.

NPS Photo

My Senses Spy Game

Have you ever played "I Spy?" Here is a fun version of the game that encourages learning and exploration called My Senses Spy. Look up, look down. What do you see? What can you hear? Engage all five senses while exploring the C&O Canal, a local park near you, or even your own backyard!

Youth observing the rushing water of the Potomac River at Great Falls.

NPS Photo

Trail Games

Trail games are a great way to break up your hike or just have fun on the towpath! Take a water break, stretch, and try some of these trail games the next time you visit the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Remember to #RecreateResponsibly and Leave No Trace while having fun in the Park.

Visitors walking the towpath at the C&O Canal.

NPS Photo

Towpath Trek EarthCache

Enjoy a historical scavenger hunt with the Towpath Trek EarthCache. EarthCaching allows you to explore the C&O Canal and the Great Falls while protecting the Park and #RecreatingResponsibly. Use your favorite map or GPS app to find the coordinates, take in your surroundings, read the waysides, and enjoy a fun activity exploring!

NPS Infographic

Leave No Trace Charades

Combine a classic group campfire game with Leave No Trace principles and you have LNT Charades! Learn about how to #RecreateResponsibly to reduce your impact while exploring the outdoors. Grab a couple friends and see if you can guess each other's principle!

Preserving the past and present; Old photo of the Conococheague Aqueduct compared to a new photo.

NPS Photo / Tim Ware

C&O Canal Preservation Challenge

Preservation helps park researchers understand how humans lived throughout the past 13,000 years along the Potomac River. Take a look at historic places preserved along the C&O Canal and learn about the people that care for these places for generations to come. Showcase your creativity with the Preservation Challenge.

NPS / C&O Canal NHP

Find More Fun

Let's face it—you can never have enough fun or play too many games during summertime vacation. We got you covered! You'll find more links and resources to extend your Outdoor Olympics throughout the summer. Click any of the links below to find even more games, challenges, and fun activities!

• Give Nature Some Space and Leave No Trace Game
• NPS Games and Challenges
• National Parks Foundation Activity Map

Your Challenge

• Now that you have a list of fun activities, keep the fun flowing and visit this page throughout your summer vacation or whenever you have an inkling for some fun friendly competition.
• Get outdoors, get active, and bring family or friends to join your Outdoor Olympic games!