Games for kids 4 to 16, plus tips on keeping them fun and fair for all participants.

Camp games are meant to be fun. Here are the very best camp-tested games for boys and girls aged 4 to 16, with easy-to-follow instructions and illustrations. The Frasers include indoor and outdoor games for both small and large groups, with some old favorites and lots of new, soon-to-be favorites.

The 175 Best Camp Games also includes advice on:

• Choosing the right game for the situation
• Starting and ending games
• Dealing with rule breakers
• Modifying games for varied abilities
• Assuring safety and good supervision.

This practical guide is easy to use, and the more than 175 games are divided into five chapters:

• Break the Ice (Name Dropping, Life Raft)
• Taking It Easy (Speed Rabbit, Electricity)
• Getting Them Moving (Soh Koh No, Kitty Wants a Corner)
• Running Them Ragged (Pairs Tag, Fox in the Henhouse)
• Wet and Wild (Battleship, Sharks and Mermaids).

Though written with camp leaders in mind, this book will appeal to youth activity directors, counselors, counselors-in-training, coaches, scout leaders, parents, teachers and any other adult looking for creative group activities for youth that include all participants and require little or no special equipment.

Kathleen Fraser is an editor, author, wife, mother, daughter, aunt and oldest sister, and now a grandmother, and she feels responsible for almost everyone in her family. She lives in Mississauga, Ontario.

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Bernice Lum has illustrated more than 10 picture books. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.

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This book is a treasure trove of ideas and a great resource for summer fun.

North Bay Nugget

The purpose of this book is to gather and describe all the best camp games under one cover... The authors collectively have many years of experience as campers, camp leaders and eventually teachers. This is evident in the variety of games they present as well as in the way the information is presented. The handbook is very well organized and easy to understand... Instructions are presented clearly.... One of the best features of the handbook is the Tips for Leaders which...include dealing with rulebreakers, pros and cons of elimination games, and ways to modify games.... The illustrations are a great supplement to the instructions...The illustrator clearly made an effort to include children of many different races, sizes and abilities in her illustrations. The 175 Best Camp Games would be a valuable resource to not only camp counsellors, but anyone who works with young people. Parents, teachers, recreation leaders, and childcare providers would likely find many uses for the wide array of games described in this handbook.

Canadian Materials

This is a perfect resource for any group leader, camp counselor, recreation director or parent interested in being active with young adults..... possibly one of the best resources for camp or after-school leaders in print.

Green Teacher

Anyone who is faced with the challenge of keeping a group of children entertained knows the value of a great game. A game can stimulate children physically and mentally, provide social interaction, teach new skills and most importantly be a lot of fun. But if you find yourself relying on distant memories of your own childhood games then this book will be a big help. There are plenty of games to choose from; some may be familiar, like I Spy or Blind Man's Bluff, but for most people this will be a wealth of new activities.

North Shore News

This Canadian book is a treasure trove of ideas and a great resource for summer fun.

North Bay Nugget

For the first-time counsellor, knowing how to engage campers can seem a daunting task, but with a little guidance and creativity, games can not only entertain children, they can set a group tone for the counsellor, as well.

Calgary Sun

The games in this book run the gamut of camp requirements. Some are perfect for breaking the ice among new campers. Others are run-them-ragged games, designed to tire the participants. Still others are designed to let everybody win. There is advice for dealing with rule breakers and for keeping things fun, fair and safe.... This book would be great for camp leaders, counselors-in-training and anyone looking for creative group activities that require little or no special equipment.

Guelph Mercury/Waterloo Region Record

Three former campers, leaders and now full-fledged teachers have compiled a treasure-trove of games and activities suitable for children in early-elementary through upper-middle school grades [and] appropriate for a number of situations, from schoolyard play to gyms, backyards and community centers.... Clear, easy-to-follow instructions include number of players, equipment and game plan, augmented by Lum's humorous cartoon illustrations and completed with extra hints and tips for leaders in sidebar-style notations. Tips range from "modifying for abilities" to "peaking games," in which suggestions are given for ending on a high note before kids get bored or frustrated.... A great resource.

Kirkus Reviews