Summer camp just isn’t complete without the joyous sound of classic Camp Songs filling the air! These aren’t your average tunes; they’re meant to be sung with gusto, maybe a little off-key, and definitely with all the enthusiasm you can muster. Camp songs are a tradition that binds campers together, creating memories and fostering a sense of community.
Dive into our collection of timeless favorites that are guaranteed to get everyone singing along. From silly action songs to heartwarming melodies, these classic camp songs are perfect for campfire sing-alongs, cabin time fun, or energizing activities throughout the day. Get ready to learn the lyrics, actions, and maybe even a new verse or two!
Here are some examples of classic camp songs that have been bringing smiles to faces at summer camps for generations:
“A Boy and a Girl in a Little Canoe”
This gentle and humorous song tells a story in a canoe under the moonlight. It’s a classic for its simple melody and playful lyrics, often sung with actions that mimic paddling and kissing (or swimming!). It’s perfect for a quieter moment or a lighthearted sing-along.
“A Roosta Sha”
Get ready to move! “A Roosta Sha” is an action song that’s all about adding movements. Starting with a simple chorus, each repetition adds a new action – thumbs up, knees together, elbows back, and more! It’s a fantastic way to get energy out and encourage silliness and coordination.
“Kool-Aid at the Teepee” (Added Verse to “Gee Mom, I Want to Go Home”)
This song adds a humorous, camp-themed verse to the tune of “Gee Mom, I Want to Go Home.” It playfully talks about camp food – Kool-Aid and hot dogs – with a funny twist. It’s a fun, relatable song for campers experiencing typical camp life.
“Alice the Camel”
“Alice the Camel” is a counting song with a fun twist. It counts down the humps on Alice the camel, with actions and silly sounds accompanying each verse. It’s great for younger campers and helps with number recognition while being thoroughly entertaining.
“The Alligator Song”
This short, silly song is a quick burst of fun. It’s simple, memorable, and often accompanied by funny actions. It’s perfect for filling short breaks or adding a bit of levity to any camp activity.
“Announcements”
A hilarious song that uses repetition and silly sounds to mimic camp announcements. It’s interactive and very engaging, often used to get campers’ attention in a fun way or just for a good laugh.
“Ants Go Marching”
“The Ants Go Marching” is another classic counting and action song. With verses about ants doing various activities, it’s adaptable and can be used to teach numbers, actions, or even just to keep kids entertained on a walk or during downtime.
“Austrian Yodeler”
This song introduces a bit of yodeling fun to camp! It’s a bit more complex vocally but incredibly fun to sing, with interactive parts and a catchy chorus. It’s great for older campers and can be a memorable performance piece.
“Banjo”
“Banjo” is a simple song about a broken banjo getting fixed. It’s often sung with a Southern twang and can be accompanied by strumming motions. It’s a sweet and gentle song, good for quieter moments.
“The Bear Song”
“The Bear Song” is an echo song, making it very interactive and easy to learn. It tells a funny story about meeting a bear in the woods. The echo format makes it perfect for large groups and encourages participation.
“Bingo”
“Bingo” is a name game song that spells out the name of a farmer’s dog. Each verse replaces a letter with a clap, increasing in difficulty and fun as the song progresses. It’s excellent for memory and name recognition activities.
“My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”
This song is turned into an action song by rising or standing on each word that starts with “B.” It’s a fun way to get campers moving and listening carefully, adding a physical element to a well-known tune.
“Boom Chick-a-Boom”
“Boom Chick-a-Boom” is a rhythm and style song that changes with each verse. It encourages creativity and silliness as you change styles – Italian, Valley Girl, Astronaut, and more! It’s fantastic for developing rhythm and encouraging imaginative play.
“Boy and Girl” (Variation)
Another version of the canoe song, this one with slightly different lyrics but the same playful theme. It’s a testament to how camp songs evolve and have different versions across camps and generations.
“Brown Squirrel”
“Brown Squirrel” is a cautionary and funny song about a squirrel and power lines. It’s short, catchy, and often gets a giggle out of campers with its unexpected and slightly dark humor.
“Camp Counselor”
“Camp Counselor” is a fill-in-the-blank song that celebrates the role of a camp counselor. It’s interactive and allows for personalization and humor, often used to boost camp spirit and counselor appreciation.
“Camp Song Medley (The Yodeler)”
This medley incorporates “The Yodeler” and other action elements, creating a mini-performance piece. It’s energetic and engaging, often used in camp shows or talent nights.
“Cottage in a Wood”
“Cottage in a Wood” is a story song with actions that tell a simple tale of a rabbit and an old man. It’s sweet, gentle, and good for younger campers, teaching storytelling through song.
“Dining Table Song (Paula, Paula)”
This is a personalized song used to playfully remind someone of dining table manners. It’s adaptable to any name and situation, making it a fun way to reinforce rules in a lighthearted manner.
“Do Your Ears Hang Low?”
“Do Your Ears Hang Low?” is a classic action song with funny questions and motions related to ears. It’s silly, repetitive, and always a hit with younger campers.
“Father Abraham”
“Father Abraham” is a cumulative action song, adding a new body part and motion with each verse. It’s energetic, funny, and great for coordination and memory.
“Flea Fly”
“Flea Fly” is a nonsense song with fast-paced lyrics and funny sounds. It’s challenging to learn but incredibly rewarding and fun to perform, often leading to lots of laughter and attempts to master the tongue-twisting words.
“Flea Fly Flo” (Variation)
Another variation of the “Flea Fly” song, this version has slightly different nonsense lyrics and sounds. It shows the diversity and evolution of camp songs, with regional and camp-specific variations.
These classic camp songs are just the beginning! The beauty of camp songs is their adaptability and the joy they bring to every summer camp experience. So gather around, open your songbook (or just your memory!), and let the singing begin! What are your favorite classic camp songs? Share them with us!
