How do Weekly Themes Work at Camp Sunny?

Summer camp is a time to create memories, make friendships, and explore new interests. Camp Sunny is known for being Gainesville’s most active summer camp, with daily activities ranging from Ninja to Rockwall to Gymnastics to Dance. So, how exactly do weekly themes come into play?

Each themed week at Camp Sunny is carefully designed to keep kids engaged, learning, and having fun, all while encouraging creativity and teamwork.

 In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the different ways we integrate the weekly theme, including:

• A weekly field trip 
• A weekly visit from a special guest
• Themed craft(s) each week
• Themed games each week
• A camp-wide project/activity related to the theme

Let’s dive right in with a sneak peek at some of our thrilling themes this year and what’s in store for your camper!

Camp Sunny 2025: Themes and Weekly Schedule Highlights 

Here’s a quick look* at our 2025 themes and the different ways we’re integrating the themes. 

June 9-13: Safari Week

• Trip to the Santa Fe Zoo 
• Craft your own animal mask 
• Go on a scavenger hunt safari

June 16-20: Around the World Week

• Tour of the Harn Museum 
• Visit from Ecole Francaise
• Play traditional games from different countries 

June 23-27: T-Swift Week

• Field trip to Pinspiration for creative art projects 
• Camp-wide Talent Show 
• Visit from Irish Dancers from Gainesville Dance Academy

June 30-July 3: Robots Week

• Play “Circuit Scramble” (a robot-themed variation of musical chairs)
• Solve puzzles as a robot team 
• Visit from Snapology Gainesville

July 7-11: Sharks/Under the Sea Week

• Explore marine life at UF Fisheries 
• Make ocean-themed crafts like sea creatures 
• Participate in an underwater trivia game 

July 14-18: Disney Week

• Paint crafts at Corks and Colors 
• Re-enact favorite Disney movie scenes 
• Dress up as your favorite character 

July 21-25: Space is the Place Week

• Visit the local planetarium for stargazing 
• Create a rocketship model 
• Play “Asteroid Dodgeball” 

July 28-August 1: Sports Mania Week

• Tour UF Locker Room and meet an athlete 
• Friendly competitions in basketball and pickleball (our WOW Factor for 2024!)
• Make your own team jersey 

August 4-7: Circus Week

• Field trip to Splitz for bowling fun 
• Try your hand at juggling
• Participate in a camp-wide circus performance

* Please note that these are highlights, so not everything we’ve got planned is included

The Benefits of Themed Weeks for Children at Summer Camp

Now that you know more about what to expect from the themes, let’s discuss the why behind them. Weekly themes are widely popular across summer camps for a good reason: they’re packed with benefits! Offering something new each week, themes help prevent boredom and keep camp dynamic throughout the summer. They also allow campers to explore different topics and activities in a structured yet creative way, which means they:

• Encourage imaginative thinking and problem-solving through hands-on crafts and games
• Help campers connect with peers who share their interests, promoting new friendships
• Allow campers to discover new passions or hidden talents they never knew they had

How Camp Sunny Brings Weekly Summer Camp Themes to Life

With Camp Sunny being Gainesville’s most active summer camp, we love seeing campers learn through play. After all, children learn best when they’re having fun! While themes at Camp Sunny are not fully immersive (as in, we do not decorate the facility to match the theme), our talented counselors lead activities and games centered around a particular theme. We get creative through a weekly craft connected to the weekly theme, as well as a larger camp-wide project each week. To the best of our ability, we also align the weekly field trips and special guests with the theme. Finally, it’s all about the accessories!  We encourage campers to dress in ways that fit the theme so they can show off their creativity and individuality.

Here’s a breakdown of how we bring these concepts to life every day at camp:

Themed Crafts: During each week, campers will get the chance to complete special themed crafts. These artistic projects strengthen fine motor skills and encourage personal expression, while also giving children an opportunity for downtime.

Special Guests and Field Trips: Every week includes a local field trip and a special guest that ties into the theme. This allows campers to see their favorite themes come alive with real-world connections. Some highlights include:

• Safari Week: A trip to the Santa Fe Zoo to get up close with animals
• Around the World Week: A visit to the Harn Museum to explore global art and cultures
• Sharks / Under the Sea Week: A behind-the-scenes look into marine life at the UF Fisheries
• Robots Week: A visit from Snapology Gainesville
• Space Week: A visit from Penny Planet, a member of UF Astronomy committee

Games, Activities, and Challenges: Each week is filled with themed games, activities, and challenges that promote teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. For example:

• In Sharks/Under the Sea week, campers may participate in a crabwalk relay race.
• During Disney week, campers love playing “keepy uppy” with balloons (Bluey fans, get excited!).

Camp-Wide Projects: Each themed week features a larger creative project that campers work on throughout the week. For example, during T-Swift Week, the campers will be performing in a camp-wide talent show. 

Accessorizing for the Theme: Staff and campers are encouraged to bring their creativity to life through their wardrobes! From safari hats during Safari Week to space t-shirts for Space Week, accessorizing adds an extra layer of fun to the camp experience.

Give Your Kids an Unforgettable Summer Camp Experience at Sun Country’s Camp Sunny

Spots are filling up quickly for Camp Sunny this summer!  Register today to give your child an engaging, inspiring, and fun experience that’s unlike any other summer camp in Gainesville. 

Need help registering or have questions about the camp experience? Text or call us at (352) 331-8773 – we are here to help!

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