Love the idea of classroom transformations but afraid of unleashing the classroom chaos? We've got you! This post has everything you'll need to create a cozy camping, reading, crafting, fun-filled day – without feeling like you ran a marathon afterwards! Check out the pictures and ideas below to set up a memory-making camp read a lot event in your classroom this year.

Creating Your “Campground”

Teachers in our Lucky 2nd Grade Teachers Facebook group have been using the Camping in the Classroom bundle with their students year after year. Each year the tents, fake pine trees, and flashlights were hauled into the classrooms, snacks prepared, and a day is spent enjoying “camp” together. We've collected all the best advice from these Camp Masters about how to set up an ultra-serene Camp Read-a-Lot experience!

Individual Desk Tents

With this option, each student has their OWN tent! You can even tape out an outline for personal campsites!

Assembly instructions:

1. Purchase $1 table cloths from the dollar store.
2. Tape a 3-ring binder (rings up) to the desk top.
3. Drape the table cloth over the binder and desk.
4. Students sit under their desks while in their “tents”. (This will be a HUGE hit!)

How to Create the Peak of the Tent

Below you will find a visual of exactly how we create the peak of the tent underneath the tablecloth.

Or… Table Top Tents & Mini Campers

Don't have the budget, the time, or not allowed to do individual tents? How about tabletop tents with mini campers? How about this origami tent project? Students will have fun making this camping craft using paper and popsicle sticks. Check out the video below for a guide:

They can even create trees (construction paper or card stock) and a campfire (sticks and pipe cleaners) with this fun video guiding them!

For the mini campers, they can draw a little person on paper, color it to look them themselves (if they wish) and cut it out. This will be their “camper” for the day. Anytime they are working on stations, reading independently or crafting, their mini camper can head into their tents and relax (so as not to distract the actual students!).

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Crafts, Snacks and Decor

Flashlights or Finger lights

Having students bring in flashlights from home and keeping the lights off during camp reading time will make this transformation extra fun (and extra quiet). Have them read or do their station work in their individual tents or with their desktop campsite set up. Finger lights on Amazon

Campfire

This can be homemade (like the one pictured below) OR simply project a YouTube video of a cozy campfire (bonus if it has campfire sound!).

S'mores

Ok, teachers probably can't cook the real campfire treat, BUT there are a couple of options that are close to the real thing! First option: marshmallow creme between two fudge stripe cookies (or chocolate-covered graham crackers). Second option: Create s'mores cereal and use the handy dandy label that comes in the Camping in the Classroom product. Kids will devour this!

Trees

Ok, this is definitely an OPTIONAL accessory, but how fun!?! By bringing in a few small pines, it creates an “in the woods” ambiance students are sure to love! What better way to create the stillness and tranquility of a real forest?

Here's how to make trees out of paper if you're looking for smaller scale decor:

Camper's Itinerary

Set the stage for your calm classroom camping day with some simple guidelines.

So just what will the Camp Read-a-Lot campers do all day? SO much! Most classrooms spend a huge chunk of their camping day reading. (In their campsites of course, to keep things calm and serene!)

Camp Read A Lot is the perfect way to spend Read Across America Day! Head over to this Camp Read A Lot post for a more detailed look at camp-themed activities for the whole day.

Grab the Pack for Ultimate Stress-Free Planning!

If you want a whole camping-themed day, Lucky Little Learners has you covered! How about everything you need in one convenient package?! This camping transformation includes a variety of themed activities to support an amazingly fun day of learning! We’ve done the heavy lifting and included everything you need for the camping theme day – from a decoration list to a student completion certificate, and all the fun activities in between!

We know this camping classroom transformation will be sure to leave you and your students with fond (and stress-free) memories!

See A Classroom Campground Ideas in Action

Too busy to read the post? Let our team member Katie walk you through our camping in the classroom ideas in a helpful tips video.

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More Classroom Transformation Ideas

Are you ready to sprinkle classroom transformations into your school year?! Want more ideas like this? Check out our classroom transformation options below!

Earth Day

Restaurant Day

Two's Day

Beach Day

Snow Globe Day