15 Summer Camp Activities That Wouldn’t Be Allowed Now
These old-school summer camp activities were once totally normal, but today, they would raise more than a few eyebrows.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Summer camp used to be wild in the best — and sometimes worst — ways. Many kids remember these moments fondly, even though most camps would never allow them today. Here are the most questionable camp traditions that are officially retired.
1. Trust Falls Over a Cliffside
Rachel Claire on Wikimedia Commons
Camp leaders thought it built trust, but letting kids fall backward off rocks into each other’s arms was just asking for a sprained wrist. No helmets, no supervision, just vibes. Today, insurance alone would shut this one down instantly.
2. Swim Tests in Ice-Cold Lakes
Roman Biernacki on Pexels
Kids were tossed into freezing water to “toughen up” while lifeguards stood by with whistles. There were no wetsuits, no gradual entry, and sometimes not even a dock ladder. Hypothermia risks were completely ignored back then.
3. Homemade Zip Lines
Niloofar Rakhshan نیلوفر رخشان on Wikimedia Commons
Campers strung ropes between trees and zoomed across the forest with zero engineering experience. Helmets? Harnesses? Those were considered optional. Now, it would take a whole inspection team just to approve the setup.
4. Capture the Flag—At Night
Maël BALLAND on Pexels
Running full speed through dark woods sounds thrilling until someone faceplants into a tree. Night games used to be an adrenaline rush, but today’s camps prioritize visibility and boundaries. Flashlights were often banned to “keep it exciting.”
5. BB Gun Target Practice
Olaf Gradin from Gainesville, GA, USA on Wikimedia Commons
Campers learned to aim at soda cans using BB guns while instructors sipped coffee nearby. Eye protection was rarely enforced, and kids often wandered too close to the range. Most camps have now replaced these with foam archery or laser tag.
6. Rock Climbing Without Ropes
Dziana Hasanbekava on Pexels
Before official climbing walls, kids scrambled up real boulders with just sneakers and blind optimism. Spotters were just other kids shouting, “You’re good!” Falls were common and bandaids were the only first aid.
7. Prank Wars That Went Too Far
KoolShooters on Pexels
Camps used to encourage prank battles that sometimes ended in sleeping bags filled with shaving cream or cabins wrapped in duct tape. These “fun” pranks often left someone in tears. Now, most camps have strict anti-bullying rules.
8. Campfire Branding
Никита Шелайкин on Pexels
Some camps let kids make branding irons out of sticks, then burn shapes into logs — or worse, themselves. It was supposed to be symbolic, but it usually ended in blisters. Today, that would be flagged as a safety violation in seconds.
9. Canoe Races Without Life Jackets
Bert Christiaens on Pexels
Speed was the only rule as kids paddled across deep lakes, often without any flotation gear. Some could barely swim, and there was little adult oversight. Camps now enforce jacket checks before a paddle even hits the water.
10. Ghost Stories That Were Way Too Intense
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Counselors told terrifying tales that left some kids sleepless for days. Crying in your bunk was brushed off as part of the experience. Camps now train staff to keep stories spooky but not traumatizing.
11. Wilderness Survival Challenges
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Some camps dropped kids in the woods with just a compass and a granola bar. The idea was to “build character.” Today, that sounds more like a lawsuit waiting to happen.
12. “Hot Sauce Club” Challenges
Necip Duman on Pexels
Eating the spiciest food at camp was a badge of honor, even if it meant tears and stomachaches. No one asked about food allergies or health risks. Today, that kind of challenge would get a camp shut down.
13. DIY Raft Races on Deep Water
Carolina Prado on Wikimedia Commons
Campers built rafts out of sticks, barrels, and rope, then paddled into the lake like pioneers. The crafts often sank mid-race, and rescue boats were slow to react. Most camps now use safe, staff-supervised alternatives.
14. Fire-Building Without Supervision
Matheus Bertelli on Pexels
Giving a 10-year-old matches and dry leaves sounds like a recipe for disaster, but it used to be a standard lesson. Many kids lit fires just for fun while counselors chatted nearby. Modern camps take fire safety far more seriously.
15. “Food Fear Factor” Meals
KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels
Some camps dared kids to eat bugs, raw onions, or bizarre food combinations just for laughs. What started as a bonding game turned into peer pressure. Today’s camps have moved on from public food humiliation.