20 Summer Camp Activities That Would Be Canceled Today
From risky stunts to questionable contests, these old-school summer camp activities would never fly today.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Summer camps of the past had a wild side that would send today’s parents and insurance agents into a panic. Back then, the rules were looser, the risks were higher, and the fun was downright reckless. Let’s take a look at the classic camp activities that would be shut down in a heartbeat today.
1. Capture the Flag in the Dark
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A high-speed chase through the woods at night was thrilling and extremely hazardous. Sprained ankles and mystery bruises were practically a badge of honor.
2. Trust Falls Off Picnic Tables
Seeds_of_Peace on Flickr
Falling backward with your fate in someone else’s hands sounds fun until someone misses. Bruised backs and bruised egos made it a risky bonding exercise.
3. Archery Without Safety Gear
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Tiny kids handled real bows and arrows with minimal protection. It was absolutely normal back then. Now, you’d need full gear, certified instructors, and about 17 waivers signed.
4. DIY Raft Building and Racing
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Give kids wood, nails, and rope, and watch chaos unfold on the lake. Sink or swim wasn’t just a saying; it was the actual outcome.
5. Wrestling Matches in the Mud
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Organized mud brawls were messy, hilarious, and a giant health hazard. Cuts, infections, and broken glasses were just part of the fun.
6. Unsupervised Hikes
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A classic summer camp involved groups of kids being sent into the forest with a vague map and a handshake. Now, even a five-minute hike requires multiple chaperones, GPS trackers, and first-aid kits.
7. BB Gun Target Practice
Hustvedt on Wikimedia Commons
Lining up tin cans and letting kids blast away with BB guns felt like living in the Wild West. A few minor injuries were expected and ignored.
8. Playing “Smear the Queer”
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This brutal tackle game was common and named without any second thought. It was a free-for-all of body slams and bruises.
9. Fireworks Night
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Handing out sparklers and sometimes Roman candles to a bunch of unsupervised kids was just “part of the fun.” Every now and then, someone would lose an eyebrow.
10. Rock Climbing Without Harnesses
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Scaling giant boulders with zero gear and even less supervision was an everyday adventure. Slips and falls were “character building.”
11. Homegrown Haunted Houses
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Counselors would throw together terrifying mazes with blindfolded walks through who-knows-what. Screams, tears, and occasional injuries were part of the goal.
12. Canoe Wars
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Forget peaceful paddling—ramming and flipping each other was the real objective. Soaked gear and minor concussions were normal.
13. Branding Campers with Charcoal
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Getting a “badge” of burnt wood on your arm as a camp memory seemed hilarious then. It was basically low-level scarring passed off as tradition.
14. Food Fights in the Dining Hall
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Launching mashed potatoes across the room was almost an unofficial camp event. Broken dishes, food-stained clothes, and pure anarchy reigned.
15. Pranking Other Cabins
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Filling bunks with shaving cream, swapping belongings, and duct-taping doors shut were just “pranks” back then. Harmless fun often crossed into mean-spirited chaos.
16. Swimming Without Life Jackets
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Deep lake swims where you were “expected” to know how to stay afloat. Counselors assumed everyone had basic survival skills.
17. Homemade Slip ‘N Slides on Rocky Hills
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A tarp, a hose, some soap, and a steep hill were all you needed for disaster. Every kid ended up with scrapes, bruises, or worse.
18. Eating Gross Things for Dares
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Swapping harmless truth-or-dare with “eat this worm” challenges was an unofficial camp tradition. Bragging rights weren’t worth the stomach aches.
19. Playing Dodgeball with No Rules
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Rubber balls flying at top speed, no out-of-bounds, and no mercy. Black eyes and busted glasses were part of the game.
20. Bonfires the Size of Buildings
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Gigantic, roaring campfires fueled by whatever logs (or furniture) could be found. Counselors supervised, but just barely.