🏕️ Trail to Camp Challenge

Posted on July 10, 2025 by Erin McPherson

Helping Your Camper Get Ready for Camp Two Roads

At Camp Two Roads, our girls spend every day moving, laughing, exploring, and making new friends—all without phones or screens. While this is part of the magic, it can also be a big transition.

To help your camper feel confident, comfortable, and camp‑ready, we created the Trail to Camp Challenge: a simple, fun month‑long plan you can start right at home.

This isn’t about training like an athlete—it’s about helping your camper build strength and balance, rest well, ease away from screens, and get excited for the summer ahead!

🌿 Why try the Trail to Camp Challenge?

By starting a few weeks before camp, girls can:
✅ Build stamina and balance for hiking, challenge course activities, and carrying gear
✅ Practice gentle stretching to stay flexible and prevent soreness
✅ Ease the adjustment to being screen‑free
✅ Build confidence to jump into new activities
✅ Feel calmer and sleep better before camp starts

Even a few minutes a day makes a difference—and it’s a fun way to share excitement about camp as a family!

🗓️ How it works: The month‑long plan

The Trail to Camp Challenge is broken into four themed weeks.
Choose what works for your family: do a little every day, or pick a few ideas a few times a week.

🌿 Fun Trail to Camp ideas to keep it playful

Backpack Walk & Talk: Take a walk with a lightly packed backpack and chat about camp.
Dance Parties: Blast camp songs and dance together.
Campsite Circuit: Stop at trees, chairs, or yard corners for quick squats, jumping jacks, or lunges.
Balance Play: Try standing on one foot, curb-walking, or fun yoga poses.
Morning Stretches: Short routines to loosen muscles and start the day.
Lift & Carry Practice: Move a sleeping bag, water jug, or small bin safely.
Mindful Walks: Slow evening walks noticing sights and sounds to unwind.

✨ Want to make it extra fun?
Try the challenge bingo‑style to keep everyone motivated! Create your own rewards or celebrations for each bingo row, column, or a full blackout.

👉 Click here to see what each bingo activity means!

📱 Why digital prep makes a difference

At camp, girls unplug completely—a wonderful reset, but one that can feel sudden.
Research shows:

Going cold‑turkey can cause short‑term irritability or restlessness.
Gradually tapering (removing ~1 hour of screen time each week) helps kids adjust and arrive calmer.
Unplugged campers often show better focus, more empathy, and improved sleep.

By Week 4, campers “practice” a real screen‑free evening—making the first day at camp feel natural.

By gradually reducing evening screen time now, girls adjust more smoothly and arrive ready to build friendships, try new things, and fully enjoy camp life.

💡 Need ideas for screen‑free time?
You can use our Digital detox Bingo filled with quick, creative things to do instead of picking up a device — like drawing, reading outside, writing a camp letter, or trying a new recipe. It’s a fun way to turn screen breaks into little adventures!

📝 Tips to make it work at home

✅ Print or download our weekly trackers and bingo cards to check off habits together.
✅ Reflect at dinner: ask how your camper feels, what was fun, or what felt tricky.
✅ Mix it up: switch dance music, walk new routes, or invite siblings.
✅ Celebrate: mark the end of each week with a small family treat or cheer.