Evening Programs at Camp Birch Hill: A Close Look at Batman vs Superman

Monday, November 7th, 2016

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One of the many parts of camp life that campers look forward to year after year is our evening programs. Every summer when camp begins our staff come prepared with a big list of fun and creative activities we can do with campers each evening after dinner time. Some of our evening programs are beloved, timeless traditions that we have been conducting for years and others are fresh new ideas that have been created to keep things diverse.

A camper favorite that we play each summer is a game called Batman versus Superman.  In this game, the two super heroes with the help of their teams, race each other around the sports field.  Each cabin is assigned a team to be on and must make their way to the basketball courts ready to play and dressed in theme. 13653464_10206694601675922_7325303256661006126_oBatman’s team arrives all dress in black and yellow and Superman’s team arrives all dressed in red and blue. Cabins get into the true spirit of the games and often times have face paint, capes, bandanas and all kinds of festive wear.  Once the whole camp is ready, our directors explain the rules of the game and everyone eagerly waits to catch their first glimpse of one of the super heroes. We know they’re coming when the sounds of the Superman soundtrack can be heard echoing through camp.  

Everyone watches to see who can spot Superman first. Often times Superman comes cruising out from behind the trees, chauffeured by a driver on the camp golf cart. Once Superman arrives at the basketball the crowd goes wild.13680164_10206694612116183_6659957971939778478_o
Next we hear the track for Batman booming from behind the boys cabins. Batman arrives in style being driven in the camp limo. Team Batman cheers loudly and it’s a cheer off between the two teams to see who can cheer the loudest.13522812_10206603921488974_3512428632503536574_o

The games now begin. Batman and Superman stand at the starting line. The aim of the game is to collect the most points from their teams which equal ‘steps,’ towards the finish line. Their teams can equire these points by completing tasks set out by counselors at each of their stations.

Stations can involve both mental and physical tasks. Campers can be seen doing human pyramids, handstands, pushups, rap battles, poems, dance offs, trivia or anything that the counselor has come up with to challenge each cabin. When cabins complete their task they are given a certain amount of points which they race as fast as they can to get them to their hero. Once given their points Batman and Superman can take the amount of steps they have been awarded.

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The first super hero to reach the finish line is the winner. Cabins on the winning side are awarded Birch Hill Cup points.

Batman versus Superman will be a game played for years and years to come at Camp Birch Hill. Campers find so much joy in this evening program and it is all thanks to our incredible staff who make it an exciting and challenging game.  Imagination and creativity alongside being physical in the outdoors is a magical recipe for fun and at Camp Birch Hill we like to have A LOT of fun!

Words and photographs by Sarah Ferguson