Outdoor Blog

15 Fun Camping Activities for Teenagers

Published

5 years ago

February 17, 2021

So you have finally carved out some time to hit the open road and explore some of the wonderful scenery of The Great Outdoors. While you may be relishing the idea of some time to disconnect from the world and enjoy the peace and quiet, your teen might very well be thinking, “Why on Earth did Mom and Dad bring me to this deserted wasteland when I could be partying with my friends in Miami?”

Actually, that deserted wasteland often represents Nature at its finest, and one day, your teen is sure to look back on those happy days of camping with really fond memories. But that doesn’t always help at the actual time! Dealing with sullen, resentful teens on a family vacation can be no fun at all.

When you are preparing for your next camping trip, it is a good idea to have a few interesting things planned that can really get your teen excited about the trip and help the entire family enjoy the whole vacation a little more. Our selection of camping activities is meant for kids of every age and ability level, but especially for teens, perhaps at summer camp.

Choosing fun camping activities and camping games for teens is kind of tricky, but if you focus on active games, you’ll reduce the risk of boredom. Many of these types of activities are challenging and they can lead to a lot of laughter and intergenerational camaraderie. We’ll take a look at some active outdoor activities as well as some indoor ones for those rainy days that will inevitably arise. Some activities might require a little more preparation and equipment, but some can be played at any time and almost anywhere.

Team Camping Activities

Competition between small groups of teenage boys or girls can create a great deal of fun in the campground, and also allow your teen to meet and mingle with other people of their own age. One interesting idea is to rent a tent that your teen can use on their own for the entire duration of the trip. Giving your teen a little more space is a great strategy. Here are a few other helpful suggestions for some enjoyable indoor and outdoor games that bring in an element of competition, but still allow for great group camaraderie.

Colorful water balloons in an orange bucket.

A water balloon fight is a fun way for teens to exercise and cool off when it’s hot outdoors.

1. Water Balloon Challenge

This game can be especially fun on really hot days. Simply fill a bunch of balloons with cold water. Get a group of teens together and divide them into teams, and then provide each person with a few filled balloons. The team with the driest members when the balloons are all dry wins the challenge. If you don’t have a large enough group for teams, then the person who stays the driest after all the balloons are gone wins the challenge.

2. Balloon Basketball

Set up two rows of chairs about three feet apart. Assign each team a basket at one end of the facing rows. Divide everybody into two teams and get them to sit with alternating players from each team. Put a large basket, box, or bin at each end of the facing rows. The object is to hit the balloon down the “court” and score a basket. If any of the players hit the balloon out of bounds, the leader awards the other team the ball to begin play again. Set either a score to be reached or a maximum time length to win.

3. Campground Ambush

Try to select a wooded area for this activity, which can work especially well for older kids. Establish a starting point, and divide everybody into two teams. Provide the first team with something to leave a trail, such as a bag of popcorn. All of the team members head off into the woods to set up an ambush point. The second team waits a few minutes and then sets off to find the first team. When they arrive at the ambush spot, the first team’s members jump out and tag all of the members of the second team before they can return to the campground. Those who are tagged join the first team. When everyone is back at the campground, players can switch sides, with team two doing the ambushing. Eventually, all the players will end up on the first team. The last player who remains untagged wins.

4. Catch the Cane

For this activity, you will need a cane, a broomstick, or a wooden baseball bat. Give a number to each player without any of the players knowing which numbers the other players have. Everybody then forms a circle around the player in the center, who holds the cane and releases it without warning, while calling out a number. The person assigned the called number runs forward and tries to catch the released object before it can hit the ground. If the player succeeds, he or she becomes the person in the center of the circle.

5. Bump, Set, and Spike

Get everybody to form a circle and pass around a beach ball or some other light type of ball. Players can only touch the ball once in a row. If they touch it twice, they are out. If a player is not able to keep the ball in play, they are out. If players touch the ball and then the ball hits the ground, they sit in the middle of the circle. If players spike the ball, and the players in the middle of the circle catch it, the player who spiked the ball sits in the middle of the circle. The object is to be the last one standing.

Group of young Friends Playing Volleyball outdoors.

Outdoor volleyball is a fantastic way to build strength and endurance…and in fresh air to boot!

6. Other Outdoor Games like Volleyball or Dodgeball

If the campground has a volleyball court, then this activity is a no-brainer. For dodgeball, you can throw a single ball into the air. Players must allow the ball to bounce three times, after which any player can grab the ball. Players may only take three steps and then must throw the ball at another player. Anyone hit by the ball is out and must leave the playing field. However, if a player successfully catches a ball thrown at them, the thrower is out. Every time a new player is eliminated, anyone eliminated by them can return to the activity. The winner is the player left when everyone else is out. This activity can take a long time, so you can shorten it by having those players eliminated permanently from the activity.

7. Campfire Activities

By the time the sun goes down, lots of campers can often be physically exhausted. But having a few evening activities around the fire can help keep everyone entertained for a few hours. Once you have a good fire going, it doesn’t take long to cook up some mouthwatering recipes that will keep everyone satisfied for many meals. If you are looking for more inspiration in your recipes, take a look at some of our helpful tips for cooking around a campfire.

Many campgrounds have a pavilion or other safe outdoor gathering area if you’d like to meet up with other campers in the evening. There are several activities that your teen might enjoy and these will help make your time around the campfire as fun and memorable as possible.

8. Campfire Story Contest

We’ve found that scary stories can often be a lot of fun, but be sure not to make them so scary that nobody can get to sleep! Try getting your teens to make up some stories or tell old ones with a new twist. Also, lots of teens love hearing about the “good old days” when the adults were their age, so it can be useful to think about some funny stories from your youth that you’d like to share around the campfire.

9. Storytelling Chain

If no one has a story to share, try a storytelling chain. You can get an adult to begin with a sentence that sets the scene and acts as an icebreaker. For example, “One night, not too long ago, right here in this campground, something strange happened.” Each camper adds a sentence until the story ends. If the stories are short, you can always encourage the telling of more than one.

10. Songs Around the Fire

If your campers do not know many traditional campfire songs, you may need to teach them. Try easy things at first, such as “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”, with singers joining in after each line is sung. For extra fun, you can add “instruments” such as a can filled with pebbles, pot lids, and “drum sticks” (a long-handled spoon) and pans. Another idea is to choose contemporary songs that the teens might all know, and after hearing the chorus a few times, the adults can try to join in a little too.

11. Acting and Miming (Charades)

In this activity, you can imagine yourselves being at another location and then acting as if you were there. Some suggestions are a sunny beach, another country, a state park, another planet, a cafeteria, or a restaurant. A good way to start this activity is for everyone to line up behind one another. The first person acts out an action appropriate to the chosen location in about fifteen seconds. The others try to guess what the person is doing and where they are. If those guesses are correct, the person goes to the end of the line. If the action cannot be guessed, the person is out and must sit down. The next person can then also put on a show.Everybody continues until there is a winner.

12. Obstacle Course

An obstacle course can provide a real challenge for your teens. If you have enough time and space, you can leave the obstacle course set up for a few days or for your entire camping session, and everybody can keep using it to improve their skills and scores. Using camp items and creativity, your obstacle course could possibly include:

Collecting ten pieces of wood and place them on the campfire woodpile
Crawling under the picnic table
Finding 5 pieces of trash and throw them away
Doing x number of jumping jacks or push-ups
Hanging from a tree branch for 15 seconds
Walking (or running) around the campground perimeter twice (or more)
Leap-frogging over a stationary item (something soft)

Scavenger hunt this way sign post in a forest.

A scavenger hunt is a great physical and mental challenge for teens that also teaches them teamwork.

13. Scavenger Hunt

There are two different types of scavenger hunts you can try with your teens: 1) a wide-ranging nature walk with a list for teens to check off as they find items, and 2) a scavenger hunt with parameters within the camp area. The list of items to find can certainly vary according to your circumstances, but either option can be a great deal of fun. If you decide on the nature-walk scavenger hunt, it is probably better for your teens not to pick up their finds, but simply check them off their list. Here is a list of possible items you might want to include:

A bird’s nest
Crawling insects
Wild animals like deer or squirrel
Feathers
Fish or frogs
Flowers
A worm
A piece of trash
A toadstool
A pinecone
A rock with an unusual shape
A slug or snail
A snake
Animal tracks
A bug
Moss or lichen

It might be a good idea to get all of the campers to work in pairs or teams if you have a very large group.

14. Camp Olympics

Other good camp games might include a kind of “Camp Olympics”. This is a great camp experience if you intend to include a wide variety of skills and allow all of your teens to make selections based upon their abilities. A good way to do this is to divide all of the camp activities into sets and let the teens pick from each set. Give points for the more difficult skills in each set and decide upon the total points necessary to complete each activity. If you do not force people to compete for the highest score, the activity becomes more fun and inclusive. Many fun camp activities can work for your Olympics. Try the following suggestions:

Balancing on one leg, with a point for every 10 seconds
Jump roping
Skipping stones
Long jump
Tug of war
Relay races
Shooting basketballs
Swimming competitions

15. Rainy Day Camp Activities

The weather does not always cooperate during camp sessions, so be prepared with some indoor and outdoor rainy day activities. If the rain is warm and there is no thunder and lightning, encourage everyone to simply get out and play in the rain. But if the conditions are too bad, try some of the acting and miming games we discussed earlier. Cards and board games are also some excellent ways to pass the time on rainy days in the campground.

A Few More Tips for Fun and Effective Camp Activities

Camping can be great fun with a group of people of all age levels. Nature enthusiasts can really get into greater knowledge about everything from the local bugs in the area or even the types of trees that are most commonly found. With teens, it is especially important to have a lot of planned activities to help them enjoy themselves and not feel so bored. To make your camp activities as fun and effective as possible, always consider these simple rules and guidelines. Choose the kinds of activities where everyone can participate and have fun.

Choose the kinds of activities that fit the age and ability level of your teens. Adults should participate with the teens. Give clear instructions and make sure all participants understand the activity rules. Encourage sportsmanship and discourage name-calling, rough playing, and any other behaviors that may hurt anybody physically or emotionally. One final idea is to have a few rewards, like ice cream or other treats like nuts or trail mix, to give to everybody after they have finished for the day. There is nothing like cold ice cream to enjoy at the end of a long day at the campground!

Outdoor Blog

How to Take Your Own Internet to Outdoor Events

Published

6 days ago

October 18, 2025

Jonas Muthoni

You’ve got the permits, the lineup, the stage design, and the crowd — but when it comes to WiFi, outdoor events can turn from dream festivals to data dead zones in minutes. Reliable connectivity is now as essential as power or sound. Whether it’s a music festival streaming to TikTok, a food fair using mobile POS systems, or a corporate brand activation relying on live dashboards, the internet connection is what keeps the gears turning.

But the truth is this: counting on venue WiFi at a large outdoor event is a gamble. Hundreds of devices fighting for the same bandwidth can jam up the signal before the headliner gets on stage. Public networks only have one backhaul connection, so your production crew, security cameras, and vendors could all be fighting with concert-goers streaming YouTube in the crowd.

So, if your aspiration is to keep the event chugging along like clockwork, the genius move is to bring your own internet — designed specifically for the occasion, private, and controlled by your event staff.

Why Venue WiFi Fails When Crowds Arrive

Let’s start with the numbers. According to Cisco’s 2024 Annual Internet Report, the average person now connects four to six devices at live events — phones, wearables, tablets, scanners, and streaming gear. Multiply that by 5,000 or 50,000 people, and you’re looking at a digital traffic jam.

Outdoor locations have a very minimal amount of wired infrastructure. The majority utilize older systems or common fiber links, which were not designed for thousands of users at once. When the signal is over-stretched, latency increases, access points fail, and the network grinds to a halt.

For event organizers, this is not only inconvenient — it’s a safety and revenue gamble. POS terminals won’t work. QR ticket scanners crawl. Even backup communication programs freeze.

The Smarter Solution: Creating Your Own Network

Constructing a stand-alone network for an outside event may seem daunting, but technology has made it relatively achievable. Instead of relying on one provider or tower, professional crews now use several sources of the internet to deliver redundancy and stability.

Outdoor WiFi specialists use multi-carrier cellular bonding, satellite uplinks, and WAN smoothing to keep traffic consistent even when one source is down. It’s a lot like having several water pipes feed one tank — if one pipe gets stopped up, others keep the flow consistent.

The best configuration depends on three variables:

Location: Urban park, remote valley, rooftop, or open desert all have different signal profiles and line-of-sight challenges.
Bandwidth Demand: Are you providing power to a 50-person AV crew or streaming to a million online viewers?
Duration: A day-long music festival versus a week-long brand tour will change the way you plan power, cooling, and redundancy.

Professional crews will often pre-deploy with site surveys — gauging carrier strength, spectrum congestion, and potential sources of interference such as LED walls or nearby broadcast towers.

Lessons from the Field

Outdoor WiFi would be a niche specialty, but in today’s world it’s simply part and parcel of modern event production. In the last decade, TradeShowInternet’s teams have helped support hundreds of big outdoor festivals and corporate activations, and there have been a few hard-won lessons along the way.

There was the time crews climbed a half mile up the flank of a Santa Fe mountain with over 200 pounds of gear to put in a solar-powered relay antenna for Red Bull’s Guinness World Record truck jump. A second assignment involved digging cable trenches through snake country in Los Angeles for Christian Dior’s fashion show.

When Univision taped La Banda on the beach in Miami, technicians climbed a 20-foot truss into a lightning storm to raise antennas. These are probably war stories, but they represent reality: each outdoor location introduces its own wildcards. Wind, weather, terrain, and local RF noise all push the limits of planning.

The lesson? Experience is as important as gear. Knowing when to use additional directional antennas, when to flip to satellite failover, or how to protect a router from 100-degree heat isn’t something you can read in a manual.

The Technical Side: How Redundant Networks Keep Events Alive

This is how seasoned outdoor internet crews engineer reliability into temporary networks:

Multi-Carrier Bonding: Equipment stitches together data from multiple cellular carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) to maximize bandwidth and fill signal gaps.

WAN Smoothing: Packets are duplicated and relayed on secondary paths to prevent noticeable drops or hiccups in live streams.
Satellite Integration: Especially when out at remote sites or in mountain events where cell phone reception is spotty.
5G + LTE Hybrid Units: Combining newer high-bandwidth 5G networks with more predictable LTE offers well-rounded throughput.
Portable Mesh Access Points: Create overlapping areas of WiFi that eliminate dead spots across vast grounds or over tented locations.
Power & Weather Protection: Ranging from Pelican case enclosures to solar power solutions, all of which ensure uptime regardless of adverse weather conditions.

It’s a multi-layer strategy — not one device straining the load, but several working in tandem to handle bandwidth, robustness, and coverage.

Why Your Vendors, AV Staff, and Guests All Need Their Own Network Layer

External events normally have three distinct user communities that require the internet:

Production and AV Personnel – operation of live feeds, mixing panels, lighting, and communications programs.
Vendors and POS Devices – card transaction processing, QR menus, and inventory software.
Guests and Media – posting, uploading, or taking part in brand interaction activity.

Mixing them all on one open WiFi is risky. It provides security vulnerabilities and causes too much congestion. The preferred method is network segmentation, creating separate virtual networks that prioritize mission-critical traffic (production, POS, security cameras) and restrict non-mission-critical use like social browsing.

This is exactly how professional outdoor WiFi & Internet solution companies like TradeShowInternet build event systems. They design bespoke topologies that match the unique demands of every event, whether a food festival, marathon, or big corporate activation.

Budgeting and Planning: What Organizers Should Know

According to EventMB’s 2024 Event Technology Report, 73% of event planners say maintaining a reliable connection is important to attendee happiness, yet less than half have a standalone internet budget in place upfront while planning. That’s a recipe for last-minute scrambling.

For all to run smoothly, the network plan needs to be created alongside stage design and power planning — not an afterthought.

Some planning advice:

Start early: Conduct site surveys at least 30 days ahead of the event.
Prioritize wired backbones: Use fiber or Ethernet in production areas whenever possible.
Segregate guest WiFi: Utilize bandwidth caps or sponsored captive portals to control usage.
Redundancy: Cellular + satellite bonding is well worth the investment for mission-critical space.
Post-event review: Collect performance data to inform next year’s plan.

Real-World Use Cases

Outdoor connectivity is not just for music festivals. It’s a necessity for:

Marathons and triathlons – for timing chips, live maps, and emergency co-ordination.
Outdoor conferences or summits – where executives require office-grade internet to make presentations.
Food truck festivals and markets – all vendors need POS access.
Film and TV productions – production villages rely on low-latency connections for uploads.
Races and motorsport events – telemetry, live scoring, and media streaming.

Each of these environments needs a different trade-off among coverage area, upload speed, and mobility.

Why Experience Matters for Outdoor Internet Installations

Each outdoor location is unique. Trees, humidity, metal buildings, even bodies of water can affect wireless performance. Having individuals who’ve done hundreds of installations means fewer surprises and faster repairs when something unexpected happens.

That’s where TradeShowInternet, a leading outdoor WiFi & Internet solution company, comes in. The company has built up networks on deserts, beaches, helipads, mountain ridges, and pop-up brand villages — keeping organizers, vendors, and AV teams connected wherever the event is hosted.

Outdoor Blog

Outdoor Event WiFi: The New Backbone of Open-Air Experiences

Published

6 days ago

October 17, 2025

Jonas Muthoni

A concert in the canyon. A film night under desert stars. A bustling waterfront food festival with 10,000 guests. Across the country, outdoor events are turning parks, coastlines, forests, and fields into memorable destinations. But there’s one service now as essential as power, permits, and porta-potties: outdoor event WiFi.

Whether for ticket scanning, mobile POS systems, sponsor activations, or live-streaming performances, WiFi for outdoor events has become the invisible support that keeps everything running. Without it, payments stall, communication falters, and digital engagement stops.

Why Outdoor Event WiFi Is Mission-Critical

The outdoor events sector, from farmers’ markets to endurance races, is growing quickly. Allied Market Research predicts global festival revenues will exceed $50B by 2030. These venues offer unique charm, but they also pose a challenge: a lack of built-in internet infrastructure.

“Outside doesn’t mean offline,” says Emma Castillo, a production manager for festivals, film nights, and open-air corporate launches. “We rely on temporary internet for outdoor events to manage our security communications, allow vendors to keep selling, and ensure our livestreams don’t drop.”

Cellular service can struggle with the demands of thousands of devices. Some remote locations may not have any service at all. That’s where outdoor event WiFi solutions come in—portable, scalable, and designed for unpredictable weather.

How Outdoor Internet Keeps Events Moving

Today’s outdoor events rely on connectivity in ways that go far beyond letting guests post on social media:

Mobile POS & Cashless Payments – No signal means lost revenue for vendors.
RFID & Access Control – Real-time validation at gates and VIP areas.
Streaming & Social Content – From TikTok reels to sponsor livestreams.
Sponsor Engagement – QR contests, AR activations, and digital signage updates.
Safety & Logistics – Staff communication, emergency alerts, GPS tracking.

A recent Event Manager Blog study found 63% of sponsors now require guaranteed internet access before committing. Attendees want it too; more than half say connectivity is a key factor in their event satisfaction.

Outdoor Event WiFi Solutions in Action: “Lights on the Lake”

In June, the lakeside town of Lakeshore hosted a three-day open-air film festival. The views were stunning, but no wired internet was available, and mobile service barely worked.

The technical crew set up:

Multi-carrier 5G bonding for vendor and guest networks
Long-range weatherproof access points covering the pier and food court
A private secure network for organizers and emergency staff
A satellite uplink for backup

The festival processed thousands of transactions, streamed Q&A sessions with international filmmakers, and even operated a live voting app without a single connectivity failure.

Industry Perspective: Connectivity as a Core Utility

According to WiFit founder Matt Cicek, changes in event technology priorities have been significant:

“Five years ago, internet at an outdoor event was seen as a nice-to-have. Now, it’s as essential as running water and electricity. From safety coordination to sponsor returns, there’s too much at stake to leave it to chance.”

The Future of Temporary Internet for Outdoor Events

As events become more complex, WiFi for outdoor events from service providers like WiFit will play an even larger role. Expect advancements like:

Solar-powered network kits for sustainable operations
AI-managed bandwidth that adjusts to real-time crowd size
Edge computing for instant AR and interactive attractions

For event planners, the message is clear: the quality of your internet connection is as important as your stage, lighting, or sound system. The next time you’re booking a venue, remember—the crowd may be watching the performers, but they’re also looking at their screens. They expect both to work perfectly.

Outdoor Blog

Gear You Should Snag for the Great Outdoors This Season

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2024

Caleb Cole

Outdoor enthusiasts know that having the right gear can make all the difference. Whether you’re hiking, camping, hunting, or engaging in any other outdoor activity, quality equipment ensures not only safety but also a better overall experience. As we head into a new season, it’s time to refresh your gear collection with essential items that will enhance your adventures. In this article, we’ll explore five pieces of must-have outdoor gear, focusing on both practicality and comfort.

Shooting Glasses Are Essential for Outdoor Adventures

If you’re heading out for a shooting range session or a hunting trip, investing in a quality pair of shooting glasses is non-negotiable. Eye protection is critical when engaging in any activity involving firearms, and shooting glasses are designed to keep your eyes safe from potential hazards like debris, shell casings, and even harmful UV rays.

Shooting glasses are a key safety measure that helps shield your eyes from impact and glare. The lenses are typically made from high-impact resistant materials that can endure tough conditions, making them a must-have for hunters, target shooters, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Beyond safety, these glasses often come with polarized lenses to improve visibility in various lighting conditions. By incorporating shooting glasses into your outdoor gear, you’re ensuring not only better safety but also improved performance during your time in the wilderness.

What Should You Look For During Black Friday Hunting Gear Deals?

One of the best times to stock up on essential outdoor gear is during Black Friday. Black Friday hunting gear deals provide an opportunity for hunters to snag high-quality items at significantly reduced prices. Whether you’re after apparel, backpacks, or specialized equipment, Black Friday sales often feature steep discounts on top brands that every outdoor enthusiast should take advantage of.

This sale season is ideal for upgrading your hunting wardrobe and stocking up on essential gear that may normally be out of your price range. From weather-resistant jackets to durable boots and base layers, hunting gear can be pricey, and Black Friday is the perfect time to invest in the best equipment. By keeping an eye out for deals during this shopping period, you can save money while ensuring you’re well-prepared for your next big adventure.

Multi-Tools Are a Must-Have

Want to know the most versatile pieces of gear you can carry? It is a multi-tool. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or hunting, having a tool that can serve multiple functions is a game-changer. Multi-tools come equipped with a variety of features such as knives, screwdrivers, pliers, and scissors, all compactly housed in a single device that easily fits in your pocket or pack.

The practicality of a multi-tool is hard to beat. It allows you to tackle unexpected tasks, from cutting rope to repairing gear, all without needing to carry a full toolbox. When you’re out in the wild, you want to be prepared for anything, and a multi-tool ensures you’re ready to handle small emergencies or make quick fixes with ease.

Insulated Water Bottles Can Improve Your Outdoor Experience

Staying hydrated is one of the most important aspects of any outdoor activity. Whether you’re embarking on a long hike or spending hours in a hunting blind, having an insulated water bottle can make a difference. Insulated bottles have features that help to keep your drinks at the desired temperature for a long time, which is especially useful during extreme weather conditions.

These bottles maintain the temperature of your beverage—whether cold or hot—so you can enjoy refreshing water in the summer or a warm drink during chilly morning hunts. Insulated water bottles are also typically made from durable materials, meaning they can withstand the rigors of outdoor use without breaking or leaking. Investing in a high-quality insulated bottle ensures that you stay hydrated and comfortable throughout your outdoor excursions.

Durable Backpacks Can Enhance Your Outdoor Experience

A good backpack is the cornerstone of any successful outdoor trip. When you’re out in nature, you need a reliable, durable pack to carry all of your gear comfortably. Look for backpacks that are built to withstand harsh conditions, provide ample storage, and have ergonomic designs that distribute weight evenly to prevent strain on your back and shoulders.

Modern outdoor backpacks come equipped with multiple compartments to help you stay organized, as well as specialized features like hydration bladder compatibility, rain covers, and reinforced straps. By investing in a durable, well-designed backpack, you’ll have the capacity to carry everything you need—whether it’s extra clothing, food, or hunting gear—while maintaining comfort during long treks.