Your Own Muslim Family Summer Camp

In the Holy Quran Surah 55, ayah 60 Allah instructs the believers “Is there any reward for goodness except goodness?”  This simple yet profoundly relevant reflection is a reminder to Muslim families to be good to each other.   This not only strengthens family times, but it is pleasing to Allah, The Most High. 

Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, “The people of a household are not granted kindness except that it will benefit them.” (al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 13261)

The summer months give families more time to spend together and thus more opportunities to be kind to one another.  One fun idea that promotes family togetherness as well as learning and ibadah is to organize your own family summer camp.

Let’s face it, an Islamic summer camp at a local masjid or Islamic Center of even a weekend Quran Intensive can be costly.  By creating your own family summer camp ideas, you can tailor the activities to fit your family.   Summer camp is meant to give children something to do as well as prevent the summer learning loss that comes with spending two or three months out of school.  Muslim summer camps geared towards teens often focus on character building and understanding how to implement Islamic values in a non-Muslim society.  Your own Muslim family summer camp can incorporate both goals and even include the family elders passing down valuable life lessons.  So here are a few ideas of how to organize a family summer camp:

Intentions

Remember in Sahih Muslim and Bukhari, that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said

"Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended…”

We are reminded of being very intentional in what we do. 

• Start with a du’a begging Allah that whatever is planned for the family has value and is pleasing to Allah.  
• Plan activities that reinforce learning in your children and promote appreciation of Islamic values.  

Put the verb in ‘Camp”

Allah says in the Holy Quran, Suratul Ankabut (The Spider), verse 56: 

"O My servants who believe! Surely My earth is spacious, so worship Me alone.”

Your family camp can be in your home, backyard or even a campground.

• Gather the family with the intention of being together or ‘camping out’ for a time.
• Children are reminded about teamwork, and the Islamic values of family connectedness are reinforced.

Prepare – “tying that camel”

Anas ibn Malik reported: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, should I tie my camel and trust in Allah, or should I leave her untied and trust in Allah?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Tie her and trust in Allah.”

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2517

This reported saying reminds us to prepare.    Insha’Allah make du’a.  At the same time, if you are going to be out in nature, take common sense precautions

• Bug spray and repellent, sunscreen, water, medications, camping supplies, first aid kits, etc.

If your camp activities are indoors, prepare the list of activities in advance with an eye to what they are meant to accomplish.

• Children’s learning is reinforced as they choose what items to take or activities to do and why they are necessary.  The Islamic values of taking in to account the needs of the most vulnerable amongst us and providing neighborly needs is emphasized.

Be Creative 

If you are doing an indoor camp for a week, a couple of weekends or all day one day – intertwine learning and ibadah.  For example: 

• Story telling – enhances listening, communication, memory, structure
• Arts and craft or drama – helps motor skills, math, memorization, activity
• Islamic board games – reminds Islamic facts
• Movie – viewing and creating your own- synthesizing information learned
• Children’s learning is reinforced with time management, reading, timing and incorporating skills learned during the school year  The Islamic values of respecting each other and each other’s interests is stressed.

Let Nature Nurture Creativity in Learning

Nature is a wonderful teacher and can incorporate exploration, observation skills, and environmental awareness.

• Science – just look at nature and have children explain what they know.
• History – consider the history of place or a similar geography.  For example, a field may help one recount a famous battle.
• Language Arts – identify nouns and verbs in nature.  Write poetry to the sounds and sights of nature.  
• Math - note amounts and properties of nature.  
• Nature is also one of the greatest testaments to the power and majesty of Allah.  Pray outside.  Pray by the side of a mountain.  Pray near a stream and then watch the sun rise and glorify the beauty that Allah has given His servants.

Involve the whole family

Your own Muslim family summer camp is a family affair.  It should involve the needs and ideas of everyone yet be flexible enough to change and adapt.  

• A toddler developing fine motor skills can go on a family hiking scavenger hunt and collect shapes seen in nature.   

• A primary school age child can reinforce sensory skills by participating in a sensory scavenger hunt identifying the five senses in nature – a rock – touch, flowers or fruit growing like grapes – smell, bird or insect noises like a bee – sound, animals, spiders – sight, edible plants – taste.
• An elementary school age child can develop observation and critical thinking skills in the same scavenger hunt by identifying which things they observe are mentioned in the Holy Quran.  
• A high school aged student can go further and look up an ayah or even chapter from the Quran that relates to these senses. {For example – Surah Al-Hijr – the Rocky Tract, grapevines in Surah Al-Baqarah 266, bees in Surah Al Naml – the Bee, the quail bird mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:57)}
• A parent or elder can give tafsir on one of the items identified.
• A grandparent or extended family member can share a story from hadith or seerah.  For example, a retelling of the Prophet’s (SAW) hijrah from Makkah to Madinah and the spider web.

Author bio: Mahasin D. Shamsid-Deen is the news curator and content manager for Muslim Network TV (MNTV) and contributing writer for Sound Vision.  She holds a Master’s  degree in English Writing and has worked as both a High School and College ESL Instructor and Writing Instructor for more than a decade.  Mahasin has numerous published articles, books, essays and is a published playwright with three award winning stage plays.  She is currently writing her dissertation for her doctoral degree.