Big Magic in Small Spaces: Creating Collective Effervescence at Urban Day Camps

You don’t need a ropes course, fireworks show, or camp-wide color war to create unforgettable energy and community at day camp. In this session, we’ll explore how urban day camps can foster collective effervescence—that electric feeling of shared joy and connection that makes campers feel part of something bigger—using limited space, time, and resources.

Participants will learn how to design special events and camp moments that capture that same magic typically found at sleepaway camps through intentional planning, storytelling, rituals, and playful design. We’ll share strategies and examples from Kids in the Game’s NYC-based programs, where schools, rooftops, and playgrounds transform into spaces of pure camp spirit.