Building Character at Camp Through Outdoor Musical Play

Outdoor musical play has long been a joyful part of camp life - but it can also be much more. When music-making becomes woven into daily experiences, it naturally supports the same character-based goals many camps are working toward: building resilience, encouraging independence, strengthening relationships, and helping campers discover who they are.

Music has a special way of transforming ordinary moments into meaningful ones. A group of campers experimenting with rhythm quickly learns that keeping a beat together requires patience, communication, and teamwork. A missed note becomes a gentle reminder that mistakes are part of learning - an opportunity to practice resilience in a fun, low-pressure way. These small experiences add up. They help campers internalize values like perseverance, kindness, and responsibility without ever feeling like a lesson.

Encouraging Independence and Confidence

Outdoor instruments invite exploration. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to play, giving campers the freedom to create independently and build confidence as they discover their own sound. Even the most hesitant child can feel successful — a small spark of courage that often carries over into other parts of camp life.

Strengthening Camp Culture

Just as camps use cabin covenants or shared agreements to guide behavior, musical spaces can reinforce a positive and inclusive culture. Gathering around instruments encourages listening, sharing, and supporting one another. It creates a natural environment where empathy and respect are modeled and practiced.

Counselors often find that music opens the door to reflection - a quiet moment after a busy activity, a chance to talk about collaboration, or a simple way to help campers regulate their emotions through rhythm.

Staff members play a powerful role in shaping character. When counselors sit down to create music with campers, they demonstrate cooperation, curiosity, and encouragement simply by participating. Outdoor musical instruments give them a tool to spark connection and build trusting relationships - often the foundation of meaningful growth.

An Inclusive Activity for Every Camper

One of the strengths of outdoor musical play is its accessibility. Instruments are designed to be intuitive, inviting participation from campers of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whether used during free play, group activities, cabin bonding time, or intentional reflection, they help create shared experiences that unite the camp community.

A Natural Fit for Camps Focused on Character

Camps striving to nurture resilience, empathy, responsibility, and other essential traits often look for activities that combine fun, skill-building, and purpose. Outdoor musical instruments sit comfortably in that space — offering moments of discovery, cooperation, and personal growth woven seamlessly into daily camp life.

Music can be loud or quiet, structured or spontaneous, individual or collaborative - but at its core, it helps campers become confident, connected, and character-driven young people.

The American Camp Association’s Character at Camp Grant Program is a national initiative designed to help camps strengthen character development in meaningful, research‑informed ways. Through ACA’s multi‑year Character at Camp Initiative, the program offers financial support, training, and technical assistance to day and overnight camps looking to build or expand character‑focused programming. In its first round, 77 camps across 33 states received funding for projects that cultivate resilience, integrity, courage, and community‑mindedness in both campers and emerging leaders. As camps design these initiatives, many are exploring hands‑on, experiential activities that mirror the everyday teachable moments found in camp life - including outdoor musical experiences that encourage cooperation, emotional expression, and shared reflection. When woven into daily routines, musical exploration can help campers practice perseverance, teamwork, respect, and responsibility in ways that feel natural, joyful, and accessible to every child.