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Summer Olympics

Race or Relay
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The summer Olympics are very popular in every camp. However, they can also be carried out on a sports field, provided you have the right equipment. (Jump pit, hurdles, etc.) If that all is not available, you can play on a meadow just as well. Generally speaking, every athletic discipline can be part of the Summer Olympics.

Preparation time:

Archery
Archery
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Preparation for the Summer Olympics are not very extensive and won’t take a lot of time. All you need is a ball, 1 -2 tapes, stopwatches, spears, bow and arrow, a bowling ball or stone and maybe a few batons. Don’t forget awards and prizes. Certificates can be printed before the Olympics so that you then only fill in the names.

Duration:

Depending on the number of participants you have to schedule 90 - 120 minutes. Theoretically, the Sumer Olympics can be carried through with as little as three kids. – It might not be as appealing, but it is possible. The more kids participate, the funnier the game is but at the same token you also will more team leaders who can supervise the different teams and disciplines simultaneously and get it all done with 90 – 120 minutes.

Age group:

Long jump, racing, ball-throwing is quite suitable for younger children as well. However, javelin, archery and similar disciplines are more for kids age 10 and up.

Scoring System:

Torch relay
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There is a simple method. In each discipline, the order of results is determined and the respective points awarded. For example, if you have 15 students, then there are 15 points for the 1st place and 1 point for the last place. With each event, the score grows. The overall winner is the child with the highest score.

The aim of the program:

Of course, fun should always be the main driver. However, the sporting competition has to count as well. The comparing of skills and technique. The not so sporty oriented children will be a little bit disadvantaged. There are also those disciplines such as wrestling, javelin and archery where the not so fast kids can score as well.

Personally, I think it is important that every child receives a certificate at the end. Certificates are always popular with kids. And if there are a few prizes or a going out for an ice cream with the entire group than this was a successful afternoon.

Relay
Relay
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Summer Olympic Disciplines

Ball throwing
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Long Throw:

The objective is to throw a ball (football, handball, tennis ball) as far as possible. The measure the distance with a tape.
Race, or relay race:

With race, all can start at the same time (E. g.: race or a cross-country race over 1000 meters), or you take little groups and let them race against the time. Make sure you have just as many stopwatches as there are kids racing the same time. The latter is more for suitable for shorter distances.

Long Jump
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Long Jump:

For this discipline, a sand pit is required. Alternatively, one can also have a triple jump from a standing start (3-5 large jumps).
Javelin:

For this discipline, you will need an original spear or any other suitable. It is important to ensure that no one is standing in the direction of where the javelin is to travel. All spectators must wait in safety behind the starting line.

Archery:

An advantage of this discipline is that you can easily make arrow and bow yourself from willow rods. Again, make sure all spectators are waiting safely behind the starting line.

Shot Put:

If you don’t have the original ball made of steel, you can also use an appropriate stone. The same here again, make sure nobody ever stands in the throwing line. All spectators have to be behind the starting line at all times.

Discus Throwing:

For this discipline, you will need a discus. Again, all spectators have to stay behind the throwing line at all times; even better behind a safety fence.

Wrestling:

Wrestling is the only discipline in this collection wherever two kids are fighting each other. You can divide the kids into teams of 2 – 3 kids and continue the wrestling until you have one overall winner or they kids can compete against each other one by one. However, depending on the number of kids, that can take some time.