Sidwell Summer Takes on Fall

Even though we are Sidwell Summer, we love fall! The community comes together for themed activities, and nature showcases its full beauty. 

To help you get the most out of fall, we put together a list of our favorite fall pastimes. Here are five fall activities you can do that pull on the skills and values we explored in camp!

Craft: Toiletpaper Halloween Crafts

Throughout Sidwell Summer, we talk about preservation and caring for our environment. Conscious crafts are a great way to be expressive without generating excess waste! The next time you go to change your toilet paper, hang onto the cardboard roll! You can transform that ordinary piece of cardboard into Halloween favorites, such as a bat, a pumpkin, or any other spooky and silly creature! 

To get the most out of this craft, you’ll need:

• Toilet Paper Roll(s)
• Paint
• Cardstock
• (Optional) Googley Eyes
• (Essential) Imagination!

A quick google search will turn up numerous tutorials. You can find a favorite to follow, or let your imagination be the guide! Have fun and invite your family and maybe a friend from camp to craft with you!

Sports: Fall-Themed Relay Races!

Colder weather doesn’t mean we stay inside. Layer up and get ready to get your heart pumping! Over the summer, we did traditional relay races. You can have that same fun at home or the playground pulling from fall inspiration. Try these fun takes on a baton! 

• Plush Halloween decoration
• Leftover Halloween candy (winner gets the candy!)
• Costume! 

For the costumed relay race, every team member has a costume. When their teammate reaches them, instead of grabbing a baton, they dress in their costume as quickly as possible! Once dressed, they can run their stretch of the race.

Cooking: Make a Spooky Treat

Sometimes, the best kind of fun is fun you can eat! Our absolute favorite fall recipe is the non-cook spider cookie. We love it because it is fun and delicious, and even the youngest of hearts can participate! To make this treat, you need

• Oreos
• Vanilla Icing
• Chocolate Icing, edible eyes, or MnM’s
• Pretzel sticks

Your oreo serves as the base of your spider. To create eyes, place two dots of vanilla frosting on the cookie, topped with two small drops of chocolate frosting. Eyes can also be made with MnMs or of course edible eyes if you have them. Then grab eight pretzels sticks and stick them into the center of the oreo, with four on each side. 

Voila! You have a spider you can eat. Do this with your favorite adult, friend, or youngest relative! 

Service: Rake Leaves

Sidwell Summer loves raking leaves because it’s fun, simple, and a kid-sized way to help! The adults in your life will so appreciate it if you rake the leaves in your yard. Take it a step further and rake the leaves of someone in your neighborhood. An older adult, a new parent, or anyone sick or recovering from an ailment would be a great place to start. But you can help anyone! Before offering to lend a hand to a neighbor, talk to your adults so they can accompany you if needed. 

The added benefit to raking leaves is that you can jump in the pile of leaves once you’re done! Have fun, jump around, and just remember never to hide in a pile of leaves and check for ticks afterward.

Nature: Admire Earth

Any chance you get, admire the beautiful world around you. Fall is filled with so many colors, blue skies, and clear, crisp nights. Spend time outside and appreciate your world with all of your senses. Admire the amber color of the leaves. Close your eyes and listen to the sound of the wind rustling the crunchy-about-to-fall appendages. As you breathe in, let the cold air put you at ease and make note of the scent. These feelings, sights, and sounds are uniquely fall. Immerse yourself in the wonder. 

At Sidwell Summer, we’re all about making new friends and sharing in the fun. And Fall is a perfect time to reconnect with loved ones, your community, and your world. Say yes to fun events as they pop up, and be the friend who reaches out to a classmate to arrange a playdate. And, after all your fun, if you find that you still have a giant pile of leftover candy, take it to a local retirement home and share the joy!

At Sidwell Summer, we’re all about making new friends and sharing the fun. Remember at Sidwell Summer, we are all about making new friends and sharing in the fun!

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