I printed the pdf of the maps of The Villages off the internet and fastened them in a file folder labeled DAD CAMP CONFIDENTIAL and TOP SECRET. P1 (11 years old) was the keeper of the map.
I printed a picture clue for each stop, and the kids took turns opening the clues. If the child that opened it couldn't figure it out, the siblings helped and we gave hints if necessary. Once they knew where, P1 found it on the map and told DH how to get there.
Once we arrived at the destination, the same child that opened the clue opened the challenge for that location and read it to us. Sweet P needed some help reading hers, but she did well on the sight words and her brothers were very encouraging as they helped her.
Because we were out until 2 am this morning at the drive-in movie, we kept it pretty short & simple, but the great thing is there is so much to do at The Villages this could be as long a day as you wanted.
Clue 1 - Cabella's
The Challenge - Find an animal that lives in:
- the mountains
- the desert
- the water
- the prairie
- the jungle
- the savannah
- the arctic
- the forest
There really are just all kinds of animals at Cabela's. It was a fun indoor activity on a hot day.
Clue 2 - Toys R Us
There was a little bit of lecturing, esp to the 6 yr old, that this is not about you. It's about thinking about your brother/sister and what you know they like. You have to trust that your brother/sister knows you well enough to pick something great. And they all did. :)
Clue 3 - Whole Foods
The Challenge - Pick a weird food to try tonight at dinner.
We came home with papaya, Santa Claus melon, mini bananas, a lemon, a odd squash, and a donut peach. Yum.
Clue 4 - Ice Cream
No challenge this was the reward for the day. So much fun!
