Campsite Builder Teacher Guide Lesson 1 Guide • Camp Outpost Academy
Cozy Campsites (Week 1)
Grade Pre-K
Duration 30 Mins
Focus Safety & Space
Noise Level Low to Med
Concept Self-Space
Core Objective
Students will learn fundamental gym expectations, demonstrate personal space by "pitching their campsite tent," and practice walking safely while responding to non-verbal "Stop & Go" campfire visual signals.
Step-by-Step Lesson Flow (30 Mins)
1
The Basecamp Circle & Gym Expectations (5 Mins)
Gather students sitting on boundary spots. Introduce the Camp Outpost theme. Lay out gym rules: 1) Listen to the Ranger's call, 2) Stay inside the green boundaries, 3) Keep our hiking boots on the floor, and 4) Follow directions instantly.
2
Pitching Your Cozy Campsite (8 Mins)
Introduce Personal Space . Model stretching arms up high and wide to "build an imaginary campsite tent." Give each camper a hula hoop or poly spot. Practice standing inside their tent without touching other tents. Teach: "No collisions, keep our campsites cozy and safe!"
3
Main Practice: Trail Hiking & Stop/Go Signals (12 Mins)
Camper-hiking trial. When the green lantern/paddle is up, campers "hike slowly and safely" around the gym lines. When the orange/red campfire paddle is raised, campers must stop immediately and freeze like statues! Reinforce walking safely (eyes forward, steering clear of others).
4
Sunset Breathing & Check-out (5 Mins)
Hikers return to their basecamp spots. Guide them through deep breathing: "Smell the fresh pine trees, blow out the warm campfire." Check understanding: Ask campers to show their personal tent size with their hands.
Required Equipment & Setup
Color-coded poly spots (Basecamp Home spots)
Hula hoops or chalk circles (Personal Tents)
Visual Lantern Paddles (Green for Go, Red for Stop)
Handbell or wind chimes for acoustic stop support
Camp Outpost Academy Unit • Pre-K Physical Education Page 1 of 2
Lesson 1 Guide • Camp Outpost Academy
Universal Design & Accommodations
Focus Inclusion
Implement these structured adaptations to support Pre-K students who have unique sensory, motor, visual, or emotional regulation needs during gym trail activities. Ensure high visual contrast for all boundaries.
Visual Supports
Boundary Lines: Place green textured turf strips or bright safety tape around the campsite zones.Visual Paddles: Pair all auditory cues with distinct, high-contrast Camp Lantern visual cards (Green/Red).Forest Maps: Provide cards depicting a cartoon child inside a clear dome-style tent to represent space.
Sensory Strategies
No Loud Whistles: Use soft rainsticks, wind chimes, or gentle nature sound clips to signal stops.Quiet Forest Clearing: Set aside a visual quiet zone marked with soft green forest cushions or mats.Trail Ear Protection: Provide noise-cancelling headphones styled as "Ranger Ear Defenders."
Motor Adaptations
Spacious Campsites: Utilize larger circular ropes or double-hoops for mobility devices/walkers.Controlled Trail Hike: Allow motor-challenged campers to travel at a slow, controlled "bear walk" speed.Seated Exploration: Provide seated trunk-twisting and "tent-reaching" motions for lower-limb limits.
Emotional Regulation
Ranger Check-In: Use a non-verbal hand-scale (Thumbs up for great, sideways for okay) before moving.Buddy Campers: Partner students who experience anxiety and let them share a "Double Basecamp."Timer Break: Offer sand timers in the Forest Clearing for self-guided rest breaks before hiking back.
Ranger Verbal Scripts & Phrases
Say this to introduce campsites: "Campers! Pitch your personal tent right over your head. Stretch those tent poles out! Now spin... are we touching any other tents? Keep your campsite safe!"
Say this during collisions: "Whoops! Looks like our campsite guidelines crossed. Let's step back, pack up, and hike down an open path. Ranger safety first!"
Say this during freeze checks: "Sunset campfire freeze in 3... 2... 1... Freeze! Let's check our campsite borders. Perfect, safe standing like tall forest trees!"
Camp Outpost Academy Unit • Inclusive Practice Page 2 of 2
Campsite Visuals Slides Camp Outpost Academy
Week 1
Pre-K Gym Adventure
Cozy Campsites
Welcome, Campers! Today we are learning how to pitch, enjoy, and protect our own personal space campsites on the forest trail.
Ranger Ready!
Physical Education • Space & Expectations Slide 1 of 4
Cozy Campsite Rules
Rule 1
1. Pitch Your Tent
Stretch your arms high and wide. Draw a big circle. This is your personal space!
Personal Space
2. Walk Safely
Keep your eyes forward. Walk slowly on the gym floor lines and look ahead.
Follow Directions
3. No Bumping
Avoid walls, obstacles, and other campers. Keep your tent safe from pops!
Gym Expectations
Camp Outpost Academy • Pre-K Gym Adventure Slide 2 of 4
Stop & Go Campfire Signals
Rule 2
GO!
Green Lantern
Walk safely along the trail. Look ahead and keep moving!
SLOW & SAFE WALKING
STOP!
Red Campfire
Freeze instantly like a tree trunk. Glue your boots to the floor!
FREEZE LIKE A STATUE
Camp Outpost Academy • Pre-K Gym Adventure Slide 3 of 4
Active Game: Pitch Your Camp!
Game Time
Gym Map Trail
1. Hike Safely
2. Avoid Bumping
3. Freeze Inside
Only one camper per tent hoop! Find your own space.
Camp Outpost Oath
"I promise to look forward, keep my boots on the lines, keep my space safe, and freeze like a tree on the campfire call!"
Camp Outpost Academy • Pre-K Gym Adventure Slide 4 of 4
Trail Badge Tracker Worksheet Camp Outpost Academy • Achievement
Trail Badge Tracker
Grade Pre-K
Camper Name:
Date:
Earn Your Ranger Badges!
Color in each badge circle after completing your active gym challenges. Show your awesome listening skills, safe movement, and happy hiking!
Week 1 Challenge
Cozy Campsite Space
Color Me!
I kept my tent safe (no bumps!)
I froze on the campfire signal!
Week 2 Challenge
Forest Trail Speed
Color Me!
I moved fast and slow safely!
I walked backward safely!
Ranger Headquarter Approval
Ranger stamps or signatures certify that safety guidelines were followed.
Ranger Stamp
Camp Outpost Academy Unit • Pre-K Physical Education Workbook Page 1 of 1
Forest Trail Teacher Guide Lesson 2 Guide • Camp Outpost Academy
Forest Trail Blazers (Week 2)
Grade Pre-K
Duration 30 Mins
Focus Transitions
Noise Level Medium
Concept Speed & Path
Core Objective
Students will demonstrate safe movement by differentiating between walking and running, controlling fast and slow speeds, moving forward and backward safely, and practicing instant responses in forest-themed freeze games.
Step-by-Step Lesson Flow (30 Mins)
1
Trail Huddle & Animal Concepts (5 Mins)
Gather at the Basecamp Circle. Explain that today we are exploring speeds on our hike! Introduce the Slow Bear Walk (slow walking/crawling) versus the Fast Deer Pace (safe fast-walking or high-knee stepping in place). Remind them that running is only done on open trails when safe.
2
Warm-Up: Forward and Backward Trails (8 Mins)
Have students stand on a straight gym perimeter line. Practice walking forward along the line (eyes ahead). Next, introduce Backward Hiking : model slow, toe-to-heel steps while looking over the shoulder to prevent gym wall collisions. Practice swapping direction on a chime signal.
3
Main Game: Forest Animal Freeze (12 Mins)
Scatter soft cones as forest obstacles. Campers "hike" in general space. Call out animal commands: "Hike forward like a slow tortoise!" or "Walk backward like a careful crab!" or "Jog fast like a mountain rabbit!" On the red lantern visual signal, campers must freeze immediately. Play multiple rounds.
4
Cool-Down: Berry Picking & Pack Up (5 Mins)
Guide campers to walk slow-motion back to Basecamp. Perform stretching: reach up high to "pick forest berries," twist slow to "pack sleeping bags," and take slow, deep "mountain air" breaths. Verbal recap: "What direction do we walk when we look over our shoulder?"
Required Equipment & Setup
8-10 Soft cones (Forest obstacles)
Hula hoops (Safe zones / animal shelters)
Visual Lantern Cards (Red/Green paddles)
Animal visual cards (Tortoise, Rabbit, Bear, Crab)
Camp Outpost Academy Unit • Pre-K Physical Education Page 1 of 2
Lesson 2 Guide • Camp Outpost Academy
Universal Design & Accommodations
Focus Inclusion
Use these targeted strategies to modify the forest trail navigation for students with diverse sensory, motor, visual, and cognitive processing profiles.
Visual Supports
Speed Visuals: Show pictures of a slow tortoise (slow speed) and a fast rabbit (fast speed) on large cards.
Forest Trail Visuals Slides Camp Outpost Academy
Week 2
Trail Explorer Expedition
Forest Trail Blazers
Welcome back, Campers! Today we are leaving our basecamp to blaze trails across the wide open forest. Let's learn to steer safely!
Hit the Trail!
Physical Education • General Space Navigation Slide 1 of 4
Forward & Backward Hiking
Rule 1
Forward Walk
Keep eyes focused in front of you. Take slow, deliberate steps forward along the trail.
LOOK AHEAD ALWAYS
Backward Walk
Look over your shoulder like a wise owl! Walk toe-to-heel very slowly and carefully.
LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER
Camp Outpost Academy • Pre-K Gym Adventure Slide 2 of 4
Fast vs. Slow Animal Speeds
Rule 2
SLOW
Slow Tortoise
Take tiny, quiet steps. Move slow-motion like a forest turtle walking in the weeds.
QUIET FOOTSTEPS
FAST
Controlled Fast
Move your boots quickly but keep your body safe! Safe, fast deer steps only.
CONTROL YOUR BOOTS
FREEZE
Campfire Stop
Freeze immediately! Stand on your two flat boot soles and don't wiggle.
RED LIGHT FREEZE
Camp Outpost Academy • Pre-K Gym Adventure Slide 3 of 4
Forest Animal Freeze Game
Game Time
Ranger Commands
"Slow Tortoise!" → Walk Slow Forward
"Careful Crab!" → Walk Slow Backward
"Speedy Deer!" → Jog Safely / Fast Walk
Ranger Check-In
"Listen close, look behind you when backing up, choose your speed, and hold your balance like a mountain rock when the fire freezes!"
Camp Outpost Academy • Pre-K Gym Adventure Slide 4 of 4
