For generations, summer camp was a place where kids could roam free, get a little dirty, and test their limits in ways that might raise a few eyebrows today. Camp activities were all about adventure, independence, and sometimes, a little bit of danger. But over time, as safety regulations and parental concerns have increased, many of the most thrilling and unforgettable camp experiences have disappeared. Here are the most nostalgic summer camp activities from the past that would be considered too risky today.
1. Canoeing Without Life Jackets
Back in the day, kids at summer camp would hop into canoes and paddle across lakes or down winding rivers with little more than a quick “Don’t tip over!” from their counselors. Life jackets? Optional at best. If you capsized, the solution was simple: flip the canoe back over and try again. As outlined by Smith College, canoeing as a summer camp activity has come a very long way for everyone.
Today, there’s no way a camp would let kids near deep water without mandatory flotation devices, safety drills, and strict supervision. While it’s great that safety has improved, some campers from the past might argue that learning to navigate a canoe without constant oversight was part of the adventure.
2. Archery with Minimal Supervision
Archery was a summer camp staple, and while it was meant to teach skill and focus, many kids saw it as a chance to channel their inner Robin Hood. Back then, instruction was brief, and once kids got their hands on a bow, they were free to fire arrows at straw targets—sometimes with questionable aim. Occasionally, an arrow would stray a little too far, but that was all part of the experience. Archery went through quite the process to earn an official place at camp, as detailed in Camp Foley.
Today, archery ranges at camps have much stricter rules, smaller class sizes, and counselors watching every move. Protective gear is often required, and some camps have phased out archery altogether. It’s understandable, but for those who grew up with it, there was nothing quite like the thrill of nocking an arrow and letting it fly.
3. Swimming in the Lake Without Lifeguards on Duty
There was a time when kids at summer camp could run straight from their cabins and jump into the lake without waiting for an official swimming period. If a counselor was nearby, great—if not, kids figured they’d be fine as long as they stuck together. Some camps even had floating docks out in the deep water, daring campers to swim out and prove their strength. Swimming in a unique lake for each unique summer camp also gives campers some unique history to learn, as outlined in Camp Champions.
Nowadays, lake swimming comes with designated times, strict buddy systems, lifeguards in towers, and even ropes marking off “safe zones.” While it’s reassuring that drowning risks have been reduced, the carefree feeling of running straight into the water without permission is something today’s campers will never know.
4. Trust Falls and Other Questionable Team-Building Stunts
Team-building activities like trust falls were once a common sight at summer camps. One camper would stand on a platform or picnic table, close their eyes, and fall backward into the arms of their cabinmates. It was meant to build confidence and camaraderie, but if your group wasn’t paying attention, you were in for a painful landing.
Modern camps have largely phased out trust falls and other risky stunts in favor of safer bonding activities. Liability concerns and the very real possibility of injury have made counselors rethink how to build trust among campers. But for those who participated, the rush of falling backward and hoping your friends caught you was a summer camp rite of passage.
5. Capture the Flag… in the Dark
Playing Capture the Flag in broad daylight was exciting, but doing it at night took the game to a whole new level. With flashlights turned off and only the moon for guidance, campers ran through the woods, dodging tree roots and diving into bushes to avoid getting caught. It was thrilling, chaotic, and occasionally resulted in a few scrapes and bruises.
Today, camps rarely allow night games like this due to safety concerns about tripping hazards, getting lost, or—heaven forbid—running into a tree. While safer alternatives exist, nothing can quite match the excitement of hiding in the shadows, heart pounding, as you planned your next move under the cover of darkness.
6. Cooking Over an Open Fire Without Modern Precautions
Campfire cooking used to be a true test of skill—whether roasting hot dogs, making s’mores, or wrapping meals in foil and tossing them straight into the flames. There were no fancy fire-resistant gloves or carefully measured roasting sticks—just kids leaning in close to the fire, hoping their marshmallow didn’t catch on fire (or secretly enjoying it when it did).
These days, open-fire cooking is much more controlled, with strict rules on how close kids can get and plenty of adult supervision. Some camps even use designated “safety-approved” fire pits, taking away the rustic feel of building and managing a fire from scratch. While it makes sense from a safety perspective, the old-school way of doing it felt like a survival adventure.
7. Making Rafts Out of Whatever You Could Find
A popular summer camp challenge used to involve gathering logs, ropes, and anything else available to build a makeshift raft. Once assembled, campers would hop on and test their creation in the lake, hoping it floated long enough to prove their engineering skills. More often than not, these rafts fell apart, leaving kids scrambling to swim back to shore.
Today, camps are much more cautious about letting kids construct watercraft without proper supervision. DIY raft-building has mostly been replaced with structured boat-building activities or paddleboarding lessons. While safer, it’s missing the hilarious and occasionally disastrous thrill of seeing if your homemade vessel would actually hold together.
8. BB Gun or Slingshot Target Practice
Shooting BB guns and slingshots at summer camp was once considered a fun way to practice aim and patience. Kids lined up to take turns knocking over tin cans, and while safety rules were in place, enforcement was often pretty relaxed. A few stray shots and minor bruises were just part of the experience.
Nowadays, many camps have eliminated BB guns and slingshots altogether due to liability concerns. Instead, kids get safer alternatives like foam dart guns or archery with rubber-tipped arrows. While it’s definitely a smarter choice for safety, some old-school campers might argue that it just doesn’t feel the same.
9. Rock Climbing Without a Harness
Summer camps often had natural rock formations that kids were encouraged to climb. There were no ropes, harnesses, or padded landing zones—just kids scrambling up rocks, trusting their grip and balance. Counselors might stand at the bottom and offer advice, but beyond that, it was up to you to figure it out.
Today, climbing is done with proper gear, artificial walls, and strict safety measures. While these modern setups are great for reducing injury, they lack the thrill of real rock climbing, where every move mattered.
10. Swimming Across the Lake Just to Prove You Could
At many camps, the ultimate test of endurance was the lake swim—a long-distance swim across the camp’s biggest body of water, often done in the early morning before breakfast. There were no lifeguards stationed every few feet, just a canoe following behind to pick up anyone who couldn’t make it.
Camps today have largely abandoned this tradition due to safety concerns, replacing it with structured swim tests in controlled areas. While it makes sense, the lake swim was once a defining moment for many campers, proving they had what it took to conquer the water.
11. Building and Sleeping in Your Own Wilderness Shelter
Back when summer camps emphasized outdoor survival skills, campers were often challenged to build their own shelters using branches, leaves, and whatever else they could find. Some camps even let kids sleep in these makeshift huts overnight, braving the elements just to prove they could. If it rained or bugs invaded, well, that was just part of the experience.
Today, most camps wouldn’t dream of letting kids sleep in a pile of sticks without modern camping gear. Concerns over safety, wildlife, and liability have replaced the old “tough it out” mentality with supervised tent camping. While safer, it lacks the raw adventure of testing your own survival skills in the wild.
12. Swinging on a Rope Over the Lake (and Letting Go at the Perfect Moment)
Many summer camps had an old rope swing tied to a sturdy tree branch, where kids could grab on, swing out over the water, and drop in at just the right moment. Timing was everything—let go too early, and you landed in the shallows; hold on too long, and you risked smacking back into the shoreline. It was equal parts exhilarating and nerve-wracking.
These days, rope swings have disappeared from most camps due to safety concerns. With the potential for falls, tangled ropes, and awkward landings, many camps decided the risk wasn’t worth it. But for those who grew up timing their release just right, nothing compared to the thrill of that mid-air moment before splashing down.
Summer camp used to be about adventure, risk, and learning resilience through trial and error. While modern camps prioritize safety—and rightfully so—some of the most memorable experiences from the past have disappeared. For those who grew up in an era of trust falls, nighttime Capture the Flag, and canoeing without a life jacket, those wild summers will never be forgotten.
