Camp songs are the perfect way to build spirit, let loose, and create many fond memories of camp for years to come.
Select from the categories below for hundreds of fun songs – most can be sung loudly and off-key. We’ve also listed our favorite songs of all time for each category as well. Enjoy!
Check out all the distinct types of songs on Ultimate Camp Resource. You can click the link to take you to all the songs neatly organized in that category OR check out our list of our Top 30 Camp Songs below.
Camp Songs for Grace
Adam’s Family Grace
(To the tune of The Adams Family)
na na na nah (snap fingers twice)
na na na nah (snap fingers twice)
na na na nah (sing three times)
(then snap fingers twice)
We’ve filled our plates and dishes
With food that is delicious/nutritious
And all that we wish is
To thank you very much
na na na nah (snap fingers twice)
na na na nah (snap fingers twice)
na na na nah (sing three times)
(then snap fingers twice)
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Eat, Eat, Eat your meal
Sung to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat.
Eat, eat, eat your meal
The less you talk
The better you will feel
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God is Great!
(Tune of “Rock Around the Clock”)
God is great, God is good
And we’re gonna thank Him for our food
We’re gonna thank Him morning, noon, and night
We’re gonna thank you, Lord, You’re otta sight!
Amen! Ch ch ch ch ch, ch, ch
Amen! Ch ch ch ch ch, ch, ch
AMEN!
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Repeat After Me Songs
Great Big Moose
Check out this video to learn the rhythm.
There Was a Great Big Moose Lyrics! This is one of the most popular repeat-after-me song lyrics on the site! The leader sings (or shouts) the lyrics and the crowd responds.
There was a great big moose!
He liked to drink a lot of juice.
There was a great big moose!
He liked to drink a lot of juice.
Singin’ oh way oh
Way, oh way oh way oh way oh
Way oh way oh
Way oh way oh way oh way oh
The moose’s name was Fred.
He liked to drink his juice in bed.
The moose’s name was Fred.
He liked to drink his juice in bed.
Singin’ oh way oh
Way oh way oh way oh way oh
Way oh way oh
Way oh way oh way oh way oh
He drank his juice with care,
but he spilled some in his hair.
He drank his juice with care,
but he spilled some in his hair.
Singin’ oh way oh
Way oh way oh way oh way oh
Way oh way oh
Way oh way oh way oh way oh
Now he’s a sticky moose
Because he’s all covered in juice!
Singin’ oh way oh
Way oh way oh way oh way oh
Way oh way oh
Way oh way oh way oh way oh
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Bill Grogan’s Goat
Bill Grogans Goat
Was feeling fine
Ate three red shirts
Right off the line
Bill took a stick
Gave him a whack
And tied him too
The railroad track
The whistle blew
The train grew nye
Bill Grogans Goat
Was doomed to die
He gave three groans
Of awwwwfuuuuuuuul pain
Coughed up the shirts
And flagged the train
But one of those shirts
Got caught in his throat
And that was the end
Of Bill Grogans Goat
A very fun repeat-after-me style song! And it’s customizable!
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Boom Chicka Boom!
A fun energetic song that is infinitely customizable!
I said a BOOM chicka-boom (echo)
I said a boom CHICKA boom (echo)
I said a boom chicka-rocka, chicka-rocka, chicka-boom! (echo)
Oh yeah (echo)
Uh huh (echo)
One more time (echo)
___________ style (echo)
Different styles: Loud, Whisper, Southern, Valley Girl, Opera, Attitude, British, Rocket, Harley, Janitorial, Teacher. The leader acts out different styles for each new verse. Loud style is shouted, whisper style is whispered, Southern style uses accent, etc.
Then you insert a “style” that follows the same pattern. Here are some examples:
Astronaut Style:
Zoom-chicka-zoom
I said a zoom-chicka-zoom
I said a zoom-in-a-rocket-in-a-rocket-to-the-moon!
Janitor Style:
Broom-chicka-broom
I said a broom-chicka-broom
I said a broom-sweep-a-mop-a-sweep-a-mop-a-sweep-a-broom!
Home-sick Style:
Spoon-chicken-soup
I said a-spoon-chicken-soup
I said a-spoon-chicken-noodle-chicken-noodle-chicken-soup!
Appropriate hand gestures can be added to any of these. I’ve also seen people do exaggerated accents, such as “Gospel Style” where one might say “boom-chicka-rocka-chicka-Hallelujah!-boom” in a very dramatically “gospel” way.
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From Coast to Coast
Here’s a link to learn the rhythm.
From coast to coast, (Repeat)
Camp ______is the most. (Repeat)
From Coast to coast (Repeat)
Camp ______is the most. (Repeat)
Na, na-na-na, na (Repeat)
Na, na-na-na-na-na (Repeat)
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na (Repeat)
Na, na-na-na, na (Repeat)
Follow same pattern with the following starting lines:
From East to West, Camp ______ is the best
From State to state, Camp ______ is really great
From City to City, Camp ______ is really pretty
From Town to town, Camp ______ is getting down
Feel free to make up your own!
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Classic Camp Songs
Herman the Worm
Chorus: (say a line let them repeat the line)
As I was sittin’, on my fence post chewin’ my bubble gum
(Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!) (like a chewing sound)
Playin’ my yo-yo,
(Doo Whop! Doo Whop!)
Along came Herman the worm
And he was this big (hold hands barely apart)
So I said: “Herman, how’d you get like that?!?”
And Herman said…
Duh… I ate a bug! (Chorus)
Duh… I ate a snake (Chorus)
Duh… I ate a rabbit (Chorus)
Duh… I ate a dog (Chorus)
Duh… I ate a cow (Chorus)
Duh… I burped!
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Bear Song
Here’s a link to make it easier to learn
The other day (echo)
I met a bear (echo)
Out in the woods (echo)
A-way out there(echo)
Altogether:
The other day I met a bear,
out in the woods a-way out there.
(Continue in a similar manner)
He said to me (echo)
Why don’t you run? (echo)
I see you ain’t (echo)
Got any gun (echo)
Altogether:
He said to me why don’t you run?
I see you ain’t got any gun
(Next verse)
And so I ran (echo)
Away from there (echo)
But right behind (echo)
Me was that bear (echo)
Altogether:
And so I ran away from there
But right behind me was that bear
Next verse:
Ahead of me (echo)
I saw a tree (echo)
A great big tree (echo)
Oh glory be (echo)
Altogether:
Ahead of me I saw a tree
A great big tree, Oh, glory be (echo)
Next verse:
The nearest branch (echo)
Was 10 feet up (echo)
I’d have to jump (echo)
And trust my luck (echo)
Altogether:
The nearest branch was 10 feet up
I’d have to jump and trust my luck
Next verse:
And so I jumped (echo)
Into the air (echo)
But I missed that branch (echo)
Away up there (echo)
Altogether:
And so I jumpedInto the air
But I missed that branch away up there
Next verse:
Now don’t you fret (echo)
Now don’t you frown (echo)
Cause I caught that branch (echo)
On the way back down (echo)
Altogether:
Now don’t you fret,now don’t you frown
Cause I caught that branch,on the way back down
Next verse:
The moral of (echo)
This story is (echo)
Don’t talk to bears (echo)
In tennis shoes (echo)
Altogether:
The moral of this story is
Don’t talk to bears in tennis shoes
Next verse:
That’s all there is (echo)
There ain’t no more (echo)
So what the heck (echo)
You singing for? (echo)
Altogether:
That’s all there is, there ain’t no more (echo)
So what the heck, you singing for? (echo)
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Mrs O’Leary (or Chicago Fire) Song
Here’s a quick link to make it easier to learn
Late last night while we were all in bed (mime sleeping on hands)
Miss O’Leary put a lantern in her shed (mime hanging a lantern on a nail)
and when the cow kicked it over (mime kicking),
She winked her eye and said (wink eye dramatically)
“It’s gonna be a hot one, in the old town, tonight.” (mime fanning yourself from the heat)
FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! (throw hands in the air with each “Fire”)
The song continues with a different motion being left out each verse until the songs is sung with only motions.
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My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
Rise or stand on each word that starts with the letter B
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
My Bonnie lies over the sea
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
So bring back my Bonnie to me
Bring back, Bring back
Bring back my Bonnie to me, to me
Bring back, Bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me
Repeat faster and faster until it’s impossible 🙂
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Sentimental Camp Songs
Cannibal King
Oh the cannibal king with the big nose ring
Fell in love with the dusky maid
And every night by the pale moonlight
Across the bay he came.
He hugged and kissed his pretty little miss
Under the bamboo tree
And every night by the pale moonlight
Sounds like this to me
A rump kiss kiss
A rump kiss kiss
A rump body oddy-ay
A rump kiss kiss
A rump kiss kiss
A rump body oddy-ay
The years went by like one, two, three
And soon they had a family
And every night by the pale moonlight
Sounds like this to me
A rump Ma Ma
A rump Pa Pa
A rump body oddy a
A rump Ma Ma
A rump Pa Pa
A rump body oddy a
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Dem Bones Gonna Rise Again
Leader signs verse, campers respond with DEM BONES GONNA RISE AGAIN… All sing chorus
Chorus:
I know it brother, brother,
Indeed, I know it brother, I know it, HEY!
Dem bones gonna rise again…
The lord he thought he’d make a man.
DEM BONES GONNA RISE AGAIN!
So he made Adam cordin’ to a plan.
DEM BONES GONNA RISE AGAIN!
Chorus
Thought he’d make a woman too.
The Lord didn’t know just what to do.
Took a rib from Adam’s side.
For to make Miss Eve, his bride.
Chorus
Put ’em in a garden wide and fair.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Told ’em to eat what they found there.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Chorus
Peaches, pears, plums and such.
Dem bones gonna rise again
But the apple tree you better not touch.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Repeat chorus
One day Miss Eve was walking around
Dem bones gonna rise again. Spied that tree all loaded down.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Chorus
Serpent crawling around that trunk.
Dem bones gonna rise again
At miss Eve, his eye he wunk.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Chorus
Eve, she just took a little pull.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Then she filled her fig leaf full.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Chorus
Adam, he just took a little bite.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Said um’um woman that sure am nice.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Chorus
One day the Lord was walking around.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Spied them peels all over the ground.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Chorus
The Lord cried out in his mighty voice.
Dem bones gonna rise again
That shook the heavens to the joists.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Chorus
Cried, Adam, Adam, Where art though?
Dem bones gonna rise again
Here I is Lord, I’s comin’ now.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Chorus
Adam, Adam, did you eat these?
Dem bones gonna rise again
No Lord, I ‘spect it was Eve.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Chorus
Then the Lord rose up in his might wrath,
Dem bones gonna rise again
Said ya’ll just beat it down the path.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Chorus
Put an angel at the door.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Said ya’ll don’t come ’round here no more.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Chorus
Eve took the needle, Adam took the plow.
Dem bones gonna rise again
That’s why we’re all working now.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Chorus
To this tale there ain’t no more.
Dem bones gonna rise again
Eve got the Apple, and Adam got the core.
Dem bones gonna rise again
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The Linger Song
Mm Mm, I’d like to linger here
Mm Mm, A little longer here
Mm Mm A little longer here with you
Mm Mm, It’s such a special night
Mm Mm, It doesn’t seem quite right
Mm Mm, That it should be my last with you
Mm Mm, And when the winter comes
Mm Mm, I’ll think of you and sigh
Mm Mm, This was good night and not good bye
Mm Mm
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Funny Camp Songs
Baby Bumblebee
I’m bring home my baby bumble bee (mime holding something in hands)
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me
I’m bring home my baby bumble bee
Ouch! It stung me!
I’m smashing up my baby bumble bee (mime squishing something between hands)
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me
I’m smashing up my baby bumble bee
Ugh! What a mess!
I’m licking up my baby bumble bee (mime licking hands)
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me
I’m licking up my baby bumble bee
Eww! I feel sick!
I’m puking up my baby bumble bee (mime throwing up)
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me
I’m puking up my baby bumble bee
Yuck! What a mess!
I’m sweeping up my baby bumble bee (mime sweeping)
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me
I’m sweeping up my baby bumble bee
Well, I won’t do that again!
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Go Bananas
Have someone play a funky tune on a guitar or some instrument, or it can be done with no music. Start out with singing
Peel banana, peel peel banana
Peel banana, peel peel banana
(while your arms are above your head in a 12 oclock position and peeling down slowly with one arm peeling down clockwise on the first ‘peel banana, peel peel banana’. Then do the same other arm on the second verse. )
Then sing (while your hands are doing a kind of karate chop motion)
Chop banana, chop chop banana
Chop banana, chop chop banana
Next sing (while your hands make a smashing motion)
Smash banana, smash smash banana
Smash banana, smash smash banana
Next sing (while miming eating with a spoon or fork)
Eat banana, eat eat banana
Eat banana, eat eat banana
Finally, (REALLY LOUD AND DRAMATIC)
Go bananas, go go bananas
Go bananas, go go bananas
The best way for this to work is start out low and slow and get faster and louder with each time you go through it, but always yell the “Go Bananas” verse
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Hawaiian Punch
Sung to the tune of the Brady Bunch – here’s a video to make it easy to learn.
Here’s the story of a dole banana.
Who was raising three very lovely fruits.
Each of them had peels of gold.
The youngest one was green
Here’s the story of a ripe papaya.
Who was busy with three fruits of its own.
There were four fruits living in the same tree,
But they were all alone
Until one day when Banana met Papaya,
And they knew that they were much more than a bunch.
Yes, this crew would somehow form a fruit drink.
That’s the way they all became Hawaiian Punch!
Hawaiian Punch, Hawaiian Punch!
That’s the way they became Hawaiian Punch!
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Songs in a Round
Second Story Window
The window, the window
The second-story window
If you don’t know a nursery rhyme
We’ll throw you out the window!
Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow (The second group starts singing the verse starting with “the window, the window)
And every where that Mary went –
She threw it out the window!
The window, the window…
(Repeat with other nursery rhymes until you run out! You can also divide your singing group into teams and sing this song as a competition.)
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Zulu Warrior
Group 1: I come a zumba zumba zy
Group 2: I come a zumba zumba zee
Group 3: I come a zumba zumba zy
Group 4: I come a zumba zumba zee
All together:
See him there
The Zulu warrior
See him there
The Zulu
Chief! Chief! Chief! (Group 2 starts singing)
See him there
The Zulu Warrior
See him there
The Zulu
Chief! Chief! Chief! (Group 3 starts singing)
See him there
The Zulu Warrior
See him there
The Zulu
Chief! Chief! Chief! (Group 4 starts singing)
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Black Socks
Here is a video to make it easier to learn
Black socks they never get dirty
The longer you wear them the blacker the get
Some day I think I shall wash them
But something keeps telling me don’t do it yet
Not yet, not yet, not yet, not yet
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Camp Songs with Motions
Tarzan
Here’s a video link to help learn it!
Leader: Tarzan (beat chest and shout in manly voice)
Group: Tarzan
Leader: Swingin’ on a rubber band (swing)
Group: Swingin’ on a rubber band
Leader: Tarzan (beat chest and shout in manly voice)
Group: Tarzan
Leader: Got hit by a frying pan (makes a smacking motion)
Group: Got hit by a frying pan
Leader: Ouch that hurts
Group: Ouch that hurts
Leader: Now Tarzan has a tan (slide back of hands on arms)
Group: Now Tarzan has a tan
Leader: And I hope it don’t peel
Group: And I hope it don’t peel
Leader: Like a banana (arms up and open like a banana)
Group: Like a banana
Leader: Jane (girly voice)
Group: Jane
Leader: Speeding on her bullet train
Group: Speeding on her bullet train
Leader: Jane (girly voice)
Group: Jane
Leader: Got hit by an arrow-plane
Group: Got hit by an arrow-plane
Leader: Ouch that hurts
Group: Ouch that hurts
Leader: Now Jane has a pain (hold side)
Group: Now Jane has a pain
Leader: And Tarzan has a tan (slide back of hands on arms)
Group: And Tarzan has a tan
Leader: And I hope it don’t peel
Group: And I hope it don’t peel
Leader: Like a banana (arms up and open like a banana)
Group: Like a banana
Leader: Cheetah (Low raspy voice show muscle)
Group: Cheetah
Leader: Booping to da beat-a (make fists and bring arms in a circle in front of you)
Group: Booping to da beat-a
Leader: Cheetah
Group: Cheetah
Leader: Got eaten by an amoeba
Group: Got eaten by an amoeba
Leader: Now Cheetah is velveeta
Group: Now Cheetah is velveeta
Leader: And Jane has a pain (hold side)
Group: And Jane has a pain
Leader: And Tarzan has a tan (slide back of hands on arms)
Group: And Tarzan has a tan
Leader: And I hope it don’t peel
Group: And I hope it don’t peel
Leader: Like- a- bananaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Group: LIKE A BA-NAN-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Like a banana
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The Buffalo Song
Here’s a link to watch it in action
Start with hands across your body on one side
Across the windswept desert – swing hands to other side
Where nature knows no man – bow down to invisible master
A buffalo (make horns with hands on side of head) and his brother (make horns on front and back of head)
Were lying in the sand (make sleeping on hands motion)
Said the buffalo (make horns with hands on side of head) to his brother (make horns on front and back of head)
“Why do you lie that way?” (make sleeping on hands motion)
But the brother (make horns on front and back of head) did not answer
Because he’s been dead since May (make choking sign or dramatic eye rolls)
Since… way… last… Maaay… (dramatic gestures)
Motions
Windswept Desserts – Sweep hands from up high on left to right.
Buffalo-hold hands on side of head (like antlers).
Brother-Hold hands on front and back of head
You can make up the rest of the motions for each line- be creative.
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The Buffalo and his Butter Song (a fun follow up to the Buffalo Song)
Across the cold damp refrigerator (Make a rectangle in the air.)
Where coleslaw knows no man (Pretend to be stirring a bowl)
Lived a buffalo and his butter (Mime spreading butter)
Lying in some spam (mime sleeping on hands)
Said the buffalo (hands to side of head) to his butter (mime spreading butter)
Why do you lie that way? (Mime sleeping on hands)
But the butter (Mime spreading butter) did not answer
Cause it was not Parkay (use hands to mime mouth talking – think butter tub lid being flapped open and closed.)
It’s… Not… Par…Kay!!!!!
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How to Lead Camp Songs
- Enthusiasm. Our favorite expression is “Enthusiasm can’t be taught, it has to be caught!” Get into it!
- Pick a song or two that become “your song.” Every successful camp have camp counselors who are known for “their song.” Most importantly, let other staff have “their song,” to spread the enthusiasm.
- Repeat-o style songs are great to teach campers and families new songs because the sing them in shorter verses, usually one line at a time. Many kids are nervous about making a mistake, so this style of song makes it easy for everyone.
- Consider holding up signs or props for more complicated songs. This is a great way to engage your group if your are responsible for leading a song. From Green Grass Growing… “There’s a egg in the nest (hold up a egg), a nest on the twig (hold up twig), twig on the branch (hold up a larger branch), etc, etc.”
- Not everyone has a great singing voice, but everyone can chant or shout. Try songs, such as Little Red Wagon, that repeat the verse, but get louder or quieter songs during the song.
- If you are having trouble getting kids to sing, consider making songs part of your spirit week (Color Wars/Color Games, etc) and awarding points for “Most Enthusiastic” or “Loudest Group.” You will be surprised who will sing for points to win the trophy!
Can’t find the song you’re looking for? The links below will take you to tons of other great resources.
