Supplies:

• Trays (one for each CAMPer)
• Containers
• Toilet Paper Rolls OR Paper Plates + Egg Cartons
• String/ Twine OR Chopsticks/ Wooden Dowels
• Paint & brushes
• Colorful card stock
• Tissue paper squares (especially red/ orange/ yellow)
• Color markers
• Color duct tape
• Kids scissors
• Adhesive (tape, glue dots, etc.)
• Googly eyes, pom poms, stickers, gems, glitter, etc.

Prep/ Set Up Details:

1. Prep Dragon body materials as needed:
   • Cut pairs of 2 egg carton cups - trim the edge completely on some (about ⅓)  of them, and leave a top rim on the others
   • Cut paper plate spirals
   • Prep toilet paper rolls
     • Cut some (about ⅓) of the rolls in half
     • Create slits about ¾ of the way around the paper rolls (leaving a piece connected)
       • Cut 1 slit in the middle of some of the half rolls (leave ½ of the half-rolls intact)
       • Cut 3 slits in the full rolls
2. Cut fiery tissue colors into 4” squares
3. Cut 24” pieces of string/ twine
4. Prep a tray for each CAMPer with: Dragon body materials 
5. Organize all shared supplies in containers (e.g., paper, markers, gems, adhesives, etc.)
6. Prepare a few relevant fun facts or questions to enrich the activity discussion!some text
   • What stories do you know with a dragon in them?
   • What do you think your dragon might be named?

Preparing for younger CAMPers (ages 3-6):

• Pre-cut everything
• Opt for less messy options (e.g. stickers, glue dots, etc.)
  
  

Preparing for older CAMPers (ages 7+):

• Allow them to measure, cut components themselves
• Consider more sophisticated options (e.g. glitter, etc.)

Activity Instructions:

Counselor(s) prep (30 minutes before)

‍Doors open (5 minutes before)

Gather (right on time)

• When all CAMPers are seated, welcome everyone!
• Introduce yourself and any other Counselors assisting the activity
• Give CAMPers a brief overview of what to expect and show CAMPers a completed “demo” or what the final product of this craft can look like
• Briefly review the tools they’ll be using and highlight any tools/ techniques that require either (1) special care or (2) direct Counselor intervention
  • E.g. “Scissor edges can be sharp, so take care to always grab them by their handles and set them down gently every time!”

Icebreaker (5 minutes)

• We’re going to play "Nice to Meet Ya!"
• Instruct all CAMPers and Counselors to sit in a circle
• Go around the circle having each participant tell everyone their name and what their dragon name might be
• Counselors can go first to set an example for CAMPers 

Craft (25 minutes)

1. Paint your paper rolls or carton cups (2 with rim and 2 plain) and paper plate - allow them to dry completely
   
   
2. Put your dragon together:
   • Paper Rolls:
     • The two half-sized pieces are the tail and head - punch one hole under the head and tail
     • Cut a 3” piece of matching duct tape, halve it and snip about an inch off one piece. Layer the sticky sides together and use it to put the dragon body pieces together. 
     • Repeat with a smaller piece of duct tape to attach the head.
     • Insert chopstick or wooden dowels through the head/tail holes and secure in place (tape is recommended for this project)
       
   • Carton Cups:
     • Glue carton cups together to create a head (the ones with the extra trim will be the top and bottom of the mouth, and the third pair will be the eyes!)
     • Punch a hole between the dragon eyes and one near the tip of the tail
     • Double knot one end of a 24” pieces of string/ twine and thread it through the head. 
     • Repeat on the tail. Your strings can now animate your paper dragon!
       
3. Create eyes, eyebrows, and/ or nostrils with pom-poms and googly eyes
   
   
4. Bring the dragon to life with one or more of these ideas
   • Cut out paper wings and teeth - glue/ tape them onto your dragon
   • Layer fiery colors of tissue (diamond on square) and fluff the tissues into a couple of flames - glue the tip of the flames into the dragon's mouth
   • Use markers, stickers, etc. to add beautiful designs and sparkly scales

Play/ Perform (10 minutes)

• Instruct CAMPers to sit in a circle with their dragons - go around the room and have them make up a dragon voice and have the dragon puppet introduce themselves to the group - name, favorite color, and favorite snack! 
• Counselors can go first to help demonstrate.

Wrap-Up/ Goodbyes (5 minutes)

‍Reset/ Clean-Up (After - 10 minutes)

‍