Some of the best times at a Christian camp are the times of singing. Whether you are singing around the campfire or in the middle of the day, Christian camp songs are always fun. Some are funny and some are serious, but they all are worth singing. Many times you won’t forget them after you learn them. Here are 10 of my favorite ones. They are in no particular order.
Little Red Wagon
The lyrics to this one are super easy and fun to sing. This song starts out in a whisper. By the time you are on the last verse, you are yelling at the top of your lungs. This is why kids love it so much. The lyrics are: “you can’t ride in my little red wagon. A wheel is broke and the axel’s saggin’. Chug…chug…chug, chug, chug. Next verse same as the first. A little bit louder and a whole lot worse!” This one is fun for any age group.
Oh, You Can’t Get To Heaven
This is another funny one to sing. It is an echo song. The parts in parenthesis are echoed after the preceding line. Here is part of the song.
“Oh, you can’t get to heaven (Oh, you can’t get to heaven), on roller skates (on roller skates), Oh, you can’t get to heaven (Oh, you can’t get to heaven) on roller skates. Oh, you can’t get to heaven on roller skates, cuz’ you’d roll right by those pearly gates. My sins are washed away. I’ve been redeemed.” This song has many verses to it and is a fun one to sing with the K-5th grade group.
The “my sins are washed away. I’ve been redeemed” section is an alternate way to sing the chorus. The original says, “I ain't gonna grieve my Lord no more.” Either way the song is fun to sing!
How Great Thou Art
This hymn is a must for every Christian camp. Singing this around the campfire and taking in the beauty of nature around you is a wonderful experience. This hymn has stood the test of time and I have a feeling we’ll be singing it far into eternity. Here is part of the lyrics.
“When through the woods and forest glades I wander, I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, my savior God to Thee, How great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my savior God to Thee, How great thou art! How great thou art!”
Amazing Grace
This is another hymn that is a must at Christian camps. After an in depth lesson to engage the hearts and minds of the campers, this song can be sung to really allow them to focus on how amazing God’s grace is! Here is part of the lyrics.
“T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed.”
Peace Like A River
This is a fun “action” song good for kids up to 5th grade. There are 4 verses and the 4th one is a collaboration of the first 3. Here is the 4th verse, so you can see all of the lines of the song together.
“I've got peace like a river. I've got love like an ocean. I've got joy like a fountain in my soul. I've got peace like a river. I've got love like an ocean. I've got joy like a fountain in my soul.”
The actions are really easy to see and learn. Here are the keywords and actions.
Peace – Make peace signs with both hands
River – Make a wavy motion with your arms
Love – Cross your arms over your chest
Ocean – Push your arms out in front of you like a tidal wave
Joy – Touch your thumbs to your cheeks and wiggle your fingers
Fountain – Raise your arms above your head and then move your hands down and out towards the floor
Soul – Touch the sole of your shoe
Do Lord, Remember Me
This is a song proclaiming heaven and asking Jesus to remember us when we get there. This is a good one for kids up to 5th grade. Here is part of the song.
“I've got a home in Gloryland that outshines the sun. I've got a home in Gloryland that outshines the sun. I've got a home in Gloryland that outshines the sun. Way beyond the blue.
Do Lord, oh do Lord, oh do remember me. Do Lord, oh do Lord, oh do remember me. Do Lord, oh do Lord, oh do remember me way beyond the blue.”
This Little Light Of Mine
This is a great song for the little children. The lyrics are simple to learn and the kids love to sing it. Here is part of the song.
“This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”
Awesome God
This is a great campfire song to let everyone sing loud to our Father! The lyrics are easy to learn. Most people sing the chorus only at Christian camps so this is the lyrics I am posting for you.
“Our God is an awesome God. He reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love. Our God is an awesome God.”
"The Truth" Luke 9:23-24 And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
Shine Jesus Shine
This is a fun and joyous song to sing to Jesus. I always enjoyed singing this one at camp. Here is part of the song.
“Shine Jesus shine. Fill this land with the Father's glory. Blaze Spirit blaze. Set our hearts on fire. Flow river flow. Flood the nations with grace and mercy. Send forth Your word, Lord and let there be light.”
Pharaoh Pharaoh
This is a fun song to sing for kids up to 5th grade. It speaks a valuable lesson about listening to God. Here is part of the song.
“Well me and my people goin' to the Red Sea with Pharaoh's best army comin' after me. I took my staff, stuck it in the stand, and all of God's people walked on dry land.
Singin...
Pharaoh, Pharaoh, whoa baby, let my people go! (2x)”
Conclusion
These are 10 of my all-time favorite Christian camp songs! Some are silly. Some are serious. But, they all are enjoyable to sing. What are some of your favorite Christian Camp songs? Feel free to comment below. God bless!
Resources- The Holy Bible, English Standard Version“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”, www.youtube.com,photo credit: The-Lane-Team via photopin cc