Last school year, in epic fashion, I was moved to a new grade level because several teachers left after the beginning of the school year. I moved classrooms and took over the previous teacher’s room, including their classroom decor, a space themed classroom. I didn’t have time to completely change everything. So I did my best to make the current theme work and make it my own. But, I dreamed of what my classroom would look like this year. After some searching, I landed on a theme I thought my students and I would love, a simple camping theme classroom.
*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
Camping Theme Ideas for the Classroom
I welcomed my happy campers with a simple door decor that says “Welcome.” This banner will stay up throughout the year. You can also add your grade level if you like or you can personalize it to say “Welcome Campers.” I added each student’s name to a tent to help them feel like they are part of a classroom community right when they step through the door.
Camp Out with a Good Book
What’s a camping theme classroom without a book corner straight out of the wilderness?! My students use this space every day during Read to Self and LOVE it! I labeled my books by genre and author’s last name. This is similar to how our local and school libraries organize their books. Series books that I have a lot of go in a bin with editable labels I made to make them easier to find.
The classroom library labels are from Molly Maloy. They really help me and my students to keep the space organized.
I included the list of the genres included with the labels in a frame on the shelf, along with the definitions of each genre on a ring. My shelf is magnetic, so I attached a magnetic hook to the side of the shelf to hang these on. Students can flip through them while they are book shopping after morning work to explore new genres.
Star Curtain Lights (if you want to add more above the tapestry)
The bench is from Wayfair. I purchased it years ago for my home to store shoes in. We didn’t really use it that often so I brought it to school to use in this space.
Each student has a book box to place their books they are currently reading in. I purchased these from Dollar Tree.
Focus Wall and Anchor Charts
The front of the room next to the right side of the whiteboard is where my reading focus board is. It will have an anchor chart for the current skill we are learning, along with weekly vocabulary in a pocket chart and the learning standard.
Blue and White Tissue Paper Flowers
I hole-punched the month, day, and year cards and hung them from binder rings on a magnetic curtain rod above my daily schedule. The magnetic rod was purchased from Walmart.
Dark Wood Straight Border (can also be found on the Teacher Created website here).
Shiplap Fadeless Bulletin Board Paper from Michaels
White Wood Better than Paper Bulletin Board Roll (alternative paper you could use instead)
Galvanized Metal Dry Erase Holder
Retro Dry Erase Eraser (3 Pack)
This is one of my classroom jobs, to clean the whiteboard at the end of the day and change the date.
I get asked about the star string lights around my whiteboard often. My students love them! I hung them up with mini light clips. Then, I set them to slow fade (option 6) and the glow is perfect. One you have chosen a setting, your electrician (another student job I have) can turn the lights on and off each day with the remote. Definitely one of my favorite purchases I have made to help make my classroom feel warm and inviting!
Command Clear Mini Light Clips
Camping Meet the Teacher
Now that most of my classroom is done, I am ready to meet my new students. We will add all of the little details throughout the year to make this classroom ours, and I can’t wait! Here is how I am greeting my students this school year.
Camping Meet the Teacher Letter, Supply List, and Gift Tags
I hope you enjoyed my camping theme classroom!
Here are some quick links to my camping theme classroom decor items:
Here are a few related posts you may want to check out:
Mrs. Copeland is an experienced elementary teacher in early childhood and has been teaching for 10+ years. Read Ashley’s inspiring story, “
