Why Spikeball belongs in every summer camp’s programming
Any leader who has spent time around a playground, beach, or park has likely seen a circle of kids gathered around a small, trampoline-like net. The players dive, laugh, and slap a small ball down with remarkable energy. The activity is Spikeball, and it’s more than a trendy game. It’s perfect for camps and recreation departments in search of fun games that blend fitness and social engagement.
At summer camps and in youth groups across the country, Spikeball has become a go-to game for structured tournaments and spontaneous free play. Described as “if volleyball and foursquare had a baby,” this 2-on-2 game only requires a Spikeball net, a ball, and four players (two teams of two). Players start by serving the ball down onto the net so that it ricochets up at their opponent. Similar to volleyball, the returning team then has up to three hits (think bump, set, spike) to return the ball onto the net. The rally continues until a team fails to return the ball onto the net within its three touches.
Spikeball engages kids of all skill levels, requires minimal setup, and can be played nearly anywhere. But beyond its appeal to campers, it also delivers measurable benefits for physical development, community building, and camper-counselor connection—making it a smart investment for any program looking to offer healthy, high-energy play.
Why Spikeball Works For Camps and Recreation Programs
1. A Fitness-Forward Game With Real Athletic Payoffs
Spikeball isn’t only fun. It’s functionally rich. Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Matthew Guffey, who owns Victory Submission Strength in San Jose, Calif., and has a deep background in training high-level athletes, frequently uses Spikeball in his programming. “You can use Spikeball to get kids moving, thinking, and reacting—all without them realizing they’re training,” he says.
The infinite potential for variables within a single game forces players to respond quickly and precisely, building brain-body connections that support well-rounded athletic development. “There’s an element of proprioception—where your body is in space. Then there’s agility, where you’re reacting to variable dynamics. And finally, there’s hand-eye coordination. Your brain is constantly figuring things out on the fly,” Guffey says. He adds that it’s one of the few games that provides these benefits without feeling like structured exercise.
“The biggest thing is just it’s fun,” Guffey says. “And the more fun something is, the more likely people are to adhere to it. And the more people are likely to adhere to it, the better results you get.”
Spikeball is what coaches and trainers refer to as a donor sport—an activity that develops physical attributes transferable to other sports. The basic idea is that the best athletes are well-rounded. They don’t specialize in only one sport. It’s a good guide for athletes, but also for general fitness. Individuals should find ways to train their bodies to move in a variety of ways. Guffey, who previously trained athletes at USA Hockey, says Spikeball reinforces agility, reaction time, and spatial awareness in a dynamic, unstructured way that builds real-world athletic instincts.
2. A Camp Favorite That Draws A Crowd And Builds Community
At Silver Birch Ranch in Wisconsin, Spikeball tournaments are more than recreational events. They’re weekly rituals.
“It’s a big part of our week for sure,” says Silver Birch Ranch Program Manager Kole Bogdonovich. “At lunchtime, campers can sign up for dodgeball or Spikeball. And we’ll always have a big crowd for Spikeball.”
The tournaments are camper-led and highly visible: sign-up sheets are posted in the dining hall, brackets are made by the program staff, and winners are announced during chapel. “Whoever wins gets a little prize, some points they can use for rewards later in the week,” Bogdonovich says. “It’s nice to have Spikeball as one of those tournaments every week because it’s always a big hit.”
But the appeal goes far beyond gameplay. Spikeball creates a social space that helps campers and counselors build real, organic relationships. “It’s not even the athleticism part of Spikeball that really is the biggest plus side of it,” says Bogdonovich. “It’s just the fact that you’re all gathering—whether you’re actually playing at the net or just watching your friends or church friends play.”
That casual, magnetic atmosphere fosters meaningful social moments. “You can just have real conversation, cheer people on, be an encouragement,” he says. “That’s the big draw.”
And in faith-based camps or youth ministries, where much of the programming is spiritually focused, Spikeball offers something unique: a non-spiritualized social activity that still promotes connection. “A big thing is you don’t have to over-spiritualize everything,” Bogdonovich says. “There are other things, like athletics, that can bring people together. Spikeball does that in a very natural way.”
3. Easy To Set Up, Easy To Start
One of Spikeball’s strongest selling points is its portability. A full set fits in a backpack and weighs under three pounds. It can be played on grass, sand, pavement, or even indoors with minimal adjustments. Camps don’t need a dedicated court or permanent structure—just open space and willing players.
This flexibility makes it ideal for both planned and impromptu programming. Whether it’s a rainy-day rec hall session or an all-camp tournament on the lawn, Spikeball adapts to the moment. And as Bogdonovich’s team has discovered, the game thrives when it’s simply available for campers to find. “We always have it out,” he says. “Campers pick it up and start playing without needing us to organize anything.”
How To Add Spikeball To A Program
The following are five practical ways camp and recreation leaders can incorporate Spikeball into their programming lineup:
1. Launch With A Camp-Wide Demo
At the start of a session or season, organize a Spikeball demonstration to get everyone acquainted. Have staff model the game during a campfire event or opening rec block. Keep the rules light, highlight the fun, and encourage every camper to try it.
Pro Tip: Appoint a few counselors as “Spikeball Ambassadors” for the first week to lead games, explain the rules, and help new players feel welcome.
2. Run Weekly Tournaments (Big Or Small)
Structured Spikeball tournaments give campers something to look forward to. A simple bracket can make for an energetic afternoon. Larger camps can scale up with semifinals, team uniforms, or even camp-wide championships.
Create themes to keep it fun: “Sunset Spike-Off,” “Backwards Hat Bracket,” or “Glow-in-the-Dark Games” (using SpikeBrite LED rims and glow-in-the-dark balls).
3. Use It For Cabin Vs. Cabin Or Color War Events
Spikeball is perfect for head-to-head competitions during cabin challenges or color wars. Matches can be played relay-style with rotating teammates or as mini-tournaments within the larger event.
For younger campers or less competitive groups, simplify the rules or focus on cooperative play to encourage participation without pressure.
4. Let It Live In Free-Play Zones
Spikeball shines when it’s accessible. Keep a few sets available in common areas—near the rec field, outside the dining hall, or by the waterfront. Leaders will often see kids organize their own matches, rotate through players, and even invite younger campers in. This informal play builds leadership, inclusivity, and creativity.
5. Integrate Into Athletic Training Blocks
For sports camps or rec departments with athletic programming, consider using Spikeball as part of warm-ups or skill-building stations. Guffey advises using Spikeball in the following ways:
- In place of a dynamic warm-up, especially for groups that arrive all at once.
- As a transition game between cardio and technical drills.
Just a few minutes of Spikeball can boost engagement before more demanding activities.
Spikeball Builds Fun, Fitness, And Fellowship
In today’s camp and rec landscape, directors are constantly seeking activities that are active, inclusive, and low-barrier, but still fun enough to get kids off screens and into motion.
Spikeball hits the sweet spot.
It delivers serious fitness benefits without feeling like a workout, builds social cohesion, and it’s one of the few games kids choose to play on their own, again and again. It’s a ready-made recipe for camper enthusiasm, meaningful interaction, and moments of joy that don’t need a curriculum.
Whether leaders run a public rec program or a faith-based camp, Spikeball brings people together—and that’s the point.
