Your Child's 7 Summer Camp Must-Haves
1.) Clothing and Accessories
This first category may seem obvious, but there's bound to be something you'll forget. First, make sure you pack more outfits than the number of days your child is supposed to be at camp. If you aren't sure whether or not there's a laundry service (probably not), your safest bet is to assume that they'll need a couple changes of clothes per day thanks to swimming, getting sweaty, getting dirty, and just being normal messy kids! Oh, and it's probably best to avoid packing anything valuable like accessories or jewelry that you wouldn't want to end up replacing.
THEY'LL NEED:
Your child's cleanliness while at camp depends largely on remembering to pack all the essentials. A pre-packed shower caddy and a resealable toiletry bag should do the trick.
STUFF THEM WITH:
Sending younger kids to camp with some of the comforts of home can really ease any first-night anxieties.
CONSIDER PACKING:
Ways to contact home are likely to be as high up on your list as it will be theirs. Even if they're having too much fun, they'll likely want to (or be encouraged to) send a postcard or make a quick phone call.
BE SURE TO PUT THE FOLLOWING IN A SPECIAL BAGGIE FOR THEM:
DON'T FORGET THESE ALL-IMPORTANT NECESSITIES:
For any downtime, your child won't want to be without an activity.
Try packing the following to keep them occupied, minimize boredom, and promote restful sleep. Double-check the camp's policies regarding electronics before including any devices just to be safe.
It's safe to assume your kid(s) will be fed and that the camp counselors will do a good job of getting them to eat. However, you should pack a canteen to make sure they've always got water with them, in addition to some Gatorade or other sports drink for consumption after excessive play. Packing non-perishable (non-crumbling) snacks may also be a good idea for those moments when your child get hunger pangs between meal times.
SNACKS SUCH AS...
And Last But Not Least...
Remember to mark and label everything! Using a Sharpie to emblazon your child's name/initials on the tags of all their clothing and toes of all their socks is a good way to make sure nothing goes missing for too long. The shower caddy, any Ziploc or resealable baggies, canteen, flashlight, backpack, and other objects should also somehow be labeled (masking tape works well).
Once you're all done packing and you're ready to drop your child off at camp, remember: chill out, try not to worry, and encourage them to have fun and enjoy!
This first category may seem obvious, but there's bound to be something you'll forget. First, make sure you pack more outfits than the number of days your child is supposed to be at camp. If you aren't sure whether or not there's a laundry service (probably not), your safest bet is to assume that they'll need a couple changes of clothes per day thanks to swimming, getting sweaty, getting dirty, and just being normal messy kids! Oh, and it's probably best to avoid packing anything valuable like accessories or jewelry that you wouldn't want to end up replacing.
THEY'LL NEED:
- A good pair of outdoor shoes (ones that have traction and that you don't mind getting dirty)
- Another extra pair of shoes just in case one goes missing
- More pairs of socks and underwear than you think they'll need
- T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, pajamas, athletic wear,
- Shower shoes, swim shoes, flip flops
- A belt, a hat or visor, sunglasses
- Swimsuits/swim trunks, swim shirts, goggles, and beach towels
- Rain gear (galoshes, umbrella, poncho)
- Hair ties and headbands for girls
Your child's cleanliness while at camp depends largely on remembering to pack all the essentials. A pre-packed shower caddy and a resealable toiletry bag should do the trick.
STUFF THEM WITH:
- Soap (in a carrier) or body wash and sponge
- Shampoo and conditioner, shower cap
- Facial soap, any kind of lotion or sensitive skin products your child regularly uses
- Nail clippers
- Toothbrush (in a travel holder), toothpaste, floss and mouthwash if you think you can count on your child to actually use it during camp
- Deodorant
- Hair products
- Glasses or contact lens cleaning supplies
- Antibacterial hand gel or wipes (for use before eating, especially when outside)
- Tide pen in case of spills (for older kids)
- Pack separately: their own roll of toilet paper and paper towels in case of camp shortages, tissues, wash cloths and bath towels (the Velcro ones are great!)
Sending younger kids to camp with some of the comforts of home can really ease any first-night anxieties.
CONSIDER PACKING:
- A framed family photo
- Favorite stuffed animal or sleep accessory (as long as it's replaceable)
- Maybe a headlamp for nighttime rumagging or reading after lights-out
- A flashlight with extra batteries
- Perhaps a small battery-powered fan
- An egg crate to put underneath their sleeping bag for extra comfortable sleep
- An extra blanket and a comfy pillow (with an extra pillowcase)
- Comfortable, discreet, and reusable bedwetting protection (just in case)
Ways to contact home are likely to be as high up on your list as it will be theirs. Even if they're having too much fun, they'll likely want to (or be encouraged to) send a postcard or make a quick phone call.
BE SURE TO PUT THE FOLLOWING IN A SPECIAL BAGGIE FOR THEM:
- Stationery, postage stamps or pre-stamped and pre-addressed envelopes
- Writing paper and writing utensils
- You might even be able to include a calling card if the camp has phones the kids can use (if your child is too young to have a cell phone)
DON'T FORGET THESE ALL-IMPORTANT NECESSITIES:
- Swimmies and/or life-vest (unless you know for sure that these are provided by the camp)
- Sunscreen and aloe vera gel or after-sun lotion
- Bug repellent and calamine lotion
- Q-tips and cotton balls
- Band-aids
- An antiseptic spray and ointment like Bactine and Bacitracin or Neosporin
- Lip balm (preferably with SPF)
- Any medication they regularly take, including gummie vitamins
- Inhaler, Epi-Pen, Benadryl, or anything else potentially life-saving (include instructions or a note for the camp counselors)
For any downtime, your child won't want to be without an activity.
Try packing the following to keep them occupied, minimize boredom, and promote restful sleep. Double-check the camp's policies regarding electronics before including any devices just to be safe.
- Football (or tennis ball/soccer ball/basketball, etc.)
- Frisbee
- Deck of cards
- A book to read
- An iPod touch with earbuds
- Or any other portable toys and entertainment they normally tote around
It's safe to assume your kid(s) will be fed and that the camp counselors will do a good job of getting them to eat. However, you should pack a canteen to make sure they've always got water with them, in addition to some Gatorade or other sports drink for consumption after excessive play. Packing non-perishable (non-crumbling) snacks may also be a good idea for those moments when your child get hunger pangs between meal times.
SNACKS SUCH AS...
- Nuts (PLEASE double check camp's policies on nuts in case any of the other campers are allergic - some camps may have a no-nut policy!)
- Raisins or other dried fruit
- Pretzel nuggets
- Granola bars
And Last But Not Least...
Remember to mark and label everything! Using a Sharpie to emblazon your child's name/initials on the tags of all their clothing and toes of all their socks is a good way to make sure nothing goes missing for too long. The shower caddy, any Ziploc or resealable baggies, canteen, flashlight, backpack, and other objects should also somehow be labeled (masking tape works well).
Once you're all done packing and you're ready to drop your child off at camp, remember: chill out, try not to worry, and encourage them to have fun and enjoy!
Tell us your story! Are you and your kids summer camp
professionals? What's your favorite thing to pack? Do you have any handy
packing tips and tricks, like rolling clothes before packing, putting
shoes in a plastic bag, or something different? Have you ever
experienced a camp snafu where you forgot to pack something really
important? How did you remedy the situation?
We love hearing stories from families near and far. The insight it gives us helps us to develop the best products possible designed to help kids and families like yours. So please, drop us a line anytime and check out our line of bedwetting protection products at http://www.justincasebedding.com. Because accidents happen, but not everyone needs to know.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/David_Waxman/2269974
We love hearing stories from families near and far. The insight it gives us helps us to develop the best products possible designed to help kids and families like yours. So please, drop us a line anytime and check out our line of bedwetting protection products at http://www.justincasebedding.com. Because accidents happen, but not everyone needs to know.
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