Sending your child to summer camp is a great way for them to meet new friends, learn new things and go on out-of-the-ordinary adventures, but getting them ready can lead to tremendous stress for the parents. One of the most important things to remember when it comes time to pack is that organization is key! Leaving out a favorite toy or sunscreen can mean the difference between a great experience and a horrible experience. Here is a checklist to help reduce the packing stress.
First Time Campers
If this is your child’s first year at summer camp, there are few extra steps required to ensure your child has a safe, fun time at camp.
- Make sure to find out if they need to take any cash, if so, how much.
- Take your child to the doctor for a physical and to make sure there aren’t any medical conditions that may prevent them from going or create a problem while they are there, such as allergies.
- It may be helpful to let them go to a sleepover a few weeks before they are expected to leave. This will give your child a chance to get used to being away from home.
The Don’t Forget Items
It’s common to forget an item or two when packing, but some things cannot be forgotten, including:
- Prescription medications
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- Towels and washcloths (at least two)
- Shoes, including tennis shoes, sandals, rain boots and flip-flops
- Personal items, including shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste and hairbrush
Clothing to Pack
When packing the kids clothes for summer camp, you should pack enough items for them to have at least two outfits per day. Keep in mind that they will get dirty, so only pack clothing items that you may never see again or that you may have to throw away when they get home. Clothing should include:
- Several pairs of socks and underwear
- Swimsuit
- Sweatshirt, hoodie and/or light jacket
- T-shirts and long sleeve shirts
- Shorts and jeans
- Jogging pants in case it gets chilly
- Pajamas
Additional Items
Along with the necessities, there are a few extra items you can pack that will help to make their adventure a bit more comfortable, such as pictures of the family, snacks and a backpack to use for hikes and swimming. You could also consider sending some supplies for special planned activities, such as DVD’s for a movie night, just be sure to ask the camp ahead of time to make sure it’s okay to send “extra” supplies.
Before you get started, make sure to thoroughly read any packing lists and rules and requests that have been supplied by the camp. There may be items that are already available or that you must send, such as bedding and towels. Make sure to label all of their clothing and personal items with their name, initials or a symbol.
To learn more camping tips and information about camping supplies, contact us at NTK Global. We have all the gear you need to send your kids away to camp!