How to Pack for Summer Camp

Summer camp. What memories! Spending long, sunny days on the lake, spying on the boys (or girls) and riding horses for the first time. It's a combination of fabulous fun and homesickness--and for parents, packing your wild child up for the first trip away from home can be bittersweet. Send yours off with everything he or she needs to ease the transition.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Contact the camp ahead of time and ask for a list of recommended clothing and apparel. The camp staffers know the terrain and weather patterns, so they'll have plenty of solid suggestions. Find more tips at the American Camping Association (acacamps.org). Find out if your child needs clothes of a certain color for field trips, religious services or team sports.

2. Begin packing several weeks in advance to avoid last-minute shopping trips or scrambling for a must-have favorite shirt. Your child should help you pack so she knows what she's bringing.

3. Purchase or borrow a large duffel bag, a traditional trunk or a trunk on wheels.

4. Put your child's name or initials on everything--clothes, hat, swim suit, towels--with either a laundry marker or iron- or sew-on labels (available at NameLabels.com and other sites).

5. Pack a small toiletries kit or basket so your child can carry and keep track of essentials such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, deodorant, comb and brush. Flip-flops for the shower are also a must.

6. Pack sufficient clothing. Depending on where the camp is located, even in August the nights can get cold. Include a fleece jacket, a windbreaker, a warm hat and gloves. Pack rain gear in case of wet weather, and bathing suits for swimming.

7. Pack additional necessities. This could be games, toys or books. Also, choose between cameras--film, disposable or digital. Pre-stamped, pre-addressed postcards are a great way to encourage kids to write home (and at no cost to them).

Tips & Warnings

• Find out how often clothes are laundered at camp, and pack accordingly. Include an extra pillowcase or laundry bag for dirty clothing.
• Ask about camp regulations regarding sending food and money from home.
• Don't buy a brand-new wardrobe. While one or two new items are fine, camp life can be rough on clothing. Children, especially first-timers, will also find old favorites reassuring when they're away from home.
• Send medication in its original container, along with explicit dosage instructions to the camp nurse or healthcare facility. A signed medical-release form should accompany all prescription medication. Make sure your child's physician's number is listed.

[Mizz_Penguin]

on 5/28/2007 pack there clothes in outfits that way it is easier and only bring liquid soap and not bar soap because it intends to drop on the ground

on 8/8/2006 Whenever I am going on a trip, I always pack my stuff in Ziplock baggies and suck the air out with a straw. This has four advantages:
1. Everything takes up less room.
2. It keeps my suitcase organized.
3. I can get things out of my suitcase without making a mess.
4. If water spills on my suitcase, nothing gets wet.

on 8/8/2006 When my daughter went to camp her first year, we made the mistake of borrowing my sister's trunk. It did have wheels, but it was so heavy and bulky. It barley fit in the car. Also, when we got to her cabin (after lugging that thing up hill mind you) there was barley any room to put it. So your best bet is going with a duffel bag, with wheels!

on 7/1/2006 We used those plastic zipper bags that blankets, mattress pads, etc. come in, for bedding, towels and clothes (along with the regular Zip-loc bags for individual outfits). We even used one for toiletries. Everything stays together and it's waterproof, too. My daughter's camp wanted her bedroll to be packed in a trash bag, but the large zipper bag is even better - no twist ties that will come off either.

on 3/17/2006 If there is something that your camper will be nervous without, pack two. This goes completely against most advice you get from camps (ie, pack light), but your kid will be perfectly happy wearing a T-shirt twice, but will be very upset if she can't find her flashlight.

Also, pack deet-free bug spray. These days more and more campers are allergic and you don't want that stuff on your kid anyway.