So, your child is all signed up for sleepaway summer camp. All the details are planned and now the packing list has either arrived in the mail or it has been e-mailed/uploaded online. This means it is time to start gathering all the supplies that your child is going to need while they are away. Here are a few tips to help make this an enjoyable experience for both you and your child:
1. Make Sure to Actually Use That Packing List That Is Provided by the Camp.
First things first, don't overlook the importance of that list that the camp provides you. The list is provided for a reason. The camp director and the rest of the camp staff have taken time to create a list of the necessary and most appropriate items that your child needs for their comfort and enjoyment while at camp. Print the list out and use it.
Make sure to look at this list early enough before camp in case some items are hard to find or need to be ordered online. Also, this list could include a list of items that should not be brought to camp. You need to make certain that you child does not pack these items. At some camps, this could include electronics, such as cell phones, much to the dismay of many children.
2. Take Your Child Shopping for the Gear.
If this your child's first time going to summer camp, there's a good chance that you are going to have to purchase most of the supplies on that list. Let your child go with you and pick out the things that they want. More than likely, your child is going to be a bit nervous about going away overnight, and shopping for their own gear may help squash some of those nerves.
3. Label Absolutely Everything.
It is very important that you label all of your child's belongings. Anything that you send to camp should be labeled. When items are labeled, there is a much better chance that it will get back to your child and home. Otherwise, there is a good chance that your child's belongings could get mixed up with another camper's and never be seen again.
4. Don't Forget to Include Extras.
Your child is likely going to get wet and dirty while at camp, so make sure that your child has plenty of extra clothes. Other extras can include things like sunscreen, a toothbrush, etc. The other kind of extras can include pictures of friends and family, stationary for writing to friends and family, a journal, book(s), etc.
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