Shopping: Into The Woods

PLEASE NOTE: The city’s biggest Camp Fairs are coming up on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, in Manhattan. For families with children ages 3 to teen, the Camp Fairs are free, child-friendly, and feature both Day Camps (in and around the city) and Sleepaway Camps (all over the Northeast). CLICK HERE for details and to register.

Whether your little camper is heading to day camp in the urban jungle or preparing to pitch a tent in the great outdoors, the right gear and supplies are sure to make all the difference. Our top 10 picks for summer 2015 are not only practical, but also 100 percent fun!

Hello Hydration
In Hello Kitty’s latest collaboration with the tokidoki brand, the eye-catching Kimono 500-ML Aluminum Bottle—featuring favorite tokidoki characters alongside a kimono-clad Kitty—is the perfect pick for making daily water-guzzling more of an adventure than a chore. Plus, the spout is leak-proof and the lid is totally BPA-free. $11.50, shop.tokidoki.it
Tick-Tac-Donut
Available from NYC kids’ clothing and gear staple Lester’s, this sweet-looking pillow by iscream is two fun camp picks in one. Of course, it’s a comfy pillow, but it also turns into a game of tick-tac-toe! The front of the pillow serves as a game board while the back features a fleece pocket full of 10 game markers. $34, lesters.com
Soap Style
Get in the rugged spirit and eschew boring old toiletries for your child! Not only does Izola’s Scout Soap Set come complete with three eco-friendly (think domestically-sourced raw materials and an all-vegetable base) triple-milled oatmeal soap bars, but it also features old-fashioned campy graphics. $19, izola.com
Bye Bye, Bugs
Obviously, no parent wants their child to fall victim to mosquito bites at camp, but so many repellants these days are packed with harmful chemicals. Enter Kaufmann Mercantile’s Natural Mosquito Repellant. Handmade in the USA, this blend of citronella, catnip, and calendula offers a pleasant-smelling and -feeling alternative to traditional bug sprays. $14.95, kaufmann-mercantile.com
Sleep Tight
Sleekly designed just for kids ages 10-14, REI’s three-season Lumen Sleeping Bag is durable, compressible, and snugly insulated. Plus, the contoured hood and relaxed fit make it uber-comfy. $119, rei.com
Top Towel
Infuse shower or pool time with the spirit of the American West with Pendleton’s Jacquard Hooded Towel. With a cool Western design inspired by Pendleton’s iconic blanket patterns, this 100 percent cotton towel (available this spring) is sure to become a bathroom staple long after the last day of camp. $49.50, pendleton-usa.com
Glasses Half Full
Let your camper see summer through cool-colored glasses! Jonas Paul’s Albert Sunglasses offer up a classic aviator look just for kids and include shatterproof prescription lenses, a polycarbonate frame, and 100 percent UV protection. Plus, for every pair sold, Jonas Paul gives support to CBM International to give glasses or corrective surgery to a person in need. $99, jonaspauleyewear.com
Write On
Entice your campers to write you (their loving parent) oodles of letters with a stationery set from Love, Laura Gifts (a camp gear staple for NYC fams). While Love, Laura offers a variety of fun and customizable patterns, this year we’re all about the very hip Sneaker set. Note pad, $24; notecards, $35; postcards, $15; keep-in-touch cards, $50; lovelauragifts.com
Sun Safety
Avoiding harmful sunburns is a key component of a successful camp experience—and a great lifetime health habit. Make it easy and fun for your child to ‘screen up with Hang Ten’s SPF 30 Classic Sport Spray. The brightly colored bottle makes it appealing to kids, while the maximum water-resistance, paraben-free formula, and easy-to-use spray bottle offer peace of mind to parents. $12.99, hangtensunscreen.com
The Wheel Deal
And just where is your kiddo going to pack all of their fab camp gear? In their new Alcatraz II Backpack by Kipling, of course! This wheeled backpack sports an outdoorsy distressed dragonfly print and a signature Kipling monkey key chain, and is airplane carry-on approved. Plus, built-in laptop protection lets it transition to back-to-school when the summer ends. $239, kipling-usa.com

ESF Summer Camp

This camp season promises many exciting opportunities for children to learn new skills, form and nurture friendships and create lifelong memories. &nbsp; Our goal for our 41st&nbsp;camp season, through best-in-class curriculum, is for boys and girls, ages 3-15, to grow up ESF - whether it&rsquo;s sports, science, technology, the arts, or all of the above. Our experienced, all-adult staff knows that the most important role we play in our campers&rsquo; lives is to provide a safe place where they can develop the tools to become independent, confident, lifelong learners. Our 2022 program line-up includes 60+ award-winning activities, uniquely designed to encourage exploration and personal growth.&nbsp; &nbsp; Friends Happen at ESF! We guarantee that your camper will enjoy a summer with no-limits, where they can be themselves and try new things while their friends cheer them on. The memories they will make and the feeling of having a summer home to call their own is all part of the ESF experience. Enroll now, spots are limited. &nbsp; Locations: Riverdale Country School in Bronx, NY and Greenwich Catholic School in Greenwich, CT

Summer Stage Performing Arts Camp at The Riverdale Y

Riverdale&rsquo;s Premier Theater Arts Intensive Camp allows young artists to develop creatively and perform in a full-scale musical theater production.

Camps 'R' Us

Camps 'R' Us is celebrating its 31st anniversary and it is widely considered the most affordable private day camp on Long Island. The program is family owned and operated, accredited by the American Camp Association, and has 11 campuses across the island, so chances are, there&rsquo;s one near you.&nbsp; Campers love their amazing activities. Parents love the flexible scheduling, convenient hours, great payment options, and especially the peace of mind they get knowing their children are being taken care of in a safe, nurturing environment.&nbsp;&nbsp; At Camps &lsquo;R&rsquo; Us, they strive to provide the very best summer day camp experience available, with award-winning activities and programming, including Sports, Arts &amp; Crafts, Gaming, Ga Ga, Go Karts, Swimming, Trips, Special Events and much more. Their campuses are hosted by some of the top private schools on Long Island and feature premier indoor and outdoor facilities and equipment. Their highly experienced and expertly trained Staff are among the best and brightest in camping. Combine that with unique affordability, and Camps &lsquo;R&rsquo; Us has earned a reputation as one of the best summer camps on Long Island! Camps R Us Locations in Baldwin, Bellmore, Deer Park, East Rockaway, Farmingdale, Hicksville, Kings Park, St. James, Syosset, and Williston Park.