Before They Go to Camp
1.Print out several kinds of address labels on your computer
—with the camp address (to give out to friends at school)
—with your home address and addresses of close relatives/friends (to use when sending letters from camp).
2.As a surprise, pack a small wrapped gift in your child’s trunk — to open when they arrive at camp.
4.Be sure to send a variety of stationery (both personalized and non-personalized) — they also love to trade!
5.Be positive before they go to camp — your child will detect any negative feelings that you have!
6.Send at least one autographable item (pillow or pillowcase) so other campers can sign it.
7.Wear sunglasses to the camp bus — never let your child see you cry!
- Bring a lot of candy for the camp bus (yes, even if it leaves at 7am). Eating candy is a part of the bus experience — it is more important than the bus lunch!
9.For girls, don’t forget to send nail polish in bright colors (it’s a bunk activity). Also, nail polish remover is best in pad form or in the small jars with sponges.Bottles of remover can spill and ruin whatever they touch.
10.It’s better to send several regular-size bottles of toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, etc) than one oversize bottle.The large bottles are heavy to carry and, if lost, the camper has nothing else to use.
11.For camps with color war, be sure to find out the colors of the teams in advance so you can act quickly to send the appropriate items when you find out which team your child is on.Color war is serious stuff at camp!
12.Follow the packing guidelines of your camp, but always take your child into consideration.For example, if he or she wears three outfits a day at home, you may want to send extra clothing to camp.
13.Pack with your child.Be sure he or she knows where all their items are located.A child may feel lost at camp if they can’t find their soap, stamps, socks, etc.
14.Buy a shower caddy without a solid plastic bottom.The water needs to drain out of the bottom, or it will be gross!
15.Send liquid soap — not a plastic soap container.A soap dish doesn’t drain the water (see tip #14 above)!
16.Wide-mouthed water bottles are better than the narrow-top kind because campers can put ice into a wide-mouthed one.Better for a long, hot hike.
17.Send anything glow-in-the-dark.It’s always fun at lights-out time!
18. Buy a silver permanent marker now!The stores always sell out of them right before camp trunks leave.You need silver to mark anything black.
19.You may want to send an inexpensive water-resistant watch to camp.It helps the child manage his schedule.
While They are Away
20.Phone calls are best scheduled early in the day, so that the camper has a full day of activities afterwards.Night phone calls can sometimes lead to tears at bedtime.
21. Remember that a lack of letters from your camper is not always a bad thing!If they don’t write, they are probably having a lot of fun.You should, however, try to write at least every other day.Getting mail at camp is a big event.
22.Don’t send all of their disposable cameras at once — they will use all of the film available!A better idea would be to send one or two cameras at the beginning and, on visiting day, bring the balance.You can take the cameras they have used, develop the pictures, and send them to camp after visiting day.
When They Come Home
23. You won’t believe how much dirt can follow campers home! Unpack the camp trunk outside or in a spot where you can shake out each item.
24.Pack away any labeled socks and underwear that you think will fit next year.It will save you the trouble of having to label new ones.
