PACKING THE BASICS Camp-worthy clothing – Think about the different activities your child will do at camp and the best outfit(s) to wear for these activities. As a parent, it is also good to be conscious of the expected weather and clothes that are easy to clean.
Appropriate footwear – Tennis shoes are always the best for camp, especially those that involve the outdoors. They also protect your child’s feet from undergoing scrapes and cuts, rolled ankles and bumped toes.
Hat – Wide-brimmed hats are the best for outdoor activities at camp, but at the minimum, a baseball cap comes in handy.
Sunscreen – Slather your little one up before heading out in the morning
your daughter will take a hike. Maybe she’ll paint pottery. Maybe she’ll write you an email. It is up to her to decide how she’ll spend her free time. One thing is certain: she won’t sit around whining about having nothing to do. And if she does, you won’t be there to hear it. Competence The need for competence is satisfied when kids learn new things and get positive feedback about their efforts. Your kid might choose a camp focused on art, science, sports or music. Or he may opt for a good old-fashioned sleep-away experience, complete with rowboats and weenie roasts. Some camp activities may be outside of your kid’s comfort zone, but stretching is good. Your child may be unsure if she can cross the slippery log over the creek. She may tremble with excitement about her role in the theater production. Peers and counselors will coax her along and give constructive advice. By the end of camp, she’ll be the star of her own adventure stories. If your kid is an experienced camper, encourage him to share what he knows
to ensure he or she is protected throughout the day. Also, some camps do not allow counselors to touch the campers, so they would not be able to help your little one lather up. If you want to send some along, try the spray sunscreen because counselors could spray it on for the younger ones, and they could rub it in.
Towel – Even if the campers will not be swimming, a towel is a good backup for messes, sweat, water-focused activities and boo-boos.
Plastic bag – Send along a plastic bag for many uses—trash from lunch
that ends up mixed with a clean pair of clothes, wet clothes, crafts and more.
Hand sanitizer – It is always good to send along some sanitizer,
especially for meal times. Pick up one of the travel size ones that clip onto a backpack to keep it as a visible reminder for your child.
Tissues – Tissues or toilet paper is not always readily available when you
need it. A travel pack of tissues will go a long way, and who knows, it could earn your child an extra friend for offering one to another camper.
Water bottle – An insulated water bottle with a non-spill top is the best, but disposable ones work, too. It is important for little ones to stay hydrated and have a bottle to refill when they need.
Snacks – Even if lunch is provided, small snacks are good to send along. You know your child’s eating habits best. Remember to check the camps policy for nut- or peanut-free food items.
Contact list – You made your child recite every phone number
possible before he or she left for camp, but under pressure, it’s normal to forget. Make it easy on the counselors to have a list of important contact information in your child’s bag, and be sure to show your little one where to find it in their stuff.
A surprise – No matter the duration of the camp your child is attending, it is good to include a little note or treat in their bag. It will go a long way when they need a little loving boost from their biggest fans.
with new campers. Being an ambassador or mentor affirms kids’ competence in a big way. Teaching a peer how to trim a CharlottesvilleFamily.com
51