Preparing your child for camp {4 #ReadySetCamp Tips}
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So your child is all set for his first camp experience this summer. If you’re like me, I’m sure you will have a long list of must-dos and must-packs for him…
long enough to overwhelm both him and you!
Oh boy!!
Lets start from the beginning and keep it simple. Just remember these 4 C.A.M.P. tips and your child will be camp ready with a smile on his face.
Preparing your child for camp {4 #ReadySetCamp Tips}
Remember the acronym C.A.M.P. and you will find the preparation process so much easier.
1. Chat about what to expect
It helps to research about the specific camp your child will be attending and share with him what to expect when he gets there. If you can show him past videos or photographs from earlier camps, it will help him look forward to the fun he will have. And yes, squash growing fears if any.
2. Always get a pre-participation physical.
Most camps have a generous share of physical activities. It helps to get a pre-participation physical to get a clearance to safely participate in the same. MinuteClinic can help with this. Their nurse practitioners and physician assistants can review health history and immunizations, conduct a thorough physical exam for your child and stamp any required health/medical related paperwork for camp.
They’re also the best people to talk to if your child plans to carry a preventive first aid kit of sorts. (They will advise what needs to be carried to use in case of a bug bite etc.)
The MinuteClinic is open in the evenings and weekends too. Also, when you complete a camp physical, you will receive a free $25 CVS/pharmacy coupon booklet, till supplies last.
3. Make sure to pack the essentials
Besides the necessary clothes, shoes, and toiletries, it’s important to pack other essentials like sunscreen, bug repellant, non-perishable snacks etc. It would also be a good idea to pack a small first aid kit with sport bandages, anti-septic ointment like Neosporin, anti-septic wipes etc. Make sure your child knows specifically what’s included in the kit and knows how and when to use the same.
For a more natural alternative, as an Oily Mama (yes, I love my essential oils!), I would make sure I pack a Thieves hand purifier, a Thieves spray and a Lavendar essential oil bottle to soothe those itchy bug bites. (A drop of Lavendar oil on gauze can be applied to a mild bite to give relief to all that itching.)
Packing a few dry snacks to share is always a good idea,unless camp rules specify otherwise. Preferably ensure the snacks packed aren’t too sweet and/or messy. We love Nonni’s low fat, low carb, hunger tide-over, THINaddictives as they come prepackaged in packs of 3 and have a variety of flavors like the newest tropical inspired Mango and Coconut that we just love!
4. Pray.Â
Remind your child that though you can’t go with him to camp, he can always turn to God, in prayer. Pack his Bible and place a note inside with encouragement verses to lift up his spirits if he feels out of sorts emotionally while there.
And yes, you may worry about him while he’s away but it won’t help him or you in any way. Remember to pray and just trust God to watch over your child.
Has your child gone away to camp? Do you have a tip or two to share?
I would never send my kids away to camp, but they are going to a day camp later in July!
Those essentials are perfect for camp! When your child goes off to camp, all you need to remember is that they’re in good hands and they are having a blast!
I’ve never sent my kids to camp. These are great tips, though. I sort of follow some of them already. Living in the south is like living in perpetual camp.
Great tips! My kids have never been to camp. They’ve never shown interested in it, but this is great in case that ever changes!
These are great tips. My son never went away to camp. He did do a week long robotics course at the local museum one summer.
My kids aren’t camp age anymore, but those are great tips! I think I would remind them to have fun and to explore and not be afraid to try something new.
Plenty of mosquito repellant and neosporin is a good idea. I like the idea of pre-camp physicals too.
Our girls went to their first week long camp this week, then will be home for a week before heading off again to another camp. They are 11. I did it every summer starting in 2nd or 3rd grade and they are going into 6th grade so figured it was time. They were super excited. My tip would be to send a laundry back for dirty clothes to go in so the luggage and dirty clothes stay separate. Also try to send them mail that will arrive a day or two after camp starts and ask a few friends or relatives to do the same.
I love summer time and having the kids take part in going to camp, great time for them to learn, get hands on, and meet new friends. Awesome tips here!
My kids are still to little and have not gone off to camp yet. I love all your suggestions on what to bring though, this post will come in handy!
I sent my teen to camp once and he never went back. But these are great tips for parents with kids who want to go to camp!
My kids aren’t quite old enough to go away get. When I was little my parents would mail care packages to us. It was so nice to have surprises from home.
As a former camp counselor, it’s really important for parents to notify the camp staff of any concerns. Finding out midway through the week that we could have made the experience by being aware is such a bummer.
We have day camps, so my kids don’t leave overnight. I think getting them excited about the activities before hand is always a good tip!
My kids aren’t old enough to go to camp yet. I’d be so scared letting them go off on their own!
The first “all by myself” camp for each kid was such a big event. We did a lot of camping, scouting, and so on, so all the kids were used to being part of a big group and what was needed. When it came time for a single venture, I’d let the kid pick out clothes, books, and such to carry along and then sneak in the sundries and a jacket or windbreaker. It was hard to drop them off, but it always worked out. The C.A.M.P. tips are very helpful.
My son went away last summer. Even though he was 13 and bigger than me I felt like I was sending my 7 year old off. Not sure I have any tips. Um, make sure they bring everything home. He left his pillow.
My kids used to go to camp every summer when they were younger. It was always so much fun for them to get away. I used to always pack plenty of sunscreen and a first aide kit.
These are some great tips for preparing your child for camp! I’ll keep these in mind when the time comes. Thanks for sharing.
My kids haven’t gone to a camp in a really long time, and when they did they would only go to a day camp. Your tips seem very useful if they were to be a way longer though!
These are some great tips for preparing for camp! I love that you can go to a place like MinuteClinic to get a physical.
These are great essentials for camp. I remember going to camp as a kid and was always happy my mom packed everything I needed.
What great tips and ideas for the kiddos going off to camp! thank you for sharing them with us. I loved going to church camp when i was a kiddo, except it was scary at times, being that far away from home, making new friends etc. I love that oyu prayed with and for your son, how awesome 🙂
As my son gets older, I definitely start thinking about camps for him. Camp physical is definitely high on the list
Oh gosh, it’s been years for one and the other is too young, but what I remember is write the kid’s name on everything!
Just to say that my own experience with camp was that it was practically the best summer of my life!