How to choose and pack for your children’s camp experience!

Selecting the right summer camp for your child can be a puzzling and at times overwhelming task. Since there's an apparently infinite range of choices to ponder, matching the ideal camp to your child's interests, temperament and schedule can be unnerving. The camp should fit in your budget and furthermore, as a parent, you have the responsibility of ensuring the camp you select for your child is run in a safe and appropriate mode for your child's age and aptitude levels.

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Let’s discourse the steps to the selection of the right camp which would benefit your child the most!

A.     To begin with let’s first comprehend, how the camps are categorised:

1.      Sleep away Camp/Residential Camp

Most of these camps offer an assortment of programs for children seven or eight onwards. Resident camp options comprises of coed, single sex and specialty camps that focus on a specific program. Resident camps offer varying overnight lodgings such as cabins, tents, and teepees.

2.      Day Camp

Unlike resident camps; children are slightly younger, starting at three or four-year-olds, and everybody returns home at the culmination of the day or post few hours.

3.      Specialty Camps and Programs

Children can go aboard on adventures as diverse as learning how to ride a horse, water ski, dance, backpacking, biking, fishing, rock climbing, survival and even white-water rafting. If your child has a distinct interest, there possibly is a camp that specializes in it.

4.      Special Needs Camp

A physical, medical, or mental disability is not a barrier for a camp experience. Even special needs get largely benefitted from summer camp. Some camps specialize in aiding certain groups while other camps assimilate special-needs children into the overall camp populace.

B.      Start with your child: Be certain to embrace your child in the decision-making procedure. Discuss with your child the sum you can afford to expend on summer camp. How distant the camp should be, from your home else it might invite surplus cost? Ask your child what nature of camp he/she would like to go to, a co-ed or single sex camp? How long they would like to attend or stay (in event of resident camp), and what they would hope to achieve over a summer at camp?

Accentuate that you are considering camp since you feel it would be a worthy thing for them, and not something they feel "compulsory". Together with your child, discover the camp alternatives and also review the quality of the activities and resources the camps offer. In addition, study the web sites of the camps for photographs, maps or virtual tours of the camp facilities, sample daily schedules and menus, and information about the key staff. As become better familiar with the camp experience and more involved in the decision-making process, your child will have less anxiety about going away to camp.

C.      How to find a camp?

Through friends, neighbours, your child's friends, relatives, the internet, and other social circles you should get numerous ideas and references of names or styles of camps to look at. In addition study following facts:

ü  The camp’s website. How updated is the website?

ü  What story do the photographs tell?

ü  Testimonials from older children and parents.

ü  Professional background/profile of the team or the staff running the camp.

ü  Is there a private portal for parents of children to access?

ü  Can you register and pay online?

ü  Can you view your child photographs online?

ü  Is there a Facebook page, Twitter feed, mobile app or Instagram account of the camp?

Look at them all and get a sense of what kind of place this may be. Don't be afraid to be critical, as you want only the best for your child. Usually the camp that place resources into its digital presence is a camp that cares about its repute.

D.     Review camp options available:

Ask yourself following questions while considering/ selecting a Day Camp:

ü  What is the camp philosophy or the program structure? 

ü  What is a typical day like at camp? 

ü  What is the quality of activities and amenities? 

ü  What training do the staffs receive on safety, supervision, problem solving and other concerns exclusive to be employed with young children?

ü  Is the camp price all-inclusive or are there extra charges for: transportation, snacks, field trips etc.?

ü  If transportation is offered, where is the nearest pick-up location?

ü  Is lunch served or do children bring their own lunch? Are snacks and drinks provided in case it’s an extended day program?

ü  Is before- and after-camp extended care is offered, who is with the child and what activities take place?

ü  If the camp offers swimming, are there swimming lessons or is it simply recreational swimming?

ü  If all children attend the camp all together or, are they divided into groups and assigned a supervisor?

ü  In case of a question or concern, whom would you talk to about your child?

ü  Are parents allowed to drop by for visits or is there a special parent visitation day?

ü  Is an open house offered before camp starts where you can meet your child's supervisor, other staff at the camp, and van/bus driver?

ü  What is the contentment level of children and parents from the previous years?

Questions to consider in selecting a Resident Camp:

ü  Is my child ready to sleep away from home for an extended stay?

ü  What session span will interest my child and to our family plans for the summer? (One week? Two weeks? Or more)

ü  How structured do I want the program to be? Does my child like to have lots of variation in the activity schedule?

ü  How rustic do I want the camp to be?

ü  What size enrolment will make my child feel at ease?

ü  What is the age and background of the camp staff? How is the staffs trained?

ü  What is the supervisor to the child ratio?

ü  How does the camp insure safety and security of the children? 

ü  What is the camp’s disciplinary approach?

ü  How will the camp meet my child's special dietary or physical needs?

ü  What kind of health care is provided at the camp? 

ü  If my child takes daily medication, will it be given at the camp? How medication distribution is accomplished at the camp?

ü  In case of injury or illness when parents are notified?

ü  What first aid and health training do the staffs receive? Who is the responsible adult? How do they access help if needed?

ü  How can I stay in touch with my child during camp? Does the camp allow mail, phone calls or e-mail? Does the camp have parent visitation days?

ü  Are the references of older parents available on request or shared on the camp’s website?

E.      Register early: Often times, a camp will begin pre-registry action at the end of your child’s summer session. If your child had a blast and want to go back to the same camp, check into this option. And, if you’re going first-time for a summer camp, ask when registration begins for you.

F.       Ask about discounts: For many families, camp is a goal, but the funds are a barrier. They don’t have to be! Maybe the camp you want to attend has a multiple-child discount, an early registration discount, or a deferred payment plan. Just ASK. Even if it’s nowhere on their website, call the camp administrator and confirm.

PREPARE and PACK for the camp!

It is important to prepare your child for a camp experience, whether it is a day camp or a resident camp for one-week near your town or a four-week camp out-of-city.

Following guidelines will help prepare your child for the day camp:

ü  For many children, going off to day camp may be the first time they take a bus or meet a new group of children. Therefore, if your child is travelling by bus, find out the bus route and travel it in advance with your child, pointing out easy landmarks that he/she will recognize on the route to and from camp.

ü  Involve your child in packing their backpack for camp (hat, sun protection, lunch/snack, water, spare clothes etc.) and walk to the bus stop ahead of time to get him/her familiar with the early morning routine and the contents of and responsibility for his/her backpack.

ü  Contact the camp to find out the name of his/her supervisor and bus driver with contact information.

ü  Call the camp a few days before its start to introduce yourself, share some things about your child the camp should know, and learn whom you should call about your child if you have any questions.

ü  Organize all papers that the camp will send home each day or week with your child so that daily schedules, trips, special events and important information are readily accessible.

Following guidelines will help prepare your child for the residential camp:

ü  Visit the camp, if at all possible, and meet the camp administrator. 

ü  Talk to other families who have gone to the camp in years past to familiarize yourself with what goes on.

ü  Have your child spend a weekend with a friend. No phone calls. Talk about it with your child later. How did your child feel? 

ü  Go over the daily schedule of the camp with your child so there are no surprises. Learn as much as you can about camp life. 

ü  Teach your child how to care for him/herself. The child need to know how to select appropriate clothing, make a bed with clean sheets, put clothes away, carry out chores, handle laundry, etc. 

ü  Problem solve with your child by using "what if" circumstances to prepare for unanticipated happenings. What if you lose your football? What if you don't get along with another child? What if you don't feel well? Let your child brainstorm for answers and make sure they know the "chain of command" at camp for handling difficulties. 

ü  Familiarize your child with the outdoors. Many children are unfamiliar with total darkness and night sounds. Practice walking in the dark with a flashlight. 

ü  Homesickness is fairly common. Missing home, parents, pets or friends is pretty normal. It is part of growing up and leaving home. Speak openly about it and your child will experience these feelings with less anxiety and more understanding. 

ü  Discuss communication at camp. Does your camp allow phone calls, messages, e-mails? Give your child your home and office addresses and contact numbers, e-mail Id’s etc.

ü  Communicate with camp officials. Let them know if there are special circumstances or considerations regarding your child's well-being or behaviour. 

When it comes time to pack for camp, let the child do the work!

Packing tips for day camps is as follows:

1.      Backpack

Make sure your child's backpack:

ü  Is durable and made of sturdy fabric. Also ensure that all of the zippers work properly.

ü  Has a section large enough, to hold the extra set of clothes, snacks, water, swim gear & towel for the swimming class.

ü  Has an outside zippered section for storing tissues, hand sanitizer, medicines etc. so your child doesn't have to dig around in the main section each time these items are needed.

ü  Has an outside mesh water bottle pocket for easy accessibility to water.

2.      Clothes

ü  Extra set of clothing including shorts, t-shirt, socks and undergarments.

ü  Place all in a large reseal able plastic bag; in case the child needs to change clothes and put the wet or dirty ones away.

ü  A cap or a hat; as many day camp hours are spent outdoors. Remind your child to wear a hat and sun block for sun protection.

3.      Swim Gear

Swimming is typically a weekly activity at camp, unless the camp specialises into it. Your child will need:

ü  Swimming costume -Consider purchasing two for the child to avoid the need to wash the swimming costume and towel each evening.

ü  Towels - send a decent size towel appropriate enough to wrap up in after swim time.

ü  Goggles & flip flops.

ü  Plastic bag - include a plastic bag for wet swimming costume and towel.

4.      Other Supplies

ü  Sunglasses & Sunscreen for outdoors.

ü  Hand sanitizer.

ü  Tissues.

ü  Insect repellent – apply for the child in morning itself to avoid the possibility of spraying the spray in his/here yes or other children.

ü  Prescribed medicines in case any.

5.      Food and Drink

ü  Water is the best drink for your child at camp. Not only is it the best at quenching thirst, it doesn't include the sugar and calories like other drinks. Try send two water bottles everyday along with the child.

ü  Food - most of the day camps provide meals and snacks. If yours does not, here are some suggestions:

a)  Pack a lunch and snacks in a thermal bag.

b) Avoid packing a lot of candy and sweets. Too many of these can make your child sick when outdoors in the heat.

c)  Consider that your child will more likely eat lunch inside on the floor or outside on the grass and will not have a plate or hard surface.

d)  Lunch suggestions include: vegetable sandwich, idli, wheat pasta, vegetable pulao & parantha, curd rice, bread omelette, chapati rolls etc.

e)  Snack suggestions include: cheese corn cutlets, granola bars, cereal bars, dry cereal, crackers, cheese sticks, pretzels, or carrots and vegetable dip etc.

ü  Include a small pack of wet wipes. They make after-lunch clean-up easy for your child.

6.      Label everything - use permanent marker to label backpacks, plastic bags, containers, clothes, lunch box and every other possible thing to avoid loss.

7.      Include a surprise - Write your child a note and include it in his/her backpack. Pack a favourite snack and use a permanent marker to put a big smiley face or heart on the bag. Tape a family picture to the inside top of your child's lunch box. All of these things will let your child know you love him/her and are thinking of him/her throughout the day.

Packing tips for resident camps is as follows:

Children need to know what they are taking to camp. What is in the suitcase, duffle or trunk? You need to let them help you with the packing.

ü  Every camp sends a list of things to bring to camp. Follow the list. 

ü  Don't buy expensive clothing for camp. Clothes at camp tend to get dirty. 

ü  Send easily laundered bedding that is appropriate for the climate at camp. Articles to include are sleeping bags, sheets and pillowcases, blankets, and pillows.

ü  Pack extra socks, old shoes or hiking boots. Camp is not the place to break new shoes. 

ü  Send a laundry bag, hat, rain coat/poncho, water bottle, sun block, lip balm, insect repellent, flashlight, shower supplies and toiletries. 

ü  Pack shower supplies and toiletries in a plastic bucket or "shower" container so it is easy to carry to the bathroom. 

ü  Mark the child's name on everything from clothes to toothpaste, suitcase, duffel or trunk. Use a permanent marking pen. 

ü  Make sure all medication is in the original container and clearly marked.  

ü  Let your child take a stuffed animal if he/she wants. Many children put them on their beds. 

ü  Send along pictures of your family and pets. Your child can show them to his/her bunk mates. 

ü  If available to you, pack a disposable camera instead of an expensive one. Be sure to write your child's name on the camera. 

At the end get yourself ready for your child going off to the camp. You have selected the finest camp for your child and he/she will have a superb summer full of fun, new friends, new melodies and many stimulating experiences.

Happy camping!

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