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You’ve researched, questioned, debated, chosen, and prepared. Just when you thought you were ready to send your child off to summer camp, you realize that one more daunting job lies ahead of you: the packing. Here are a few tips gathered from the experts that will help make your sendoff a breeze. Do your homework. Most camps provide a recommended packing list. Create a checklist by following its guidelines and adding any other items that you deem necessary. Make a list of the items you need to buy and leave plenty of time to shop for them. Find out how often clothes are laundered at camp and pack accordingly. Avoid the lost and found: label everything! Use permanent marker to print your child’s name on as many items as possible or order permanent iron-on or sew-on labels—a guarantee against fading ink. Label-making Web sites include these: www.namelabels.com, www.labels4kids.com, and www.namemaker.com. Many parents suggest putting each outfit (including socks and underwear) in separate gallon-sized storage bags. When your child dresses each day, this leaves no question as to what to wear. Smaller zipper bags come in handy for preventing leakage of any liquid products (such as shampoo or sunscreen) that your child takes along. Double-bagging is strongly suggested! Consider that the distance between the bunk and the showers might require a short walk. Placing toiletries in a carrier (collapsible is best) makes travel easier. Other options include plastic toiletry kits or shower baskets with drainage holes in the bottom (to avoid yucky residue). An extra pair of flip-flops especially for use in the shower is another practical item. To ease your child’s discomfort at being in an unfamiliar place, pack a few family photos for him or her to post and add a flashlight to help navigate the way to the restrooms after lights-out. Encourage your camper to record new memories by adding stationery and pens (addressed and stamped envelopes are helpful) and a disposable camera. A deck of cards might help the camper make new friends during downtime. Don’t forget the essentials! Bug spray, a water bottle, and sun protection are musts. Hats, sunglasses, lip balm, and sunblock with an SPF rating of 15 or higher are all important items to put on your checklist. You may want to pack goggles, earplugs, or a cap for swimming, and don’t forget feminine protection, a sports bra, and extra hair ties for girls. Tissues, disinfecting wipes, tweezers, and nail clippers are always practical extras.
If the camp program includes wilderness outings, consider including a compass, trail tape, and a whistle (a great signaling device whose sound travels much farther than the human voice). If you would like to include sports equipment for use during leisure time, ask the camp what your child is allowed to bring. Fishing rods and tackle and lacrosse sticks and balls are popular choices. Pack in a duffel bag if possible. Bags tend to get tossed around during transport, and you don’t want to use anything that could be damaged. Duffel bags are easy to store, [Query: Is that what it was supposed to mean?]and many come with wheels, making them easier for small children to move. Do not pack anything that you aren’t prepared to have broken, lost, or stolen. Expensive items belong at home. And last, remember that bags may not be unpacked right away. Consider items that would be good to have on hand (such as a bathing suit and sunscreen) and put them in an inexpensive backpack that your camper can wear (and can use later to carry necessities for daily excursions). And make sure that medication, in original bottles, with dosage instructions, is readily available.
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