Every year it happens. It’s the day before camp and you can’t find anything.
“Where did I leave the flashlight?”
“Does her one-piece swimsuit from last summer still fit?”
“Where can I find water shoes at 10 p.m.?”
“Why are we always out of batteries when I need them?”
It may seem soon, but setting aside a few items at a time for this summer’s camp excursion can save your sanity – regardless of the session your camper is attending. This year’s packing list is available to help you get started.
But to help you avoid being that parent, we’ve also offered this family-friendly timeline to ensure you’re ready to go in the days leading up to your camper’s session:
February – Check to make sure your battery-operated items (fans, flashlights, headlamps, etc.) are all in good working order. Get new (right sized) batteries and tape a fresh box to each item and set them aside. If you need a new item, see if there are post-New Year’s sales going on.
March – Check expiration dates of sunscreens, lotions and bug spray – the non-aerosol variety, of course. Toss out the expired bottles and replace with the fresh crop popping up on shelves for Spring Break. While you’re at it, now is a good time to check for swimsuits. How do they fit? The first wave of summer suits will be hitting stores.
April – While this is also the perfect time for annual checkups and getting physician letters completed, it is also the perfect time to pull together mess kit supplies. Check your camper’s trunk (where is that thing? – attic, garage, shed, grandmas?) and get it cleaned out and ready for summer.
May – Water bottles, backpacks, shoes and socks – oh my! Yep – the school year is wrapping up. Did last semester’s “new shoes” get promoted to this summer’s “creek shoes”? How many socks are missing a matching pair? What about this year’s backpack – ready for the trip to camp? Also, that sports/classroom water bottle may need to have a good washing if it hasn’t been home all year. A quick check on these will save that “mad dash” the week before camp.
June – If you are a first session camper family – it is time to pack!! YAY! If not, you’ll be joining us soon.
Regardless of when you arrive, these simple steps could help minimize the chaos of packing. Share the packing list with your camper and get them involved, and check out our Packing for Camp Pinterest board for more tips and tricks. Each of these monthly “to-dos” are also a fun way to bond over the upcoming adventure.
See you at camp!
