From Eveningsnews.com
Get Packing: Preparing Your Kids For Summer Camp
By
Jun 2, 2007, 20:14
(NAPSI)-Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and, yes, summer camp! Not surprisingly, summer camp is a truly American tradition that started in the early 1900s. Remarkably, more than 100 years later, many of the original camps are still in operation today.
With nearly 10,000 camps in the U.S. (about 60 percent are sleep-away camps), if your child can imagine it, there is a camp for it. From art camps and acting camps to sports camps and space camps, camps are a great way to encourage children's natural talents or to help them explore new ones. Camp can also be a great tool to help foster a child's independence and social skills.
Once you've made the decision to send your child to camp (more than 6 million children attend camp each summer), it's important to find the right program for his or her needs. For example, children under age 7 may not adjust easily to being away from home. Consider the day camp experience to prepare them for future overnight camp. If your child has never spent time away from home--even an older child--one-day camps or minicamps may be the best option for exposure to new situations.
It can be beneficial to share some aspects of the camp selection process (e.g., what kind of camp, how long to stay, whether to go with a friend or not) with the child. Be sure to select a camp that provides a good mix of athletic, artistic and intellectual pursuits.
Here are some tips for a fail-safe packing list
Clothing is a very important part of the packing process, with families needing to assemble everything from T-shirts and underwear to rainwear and hiking boots. Plus, there are some things to pack based on your child's personal needs:
• Favorite outfits, as well as comfortable clothes, to help first-timers feel more at ease
• Prescription medication for any chronic condition (be sure to inform counselors), as well as allergy medicine if your child tends to have strong reactions
• A security item, such as a family photograph, to give kids a piece of home. However, an irreplaceable item, such as a teddy bear, is not recommended, as it could get lost or stolen.
Shop Around
When shopping for camp supplies, it can be helpful to find a one-stop store where you can stock up on summer items and get great value. One example is Gymboree, which carries such needed items as shorts, swimsuits, shirts and sandals. The company's merchandise wears well and is designed to last through the "hard play" of summer camp. Stores carry the clothing that kids need--up to size 12 for girls and size 10 for boys.
To learn more or to find a Gymboree location near you, visit www.gymboree.com.
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