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How to Prepare for Summer Camp

Find out what you need to do to prepare for summer camp.

Summer Camp Preparations

Some sun and a whole lot of s'mores may seem like all you need to have fun at summer camp. But going away for a few weeks takes a lot of planning and prepping, so Kidzworld has come up with some tips to make packing easier for ya!

Packing Your Clothes

Dust off the suitcase or duffel bag and start packing a couple weeks in advance. That way, you'll avoid any last-minute shopping trips to frantically buy yourself a new swimsuit to replace the old one that's now two sizes too small! Pack plenty of tank tops, T-shirts and shorts, but bring some warm clothes too, like jeans and sweatshirts, cuz it can get cold at night. Other clothing must-haves include pajamas, flip flops, sneakers, a hat and plenty of socks and underwear. Whichever camp you go to, there's sure to be a swimming pool, lake or ocean nearby, so don't forget your bathing suit and towel. And since there's always the risk of overpacking (and even underpacking), ask your parents to help you decide how many clothing items to bring - it'll all depend on how long your camp stay will be.

Packing Your Gear

Once your clothes and shoes are packed away, you'll have to gather up your camping gear.

Sleeping bag.
Pillow.
Sunglasses.
A flashlight with extra batteries (they come in handy when you're sitting around the campfire listening to spooky stories, or when you're making your way to the outhouse in the middle of the night).
Sunscreen.
Insect repellent.
A first aid kit (the camp counselors will have these on hand, but it's always a good idea to pack your own to fix up any scrapes and bruises you may get).
Hygiene essentials like toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap and deodorant - you don't wanna have bad breath and stinky B.O. when you bump into your crush, do ya?

Dealing With Homesickness

We know there's no place like home, but there are ways to comfort yourself if you get homesick during summer camp.

Keep a family photo in your wallet and take it out every now and then to remind you of what they look like.
Bring your cell phone or calling card to call home as often as you want. It could be once a month, once a week or once a day, but talking to your family and friends will help you deal with being apart from them. If you don't have a cell or calling card, then ask to use the public phone in the counselor's office. You can also bring pre-stamped postcards to write home.
Camp life won't keep you busy 24/7. So if you think you're gonna get bored at times, bring along some comic books, cards, a board game and magazines. You can even bring some munchies (sharing snacks is a great way to make friends), but don't keep it lying around for too long cuz it'll attract bugs. And if a trail of ants does come along, just bust out the insect repellent!