Preparing for away from home camp?

Question

This is the first year my son will be going to sleep away camp. He is 9 and I just want him to be well prepared. Is there an easy way to mark his belongings with his name? I saw that I could order some ready made labels but I don't know if I will get them in time now because he is supposed to leave the last weekend of July, plus I thought they were a little pricey for something I could probably easily do on my own. I just don't want the markings to come off. Also, for those that have done the camp thing before, is it worthwhile to get a foot locker? I thought I could just send him with luggage. Any other tips for preparing for this would be great.

Answer 1

The first answerer was right on! I send my son with a days worth of clothes in a big zip-loc baggie, one for each day of camp. Then the dirty clothes go into the bag at the end of the day so that the clean ones don't get smelly.
Plus a few extra pairs of sweat pants (jeans take too long to dry if they get wet) and a few long sleeved t-shirts.
I recommend buying the kind of shorts that you can swim in or just wear as shorts. They dry really fast and do double duty.
A permanent marker for a name on the clothing tag works just fine, and don't forget to mark shoes, sleeping bag, and other personal items as well.

Answer 2

Write his name on the label of all items with a Sharpie marker...it won't last forever but it will last through camp. I recommend making sure your son knows what you are packing...give him input since he will be the one who decides each day what to wear...no sense in packing the clothes he hates and won't wear.

I think an inexpensvie rolling duffel bag is the best. I think a foot locker will be too much for a 9 year old to handle on his own..and he'll probably be expected to carry his own luggage there.

I sent mine with a duffel bag with all his clothes, a backpack with a food stash (all packed in ziplock bags) and a drawstring bag with his favorite pillow in it.

I also packed an empty plastic trash bag for the dirty clothes.

I also bribbed my kid with a treat if he makes it back home with all his stuff (I sent a checklist to help him pack to come home).

Good luck!

Answer 3

I usually just put the initials on the tag with a Sharpie. It won't come out. I never have gotten a footlocker. My kids just usually take a suitcase or duffel bag and sometimes even a back pack. A foot locker might be nice, but I wouldn't think it would be necessary.

Answer 4

no need for a foot locker. do you know if he will be unpacking or living out of his suitcases? You may want to find out if you can because it will make it easier for him if you can pack with that in mind if he has to use the suitcases to live out of. The easiest and cheapest way to mark clothes is with a black Sharpie or laundry marker. The ink will not come off. Most kids truly love camp and I bet he will too!!

Answer 5

i have a few tips

you can use a sharpie for marking his name on the clothing labels.

package his clothes in Ziploc bags. A complete outfit including undies and socks per bag. tell him to put them back in the bag when he takes the dirty clothes off to keep from clean ones getting dirty.

This also helps when he goes to the shower to keep his clothes dry.

Send your old towels (if he has to have them) Chances are they will get stained and you don't want to ruin new towels.

The same for clothes don't send anything you would hate for him to loose. Camps have MOUNTAINS of unclaimed clothing at the end of each week.

Send old sneakers to keep new or expensive ones from getting ruined in mud or sports. best if he has two pairs and a pair of flip flops for the showers.

Have a "secret" place for him to keep his spending money.

Hope this helps!

Luggage is fine it's better if it rolls. again don't send your best chance are it won't be when it returns if you do.

Hope he has a great time!

Answer 6

To mark his belongings I recommend iron on labels with his name on them or sharpie works for some things. For non-clothes items you could print sticker labels or just write his name on a sticker.

I have never gotten a footlocker for my boys and my oldest had been going for 6 years. Big duffels will been fine and most likely he will only have to use them to get all his stuff to camp and take it home. Bring a backpack for daytrips etc.

Also I suggest a couple of bins for socks and underwear, to keep them organized and clean. And for writing letters make some address stickers on the computer of address's he plans to write (you, grandma and grandma, friends...) so that way he can just peel of the sticker, put it on the envelope, and send!

Answer 7

Lightweight Jacket
Meds in a ziploc bag with printed instructions
Toiletries in a ziploc bag, Travel size products work great
Two Not new towels
Watershoes
Good inexpensive tennis shoes
Flip Flops
Sunscreen
Worn Clothing - Long Sleeve and reg. Tshirts, jeans and shorts
Disposable Camera
Lots of Ziploc Bags for dirty items
Backpack of snacks, lightweight books. Disney or Nick Magazine...

Make sure he packs with you. I give my daughter a checklist and she runs around and gets everything lined up and then we pack together. That way she knows exactly what's in there.