TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
SUMMER CAMPS IN GENERAL
AND FIND A CAMP FOR YOUR
CHILD, the American Camp
Association maintains a list of camps
on its website, ACAcamps.org.

There, parents can also learn about
the ACA accreditation process for
summer camps.

really important to making it a positive
experience.” Before making a final decision,
parents should also find out if their
camp of choice has received accredita-
tion from the ACA, which would indicate
it has strict operational measures in
place in areas like health, safety
and risk-management. Camp officials
advise parents to “interview” the camp
director, talk to parents whose
children are already in the program
and make sure they are comfortable
with what they are learning from these
discussions. Lisa says she’s narrowed down her
choices—one sleepaway camp and one
day camp, depending on which route she
and her husband, Steve, feel is best—and
will be making a decision shortly. But she
knows it’s not a decision she could have
made lightly.

“Camp, is not something to do to keep
kids busy for the summer,” she says. “It’s
a significant investment in helping your
child grow.” 1
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“Also, some camps are repetitive in
activities from week to week, so if they’ll
be attending multiple weeks, you may
want to find a camp that offers more
variety,” she adds.

Finding the right environment is just
one of the keys for summer camp success,
says Robyn Shrater Seeman, of Rock-
ville, Maryland, whose kids range from
ages 7 to 17.

“We have four kids, so one challenge is
coordinating schedules — between camp
schedules and family plans like traveling
or seeing relatives, and between camp
and school schedules,” she says. “Another
is finding camps that meet with each kid’s
interests, and then seeing what will fit
our budget.”
This year, her two oldest will be work-
ing at area camps, while the two youngest
enjoy local day camps.

Overall, Shrater Seeman continues,
“We look for a camp that is warm and
inclusive. Whether it’s a general camp
or a specialty camp like theater or base-
ball, a warm and inclusive atmosphere is



Beyond Bug Repellent
BY HEATHER M. ROSS
ESSENTIALS FOR OVERNIGHT CAMP
GRAPHICS ELEMENTS: NATALIIA PRACHOVA/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
EVERY YEAR, the highlights of camp season are different. A new friend made, a new
hobby discovered or perhaps a new favorite food. But the hard part of dropping your
kids off is always the same. The worry, the rush and, inevitably, the forgotten items.

We spoke to local camp direc-
tors to find out what kids need
most at sleepaway camp. Here’s
what you can expect your child will need
for those longer stays, including a checklist
to make packing a little less worrying.

Liz Heilbronner, the director of Camp
Horizons in Virgina’s Shenandoah Valley;
Grant Larsen, the director of Camp
Wabanna in Edgewater, Maryland; and
Lisa Handelman, the director of Capital
Camps in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, share
what kids forget the most when
packing for camp below.

BEDDING AND GEAR
Bug bites aren’t always the first thing to
come to mind when packing for sum-
mer camp, but with many summer camps
having activities near or on the water, or
surrounded by nature, maybe they should
be. Kids should be sure to pack bug spray
and sunscreen to keep their skin safe and
healthy so they can focus on having fun.

When it comes to clothing, don’t bring
any outfit that can’t be replaced. At camp,
kids are active, kids get dirty and some-
times clothing items can get misplaced.

Kids should also bring at least two towels.

This is because, if they swim multiple days
in a row, their towel may not have had time
to dry yet. Another good reason to bring a
second towel is because kids may swim in
natural bodies of water as well as in a pool.

“Pillows are the No. 1 thing kids forget to
bring,” Heilbronner says.

Kids also frequently forget to bring a
backpack, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

But, according to Heilbronner, the item she
relied on most back when she was a camper
was a small folding seat she could use to
keep herself up off the grass and stay a lot
more comfortable.

With all the running around, climbing,
jumping and other activities at camp, it’s
also easy to get dehydrated. Kids should
always bring a reusable water bottle to
camp to stay comfortable and safe.

Above all, it’s important to remember
that unique camps have unique activities,
and parents should always check with the
camp about specific gear their child may
need. According to Larsen, kids signing up
and going to Camp Wabanna have often-
times forgotten or not known to bring
fishing gear.

2 Don’t forget!
2 Bedding (pillows included!*)
2 Clothes to get dirty
2 Bathing suits
2 Towels
COMFORT ITEMS
“Know that camp is an
adventure, and it has ups
and downs. It’s possible to
be homesick AND have a great
time,” Handelman says.

It’s very common for children, espe-
cially younger children, to experience
some homesickness. This doesn’t mean
they won’t have a great time, but there are
things you can pack to ease them into this
new experience.

Pack a comfortable sweatshirt, a stuffed
animal, a picture from home and some
paper for them to write letters about their
experiences. Even if they don’t mail the
letters, it can be comforting to write like
they’re talking to their loved one.

DAILY FUN
At camp, most of your child’s time will be
filled with making friends, staying active,
learning and experiencing new things. But,
at every camp, there’s also downtime to
consider. For the moments between the
madness, kids should pack a book to read,
a journal to keep track of their experiences
and other non-electronic pastimes. 1
(* These items are among the most forgotten)
2 Flashlight
2 Water bottle
2 Sunscreen
2 Toothpaste*
2 Toothbrush*
2 Book
2 Journal
2 (Optional) Backpack*
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