For the millions of youth who call summer camp home each summer, excitement begins to grow exponentially just after spring break each year. Not only is the end of another school year just around the corner, but the beginning of another camp season is oh so close that campers can practically smell the campfires. A variety of countdowns help them keep track of just how many sleeps are left until they’re back in their bunks or cabins and reunited with camp friends. Oh, of course there are the literal countdowns of exactly how many days, minutes, and hours are left that are featured on many summer camp apps and websites. But kids tend to be a bit more creative than website designers when it comes to countdowns and pre-camp rituals.
Parents may be a bit mystified, for example, when they’re handed a pillowcase, blanket, towel, etc. that campers have conveniently kept out of the laundry basket for the past several months because it “smells like camp.” For campers, this is just the release of one summer as part of the final preparation stages for the next. For parents, it’s a good reason not to send the good pillowcases to camp.
The amount of times the word camp finds its words into a conversation—and sometimes even a single sentence—steadily starts to rise again. Maybe there is just
something about seeing green, or maybe it’s the warmer days. Whatever the motivating factor, after a graduating dipping off during the coldest winter months, with the arrival of spring comes the re-integration of camp lingo into everyday speech. Parents need not become frustrated, children are usually happy to translate until someone gets around to writing that all important Camp Dictionary for Parents Who Want to Know What Their Campers Are Saying.
Some campers measure the time left until camp by the amount of episodes remaining before the season finale of their favorite television shows and then the number of weeknights they have to endure with nothing on television but reruns to watch until camp starts. Still, others prefer the exam approach and countdown their time until camp by the number of tests remaining in the school year. (Note: Some counselors use both of these approaches as well.)
Clever Apple users countdown with SIRI and hold daily conversations with her about camp. Others like to plan ahead even further into the summer by making out their Visiting Day snack lists, just in case they get too busy to do so after they get to camp. Countdowns are rarely a matter of just plain counting down when it comes to camp. Like camp itself, they’re full of ritual and meaning.
10. Complete all of the camp paperwork. This provides the camp with valuable details about your child that they can pass onto their health center and counselors. Knowing your children’s interests before they arrive helps the camp place them into cabins or bunks in which they’ll thrive, provide them with the best program options, and be able to supply them with any medication they may require.
8. Review the camp’s packing list and make sure you have everything. Don’t overlook things like extra socks and underwear as well as rain gear and warm clothing.
6. Make your Visiting Day plans and book lodging. Yes, it’s true that your children haven’t even left for camp yet. But many hotels within the immediate vicinity of a camp often book months in advance. If you’re unsure of the lodging options near your children’s camp, contact the camp office.
4. Ensure you have all adequate sports and musical equipment in order: the wheels on the roller blades are oiled, the shin pads are the proper fit, and the guitar strings have been tightened. Just as if they are going off to rehearsal, your children’s sports equipment will receive as much of a workout at camp as it will at home. Sending your campers with properly maintained and fitting equipment can have a tremendous affect on the success of their summer.
3. Pack. It sounds so simple. Yet, for camp, it’s quite the production. Most camps strongly advise against packing any clothing that can’t withstand commercial laundry services. It’s also wise to remember that camps often downplay the importance of physical appearance, which means leaving the “dry clean only” and “one of kind” items at home is typically a good idea. Once you have your children’s bags packed, don’t forget to arrange for them to be delivered to camp by the designated date.
2. Review the bus pickup location and procedures. It’s particularly important to understand what your children can take on the plane or bus and what they can’t. Carefully review whether lunch will be provided for your children either on the trip or when they get to camp, or if you should provide packed lunches for them. Understand the carry-on limitations, particularly in regard to sports equipment. Finally, be on time to the departure point. Of course, people inevitably get stuck in traffic or lost (as is particularly the case for new pickup locations), but try to get a sense of where you’re going ahead of time and leave a bit early if necessary.
