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Kids' Summer Camp Supplies Buying Guide

Time to send the little ones off to summer camp! If you're a first timer, you might want to figure out exactly what you need. Of course these supplies differ from child to child and most camps supply a suggested list, but if you want a more impartial opinion, ShopWiki is here to rescue you. Remember camping needs vary for sleep-away and day camp.

What Do You Send to Camp?

Packing depends heavily on the style, duration of the camp and your child's needs. Below is a list of things to consider before packing.

• Is this a rugged camp where extra comforts aren't welcome? Or is it a hotel in the woods?
• How long does camp last? Campers need much less for 1 week than 8 weeks.
• Is there a camping component that will require more outdoor gear?
• Does your child need certain items for stability like a books, pictures  or toys? What about special medications or foods?
• Would s/he make more friends bringing along a guitar,  Frisbee  or hacky sack? 
• Consider if you want your child to be the borrower or the lender when it comes time to under- or over-pack. Once at camp, s/he will have to make do with whatever s/he has; there's no shopping at camp.
• What's the climate at camp? Will it get very cold at night? Is there lots of rain?
• Is the camp going to have dances or banquets where your child will have to dress up? 
• Are there going to be trips when s/he'll need to pack a small suitcase? 
• Can you send food? 
• What is the money-spending policy?
• Is technology allowed?
• Is there a uniform, limiting the amount of other clothing s/he'll have to bring?

For basics, your child needs:

• Clothing, including pants,  shorts,  tops,  sneakers,  sandals,  jackets,  rain gear  and anything more formal that may be required.
• Bedding.
• Shower supplies, including shampoo,  conditioner,  soap,  a shower caddy,  and shower shoes. 
• Personal hygiene supplies, including a toothbrush,  hairbrush,  nail clippers,  and lotion. 
• Sun block  and bug spray.  No question about it, these two supplies are the most important of all.
• Equipment for camp activities, i.e., sports, arts, scholarly, trips, etc.
• Social and personal effects.
• Fix-it materials for their other stuff, like a sewing kit,  duct tape  or Ace bandage. 

Bedding and Linens

Sleeping Bag	Cot Pad  and Cover	Sheets  and Comforter	Pillow and Pillowcase	Towels

Clothing

Regular Summer Clothes	Fleece  and Rain Gear	Pajamas	Hiking Clothes	Swimming

In the Sun

Hat and Bandanna	Fan (Not required, but really nice to have.)	Sun Protection, After-Sun Care and Bug Repellent	Water Bottle	Sunglasses

Home Away from Home

Music	Stationery,  Stamp Collecting and a Diary	Laundry Bag	Storage Containers	Books and Reading Lamp

Hygiene

First Aid Kit	Shower Stuff	Shower Shoes	Medicine	Beauty Supplies

Into the Woods

Binoculars (If your child will be watching anything, even the next bunk.)	Compass  (It's cheaper than a GPS system.)	Camera (For friends and nature.)	Whistle  (Safety first.)	Backpack (Day trips or longer trips?)

For Specialty Camps

Sports and Recreation	Arts, Music, and Theater	Scouting	Religious	Academic

Lastly

Don't forget to label  everything! Your child will have better things to do than keep track of her/his belongings.

External Links

• American Camping Association -- Your source for all things camping.
• Awesome Summer Camps & Adventures-- A search engine providing information on all different types of summer camps.
• Summercamps.com-- Information on a variety of camps, including special needs camps.
• MySummercamps.org-- Another directory of summer camps.
• YMCA-- A popular organization providing a variety of summer camps and other summer activities to communities.