Getting your child ready for summer camp can be a stressful time for all involved, so here is a helpful list of "camp essentials" to have packed as your child goes off to either a day camp, or one of the Hudson Valley's sleep away camps.
Essentials for campers:
Day Campers
Each day camp has different activities, but most offer some kind of water sports and outdoor sports. Here’s a basic list to start with:
- bathing suit and a towel
- individual sunscreen
- a water bottle
- a hat
- sneakers for team sports
- flip flops for walking around
- sweatshirt in case the day turns cold
- young children can bring a change of clothing
Sleep-away
Overnight camp programs usually run in three- to four-week increments, so pack accordingly.
- bed linens
- one week’s worth of clothes (most have laundry facilities)*
- sneakers
- light-weight clothing
- shorts
- jeans
- a rain slicker
- a sweater or sweatshirt
- a jacket
- toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and other toiletries
- reading materials
- bug spray and sunscreen
* name tags are either sewed or ironed onto all clothing and bed linens
Robert Lachman is an award-winning journalist who lives in Red Hook. He has worked for many local newspapers and is also a singer songwriter who performs in the area.