Get Kids Ready for Summer Camp (Giveaway!)

Written by Emily Roach

The weather is finally nice and our thoughts turn towards long summer days and family trips. The other exciting part of summer for many kids is camp! Your kids had lots of options to choose from at the 1st annual Parent Talk Summer Camp Fair, and it's almost time for them to enjoy a new adventure.  Here's a few ways to get ready for summer camp, plus we are partnering with Kiddo Tags to offer a $40 Gift Card to a lucky family to order labels for camp stuff.

Here are some of the things to plan to pack for day camp. Remember to start with a backpack the kids can manage themselves, but big enough to hold a swim towel if needed. 

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• Sunscreen and bug repellent
• Hat
• Extra pair of clothes/underwear
• Antibacterial hand soap 
• Swimsuit/Swim Towel if needed
• Lunchbox (Here are some eco-friendly lunch box options.)

If you have big kids heading to sleep away camp, here are some additional items for your list.

• Clothing that is easy to coordinate
• Mini first aid kid
• Flashlight and batteries
• A little piece of home (photo, stuffed animal)
• Sneakers and water shoes

In order to ease the transition into camp for both big and little kids, it's helpful to talk through the schedule they will face at their camp. If there is a tour available for both parents and kids to attend, take advantage of it together. If swimming is involved, make sure they are not stressed in the water and have adequate skills to avoid poolside meltdowns. Even if you think they are prepared, be understanding when those meltdowns happen and you get a phone call. We went through that last year as my daughter wasn't used to having a male teacher. Kids can get funny about the strangest things so just be flexible, and help them get mentally prepared.

Getting your stuff labeled for camp is key. There's a lot of stuff floating around that often looks the same so having your kids name on it is handy for all those camp counselors.

If your kids have allergies, an labels and ID bracelets may be a lifesaver. Kiddo Tags offers both wristbands and labels for children with allergies or medical conditions. The design options are cute and you can get your child's input on customizing them. You can order yours now and get 20% off using the coupons code: awareness. (Expires June 30, 2013).

One lucky Parent Talk family will win a $40 Gift Card to Kiddo Tags to get their child ready for camp! Please enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Contest is open until May 22, 2013.

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About the Author
Emily Roach is the writer/owner of Random Recycling, a blog focused on healthy living for modern families. She lives in Needham with her husband, two children, and is expecting baby number three this summer. She loves to cook, garden and spend time at the beach.

Dislcosure: I was provided Kiddo Tags to help my kids get ready for camp this summer. The designs and color options are cute and the ordering process was very easy. All opinions shared here are my own. Parent Talk is not responsible for the fulfillment of this giveaway.