Countdown To Camp: Five Things To Do Now!
School is ending and camp is right around the corner. Do you know where your packing list is?
I suspected as much.
In addition to being a camp director, I’m also an experienced camp parent, having sent my kids both to GAC and several other camps. So I am well aware of that “where did I put that camp handbook?” feeling.
My son is going to camp this summer, so I, too, am now in all-out alert mode to get him ready. In the past, I may have waited a tad too long on a few items, so I thought I’d share some advice before I get in gear and get him prepared!
Here are some tips to keep chaos at a minimum during camp preparations for your child:
#1 Order clothing labels today!
I really like these labels (and they are the ones we sent you) because you DON’T EVEN HAVE TO IRON THEM! Seriously, when I was getting my older kids ready for camp 15 years ago, we didn’t have such conveniences. Now, it’s super easy to have my kids label all those socks and undies on their own!
#2 Fill out your forms.
The forms we require you to complete are your primary way to communicate your child’s information and any special considerations or needs to the staff who will be caring for your child at camp. If you stick those forms in your child’s luggage as they depart (YOU WOULD 
NEVER DO THAT, RIGHT?), the staff may not have vital information about your child. Allergy lists for the kitchen, special activity requests, etc., are all made available before campers arrive. We need the forms 30 days before their session begins so that we can get the correct information to the appropriate staff.
Late forms are not okay. Fill them out. (As a related aside, I thought I could call our pediatrician at the end of April and schedule my son for a physical in May, but that was not the case. I had to send an apologetic email to camp explaining that his appointment is four days before the session starts. This is embarrassing for a 34-year veteran camp director!)
#3 Look at the packing list.
Sweat pants? Those can be hard to find in stores this time of year, and if your kids are like mine, last winter’s are way too small. You’ll have to order them online. I know Amazon is fast, but if you’re looking at the packing list the night before camp, even Amazon can’t get the sweatpants to you in time. Check out the list. See what your camper needs. Get it now rather than risking a panic attack at 11:45pm the night before camp.
#4 Plan for some down time.
When I hear about the schedules some of our campers have before and after camp—with not a minute to rest before or recuperate after—I worry. Remember our childhood summer days? A whole lot of nothing, most every day, so that by September school was actually sounding pretty good? Today’s kids have summer school, sports camp, junior lifeguards, test prep, sports practices, band camp, family vacation (need I go on?). Please schedule some time for rest and reflection after camp. The experience is so profound it needs to be savored, not wedged in between everything else.
#5 Figure out how to work our camp online system.
As soon as your camper arrives at camp, you’ll want grandparents to know how to send emails, and you’ll be anxious to see photos. Practice now so that on the first day of camp, you’re not fumbling around online.
There you have it—just a few tips to get you ahead of the curve on camp preparations. Trust me on these. I have been there a few times, and I know that ironing labels past midnight before an early camp departure is not a fun experience.
Audrey “Sunshine” Monke, Director of Gold Arrow Camp for the past 32 years, writes about camp, parenting, and happiness at her website, Sunshine Parenting. You can also follow Sunshine on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest for links to other articles and ideas about camp and parenting.
Resources/Related:
Summer Camp (lots of Sunshine Parenting resources to help you prepare for camp!)
Camp Supplies (there are TONS of other places to get camp gear):
Everything Summer Camp (trunks, duffels, other camp gear)
Label Daddy (no iron clothing labels)
Gruvy Wear (UV protective swim wear)
REI
LL Bean
Slim
Episode 29.
On Episode 29 Soy is joined by Slim, who spent several years living in Cabin 29. Soy and Slim talk about sports, Mississippi State, Swag, and how camp helps teach young men to be vulnerable and have authentic conversations. There was powerful stuff in this podcast, and we think you’ll really enjoy it.
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Squirrel
Episode 28.
On Episode 28 long-time camper and current counselor Squirrel joins Soy to talk about how camp changed her life, and why she loves leading backpacking trips in the High Sierra. There’s also a joke that Soy enjoys a little too much and a warm-up for Big Campfire.
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Uncle
Episode 26 – Uncle
On Episode 26 Uncle drops by the studio (via the Internet) to chat about dealing with fear as a camper, making friends worldwide, and, of course, lip balm. Soy is playing some Country Roads on guitar and there’s a Western themed Joke of the Cast!
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Khaleesi
Episode 25 –
On Episode 25 of the Gold Arrow Camp POG-Cast, we’re joined by Khaleesi. Khaleesi shares some of her favorite things about being a wrangler as well as how camp has helped her in nursing school. As always, there’s a joke of the cast and Soy is still working on guitar.
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Chippy
Episode 24 – Chippy
On Episode 24 of the GAC POG-Cast, Soy sits down for a chat with Chippy, and they explore the ways that campers can take GAC with them everywhere they go. Also, if you’re tracking Soy’s guitar playing progress, he’s playing a brand new song this week!
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Lily Garelick
Episode 23.
On episode 23 of the POG-Cast, Soy is joined by Lily Garelick, who shares her experience traveling to Tanzania to help provide medical care to those in need. It is a great reminder of how powerful it is to bring positive changes to the world, which is one of our core values. As always, Soy plays some guitar and tells a joke that he really enjoys.
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Smudge
Episode 22.
On Episode 22 of the GAC POG-Cast we settle in for a chat with Smudge. Smudge joined us for the first time in the summer of 2017. She and Soy talked about what they love at camp and the power of saying “yes”.
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Astro
Episode 21.
On Episode 21 of the Gold Arrow Camp POG-Cast, Soy has his first ever recorded conversation with a soon-to-be astrophysicist, tells a historically themed Joke of the Cast, and plays a GAC-mas carol on guitar!
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Kronk
Episode 20.
On the 20th episode of the not-yet-critically-acclaimed POG-Cast, Soy is joined by veteran boat driver and all around wonderful human being Kronk. They chat about why campfires are so wonderful and share a love of artichoke hearts. There’s also a Joke of the Cast and Soy’s performance debut on guitar.
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