5 tips to help prepare your child for summer camp

I’m not entirely sure where the time has gone…

Seriously, I blinked and all of a sudden both my kids are all grown up! Ok, so that might be a slight exaggeration, however I did blink and now it’s summer. Yikes!

Please, someone stop the clock – just for a little while!

As summer is fast approaching the day camp notices have been coming home in full force. This is the biggest kid’s first year in full day school (Kindergarten), and so really the first time that I’ve even considered summer camps as he’s always attended his regular daycare year round. Thankfully my kids are pretty versatile, and open to change, however being as summer camp is going to be a new experience, I’ve come up with a list of helpful ways to prepare your child for summer camp.

1. Get Excited!
Hopefully this wont be too difficult as summer camps can be a fun and exciting experience for children, however for children that may be anxious about change or trying something new, take time to help get them excited about their upcoming experience. Some great ways of doing this are to show them pictures of the camp so they can get acquainted with where they’re going and what activities they will be doing.

2. Go Shopping!
Make sure that your child is well equipped for their camp with any relevant items they may need. Check with the camp to ensure that you have any required items such as bathing suits, sun screen, hats, lunch boxes, etc.. Involving your child in this process will help get them excited about going, but also help them better identify with what items they are taking with them and which belongings are theirs.

3. Label, label, label!
The best way to prevent the disappointment and frustration of lost items is to label them! We absolutely love the Oliver’s Labels Camp Package. This is the Cadillac of label packages with a total of 151 labels and tags, including shoe labels, original labels, mini labels, iron-on labels, stick-eez™ labels, and 2 plastic bag tags perfect for backpacks, suitcases, and even lunch bags. A feature I love about these labels is that you can add the optional Found-it™ Tracking System, a free online tracking system that’s printed on your labels to help bring lost items home!

4. Foster Independence!
Don’t underestimate the abilities of your child. Give them a task or set of tasks to help prepare themselves for camp. Tasks can be as simple as putting their name labels on all of their camp items, helping to pack their bags, or picking out items that they want to bring with them.

5. Make a list!
Once you’ve labelled all of your belongings, it’s a good idea to make a list of everything that is in your child’s bag. This way your child can check the list daily, or at the end of camp to ensure that everything they left with is coming home with them. If your child is still developing their reading skills, consider making a visual list with pictures of the various items your child has packed.

To help you prepare your child for summer camp, the generous folks at Oliver’s Labels are offering up 1 Camp Package of labels to a lucky reader! Enter below for your chance to win!

If you’re as excited to get labeling as I was and can’t wait for the giveaway, the Oliver’s Labels Camp Package is currently on sale for 20% off!!

*Disclosure: I was provided a free Camp Package in exchange for my review, as always, I only write about things that I love and I definitely do love these! All opinions are mine and mine alone*

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