As a parent, sending your child off to day camp for the first time can be quite an exciting time. Having your child make new friends, learn important skills, and create lasting memories is a huge step in them growing up!
When sending your child to camp for the day, however, it’s important to keep them prepared for any unprecedented circumstances. Equipped with a backpack or carrying case of sorts, here are some items you should pack for your child’s day camp stay.
Water
Water, water, water! Not enough can be stated on the importance of water. As your child goes through day camp, they’ll most likely be involved in sports — or at the very least, spending the day under the sun. With that comes the sweat, which can lead to dehydration in your child.
You can help your child here by packing them a few water bottles (or even a refillable one!) in their backpack before sending them off to day camp. Instilling good drinking habits in your child and encouraging them to drink water throughout the day will surely guarantee them success and keep them hydrated during their playtime.
If you pack several water bottles, you can freeze a few overnight — that way as the day goes on, they will melt and provide your child with ice-cold hydration.
Healthy Snacks
Running around at day camp and seeing what Buckley has to offer can be tiring after a while for your child. Keep their energy levels up by packing them some healthy snacks!
These snacks don’t have to be complicated either. Keep it simple by tossing a few fruits of your child’s choosing into a bowl — including strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and mangoes. Vegetables like carrots with hummus and celery with peanut butter are also great choices!
Avoid giving your child sugary snacks, as they can make your child experience sluggishness throughout the day. Instill good eating habits in your child by avoiding fast food, sugary snacks, and other unhealthy foods.
Sunscreen
Your child will be spending a lot of time under the sun at day camp. Make sure your child stays prepared with the appropriate sunscreen!
Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays from the sun, with a Sun Protection Filter (SPF) of 30 or above. An SPF 30 sunscreen protects your child against 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 protects against 98%. SPF 100 protects against 99%.
Choosing the right sunscreen will ultimately protects all against not only sunburn, but also skin cancer and aging.
Changing clothes
Playtime at day camp for your child can get messy. From outdoor sports to interacting with nature, chances are your child will get messy and will potentially need a change of clothes afterward.
At Buckley, we also offer an extensive swim program. With our trained instructors, your child can feel safe as they initially navigate pool time. Though your child will have a blast swimming, it’s also good practice to bring a pair of changing clothes for after — no one wants to run around soaking wet all day!
Avoid discomfort from sweat and other outdoor irritants by giving your child a fresh pair of changing clothes. Opt for looser fitting clothing, as it’ll provide your child with optimal comfort and ample ventilation and breathing room to cool off after a day’s worth of outside play.
A sweet note
Of course, what child doesn’t want a sweet note from their parents?! The next time you pack your child’s care package for day camp, take a moment to pen a heartfelt letter to your child. Here, you can reiterate how much you love and care for your child, on top of how proud you are of them for taking their first steps into day camp.
You can even add a fun little game to your letters, too! A game like “Word of the Day” where you give your child clues and make them guess your word of choice will surely keep their brains and creative juices flowing as they try to figure out your puzzle. You can incentivize them with a prize of their choice if they get it right!
Getting Prepared for Buckley Day Camp
At Buckley, we not only encourage, but we ensure a positive environment that is open for all children. Buckley’s campus is conducive to play, learning, and exploring your imagination — which are all possible when your child arrives here for their day camp stay. To learn more about Buckley, please visit our website and contact us today!