I received samples from several companies to facilitate this post.
My youngest boys went to overnight camp for the first time this year. They had the opportunity last year to go to church camp but they were not ready as we had recently joined this church and they did not know any of the other kids yet. I think also they were not ready to be so far away from home. My boys went to several day camps in the past but the thought of not knowing anyone and sleeping in a strange place without mom was more than they could handle. So this year I was able to convince the boys they would have a blast at camp and I signed them up. I had no trouble convincing the older of the two boys but the youngest was a different story. My youngest did not like the fact that his older brother was going to the church camp at a separate time. Separation can be hard for some kids but once he found out that his best friend was going all was well.
What to pack for camp
The church gave my boys a packing list of items that they would need for camp and that list had all the necessary gear that my boys would need but I included some unique camping items that were not on the list. My rule of thumb when packing for kids overnight camp is to not overpack and make sure that they can carry everything that they packed. At most overnight camps the cabins are not near the parking lots so kids are responsible to carry their own items to the cabins. You will not be there to help them lug all their stuff and there are no luggage carts. So make sure that your kid can carry everything that they bring. I like to have my kids pack their camping items in a
backpack and a duffle bag. The backpack is great for the items that they will need during the day and the duffle bag is great for their clothes. Since your child will be using the backpack during the day make sure to select one that is unique so, your child can easily identify theirs. Also, make sure the backpack is roomy enough to hold a rain jacket so they are prepared for the weather.
Unique backpacks for kids
The backpack that you select also has to be cool looking as kids and that cartoon/superhero backpack may no longer work. A place that I like to shop for unique backpacks for kids is
Fenrici. This place has backpacks and lunch bags with kid-friendly designs that appeal to even older kids. So kids no longer have to carry a plain solid color bag that looks the same as all the other bags. Fenrici has bags that appeal to both boys and girls and does not have an overwhelming selection so it will not take them all day to select the perfect backpack. My older son can be quite picky and shopping with him can be an all-day affair so I like when places only have less than 20 items to choose from. The bags that my boys selected from Fenrici had cool designs on them that they liked and the bags were big enough so they could carry a sweatshirt and rain jacket in it. My boys liked that they had a water bottle pouch and comfortable straps. I like that the backpacks had plenty of pockets in them so my boys could easily find what they need. These cool backpacks are available on Amazon and with my coupon code
Fenrici15 you can save 15%. Click
HERE to check out all the kid-approved backpacks. The code expires 7/15/2019
Thirteen top items to pack for camp
1. sleeping bag
2.
backpack
3. clothes like shorts, t-shirts, sweats
4. PJs
5.
DEET-free bug spray
6. sunscreen
7. flashlight and batteries
8. water bottle
9. hat
10. bathroom items like toothbrush, toothpaste and soap
11. swimsuit
12. towel
13.
tummy drops
Kid friendly upset tummy relief
When kids are away from home they tend to not eat right and they can get an upset stomach.
Tummydrops are great for kids to pack in their camping bag. These all-natural lozenges combat nausea and motion sickness and are made with natural plant-based ingredients. The drops are drug-free and delicious so when kids feel sick they can naturally stop an upset stomach. The Tummydrops are made with ingredients like ginger and have a cute look to them so kids don't have to be embarrassed about needing a Tummydrop. My boys loved the taste of these non-drowsy, certified gluten-free, USDA organic, Kosher certified and Non-GMO Verified lozenges. Their favorite flavor was the sweet blackberry ginger. The cool looking tins are easy to carry in their backpack for on-the-go relief of tummy problems. These yummy drops are sold at
www.tummydrops.com, Amazon, Walmart.com, and Whole Foods stores. Tummydrops are also great for pregnancy nausea.
The safe bug spray
Camping and bugs seem to go together and no one likes bug bites. So make sure to pack a safe kid-friendly DEET-free insect repellent in their camping backpack. My boys love wearing
BugBand Bands when they are camping in the woods as these bands can be worn on the wrist or ankle for up to 120 hours of protection from bugs like mosquitoes, flies, gnats, no-see-ums (aka biting gnats, midges or sandflies) and fleas. The BugBand is great for kids as they don't have to remember to spray themselves with insect repellant. When my boys go camping with their dad, I always send them off with a bottle of BugBand spray lotion. This lotion is also DEET-free and keeps the bugs from biting without any nasty chemical smell. BugBand also sells DEET-free insect repellant towelettes. The towelettes and sprays offer 2 to 4 hours of protection. These products are available at Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com, and in Walmart, Bass Pro and Cabela’s stores, and everywhere else outdoor supplies are sold.
So whether your kid is heading off to overnight camp or day camp, these unique items are must-haves for kids to take to camp. The backpacks will be great for back to school and the safe bug spray is great for the backyard. I am going to keep a container of the Tummydrops in my purse so I can be prepared for those times when my kid says "mom, my tummy hurts." These flavorful drops are also a must-have for summer road trips. If your travels this summer include taking the train, make sure to check out these posts about my trip that my family took on the train this year. The post has great information on what to pack for the train and how to keep kids entertained.
Seven tips for taking the Amtrak train
https://www.momknowsbest.net/2019/05/seven-tips-for-taking-amtrak-train-with.html
Riding On The Amtrak Train With My Family
https://www.momknowsbest.net/2019/06/riding-on-amtrak-train-with-my-family.html
What items would you add to the camping list?
