With school letting out and summer camps gearing up, we want you to be prepared. There is nothing worse than the morning scramble to get out the door. You know the scramble we are talking about. But just to make sure we’re on the same page, let’s set the scene.
It’s Wednesday morning, and you have THINGS.TO.DO. You’re normally so organized, but Tuesday night was chaotic. After getting home from work and making dinner, you were READY to settle down with a book for the night, but instead things went off the rails. The dog “wasn’t acting like himself” and was giving you the look, you know the one, it normally means he got into something he shouldn’t have so you spent the night at the emergency vet only to learn he was just being moody.
After getting a whopping four hours of sleep, you stumble out of bed Wednesday morning and realize you are running late and no one is packed for camp and with the lack of sleep, you can’t remember what to pack. Sound familiar?
While we can’t be there to physically pack daypacks (sorry!), we can provide you with a short check list of staples to keep in your bags so most of the heavy lifting is done ahead of time. Below are the must-haves for your camp daypack to help make sure you have the best summer ever!
Sunscreen
As much as we love the sun, we must respect its strength! Summer and sunshine go hand in hand, but we want to make sure we enjoy it as safely as we can!
Hat
In addition to aiding in protecting us from the sun, hats can also help just give us a bit of shade and help keep us cool when we are spending more time than normal outside.
Sunglasses
No one likes to squint! Sunglasses not only help us look like fashion icons, but they also provide us with some much-needed UV protection.
A Change of Clothes
When you’re having a carefree summer romping around outdoors, sometimes things happen-a craft mishap, spilled water etc. Having a backup option that lives in your daypack is never a bad idea, chances are you will never need to use it, but on the off chance that something goes awry, you will be glad it was packed.
Swimsuit/Towel/Goggles
Swim days at camp are prescheduled (and we won’t pivot), so while they won’t surprise you, prepacking a swimsuit, towel and goggles can save you from the headache of needing to double check the schedule on your way out the door. This way when chaos happens (see above scenario) you aren’t left scrambling.
Medications (if needed)
Keeping any medications that need to be on hand packed in a pouch in your daypack can really ease any stress. This is a great way to make sure your child/loved one has everything they might need. (Don’t forget any inhalers or EpiPens!)
Fidgets
While our staff typically keeps some fidgets on hand, if participants have a favorite one, we highly recommend they bring it in case we don’t have one that works the same way.
Noise Cancelling Earmuffs
Camp days are the best days. Being around friends and getting to let loose in a safe environment is unparalleled. But sometimes, along with that fun comes loud noises. To ensure the experience is the best it can be for everyone, especially if your child/loved one is sensitive to loud noises, packing noise cancelling earmuffs can change the game.
Layers/Raincoat
While the phrase “Seattle Summer” normally evokes images of perfect sunny days, we know it’s always best to be prepared for unexpected rain and weather in the PNW. Light layers and a rain shell can be our best friends in the summer.
Lunch/Water/Snacks
Finally, don’t forget to pack lunch, water and snacks for the day. While not everything can be packed in a daypack the night before, prepping lunch ahead of time can save some time in the morning so you can just pull it out of the fridge on your way out the door.
We are almost full, but still have a few spots available. Check out our registration information page here to learn more about our camp schedules and to register!
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For general inquiries or questions regarding programs please email us at info@outdoorsforall.org.