Teens as well as younger kids and their parents have good reason to get excited about summer time youth camp. This is an opportunity for everyone to step back from their typical lives and see each other a little bit differently as well as take some time away from each other. However, there is more to going to summer camp than simply loading up into a bus or other vehicle and heading out to the great unknown. You have to know what to take with you if your experience is going to be the best it can be.
When it's time to head off to youth camp, here are some things you will want to know about what to take along with you.
Packing list
You should take the time to make a list of all the necessities of life that you just cannot live without while at youth camp. There is usually some information included in your summer camp registration packet that tells you what is allowed and what is not. They also usually come with a packing list for easy reference. Remember these are suggestions, but it is a good idea to go over them to make sure that you are not leaving out anything. If you have any questions about the items you believe are needed during youth camp, you can always contact the camp staff to discuss this with them.
Recreation
With the wide variety of recreational activities that take place at youth camp, along with the camping program itself, you will want to make sure that you go off to camp with all the right paperwork and permission forms filled out including your parent's signatures. This will assure that you will not have to sit out on something you were looking forward to.
Health and Safety
For those youth campers with asthma or allergies or other health conditions, it is wise to discuss appropriate steps with the camping staff so that you understand how they will help you to make sure you have all the medication you need for your stay. As a rule, most youth camps have a first aid station onsite to dispense medications as well as take care of any immediate concerns that arise. You will have to provide properly labeled medications as well as instructions for their use. Along with that you will have to bring permission slips with your parent's signatures on them giving the trained personnel permission to dispense the medications.
Clothing
Since youth camp involves a lot of different activities, you will want to make sure that you have enough clothes to make it through them all. That means getting a head start on your packing and pack enough for several days. The length of your summer camp will determine how much you should bring with you, and if you are going to be gone a month you should plan for clothes that can be easily washed. You will need towels, bathing suits, bedding, and at least one change of clothes each day.
For the most fun at youth camp, you should be prepared for anything, and remember to have fun at summer camp.