Your child’s first trip away on their own, to summer camp or on a school trip, is quite a challenge for both of you. What should you pack so your child has everything they need? Here are 10 practical tips.
1. Layer up
The weather in Poland can be truly unpredictable. Even if the forecast promises clear skies for the whole trip, pack an extra warm hoodie, a rain jacket and a spare pair of shoes for your child. It’s also worth remembering that evenings can be chilly. A warm tracksuit will keep your little one comfortable during night-time treasure hunts or games around the campfire.
2. Comfort above all
Summer camp is not a fashion show! It should be comfortable and practical. Skip the light-coloured or expensive clothes – your child is going away to have fun, get dirty and move about freely, not to worry about every stain or hole.
3. Avoid anything new
New, untested items can turn out to be uncomfortable – this applies to shoes in particular! There’s another reason too, perhaps less obvious but just as common: children have trouble recognising their new clothes! In shared rooms of several children, this often leads to quite a bit of confusion. To avoid it, you can also mark your child’s things in a distinctive way: with a sticker, a bit of thread or a marker pen.
4. Say “NO” to expensive gadgets!
No expensive tablets, laptops, mobile phones or cameras! A trip like this is the perfect opportunity to keep your child away from screens of any kind, at least for a short while. If you’ve already spent a fair amount of money so your child can enjoy exercise and rest in the fresh air, let them enjoy it! Besides, gadgets like these often get damaged or stolen. Better to spare your child (and yourself) the loss, the stress or the guilt.
5. Provide protection
Protect your child from unwanted adventures such as sunburn, heatstroke, athlete’s foot, and bites from ticks, midges and mosquitoes. Your child’s luggage must include: a sun hat, high-factor sun cream, flip-flops for the shower and insect repellent. A cream for insect bites will also come in handy.
6. Protect against getting lost
It’s worth protecting both your child and their luggage. It’s easy to get lost in a new, unfamiliar place. A notiOne tracker in the form of a wristband, worn on your child’s wrist, will give them a sense of security, and give you the comfort of being able to check at any moment, in the app on your phone, that your child is where they should be. And a notiOne attached to a discreet spot on their luggage will help you find it if it gets lost or stolen.
7. Extra snacks
What else should you pack for summer camp? Children on trips like these usually have full board provided. But if you want to treat your little one to something special, remember to choose snacks that are light and won’t go off, e.g. crisps, crackers or pretzel sticks. What usually happens is that the child shoves the suitcase under the bed and… forgets about it. It’s easy to guess what happens next to forgotten food.
8. Money
Not too much, and not all in one place! Follow the trip organisers’ suggestions on how much money to give your child for the trip. They’ll know best where and how often there will be opportunities to spend it. Split the total into smaller amounts and, together with your child, hide them in 2-3 different places: in a small day pack, in a zipped jacket pocket, at the bottom of the suitcase. If some gets lost or stolen, only part of the money will be gone, not all of it.
9. A small backpack
Apart from the main luggage, your child will also find a small backpack useful for taking to the beach, on short hikes in the mountains or sightseeing in town. Make sure it’s light and comfortable and has a breathable back panel. Your child will be walking with it in the heat, and a thick back panel can cause overheating.
10. A packing list
Ask the organisers for a list of the essentials to bring. Read it carefully and pack according to their suggestions. The organisers of summer camps and school trips will know best what the children in their care will need. If in doubt, ask! Your child’s comfort and safety will depend on it.
Did you like our tips? Do you now know what to pack for your child’s summer camp? Or would you like to add something? Leave a comment and share your experiences with us. 🙂
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