How Many Times Can You Wear It Between Washes?

Connecting with Campers in the Age of Screens, Social Media, and Fortnite

Connecting with campers can be difficult for summer camp counselors now that campers have more screen time than ever.

“Having seen firsthand the way some counselors struggle to connect with their campers — to create money in the bank with them — I have put together the following list of practices that can help you do just that.

Take turns sitting next to different campers at each meal. Change it up so you get to hang out with all of your campers.

Make a point of walking and talking with one, two, or three of your campers together while going from one activity to another. This downtime is often when you hear more from your campers about what is going on among them as a group. It gives you the opportunity to connect with them more like a peer (even though we know you are not their peer). If you tend to walk alone or with other counselors, you are missing an important opportunity to connect with your kids.

Sit with different groups of your campers during rest hour and either talk, play a card game, or engage with them in some other quiet-time activity. Again, especially in the first few days of a new session, this is a terrific chance to connect more informally with your kids. If you tend to sleep during rest hour, once again you are missing a key opportunity to create money in the bank with them.

Make a checklist of things that you know about your campers. For example, do you know the favorite camp activity of each of them? Do you know if they have a pet at home and what their pet’s name is? (Talking about pets, who occupy a special place in many kids’ hearts, is an especially great way to make a more personal connection with most any camper.) Do you know what they are most looking forward to doing while at camp? Did they read an especially terrific book during the school year? What about a movie? A new hobby? A place they went on vacation? All of these are “keys” to connecting with your campers.

After a few days, check your list of “keys” (if you email me, I can send you my version of this handy bunk or cabin group list) to see which kids you seem to know well and which ones you still don’t have much of a connection with. Sometimes, seeing it written out on paper helps to focus where you may need to place more of your attention as a way of getting to know certain campers better.”

What to bring to camp:  toiletries/ general cabin items

* These are things that STAY IN THE CABIN. This stuff should only leave the cabin on very rare occasions.

** I keep all this stuff on top of the plastic drawers I mentioned in my last packing list post. If there is anything you think I messed, please let me know!

shampoo/ conditioner

body wash

razor

shaving cream

hair brush

hair ties/ bands (if applicable)

feminine hygiene products (1 month at a time) if applicable

simple makeup (only a little for when parents are there, or on time off)

hand sanitizer bottle (seriously just have it)

lotion

sunscreen

bugspray

after bite

prescription medication (if applicable, if you are not allowed to keep it with you, keep it with the nurse)

charging cable(s)

cleaning wipes

shower caddy (optional but highly recommended)

hair products like creams, gels, etc (optional)

hair detangler (even if you don’t have long hair, it comes in handy if you will have girl campers who do)

markers (optional)

coloring paper (optional)

cabin decorations (optional)

snack food (keep out of sight of campers)

Camp staff discussion

What strategies do you use to manage your mental health at camp? Reblog with comments/tags or reply to start the discussion.

I like to talk things over with people, have a good cry, take breaks when I need them, and try to relax on days off.

Clothing Packing List 2.0

I’ve done packing lists before (or reblogged them, idk). But here’s some general guidelines:

Basic packing list

6-7 short-sleeved shirts (such as t-shirts)

1-2 long-sleeved shirts, preferably a wicking material, such as polyester

1-2 sweatshirts/fleeces

1-2 pairs of jeans/long pants

1-2 pairs of shorts/capris

1 pair of leggings/sweat pants

6-10 pairs of socks

6-10 pairs of underwear

However many bras you need for 10 days, if you wear those

Raincoat

2 pairs of everyday shoes (hiking boots, tennis shoes) - something with ankle and arch support, not converse/vans

PJs

Specialty items: hot/muggy areas

Wicking material short-sleeved shirts - either substituted or in addition to t-shirts

Extra shorts

Zip-off pants - highly recommend if you’re in an area that cold in the morning and hot during the day such as low elevation mountains

Specialty Items: high elevation/cold areas

Extra long sleeved shirts, such as cuddle duds

A thicker jacket - maybe not a winter coat, but something between that and a sweatshirt

A non-cotton sweater-ish thing, such as a fleece. Fleece retains heat when wet.

Boots, kept in your car.

Wool socks - warm but wicking

Basically, I would suggest that you have enough clothes for 6-10 days, or however long in between your laundry cycles. You may want to pack more if you work a longer duration of time or if you have a living situation with a bit more space. Layers are your best friend because camps are often cold in the morning and at night but hot during the day.

Outdoor Fabrics

Cotton - the general fabric, what most t-shirts are made out of. Pretty versitle, fairly lightweight. Doesn’t retain heat while wet, takes a medium amount of time to dry out. Medium durability but easy to craft/customize.

Nylon/ polyester - a good base layer. Stretchy and thin. Some varieties are warmer than others (think cuddle duds vs Nike). Often found as sportswear. Dries quickly. Wicks moisture (draws it away from the skin). Insulating when used in layers.

Fleece - technically also polyester. Warm and retains heat while wet. Not particularly wind-proof. Excellent for a mid layer in winter or for wearing at night to sleep in. Also great for hiking.

Wool - also warm and wicking. The classic outdoor fabric. Great for socks (10/10 would recommend actual wool socks).

Waterproof stuff - rain gear (pants or coats). Thickness varies, from the super thin to that thick vinyl we all wore to elementary school in the 90s (I also wore this at the day camp, don’t judge).

Basically, t-shirts are fine for your everyday wear but if you’re in funky weather, it might be wise to wearing something different that will keep you more comfortable.

You can get many of these items at thrift stores, don’t feel like you need to go drop $150 at REI for your camp wardrobe. You do you, but you can make your budget work.

Posts about other items and ideas for theme day attire to follow.

Practice SELF CARE!

A Complete Guide for Packing for Camp

Step 1: Figure out your camp. At my camp, counselors move cabins every week, so we try not to bring TOO much stuff. If this is similar to your camp, plan on packing in something you are able to carry/roll/etc. 

Step 2: Clear you schedule for at least a couple hours. This is gonna take longer than you thought. You might want to bring a snack and some water to your room too. 

Step 3: Clean up your room and clear some space. You’re gonna have stuff laying around all over as you try to sort through what you are bringing and attempt to organize it all. 

Step 4: Have a organization plan. I personally pack my big backpacking pack with bedding, sleeping bag, cabin junk, shoes, toiletries and other random things. Then I have a duffel bag for clothes, and towels. And I pack my day pack in advance too. (I also keep a backpack with my laptop that will rotate between staff lounge and my car). 

Step 5: Make a list. Not necessarily for specific clothes, but rather for all the other little things that are lying around your room and house that you may have to go searching for. 

Step 6: Pack. 

Step 7: Double check your list. Put everything in a pile or in your car. Don’t leave anything unpacked lying around your room/car so you don’t forget it and not realize it until later. 

TIPS: 

a. Bring lots of tampons/pads. Campers may need them. 

b. If you are going to want a comforting item (blanket, stuffed animal, boyfriend’s sweatshirt, etc.) BRING IT. You will not regret it. Find a way to fit it into your luggage. 

c. I don’t care what your camp’s generic packing list says, bring A BILLION PAIRS OF SOCKS.

d. Bring a cute outfit or two. It’s nice to shower after campers leave and look cute for if only a few hours. 

e. Have a shower/bathhouse bag. 

f. Tie shoes to the straps of bags if you are running out of space. 

g. You’re probably gonna wear the same few pairs of shoes all summer. (I have 2 pairs of sneakers, a pair of chacos (we can’t wear them when campers are here) and my barn boots. Don’t overestimate how many pairs you will wear. 

h. I like to keep my car clean and organized as well, so I can keep extra stuff in there instead of the cabin. 

i. Pack some silly clothes. Pack some big t-shirts. Pack a baggy sweater. 

Advice on how to be a better counselor

Now taking suggestions

Hey camp friends!

I’m hoping to do more regular posting on this blog, possibly with more original content, like the queues I’ve done in the past. Does anyone have any requests? It can be something serious or silly, I’m open to all sorts of topics.

What to pack for camp: backpack/daypack

*These are things that I carry with me everywhere. Some of these things might overlap with stuff from previous posts, but that is because I have two of those items, one for the cabin and one for when I’m not in the cabin

*FYI I use a North Face Recon backpack. It has a nice mesh front pocket and large mesh side pockets.

water bottle

sunscreen

bugspray

after bite

first aid kit

schedule

2 extra pairs of socks

flashlight/ headlamp

lighter

paper for fires

hairties

feminine hygiene products (small opaque bag i.e. pencil case size, with a couple of what you need)

sunglasses

playing cards

pens and pencils

hand sanitizer

travel pack of clorox wipes

cell phone (i keep mine in a life proof case)

scissors

friendship string

duct tape (optional)

face paint for team games (optional)

portable speaker (optional)

small, lightweight towel (optional)

DO NOT keep things like your wallet, or keys in your backpack. they could get lost or stolen. Instead, keep these things tucked away in your cabin. I tend to bury them in my clothing drawers, so nobody can find them.

CBM Essentials

Our list of popular items that aren’t on the main packing list!

Chaco’s- this is by far the most important item on the list. Chaco’s are worn all day, every day by almost everyone aside from that one weird staff member with a pair of Teva’s. Why? They’re the most comfortable and versatile shoes out there. Just make sure that you give yourself a few weeks before camp to break them in to avoid blisters.

Flannels- Flannels are also very important to bring because of their many uses. They’re perfect for when it gets cold at night and in the morning, and for a wide variety of dress up days. The possibilities are endless.

Knee socks- Perfect to wear with your Chaco’s in the morning and make any dress up day outfit stand out in a crowd. Make sure that you have them in different colors for color war!

Nike Shorts- Jean shorts and fancy clothes are not necessary at camp besides services. You’ll need double what you think you need when it comes to nike shorts. You go through them super quickly since the dirtiness of camp doesn’t make re-wearing clothes too easy.

A decked out Nalgene- One of the marks of a super cool camper or staff member is a Nalgene covered in stickers. It just is. The more, the most different the better.

Long Sleeve Shirts- Perfect for nighttime activities and mornings. Always worn with nike shorts, never anything else. Theres nothing comfier than an old long sleeve shirt to keep you stylish and cozy.

Bandanas- Bring bandanas and bring lots of different colors. Having a variety of colors and patterns makes everything easier when it comes to color war and dress up days.

Patriotic attire- In the world of summer sleep away camp, patriotic and red white and blue is certainly not just for the fourth of July. An ENO- This is the second most important item on the list. No explanation needed whatsoever.

small things to add to a hand written letter:

a teabag of your favourite tea

heart shaped note with cute drawings

stickers on the outside of the letter, and inside

handmade paper doll

small print or postcard

a sketch or a little painting or a poem

glitter or sequins or pearls or buttons

small candies or bubblegum

cut out magazine pictures or articles

folded paper, like origami

textile like small ribbons or clothing patches

coins or flat things found in a souvenir shop

pressed flower or leaf