Camp Tips and Advice!

Hi Girls! Okay, so I thought I would share some tips and advice on camp preparation. On June 25th, my youth group and I are leaving for a 5-day and 4-night camp. And trust me, it is one of the few things that keeps me going when my brothers start to drive me to my wits end! Here are some tips on camp preparation. If you have any advice, then please comment!

PACKING~

Packing can be stressful. A one-nighter is easy, but a longer trip requires a little more than a change of clothes. If your like me, then you want to be prepared. My goal at the moment is to not over pack. I have a very big packing list, and I am trying to shrink it. It can be very confusing on whether or not your prepared, or bringing to much. I try to see what I use in a day, then add a couple of things because there will be different situations and scenarios. Here are some essentials that you need to pack for camp.

- Extra clothes (If its in the summer time, then you will most likely be getting wet. Plus, camps have a lot of messy games), mini first aid kit, cheap flip flops (I have heard the shower floors can be gross, so PLEASE bring flip flops for getting up at night and for taking showers), an old bathing suit (if your not comfortable with the shower arrangement, then you can always wear a 2-piece bathing suit that you wouldn't normally wear. They are really inexpensive and you can get them anywhere), bathing suit, a picture of your family (you never know when home-sickness might strike, and even if you hardly ever get it, its still good to have some reminders of the people that made it possible for you to go to camp), nail polish, a little box or container (to keep random things like hair clips or sunglasses if you don't want to loose them), a small backpack purse (you won't need it all the time, but if your going on a sort of hike, then you want to be prepared.), some extra large ziploc bags (its great if you want to put your clothes for the next day in, or a bathing suit if you don't want to ruin your other clothes), and anything else that you think you might need. 

Those are the essentials for any camp. If your going to a church camp like me, bring your bible, a notebook, and 1-2 pencils/pens. 

PREPARATION~

Okay, so you need to have all the paperwork and transportation things all confirmed a month before camp. That is an essential because in order to start getting ready, you have to know if your going and how your going to get there. If your going in a bus, PLEASE don't wear something like white shorts and an animal print top. Your just asking for stained shorts. For the shirts, go simple. Something like a breezy red top with a white undershirt is great. I am going to wear a lot of plain Aeropostale T-Shirts, with just the name Aeropostale'. Mine are a year old, and so stains aren't that big of a worry for me. Try not to wear white.

Once all of the arrangements are made, you need to plan your To-Buy list. That is where you list all of the things you have to buy. Try to list it by the importance levels. For example: Bathing Suit would go first, and purple hair clips would be on the lower part of the list. 

RULES~

If your camp doesn't allow electronics or food, don't come with an Ipod Touch and some granola bars. Your asking for a call home. If you really want to bring something like gum, then ask your leader or instructor of the camp. If you ask a counselor, make sure that they have the liberty to make decisions like that. Also, if they say no, don't beg. Rules are rules and if they don't set them somewhere, then none of their rules will be followed.

TO-BUY LIST~

I am in the process of the To-Buy List. Remember, list by importance. Also, try to put how much money you think your going to spend on it so it won't be a surprise at the cash register. If you buy stuff online, then make sure you know the measurements and shipping prices. I just bought an awesome Duffel Bag And Tote for $15.00. Ask a parent's permission before buying anything online. The duffel and tote were HUGE by the way! Also, if you want have a lot to carry, and don't really have all that much money for several duffel bags, then try to look for a military duffel bag. They are gigantic, and hold a LOT. You can get them at a thrift store or second-hand store. Look around :)

Some tips on your to buy list are:

Try to get the most important things in the beginning.

You should have absolutely everything that you need a week before your camp starts.

Try to save $25.00 for spending money for the camp.

If you can't find something, ask your friends where they got theirs. 

The most important thing is to stay optimistic. If you run into a problem, like if you don't have enough money to buy something.If you don't have enough money for something, ask an older cousin/sibling if they have an old one you could borrow or have. If you have any other problems, then you can ask them by commenting or emailing me. :)

Ta-ta!

~Pearl :)