5 Essential Items Every Kid Must Have for Summer Day Camps

Summer is fast approaching, and so are all the fun activities and adventures that accompany it. Children look forward to joining a summer camp. It gives them the perfect opportunity to make new friends, learn new games, explore nature and escape the humdrum of day-to-day life. Summer camps also bring relief to busy, working parents as it keeps the kids playfully engaged. 
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If you plan to send your kid to a summer day camp in Oregon, keep the following essential items ready.

A Sturdy Backpack

A sturdy and spacious backpack should be the first item on your checklist.

The backpack should be big enough to accommodate all the essential gear your child will need on the day camp. 

• Toiletries
• Food
• Water bottle
• Extra clothes

Choose a backpack that has multiple compartments where different items can be fit. This will keep the essential things segregated and organized.
 
You can fit in tissues, gum, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and other toiletries in the smaller exterior pockets. The water bottle can be accommodated for fast and easy access in the side bottle holder.
 
Summer day camps in Oregon involve a lot of outdoor activities so choose a backpack that is made of durable and water-resistant materials such as polyester and nylon.

Extra Set of Clothes

​Oregon is blessed with multiple nature-based attractions such as Cascadia State Park, Cline Falls, Crane Prairie and may more. The other thing we’re blessed with here in Bend is weather, and we never know when it’s going to change, so it’s best to be prepared 😉
 
R.A.D. Summer camps in Oregon focus on outdoor activities and exploring nature. In doing so, your child’s clothes and shoes can get torn, wet, or messy. It is essential to pack an extra pair of clothes, shoes, underwear, and socks to avoid any discomfort.
 
Pack the extra clothing in a large resealable plastic bag, which will come in handy for carrying the muddied or wet clothes.

​Sun Protection

Children’s skin is more prone to sun damage, and these essentials should be included in every child’s summer camp backpack.
 
Sun protection items such as; 

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm or chapstick
• Hat or cap
• Long sleeve shirt

Are necessary for any day camp. These items will ensure that your child will have a splendid time outdoors without being damaged by the sun. 

Refillable Water Bottle

​Pack a medium-sized refillable water bottle that is easy to carry. Sun exposure and physical activities make children sweat profusely and they need to stay hydrated to keep them healthy.
 
Water is the best way to quench your child’s thirst because it doesn’t contain sodium, sugar, or other chemicals that can actually increase dehydration.

Light and Nutritious Lunch and Snacks

Summer day camps require a lot of physical activity, which means that kids will be hungrier than usual. To keep them satiated and their energy level stable, pack some delicious, light, and nutritious lunch. One easy-to-use option is to pack their lunch in a bento-style food container with a few cutlery items.
 
Place the food container in a thermal tote bag so the food will remain fresh and protected from dirt and contaminants.
 
Listed below are some delicious snacks that are easy to make and are nutritious to their core. 

• Veggies such as carrot sticks, cucumber slices, tomatoes, and red bell pepper
• Hummus or any other nutritious dip
• Chicken rollups stuffed with vegetables
• Turkey wraps
• Sliced cheese
• Fresh fruit
• Favorite salad

Check out this article from Super Healthy Kids for more ideas on nutritious summer lunches your kids will love.

 You can see our complete list of what to pack for summer camp here.​

f you’re searching for a wonderful  summer camp adventure for your child, enroll them in our R.A.D. Camps summer programs. We are located in Bend, Oregon. We conduct multiple fun-filled activities for children in the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests. Our motto is “no child left inside.” We connect children with nature through fun-filled activities.
 
For more information, visit our website, contact us or call us at (541) 410-7258.