Ack, last minute girl scout camping panic - need stuff

[pantherlj]

We have been so involved with summer swim team (champs were yesterday, they did great ) so I haven't really thought much about camp!

The girls don't have rain jackets that fit. Where can I buy some this time of year? I need they by Saturday (they go on Sunday)

I am sure they will survive without fans for their cabin, right? They have the hand held water misting ones. They don't need a battery table top one do they??

Just realized 11 yr old has outgrown most of her shorts - she needs at least 6 pair but has only 3. She is tall and thin so most of the $5 target shorts usually don't fit.

Geez, I thought $200 for a week long sleep away camp was cheap. Now, I am going to spend a lot getting all the gear they need!

 

[LizinSTL]

We have been so involved with summer swim team (champs were yesterday, they did great ) so I haven't really thought much about camp!

The girls don't have rain jackets that fit. Where can I buy some this time of year? I need they by Saturday (they go on Sunday)

I am sure they will survive without fans for their cabin, right? They have the hand held water misting ones. They don't need a battery table top one do they??

Just realized 11 yr old has outgrown most of her shorts - she needs at least 6 pair but has only 3. She is tall and thin so most of the $5 target shorts usually don't fit.

Geez, I thought $200 for a week long sleep away camp was cheap. Now, I am going to spend a lot getting all the gear they need!

Skip the fan. Go to Dollar Tree and get each kid a 2 pk of cheap ponchos.
Grab some soccer shorts at Sports Authority or Dick's Sporting goods. Usually under $10/pair- they tend to be longer and have a drawstring for thin kids. Plus they dry quickly - in pinch, she could rinse them out in the shower and hang them to dry over night and they'd be good in the AM again.

 

[amylevan]

I've been a camp counselor for about 15 summers, and very rarely do I see kids in rain jackets. They simply run to get where they're going in the rain and get wet. It's summer, it's hot, and they're kids and mom's not there to make them wear them. That said, if it makes you feel better, send them with the cheap dollar store ponchos.

No need for the fans. At my camp, at least, the staff have them. The hand-held ones are fine for their bunks.

Old Navy and Kohls are both having huge sales right now. Your 11 year old might find some shorts there.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Skip the fan. Go to Dollar Tree and get each kid a 2 pk of cheap ponchos.
Grab some soccer shorts at Sports Authority or Dick's Sporting goods. Usually under $10/pair- they tend to be longer and have a drawstring for thin kids. Plus they dry quickly - in pinch, she could rinse them out in the shower and hang them to dry over night and they'd be good in the AM again.

Dick's was having a HUGE sale when I went in yesterday. 25-75% off a TON of stuff. I wasn't looking for girl shorts, but I'd bet there were som in there. Our store had at least 12-15 racks of mens, womens and kids' stuff.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

My scouts just bring ponchos. They are much easier to pack and deal with than rain jackets.

I'm sure you can find inexpensive shorts at Target/Walmart. Maybe even clearance by now. They'll get nice and dirty anyway, so don't send anything nice.

I wouldn't worry about a fan. Are they in tents or cabins? They'll do just fine "roughing" it without a fan.

 

[sharlon]

My DD goes to Girl Scout camp over in Brevard (saw you are in NC). I always send her with the dollar store ponchos. Since they are 2 for a dollar, I usually get her 2 packs and tell her to throw them away once they are used, so they don't get mildewed or get her other clothes wet.
As for the fan, at DD's camp they are not allowed to take anything electronic, so fans aren't allowed. Can't help you there.
Your DDs will have a great week and will adjust to whatever happens. That's what girl scouts do!

 

[ADisneyQueen]

My girls are both really thin too, especially around the waist and I found the shorts from Justice fit them. The ones w/o the zippers are especially good for camping clothes.

 

[MomtoGKC]

We just went through the same thing! I did end up getting her a small fan because I happened to see it on the way out of K-Mart. It is a good size - about 8 inches square and was only $6-7 made by O2 Cool. It folds flat for packing but the stand bends out to prop it up like a real fan - we liked that because she could put it on the ground and point it right at her. I was sure it wouldn't be very strong but it is GREAT! In fact I'm using it at the computer right now. We also live in FL though so I knew a fan would be a nice addition to her tent!

I got shorts at Family Dollar. I was done shopping and on the way out my friend noticed a bin with Hanes cotton shorts by the door - $1 each so who cares if they lose or ruin them?! That was my best buy for sure.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I would get the Dollar Tree ponchos. Old Navy has been having some clearance sales, you could probably find some shorts on sale there.

I see you're in NC, with as hot as it's been here the past couple weeks I would send a fan. I'm going camping at the OBX this week and bought a fan for our tent for that reason.

 

[czycropper]

I also go to the dollar store and get the ponchos - most of the time they come home the same way I sent them, NOT USED! My DDs say that they like getting wet and they won't melt

Amylevan - where are you a counselor? Is it Camp Hoover? That's where my DDs go every year and absolutely love it, they're already counting the days when they leave (not going till August 1st).

 

[pantherlj]

Great advice, thanks! Feeling much better about it.

They will be in cabins, no electricity. The packing list mentioned battery operated fans. I'll just stick with the hand held misting fans we have.

Never thought about athletic shorts - she wants to try out for sports at school this fall so double purpose

mrsbornkountry - have fun at OBX, we were there last week.

 

[Diabolicdesire]

My DD leaves Sunday for camp too, ugh. I've been picking stuff up here and there but now panic mode is setting in here too! We are also in NC and it has been sooooo HOT. She will be on the lake so hopefully that will help it be cooler. I have a battery operated fan I'm sending just incase. I got it from walmart but have seen them at target as well. I also bought her a pocket size misting fan at walmart. I have seen the heavier ponchos and rain suits for kids at walmart in the sporting good section and they were about 6-8 bucks. Luckily shorts are pretty inexpensive, I've seen them at walmart for a few bucks or if you are near Wendell the mortex outlet has some real cheap shorts and tshirts. I bought dd a few and they were so cheap I'm okay if they don't make it back after the week, lol

 

[FFerret]

You're kidding me--your camp costs 200!!!!!

My scout leaves on the 25th to a local gs camp for the week--for like 360! Oh well--even that seems like a bargain for a quieter house