I loved summer camp, and my own girls have been enjoying a variety of summer camps for years. My oldest'll be a CIT this summer. Packing and preparation hints:
Read the information from your own camp -- it does vary, so trust what your camp says rather than what random people say here. For example, at my daughters' GS camp all snacks and sodas are strictly forbidden in the cabins. This usually has to do with the type of cabins that they have. At the church camp my youngest is going to attend, they're allowed to bring certain types of snacks and they have a soda machine. Our GS camp doesn't allow campers to have money (their money's held in the camp store, and when they buy something, a deduction's made), while church camp allows them to keep their own small bills for purchases. So know your camp's expectations and follow their rules.
On the subject of money, one very typical purchase that you probably want to make is a camp photograph. On the first full day, they usually make a group picture of the child's unit, and they sell a 5x7 for about $5.
Pay close attention to rules on electronics. Most camps don't allow them.
Attend the Open House. Both you and the camper will feel better if you know ahead of time what type of cabins /tents are available. And they do vary! My youngest is going to be in a 20-person lodge with an indoor bathroom and air conditioning at church camp, and then she'll be in a 4-person treehouse for Girl Scout camp. Knowing is better than not knowing! Also, seeing the place for yourself will give you a better idea of what to pack; for example, when my oldest stayed in the treehouse unit for the first time, she came up with the idea of bringing a bucket and a rope, which allowed the to haul up their gear (i.e., toiletries) rather than carrying it in their hands while climbing the ladder.
If you can, send your child with a buddy. Yes, she'll make new friends, but going with someone you already know is always best. Some camps give your kids a chance to connect to future friends via Facebook, etc.
I've never packed in tubs, but I think I like the idea. I'd lean towards getting two smaller tubs rather than one large one -- easier to carry. I have some "thin" Rubbermaid tubs that stack on top of one another. When I was a CIT, we packed in milk crates (yes, real milk crates -- not the things that they sell at the stores these days), and we turned them on their sides as nightstands/dressers. But CITs are different because they're at camp for weeks and weeks.
Do not pack the tubs (or duffle bags or whatever) super-tight. Kids can't get it all back in at the end of the week. Do not tie things (i.e., shoes) to the outside or send bunches of little extra things (pillows). Typically you drop your child's luggage off in a designated area, and the camp ranger/CITs come around and pick it up in a truck. They transport it to the middle of the kids' unit, and the kids then tote it to their cabins. An amazing number of people tie shoes onto the bags, and they are lost in the moving process. Everything should be INSIDE larger bags.
Allow the child to pack a few comfort items (one stuffed animal and a family picture taped inside the stationary box), but not a foolish amount (six stuffed animals and three framed family pictures).
When my kids were younger, I always packed complete outfits in ziplock bags. I instructed them to return their dirty clothes to those same ziplock bags, which eliminated the need for a laundry bag and kept the smelly clothing contained. Now that they're older, they pack their own stuff, and I think they skip the ziplocks.
I send all old clothes and don't bother to label them. I don't really care if they come back home. Especially socks. Socks are always incredibly nasty at the end of the week. Send the oldest; they're probably un-save-able.
Definitely bring extra shoes. No kid's happy with wet shoes.
Also check ahead of time to see what footwear is acceptable. Most camps require sturdy, tie shoes, and most camps do not allow flip-flops or sandals (too easy to stub a toe or twist an ankle walking down woodland paths).
Scared of the dark? Go to ebay and buy a 25-pack of glowsticks. These are perfect for a small, portable night light. If she has a 25-pack, she'll have enough to share.
Pick spray-on sunscreen; it's easier to apply. Teach a small child how to apply sunscreen and bug spray -- they tend to spray 'til it's literally running off their arms and legs. Tell them not to spray inside the cabin/tent (especially bug spray); instead, step outside to avoid the aeresol spray indoors.
A small backpack -- even a string backpack -- is a good idea for around-camp.
A small bucket is perfect for toting toiletries back and forth to the bathhouse. I was sending old, ratty towels and telling the kids not to bring them home, but now I'm out of old, ratty towels.
Does your child wear glasses? Pick up a small plastic box -- a pencil box would do -- in which to store them. It's very easy for another child to step on them in the cabin. My older CIT daughter is allowed to bring electronics, and she has a small waterproof box for her phone, ipod, glasses, etc. It's not big, but it's worthwhile.
Have the child pre-address envelopes to home. Add stamps too.
Either send post cards, or store all envelopes in a ziplock bag. The humidity can seal envelopes shut, making it impossible for the child to mail a letter.
When I was a counselor, we had a rule: No one goes to dinner on Monday night 'til she puts a letter to home in the counselor's hand; that assures that every parent gets
one letter home.
Write to your child frequently. Mail a letter BEFORE your child leaves home so you can be sure that your child'll get something on the first mail day. I don't feel that kids need to get something EVERY time, but it's bad to be the kid who never gets something in the mail ever. I also agree with the bright colored envelopes. I always send a package to my nieces at summer camp, and my SIL told me that one of her girls was so excited to receive the pretty, colored package that she actually cried BEFORE she opened it.
Walmart sells colorful padded mailers.
Never write that you miss the child -- if she is having so much fun that she ISN'T missing you, she'll feel guilty. If she is homesick, thinking that you miss her too will only make that worse. Instead, write quick, upbeat letters about what you've been doing -- went to lunch with grandma, little sister baked a cake (saving you a piece), cleaned out the garage. And always end with:
Can't wait to see you on Friday! We'll be there for the parents' lunch! If something bad does happen while the camper's away, keep it to yourself 'til the week's over.
Good things to send in camp packages: Joke books, MadLibs, teen magazines -- all fun for sharing with cabin mates. Disposable cameras, clean socks, address book.
Have the child make up address/email cards, which can be given to new friends.
Find out what's expected for pick-up day. If there's a closing program or a parent's lunch, be sure to attend. Above all, never be late on pick-up day. Having been a counselor, let me tell you, the WORST thing is sitting around with those last 1-2 kids whose parents are late. The kids
know that everyone else has already gone home, is already talking about all the fun they had, is stopping at Pizza Hut, etc. Move heaven and earth to avoid being late for pick-up.
When your child goes to camp for the first time, be prepared to worry every minute -- especially if it rains at night. But also be prepared to pick up a happy child who's just a little bit taller and a little bit more independant.
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