Going to summer camp is an amazing experience and getting ready for camp is part of the fun. Ensuring your child is prepared and organized can help your child have the time of their life. Now that you've selected your Maine camp, here are some helpful hints and suggestions for making the process of preparing for camp more organized and fun.

• Note the camp arrival and departure dates.
• Book doctors' appointments early and make sure your child's immunizations are up to date.
• Make sure that all camp paperwork—especially health forms—are completed correctly and returned in a timely manner.
• If your child is traveling by camp coach service or flying to camp, be sure to confirm those travel plans and register/send this information to the camp when requested. Consult with the camp for advice.
• Book your own travel plans—including hotels and airline tickets, especially for visiting day. Visitmaine.com is a good resource, but each camp generally provides their own recommendations on hotels nearby.
• Many camps will provide you with a packing list. These lists are carefully thought out and the best advice is to follow it. Be sure to keep a written list of everything you've packed for your child as a reference for future summers.
• Be on the lookout for summer merchandise all year long, especially when it’s on sale.

• Keep in mind that many camps require trunks/duffels be delivered to camp approximately a week or two in advance (usually picked up at your house by a camp trucking company) so schedule your packing accordingly.
• Bunk storage can be very limited so consider packing collapsible baskets for bulky items, but check with your camp to find out what their policy is.
• Have your child pick out a user-friendly address book to house friend and family information. Supply pre-addressed stationery your child likes to encourage letter writing.