By Laurie, the Campcierge™

Before we know it, our kids will be heading to their summer camp “home away from home” so it’s time to prepare.  It’s smart to handle the pre-camp to do’s now to get ahead of the crunch of spring sports playoffs, dance recitals, school graduations, pool parties, and more.  Check out this checklist:

Medical

• Schedule any doctor appointments you’ll need pre-camp (pediatrician, orthodontist, allergist, etc.) to ensure you’ll have time to secure any forms or prescriptions in time for camp
• For prescription medication, work with your camp and partners like CampMeds to transport and administer meds that should be kept at your camp’s health center
• Fill out the medical forms and submit to your camp

Forms

• If you haven’t yet, sign up for your camp’s online management system such as CampMinder or Bunk1 so you can fill out forms, see camp updates and photos, email your camper, and more
• Fill out the camper profile form from your camp. This is really important information so camp can get to know your child’s likes and needs, and helps camp staff create cabin assignments
• If your camp does activity schedules for first rotation before they head to camp, be sure to sit with your camper to review the options and make choices
• Pay final tuition bill(s)

Camper Transportation

• Many campers arrive by chaperoned bus or flight. You can talk to your camp about dates, location, timing, and pricing for these arrangements.

Visiting Day

• If you haven’t yet, now is the time to book your arrangements including flights, hotel, and car rental. Visiting Day weekends in Maine can be busy, so it’s useful to plan ahead.  Here are some accommodation recommendations.  Some parents stay the weekend, others combine it with a lengthier vacation to explore and enjoy Maine (aka “Vacationland”).

Trunks

• If your camp works with a trunk transport company such as Camp Trucking, make sure to fill out the form to reserve easy pick up and drop off pre- and post-camp.

Clothing, Gear & Labels!

• Use your camp’s packing list as the guideline of what you need to buy and pack.
  • Camps like families to stick closely to the list so there’s enough space for the campers’ stuff, and so clothing and bathing suits are activity- appropriate.
  • It’s often useful for first timers to speak with a returning camp family to hear about any other little items or spirit gear that may be useful.
• Set up an appointment or order online clothing essentials (bedding, flashlights, stationery, egg crates) from your camp’s outfitter such as Amerasport or The Camp Spot.
• Plan to label everything! Items bought through your outfitter can be labeled and/but you should also plan to buy additional labels for other clothes and items you’ll be sending with your camper.
• Gear up at your favorite retailers like Modell’s. Currently, Maine camp families receive special savings – 15% off (online and in-store) and can enter to win a shopping spree of $500, $300 $200.  Click here to learn more.

Get ready for your camper to have fun and create memories of a lifetime at their Maine summer camp!

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Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

You can share your own Maine camps memories & expressions of gratitudeon our Memories of Camp section of our website.

Looking for the perfect Maine camp for your child?  Try out our helpful tool where you can select a camp by choosing: type of camp (girls, boys or coed) and session length (1-8 weeks).  It helps to narrow down a few camps to a manageable list that includes rates.  Then you can research these camps in more depth.  

Next, be sure to contact our Maine Camp Guide, Laurie to discuss these camps as well as for free, year-round advice and assistance on choosing a great Maine summer camp for your child.

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