overnight camp

Whether you tag your lil one's items by choice or to meet day and overnight camp requirements, most mamas don't have the time to stitch the tickets through all of their children's goods. From traditional sewn-in labels to ink stamps and permanent markers, we've rounded up several shortcuts for completing the chore.

• A self-inking stamper like the Deluxe Marking Kit ($35) gets tots in on the action. With permanent ink and interchangeable stamps, the kit can be used for several camp seasons.
• Iron-on labels make adhering a cinch. Available in a variety of designs, classic name labels ($6 for 60) are mommy's lil helper.
• For those who label at the last minute, the Sharpie Laundry Pen ($1) is the permanent scribbler of choice available in a variety of widths.
• Mums looking for a sticky fix will get stuck on Stikins Clothing Labels ($25 for 60), which can handle a toss in the washer and dryer.
• Those handy with a label maker can type the camper's name into the gadget and spit out Fabric Iron-On Tape labels ($24).

When Joaquin Phoenix became an unintentional astronaut in Space Camp what child didn't pack their bags and ask their parents to sign them up? For nature lovers there are log cabin camps with mess halls and communal showers. For the youngster destined to take the stage as a triple threat there are getaways that offer vocal, dance and acting lessons. Talk to your child about what type of overnight camp best fits their interest and then get planning. We've rounded up a couple of fun options to get the conversation going.

• Space Camp: Every child of the '80s watched Space Camp and dreamed of hopping aboard the next space shuttle. The real Space Camp isn't quite as adventuresome, but does offer future astronauts the opportunity to try out a simulator and see what life is like on the International Space Station. The weeklong camp also allows kids to pick a specialty area and build their own robots or learn to fly an F-15 fighter jet.
• Equestrian Camp: There are a number of horseback riding camps that teach everything from basic horsemanship to specialty riding classes. Many are set up like dude ranches with a western feel about them, while others are more general camps – offering arts and crafts, swimming and athletics – in addition to their focus on horses.
• Sailing Camp: Sailing camps tend to include a number of water sports like water skiing, canoeing and tubing in addition to the boating experience. Though the focus of these camps is on the sailing experience – from basic seamanship to manning a one-person boat – they usually include a variety of outdoor activities to round out the experience.
• Computer Camp: All those hours your youngster spends in front of the computer may actually prepare them for a future career. Computer camps put that interest to work and develop life-long skills as programming, languages and applications, as well as video games and web page design.
• Dance Camp: Tots that like to tap their toes can choose from ballroom to tap, and ballet to hip hop camps that focus on technique, self-confidence and promotion.

  Source

After spending a weekend in camp country, I got nostalgic about the old beat up camp trunk I took on my childhood trips. Camps usually send a list to parents to help them prepare their kiddos for the weeks away from home, but it helps to have a second checklist to cross-reference so mama feels good about putting her sweet babe on the bus. Print this roster out and get to folding!

The Basics:

• Towels
• Sheets
• Sneakers
• Swim shoes

To see the rest, read more

Fireside marshmallow roasts, color war competitions and late night shaving cream fights — it's no wonder that a whopping 75 percent of lilsugar readers told us that they would send their lil ones to sleep away camp. Being away from home, whether it is for one or a number of weeks helps tots build self-esteem, learn social, artistic, and athletic skills and establish their independence. While some friends started going away to camp at the ripe old age of five and continued going until they graduated to counselor status, I know a couple that met at camp when they were 10 and married a dozen years later.

What do you think is the appropriate age to begin overnight camp?

Photo courtesy of Camp Saginaw