How to find day camp options in your area

Start with an online search where you type in “[your city] kids day camps.” Begin researching as early as possible, as popular camps may sell out quickly.

Instead of settling for the same old camp as last year, investigate camps that are hosted by:

• Your city or municipality
• A nearby university or college
• The local community center, public library, or YMCA
• Kids’ activity program providers such as dance, gymnastics, martial arts, theatre, art, or computer coding
• Birthday party businesses, such as indoor trampolining, pottery painting or LEGO building
• Common field trip destinations, such as children’s museums, zoos or nature centers
• Youth sports associations, including team sports, individual sports, and aquatics

You can also collect ideas and recommendations the old-fashioned way — by asking around to friends, relatives, neighbors, and fellow parents at your child’s school or activities.

If you have your eye on a specific camp but registration isn’t open yet, add the date to your calendar or follow their social media feed for updates.

Choosing the right day camp for your child

There are many factors to consider when selecting a camp, including:

• Set a target budget and stay within it as much as possible. If your child has their heart set on a particular camp one week, you may have to select a more reasonably priced option another week.
• What are the travel and logistics involved? Is it close to home, or on your way to work? Is it easy to get in and out, with free parking?
• Each camp will have different drop-off and pick-up times, so check carefully to see how these align with your schedule. If needed, inquire if there is additional supervision available at the start or end of the day.
• Who is leading the camp, and what are their credentials? Do the on-site staff have First Aid and CPR training? What is the ratio of leaders to participants?
• It’s a wonderful bonus if a camp’s theme connects to something your child already loves, such as science, nature, performing arts, or technology.
• Does the camp require any specific equipment, clothing, or footwear? For example, a baseball camp might expect the child to bring their own glove and bat.
• Skill level. Is any prior experience required? If the camp activity (for example, horseback riding) is something brand-new for your child, make sure it is truly a beginner program, so they won’t be the only rookie in the group.
• Age groupings. Especially in sport and activity camps, it’s preferable to have age-limited groups (ages 5-6, ages 7-8, etc.). An “all ages” camp could be tiresome for a 12-year-old who will be surrounded by little kids all day.
• Physical demands. If your child is enrolled in a competitive sports program and has games or practices in the evening, it may not be practical to put them in a highly active camp where they are running around outdoors all day and are exhausted by 3:00 PM. In this case, a more sedentary indoor camp might help conserve their energy.

Day Camp registration tips

Here are a few extra suggestions as you navigate the registration process:

• Sign up with a friend. Reach out to the parents of your child’s closest pal and see if they want to register for the same camp. Benefit #1: added excitement for your child to be heading to camp with a buddy. Benefit #2: you and the other parent may be able to share the driving duties.
• Do your homework. Take the time to carefully read all the information on the camp website, including cancellation policies. If you have further questions or want to discuss special considerations for your child, contact the camp director by phone or e-mail. They want your business and will be happy to provide answers.
• Trust your instincts. It is fine to ask for your child’s input about the camps they’d like to attend, but you need to make the final decisions based on the many factors above. Your child could beg for a certain camp now, but have moved on to a different hobby or interest by the summer.
• Label everything.Part of camp preparation is making sure you have enough name labels on hand, so your child’s belongings aren’t mixed up or left behind. The Mabel’s Labels Day Camp Label Pack has two bag tags and 39 personalized labels in assorted sizes, to keep everything organized.
  

The advance work you do now on camp registration will help ensure that your child has a summer filled with learning opportunities, new friends, and fun experiences. Good luck and have a great camp season!

The post Day Camp Registration Tips appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Here are some things to consider packing and preparing in the weeks leading up to camp to help yourself have smooth mornings. This list is everything you’ll need to know for how to pack and label for day camp.

Labels: 
Firstly, you need a label pack! Everything that goes back and forth each day will need to be labelled. These are all new kids, and there will likely be look-a-like items. Plus, with new kids, they can’t easily tell who’s is who. Labels are essential and often mandated at camp.

The best pack for day camp is the Day Camp Label Pack. It will include everything you need for camp. We’ll include how to label each item in the list below.

Durable Backpack:
It’s time to look at the school backpack and decide whether it will survive the summer; often, by the end of the school year, we notice the backpack is on its last thread. This backpack will take a beating, so make sure whichever you choose can withstand summer camp.

You can use your Bag Tag to properly label their backpack; it’s included in the Day Camp Label Pack!

Change of Clothes:
Summer camp is nothing if not messy, and your kids will get covered in paint, water, mud, and grass stains, you name it (actually, you probably can’t name that mystery stain – but it’s a stain nonetheless!) So don’t buy them expensive clothing for camp, or send them in clothes they love. This is a great time to stock up on shorts and tees on sale. Nothing fancy is the name of the camp game!

The Day Camp Label Pack includes 21 Tag Mates, so all your clothing can easily be labelled.

Extra socks and underwear:
Because accidents happen, and when they do… they can dribble down their little legs, so pack extra socks too.

Layers and weather:
As much as we’d like to believe that summer camp will be all sunshine, it won’t. There could be chilly mornings and wet afternoons – so make sure you have the layers and raingear they may need. Especially if your camp is primarily outside.

Swimwear:
depending on your camps program, you may not need swimwear at all. But it’s smart to keep a spare ready to go in a bag, even if a ‘water day’ pops up.

Don’t forget the towel, goggles, water shoes (and a plastic bag for wet stuff).

Another option that parents love is the Custom Clothing Stamp – not included in the Day Camp Pack, but an add-on that is great for tagless clothing like swimsuits.

Non-negotiable sun protection:

-Waterproof Sunscreen (check with your camp about it- as some don’t allow spray)
-sunglasses
-hat
-SPF lip balm

Your small rectangle labels are included in the Day Camp Label Pack and are perfect for the items!

Plastic Bag:
Keep one in their bag for wet or dirty clothes.

Toiletries:
Sure, they’re not sleeping away, but they’ll still need personal items like sunblock- labelled, bug spray- label it, and it doesn’t hurt to include hydrocortisone cream and some band-aids! (First aid will always be on site, but kids often pull off band-aids to “look at the boo-boo,” and so they often need multiples)

-band-aids
-bug spray
-Tissues or wet wipes
-hand sanitizer
-chapstick with SPF

*Make sure that if your child needs medication, make yourself familiar with the process and policies in place at your camp.

*If your child has allergies, make sure ALL camp counsellors are aware and purchase your child some Medical Alert Labels or Custom Allergy Labels

Water Bottle:
In the heat, it’s imperative that your kids drink enough. Always send them with a refillable, labelled water bottle.

A fun way to label your water bottle is with the Water Bottle Band.

Lunchbox and Snacks:
Check with your camp to see the guidelines and schedule for lunch. Always be aware that when you’re packing lunch, it may not go into a refrigerator, so make sure to pack ice packs and don’t include lunch items that may not fare well on a hot day.  Don’t forget the spoons, forks etc!

*Make sure you’re aware of the food schedule so you know that you’ve packed enough to cover all the breaks if needed.

Overall, always check in with your camp director to understand the day-to-day activities, requirements, and policies, as these may change how your pack for camp each day.

If your child is nervous about day camp, it’s a nice idea to include a little note or give them a photo or stuffy that will make them feel a little more comfortable.

Remember that summer camp can be very long days for our kids, with lots of exercise, fresh air and new experiences, so they’ll come home exhausted each day. Expect that they may be a little grumpy, tired, and irritable. The smoother you can make the process, the easier it will be for everyone.

Heading off to sleepaway camp? Here is a pack list for your kids camp experience!

The post How to Pack (And Label) For Day Camp appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Labels– Before ANYTHING goes into your bag, make sure it has a name label! This is non-negotiable. Here’s the best option.

TOILETRIES:

Toiletries Caddy– A waterproof caddy for bringing all their items to the showers; it’s ok if it gets wet. And it means they always have everything they need for the shower with them.

Bug Spray– make sure it’s something you’ve used before so your child doesn’t discover an irritation at camp.

Hydrocortisone– or something similar to soothe itchy skin.

Sunblock– Don’t leave home without it, ever. Make sure it’s waterproof (not just water resistant), and make sure your kids know how often to reapply.  One bottle per week of camp.

Toothbrush & toothpaste (and toothbrush cover!)– plus any other toiletries your kids use daily, like shampoo, body wash, and a washcloth.

Hair items– Don’t forget to pack LOTS of hair ties; they will lose them. Also, a detangler might be a good idea if your kids swim a lot.

Other toiletries to consider: Aloe, tissues, afterbite, tampons or pads, hand sanitizer, band-aids

For labelling all your little items, the Mini Labels or Small Rectangle Labels work really well, and you can find them included in the Sleepaway Label Pack.

BUNK ITEMS:

Favorite Pillow and pillowcase

Stuffy or special item– Don’t forget to label these!

Fitted sheet– because summer camp mattresses can be slippery and yuck

Sleeping bag– Make sure it’s appropriate for the nighttime temps in your area.

CLOTHING:

Shoes– Check with your camp to see whether they have a no-open-toed shoe policy and whether they require hiking boots. Pack a comfy pair of sandals (make sure your child has worn them in and knows they’re comfortable) and running shoes. Make sure to use these (you’ll also find them included in the sleepaway pack)

Shower shoes– in case the floor is ick

*If you pack crocs, you can get fun camp-themed charms that kids love!

Water shoes- Great for camps with a lot of water sports. And yes, shoe labels will remain stuck!

Hats– Pack a few. Usually, a bucket hat and a baseball cap.

Underwear and socks– Pack them, then add twice as many and pack those too. You can never have enough. If you are wondering how to label them – this stamp is perfect!

Swimsuit– Check the swimwear guidelines. Also, pack a few! So, they always have a dry one between swims. If your swimwear doesn’t have a label, you can use this Custom Clothing Stamp

Swim goggles– Label them with a mini label at the back plastic adjuster, as labels won’t stick to the silicone band.

Sunglasses– You can label them inside the arm, and pack a few pairs, as sunglasses don’t float!

Towels– A swimming towel or two and a shower towel or two. Many great smaller towels on the market are perfect for camp because they’re so small (the Turkish towels, travel towels etc.). So many towels look alike. Make sure to use your name stamp!

Shorts & tees– The number will depend on how long your kids stay. Don’t send anything expensive or fancy.

Sweatshirts and sweatpants– The evenings can get cool in summer, and sometimes kids just want to be warm and cozy.

Pajama’s– Nothing fancy or hot. Some old comfy sweat shorts and tees are common for most kids.

Specialty items– depending on the type of camp your kids are going to, you may need other items like a life jacket, cleats, or other equipment items or clothing.

Mash bags – Pack (and label) more than one of these. They’re super versatile, perfect for laundry, wet clothing and just a general bag they may need that doesn’t weigh much or take up space. Your sleepaway camp label pack will come with 2 Bag Tags, so you can use them to label these bags, or pick up some extra

Medical needs– The most stressful of all, so let’s get this one out of the way early in the list. If your child has medical considerations, ensure you complete all your forms early. Get photocopies of health cards, prescriptions and /or notes from the doctor. Put these into a page protector and make certain everyone needing a copy has it.

Camps will have a protocol on prescriptions; make sure you’re aware of them and that your child also knows where they will be stored and whom they need to go to.  This may also apply to vitamins and supplements, so make sure you understand the rules and make sure to discuss any concerns with your counsellors.

MISC.

Book– The majority of Summer Camps don’t allow devices, so your kids may want to read a book at night (probably not, but parents can dream).

Flashlight or headlamp– because it’s not camp without one!

Snacks– Check your camp’s snack policy before sending any!

Birthday balloons or items– If your kids (or maybe a camp friend) might have a Summer birthday, this is a fun way to make them feel special.

Pens and notebooks– They may write home! Include pre-stamped envelopes, and this is more likely to happen; it’s an old-school way of keeping in touch. Make sure to send letters or packages back! If you don’t receive letters home, it means they’re probably having too much fun!

Journal- A great time to encourage journalling, especially if they feel a little homesick. Encourage them to write if they feel this way; it may help them feel better.

Reusable water bottle- A non-negotiable item. Pack a few, just in case. Spice them up with these!

Clip-on Fan-They may want to clip it to the bedframe on hot nights.

Pack of cards or Uno- A fun thing to have on rainy days, and they don’t take up much room.

Spending money- your camp may have a tuck shop, so check ahead of time and provide them with some money for treats.

Disposable camera – Let them capture pictures of their friends.

Duffle Bag – While totes or camp trunks are great, some camps may not have storage space in cabins, so make sure to check.  *your bags or trunks MUST be well labelled as they may travel separately from the kids and/or be placed in a cabin ahead of time.

NON-ESSENTIALS THAT YOUR MIGHT WANT:

Pom-poms – because what better way to cheer on friends!

Sticker Books – to share with friends!

Crafts – for friendship bracelets!

Mini basketball hoop – A small one that suctions to a window (always a hit in the boys cabin!)

White pillowcase and markers – Some kids love to get all the bunkmates to sign a pillowcase at the end of camp.

Nightlight, string lights, fun pillows, and bunk décor

Hopefully, this provides a stress-free packing experience before your littles head off to sleepaway camp for their next adventure! If you’re still feeling anxious, here are some good reminders from an experienced camp mom, Julie Cole!

The post Sleepaway Camp Pack List (and fun non-essential bunk junk kids love) appeared first on The Mabelhood.

 1) Recharge

 Relax, take a walk, meditate and do the things you always dream of doing but never have the time or the privacy to do.

 2) Eat what you want 

 Enjoy the chance to cook meals that you love without complaints. Eat the spicy foods, the healthy meals, or the junk food you want without needing to share!

 3) Reconnect with your spouse 

 Go on dates, enjoy the alone time and use this as a time to reconnect with one another. The benefits the break from the kids will give you will do wonders for your relationship. And happy parents have happy kids

 4) Complete tasks always on your list

 Moms always have a to-do list that continuously grows, and we rarely ever check anything off. So use this time to check some things off your list! Finally clean out that closet, read recipes and meal prep freezer meals, paint the walls, rearrange the kitchen cupboards. Make your doctor appointments, get your car serviced, and repot the plants.

 5) Distance makes the heart grow fonder

You will miss your kids. But that’s not always a bad thing. A break will give you time to appreciate all the things about them that you love, but don’t always notice when you’re busy rushing around each day.

 6) Perspective. 

 Having time away from your kids can offer a new perspective. It can help clear your head and make room for revamped schedules and strategies and organization around the house.

 7) A brain break. 

 The mental toll of parenting can be draining. Use this time to focus on your mental health, work out or attend therapy. You’ll feel the difference in your patience levels when the kids return.

 8) Enjoy knowing they’re doing the right thing.

Your kids are getting a break from screen time without you needing to nag! They’re getting fresh air without you needing to encourage it. They’re meeting like-minded kids, getting a good night’s sleep, exercising, and having fun without YOU needing to facilitate it!

9) You will learn to trust your kids. 

 Seeing what they can accomplish when away is eye-opening. When kids are given a chance to grow more independent and learn to rely on themselves, it’s staggering what they can achieve (responsibility with sunscreen, keeping track of their gear- well, THIS HELPS!,  Brushing their hair, etc. Their abilities are far more extraordinary than we give them credit for; their skill set and self-esteem grow when they’re forced to be more independent.

 10) The benefits go beyond the summer. 

Camp is challenging for kids, and they grow a lot over a short period. In addition, they are gaining valuable life skills, from problem-solving to social skills, by being part of a camp community and working together and supporting one another. You will see a difference in your child when they return home, and the benefits far outweigh all of the worries you had before sending them to camp.

To make camp planning a little easier- don’t forget your sleepaway camp labels!

The post Ten Ways Moms Benefit from Sending Their Kids to Camp appeared first on The Mabelhood.

So, you’re thinking about sending your kids to camp, but where do you start? Where do you find information on camps? What kind of camp is right for your kid? And what stuff should you be buying and packing in preparation? 

We know how overwhelming it can all be. 

Julie Cole, founder of Mabel’s Labels and supermom of 6, is experienced in this area, to say the least. Over the last 15 years of sending her littles off on various summer adventures, she’s gained a fair bit of insight into the endless world of all-things-camp.

Want to read all of her helpful tips and tricks? Sign up below to gain instant access to her comprehensive camp e-book! The eleven chapter guide has tons of useful info for any type of kid and camp, whether you’ve got a sports fanatic or a child with special needs. And yes, it’s chock-full of that unmistakable Julie Cole charm.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy camp season!

Sign Up To Get Our Free Ebook 

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