Pack it up!

One of the key preparations for coming to camp this summer is getting a packing plan ready. COTW provides a simple packing list every year (see below), but here’s a little more “unpacking” of that list to help you plan!

Weather is one of those things that is out of our control, but I’m really thankful we can trust God to send just the right amount of sunshine and rain each week! Campers should plan for days that are cool and rainy by bringing a jacket and a sweater or two. Warm days are when you’ll want to have some shorts and t-shirts. It’s a good idea to pack two pairs of shoes—runners are best for games and hiking. Having two pairs will be helpful if one gets wet! When the sun gets hot it’s important to have sunscreen (and we encourage a shirt/rashguard to wear at the waterfront), and your camper might want a hat too. I’m guessing you don’t like bug bites, so come prepared with insect repellent. The waterfront is a favourite location each day, and we have several wet/messy games, so be sure to pack a swimsuit appropriate for active activities. Don’t forget a towel to dry off with! Wet clothing can be hung up to dry on the cabin clothes line.

After long days of awesome activities, we want your camper to be able to rest well. Comfortable bedding like a sleeping bag and a pillow can lead to a better sleep! Showers are available, so don’t forget a towel and toiletries for cleaning up. Many campers bring a flashlight or headlamp to make that walk to the washhouse a little easier at night.

There are just a few other essentials as the bags fill up! If your camper has a Bible, they are welcome to bring it. Some campers bring inexpensive cameras (digital or disposable are fine) to help capture some of the memories. Camp will take LOTS of pictures, so don’t worry if you’d rather not send your camera with your camper! If your camper takes regular medications, our nurse will be able to hold and administer those during the week. Just come prepared with detailed instructions so that we can accommodate your camper’s needs. At the end of every week, we collect all the leftover clothing that is found around camp and do our best to locate the owners. This is WAY easier when we find the camper’s name on the tag! We recommend writing your camper’s name on everything they bring to camp! We want all those clothes to return home to you at the end of the week. If you realize after camp that something is missing, we may have it in our lost and found, so feel free to message and ask. We hang on to everything (except socks and gitch)!

As a final note, there are a few things that don’t belong at camp. All electronic devices should be left at home, including phones, ipods, video games, etc. We also recommend that you leave expensive or special jewelry at home so that it doesn’t get lost in the lake or on a hiking trail. To help protect our campers with food allergies, please do not send snacks. Our Tuck Shop offers lots of treats every day to satisfy the craving for chips, pop, or candy. We want all campers to have a great time enjoying the games and activities while being with friends, so absolutely no tobacco, drugs, or alcohol will be tolerated.

Packing a bag together can be a great experience for families and may help build anticipation for your camper. (It may also help them to recognize and claim lost clothing items!) We hope your packing goes smoothly! If you have any questions about the packing list, please feel free to contact us!