Part of the adventure of Camp is also going without some things that we have in everyday life, so that we can appreciate the Camp experience. Of course campers (and staff) may miss TV, snacking on the couch, and having access to all of our stuff, but camp life centers around spending time in nature and being part of a community that takes care of us.
With that in mind, here are 4 things your camper should definitely leave at home.
1. Electronics and Cell Phones
Ah, the serenity of being “off the grid”: the chirping of birds instead of the chirping sounds of a text message; the glow of natural lighting instead of the glow of a computer screen; the excitement and full-body engagement of a field game instead of the repetitive games on your DS3; the thrill of a live band instead of the canned sound of your iPod.
We encourage campers to unplug during their time at camp. In addition to the practical matters (having limited facilities to recharge the items; not wanting expensive electronics to get lost, or broken, or dropped in the river, or run over by a lawnmower, or…), there are simply too many other exciting activities to participate in at camp to leave much time for electronics.
Campers can bring postcards or letter-writing materials to keep in touch the old-fashioned way, or they can bring a journal and camera to record their adventures at camp.
We’d love to see some blogs or #pecometh #latergrams from some of our older campers after they get home from camp!
2. Candy/food
Nothing invites critters into the cabin like tasty snacks! For that reason, we do not allow campers to have food, candy, or drinks in the cabins.
But don’t worry – our Dining Hall serves up 3 hearty meals a day, and your camper will also get 2 items each day at Canteen (that’s where the candy is, along with ice cream, salty snacks, and drinks).
3. Lots o’Money
The camper fees you paid cover most of your camper’s needs for the week – including 2 items a day at Canteen. If you do choose to leave money with your camper $5-$10 should be plenty, but remember that your camper will be responsible for holding it. If your camper wants a t-shirt or souvenir, the Trading Post will be open on Sundays and Fridays – you can stop in during drop off or pick up.
We do take an offering for the Bishop Peter Weaver Congo Partnership during our Galilean Service on Thursday night, and your camper may want to bring money for that. If you don’t want to leave money, or your camper forgets, the Offering Can will be at Canteen on Friday during pick-up.
4. Nice Things
Summer camp is all about getting outside and being active. If your camper’s cabin is out on the trail or exploring the marshes, the last thing he or she wants to be worrying about is getting those brand-new white sneakers muddy! Comfort and the ability to get a little dirty are the most important things to consider when thinking about what clothing to pack.
“Nice things” may also refer to your camper’s favorite stuffed animal, his complete set of trading cards, or her brand-new DSLR camera. With all the action and excitement of camp, sometimes it’s best to leave these things at home and only bring your second-best items.