For busy parents summer time can bring even more chaos into the mix. From when to sign up to what to pack it can really pack the mental load punch. Being a seasoned mom I wanted to create this guide to help moms ease their minds and make navigating summer camp sign ups a breeze. Once you have your perfect camp schedule be sure to use our name labels to keep the summer organized.
Why are summer camps so important?
Summer camps provide experiences that schools and home life simply can’t. These programs put kids on the path to success, fostering social, emotional, and academic development, all in a positive and engaging space.
For families with school-age children, summer camps can be a much-needed solution during the long break. First, they provide kids with structure and purpose helping establish the schedule that many kids lose during summer. Camps provide opportunities for children to stay engaged in productive activities, ensuring they continue learning and developing, even outside the classroom.
That makes camps an important, and reliable childcare option for working parents. They provide parents with peace of mind by keeping kids in a safe, enriching environment. As a mom-founded business, Sticky Monkey Labels knows how important organization is for busy families. That’s why our personalized labels help kids’ stuff return home after camp where it belongs—keeping chaos in check and camp life easy for everyone!
Aside from all the skill-building, camps serve as an important marketplace for socialization. They allow children to form connections with peers outside of their usual circles, teaching them how to navigate relationships in new settings. This unique environment fosters and pushes kids out of their comfort zones to build problem solving, adaptability, communication and teamwork skills organically.
In addition to helping kids pursue their passions, camps provide access to new interests and unexplored opportunities. From trying a new sport to exploring creative arts, kids have the freedom to discover their passions in ways they might not at school or home.
What summer camp is best for my family?
Choosing the best summer camp for your family starts with thinking about what’s most important to your family and what your child is into.
Specialist activity camps can be your ticket to a whole range of focused options, catering to varying ages and interests. For families who placed a premium on outdoor adventure, consider camps that offer hiking, swimming, or team sports. If creative activities sound like more fun, plenty of camps cater to the artistic with an emphasis on arts & crafts, music, or drama.
STEM-focused camps are a good fit for kids interested in science experiments, coding, or robotics. If you choose a tech-focused camp, you’ll get practical experience in building robots. At the same time, a creative camp provides imaginative painting and sculpting experiences. Aligning your child’s interests with the camp’s offerings makes sure they’ll be actively engaged and eager to learn each day.
Whatever camp you and your family decide on we have name labels to match the theme!
Engaging your child in the decision-making process can be the key difference. Children are notoriously picky about how they’ll be spending their summer. Ask them about their preferences—whether they’d enjoy trying a new sport, learning a skill like cooking, or simply spending more time outdoors.
MOM TIP: If your child is in a sport or club be sure to ask other children's parents if there are any camps they will be attending to help kids stay in touch with a few friends over the summer.
The other big thing to keep in mind is timing. Full-day camps are great for families with parents that work outside of the home, providing structured activities from early morning to late afternoon. These are best for kids who thrive on routine and are able to stay away from home for longer stretches of time. If your child is under age 7, half-day camps are ideal. They are a good fit for campers who may be intimidated by an entire day. Most parents love the idea of being able to constantly create a new combination of camp types that work best with their family’s summer itinerary.
When to sign up for summer camp
Timing is everything when it comes to registering for summer camp. Especially as camps become ever more in-demand and space fills up quickly, getting organized and thinking ahead can go a long way. Waiting to register will leave you with few options. Most camps open registration months before summer begins.
Sign up soon to get your child into the camp of their choice! Camps that are very popular have a tendency to sell out quickly since they get a lot of attention and a proven track record year after year. The downside of waiting too long to sign up is that you may be left with limited choices or, in some cases, no options available at all.
To increase your chances of getting accepted, try to register 2-3 months in advance. Taking this step ahead of time sure helps though! That means starting to plan as early as January or February for summer camps that start in June or July.
Nearly three-fourths of parents sign up during this time. So, they’re looking to get ahead of the rush. Camps with highly specialized programs—like those that emphasize sports, arts or STEM-related activities—can be especially competitive. If your child does have a specific interest they’re just dying to try, register early! That way they won’t lose out on the opportunity to participate in a program that’s best suited to their passion.
Many camps offer returning campers first right of refusal for the following camp season, allowing those families to get a jump on the rest. By verifying if your child’s favorite camp has this option, you can know how to correctly plan.
Getting ready for camp means more than signing up. Registering early allows you the time to start getting everything prepared.
Name Labels For Summer Camp
You've signed up, you were able to score the best camps for your kids. But WAIT! Now what? You'll need to make sure your kids have all the gear they need for a successful summer. If it's a day camp be sure to have a lunch box big enough for a filling lunch and any snacks your kids may need. Be sure to use a lunchbox label for you kids to easily identify their lunch.
MOM TIP: I love picking up extra clothes for my kids at thrift stores or on sale for them to use at camp. This ensures that their good clothes won't get ruined in any outdoor play.
Labeling everything is how we ensure that all of our gear makes it home at the end of the day. Sticky Monkey Labels offers high quality and long lasting custom iron on labels and name labels to help make your labeling a breeze!
Whether it’s shirts, jackets or socks, these labels offer a durable and reliable way to ensure all of their belongings stay labeled and won’t get lost. Custom labels provide more than just time-saving convenience, they give your children a sense of independence when they can easily keep track of their gear.
Our water bottle labels are top of the line! Built with usability in mind they are dishwasher safe they are sure to stand the test of time.
Our Ultimate Camp Labels Value Pack is just the thing. Our value packs offer over 75 labels including our water bottle labels, iron on name labels, shoe labels, and a variety pack of personalized name labels you can use on all of their clothes, water bottles and anything else they may need for the summer. Our Kid proof labels are waterproof, weatherproof, and resistant to sunscreen, bug spray, and even sweat. They’re fully washable and are proven to withstand conditions of extreme temperatures.
That’s because they’re built to withstand all the rigors, like laundry cycles and outdoor adventures, from camp to home. Purchase our value packs save up to 75%! This simple decision ensures that it’s a cost-effective investment for you.
For families with multiple children, label each child’s items by putting your last name on the item. This easy-peasy fix makes the labels accessible for all. We’ve found this method to work best for items that are shared or passed down among siblings, too.
Time for camp! Now what?
Getting ready for summer camp may seem like an overwhelming task, but with some advance preparation it is smooth sailing. Label each item your child brings to camp. Trust us, this easy step will prevent you from a world of complications down the line!
In the hectic camp setting, things can easily become lost or confused. With the right, durable labels, it’s simple to spot and return lost items. Sticky Monkey custom name labels are just the ticket for all of your camper's gear.
They are true lifesavers in ensuring things stay organized and accounted for. Remember to let the name labels rest for 24 hours before your child wears or washes freshly tagged clothes—this helps the adhesive set properly.
Preparation is the name of the game when getting out the door to camp. February and March being my planning months, these are the months when I really start to plan for summer schedules and activities. Once camp season comes around, I have a pretty good idea of what I need to pack and label.
Reusable containers and water bottles should be clearly labeled to prevent mix-ups at mealtime. This is where Sticky Monkey truly excels. Our water bottle labels Their labels are designed to survive dishwashers and the rigors of everyday life.
So go ahead and stick em on, you can be confident that they won’t just come right off. A labeled lunchbox and thermos ensure your child’s items come back home each day, even in the chaos of camp.
You've got your tips and you've got your name labels and you're ready to go! I hope these tips for getting prepared early and staying organized help your family as much as they have helped ours over the years. Sign up for our news letter to receive more helpful guides for parenting.