The UCLA campus has two different youth camps. The athletic department provides instruction-based camps for specific sports that suit their interests, for example, lacrosse. The recreation center houses all the general day camps — instruction noncompetitive,science, theatre — for kids ages 4 to 18.
Some camps provide the materials you’ll need, but these are some necessities that camp supervisors and campers alike agreed upon.
THINGS TO BRING: 1) Sunblock We all know how it feels to get a sunburn. Ouch!
“On cloudy days, it’s almost easier to get a sunburn” because we often forget that the shine breaks through the clouds, said Safran. 2) Layers of comfortable clothes Even if it’s warm out, you never know when it could get cold.
“Even in California, it can get chilly,” Safran said. “Even if it’s just a day camp, I encourage parents to pack layers of clothes. Check the weather. It might get cold.”
It’s better to have more than not enough. 3) Group activity “Bring a game of some sort, like a deck of cards so they could be involved in a group activity,”suggests Safran.“It can make it easier for them to make friends and sometimes produce an almost instant bonding with other kids and inspectors. Food, if it’s allowed, pretty much things that they can share.” 4) Snacks “There were bag checks for food because one year some idiot brought a mini feast and a bear ravaged our tent,” recalled Phillips. 6) Medicine (if you need it) Have a good attitude and knock yourself out.You may not realize it while you’re there, but some of your best memories (and even friends) will be made at camp. While some necessities may have changed, one piece remains — bringing along a good attitude and interest in meeting new people and doing new things.
“Bring a good attitude and a willingness to be a part of a community. Kids should bring a willingness to try new things and be ready to be pushed out of their normal experiences and normal comfort level,” said UCLA’s Lockwood. “We encourage them to interact with kids of different social backgrounds; kids in different peer groups that they don’t regularly meet with.
“We really don’t require that they bring any physical items. It’s really just that they bring a positive and cooperative attitude... and, of course, a willingness to try something new.”
Being open to doing new things is key, according to veteran camper Phillips.
“I never went hiking or canoeing except for camp and it was fun, he said. “I still talk with my camp buddies 10 years later … even some of the ladies still call every now and then.
“For me, camp was about meeting new friends and girls, even though I was too shy to do anything but say ‘hi’.” said Phillips. “I learned a lot about being a team player and about caring for one another and looking out for people.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 25, 2008. Read the original PDF.