DS is going to camp with the cubs in a few weeks.....................any hints??

[stoppinattwo]

we have a list of stuff we need to get for him but any other hints of things that are a good idea to have

Oh i will miss him!!!

[MaureenMLove]

I'd say a plastic bag for his dirty clothes, but I expect he'll wear the same clothes every day!

How about sticking a list of everything he's taking on the inside of his bag, so he can check them back in when he packs up.

[somersetmum]

Make sure everything is named.

Put sets of clothes in plastic bags, so that all he has to do is take out a bag and he has a full set of clothes for the day. That way, the rest of his lovely clean clothes won't get wet, trodden on or thrown around the tent. Also, give him a large bin liner to put his dirty clothes in so they don't get muddled with clean stuff.

Give him treats that you are happy with to take with him, even if he wouldn't normally have them at home.

Make sure his raincoat is easily accessible, in case he needs it as soon as he gets there.

Give him a big hug and let him go - and enjoy the peace and quiet; he'll be back before you know it

[stoppinattwo]

good ideas with the plastic bags.....

and the bin liner...oh yes and the naming stuff, forgot about that.

List is a good idea too, he is v absent minded and that would help him make sure he packs everyting to come home with.

Was gonna buy him cheap socks that it didnt matter if they got wrecked - could almost chuck em away (5 pairs for £1 in ASDA).

they ar away for 2 nights - cub leader has said htey will need as many changes of clothes as we can fit in their bags lol

they get soaked and muddy, sounds like great fun

[stoppinattwo]

Thanks Cat................torch...check!!

woolly hat......check!

They ate allowed to take £5 at most and the pack leader "minds" it for them till sunday when they are allowed to spend it in the local village

[spook]

They are great tips cat64. My little cub is going on his forst camp soon stoppinattwo as is his scout brother so god knows what we'll come back with
When DS1 went on a school outward bounds last year he came back with a bag of perfectly pristine clean clothes. He had worn what he was standing in and nowt else !!! And DS2 (the cub) came back from his outward bounds with a broken finger
It's going to be interesting but fantastic fun for them I'm sure. They're only going about 3 miles down the road

[AbbeyA]

Don't expect him to wash the entire time!!
Have a big hot bath ready for when he gets home!

[Scramble]

Do not send a pair of good trainers or shoes for wearing for dry activities, doesn't happen, so shoes that can wet and wellies.

Get a permenant marker and write his name on everything, I mean everything. Like if they have to take a water bottle write it on the bottle and the lid, on pants, tea towel, torch, sleeping bag. Everything, the will lose stuff but at least the leaders will know it is his. Good idea to let him help with this or at least watch so he knows where name is written.

Munchies are a must, enough to share is a good way to make friends. Like multi pack of choclate biscuits.

Pack P.Js on the top so they are easy to find when going to bed, they are likely to sleep in their clothes unless leader cateches them.

If he is used to a pillow its an idea to put in a small cushion or something.

Make sure you are clear what kind of roll mat to take, some try to take inflatable matresses and they take up too much room, my DS didn't use his inflatable mat as he thought he wasn't allowed, no idea what he slept on that camp. Inflatble roll mats were allowed.

If you have a chance get him a wind up torch, they always fall asleep with them on and batteries are done on the first night otherwise. Can be got very cheap.

Teddies were require by all boys on DS's camps, I thought that was a great idea. DS still takes a couple to scout camp, one is a mascot but they other is def a cuddly

[stoppinattwo]

thanks.............am gonna try and get him a windup torch.

I have also invested in some waterproof boots (like walking ones), they said not wellies...they were only £20 but are just oversized so he can were a couple of pairs of socks.

I have one of those big sleeping bags with the hood things in (already had that)

gonna chuck his old trainers in and slippers

am gonna look in a couple of charity shops for some old tshirts and track suit bottoms. I have just had a big sort out and a lot of stuff got passed on never thought about camp

I asked DS about taking panda, but he said panda didnt like camping he got a bit nervous (oh shoite i can see me going to get him)and he might get left behind

Will do a little snack box too, although cub leader has taken a list from the kids of all their fav stuff so they can shop before camp ............oooh sounds reeeeely exciting, any room for a BIG cub !!!!!

[stoppinattwo]

doh WEAR not were

[miljee]

My cub got back from his first (indoor) Cub sleepover an hour ago! He was there 2 nights and seems to have had a good time.

Teddies were recommended. DS took his second best teddy as he was scared of losing number 1! I'd agree pretty much with what everyone else has said, esp the wind up torch and a fleece hoodie. I helped on and off with the trip (and discovered on the first morning his PJ top wrapped in with a pair of wet, muddy tracky trousers...)- I made sure I wasn't 'in his face' at all or it would have defeated the purpose of the independence thing.

DS was rather less than enthusiastic about the trip- he's still unsure about Cubs esp as he has no one from his school there (different village). It was a combined trip with his school village's cub pack so he did know 2 other boys there, neither of them close friends of his BUT interestingly I washed up alongside one of their mums who said her son was desperately keen to go on the trip (me thinking 'Wish MINE was!'); however, at last night's campfire, shortly before I left to come home, MY DS was singing along with gusto, hers (she was long gone) was sobbing into the arms of our Akela, homesick and exhausted.....

Another tip, a (marked) pack of Top Trumps as there IS a fair bit of sitting around waiting for turns or for the next activity to be set up.

[miljee]

And get tracksuit stuff from Primark!