5 Tips for Sending Your Kid Off to Camp

Summer is just days away, and with it comes the annual scramble of keeping the kids busy while offering them new experiences. At the House of Hills, school’s out means overnight camp is right around the corner. This will be Maggie’s third year going to Woodlands Camp, and she can’t wait. As camp draws near, there are a few things we do to make sure we have a great experience.

Label Everything

And by everything, I mean EVERYTHING. We label socks, underwear, swimsuits, clothes, toothbrush, hair brush. Did I mention EVERYTHING! There are several ways to label things. There is the old fashioned Sharpie® marker, which works wonderfully for underwear and socks and those things that it doesn’t matter how it looks. However, for things like her toiletries, Bible, journal and even pen, we look to Kiddo Tags to help us out. They have so many fun choices. And, it’s a local business so I like that.

The first year of camp I used iron-on labels (from Kiddo Tags) on ALL of her clothes. For some reason, I thought moms were supposed to do that. Some of her older sleep shirts still have those labels in them. I know her towels and sheets do. They work wonderfully. So, if that’s your thing. Go for it! Just know this. It is not a quick process.

However you label, just make sure you label. Because that last day of camp when they’re packing up their duffle bags with wet and sweaty stuff, you’re gonna want your camper to know what’s hers and what’s not.

Bag Your Outfits

Now, this may seem a little OCD to some of you. However, my daughter (who is ten) says she really appreciates her outfits being bagged. I’ve been bagging her outfits for trips (whether I’m with her or not) since she was a toddler. When we’re on family vacation, it makes it easy for her to grab her own outfit without needing help to dig through a suitcase. When she’s on her own at camp or Grandma’s, bagging her outfits makes it easy for her to be totally independent and not have to pause during the fun to sort through clothes.

I did an entire post on packing this way over at House of Hills. Please know that at this stage of our lives I tell her how many outfits she needs to pack. She lays that many out on her bed complete with under garments and socks. I do an inspection, and then she bags them. She often goes so far as to label the bags by the day of the week. We also reuse baggies so a few of the baggies in her room have been on more trips to Disney than some of my friends.

Oh, and you’re going to need more than one outfit a day if it’s a fun camp. They get NASTY. I’ve been asked to send two outfits a day this year. However, I have a girl. If you have a boy, you may get away with two outfits for the week.

Read The Packing List

Any camp you go to, whether it be a day camp or an overnight camp, is going to give you a packing list. It is important to adhere to the list. Pay special attention to what you ARE NOT supposed to bring. In this day and age where a child doesn’t seem to know what to do without their electronic device, you need to double check that said electronic device is allowed. At Woodlands Camp, all that stuff stays home. ALL of it!! Insert picture of HAPPY MOM here. Ironically, refillable water bottle is not listed on the packing list for Maggie’s camp. And, last year I forgot to pack one. Guess who was buying a water bottle at the camp store that year. Yep, this mom. I did remember to label it though. Check the list. Twice. And make sure refillable water bottle is on it.

Medications In Original Packaging

You know how you and I just throw our daily meds into a baggie or maybe even one of those pill organizers? Ya, you can’t do that for camp. The majority of camps your child might attend have a nurse on site. Make sure you check their website to be sure. The nurse has the usual stuff like pain reliever and Benadryl® and basic first aid supplies.

However, if your child takes daily medication (like mine does) or needs an inhaler available just in case (like mine does), you need to bring that with you. In addition, you need to make sure that all medication in its original packaging so that the prescription and/or package directions are there. For us, that means I buy a small package of Claritin® to send and get fresh refills on all her prescriptions right before she goes to camp. I then put everything in a baggie with her name on it to turn in during the check-in process.

Mail Plan

Do you remember getting mail when you were a kid? I used to love to run out to the mailbox to see if there was something with MY name on it. And, at camp, mail call was the favorite time of the day. Don’t forget to make sure you child receives mail! (You can even get grandparents and aunts and uncles in on it.) Now, if your child is only gone for four days like mine is, this takes a little planning. You actually have to put cards in the mail BEFORE she leaves. You’re not even missing her yet, but you have to say you are. That’s important—the “I’m missing you” part.

Check with your child’s camp to see how they handle mail. Some camps will even deliver a daily email for a small fee. Then, you can actually give a daily report of what’s happening at home. At Woodlands Camp, we are encouraged to bring a bag of mail with us and they distribute it on the day we’ve indicated. Saves their mailman a lot of work and the parents a lot of postage. I shop for cute cards all year long and then her Dad and I spend an evening writing little notes so that it’s all done when we drop her off. We also include one VERY IMPORTANT care package. Get that. Care packages are very important. Nothing says “I love you” more than a box with your name on it. We always include something cheap and funny, a couple bags of potato chips, and a ring pop. Nothing extravagant, but it says we know her and love her.

Oh, and make sure you pack a couple note cards with stamps so they can send you mail. When you go to the mailbox and see that envelope with your name on it, your heart will melt. Seriously.

So, are you sending your baby off to camp for the first time? Don’t worry he’s going to be fine? Are you an experienced camp parent and have more tips to share? Please leave them below.

Connect with Kathy

Kathy Hill blogs at HouseofHills.org semi-regularly where she shares her family’s antics, yummy recipes and Disney tips. She’s the mama to a theater kid so she spends a great deal of time driving to theaters, waiting in theaters, and watching theater. And, she kinda loves it. Kathy, her husband, David, and daughter, Maggie, moved to Cumming in 2010 and love living in such an awesome community.

Visit House of Hills Online
LIKE House of Hills on Facebook
Follow Kathy on Twitter

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Things to Do in Cumming GA – Week of May 20th, 2013

Last week of school!  Last week of school!!

I can’t believe it’s already here.   This school year seemed to have flown by.  For my little one, the week will be filled with end of year parties and lots of fun … but I know some of the older ones have a week of finals and lots of tests!   Either way it will all wrap up this week.  Congrats to the Class of 2013!

Calendar wise, it’s a quiet week – not as many things to do in Cumming GA but I’m sure your personal calendar reads otherwise!

With our Calendar of Events page, you can always look ahead to see what’s happening and find great things to do in Cumming GA & Forsyth County.

We wanted to highlight a few activities going on during the week of May 20th. Take a look at our Calendar of Events page for a full listing. You’ll find lots of great information on the following:

• FREE Storytime Events
• Mommy & Me at Glazed & Fired (pre-registration may be required)
• Intro Classes at PeachMac store
• Totally Running – Group Run Nights
• Live Music in Forsyth County
• And more!!

Click here for all the Calendar information.

Kids Eat Free

Don’t forget to check out our Kids Eat Free Listing too – restaurants are listed every night of the week!!

Giveaway:

Enter to win our current giveaway:  We’re giving away the brand new Chick-fil-A Salads!  Last day to enter!

Special Coupons & Deals:

• Goldstar Events: GREAT discounted tickets to see the Braves & more!
• Kids Bowl Free: Kids can start bowling free this week at Stars & Strikes. Make sure you sign up – it’s FREE!!

Looking Ahead:

Some great events to plan ahead & get on your Calendar:

• 2013 VBS Camps in Forsyth County – Round-up of all the fun!
• 2013 Summer Camps for Kids in Forsyth County – HUGE Round-UP ** LOTS of new camps have been added!
• FREE 2013 Summer Movies at Movies 400

Don’t Miss:

Don’t miss these recent articles:

• Summer Reading Program at Mia’s Pizza & Eats
• Brookwood Farmers’ Market – Now Open
• Strawberry Picking in Forsyth County

Play Local, Eat Local, Shop Local, Stay Local … support LOCAL!

The post Things to do in Cumming GA appeared first on Cumming Local | Things To Do in Cumming, GA & Forsyth County.

Summer Reading Program at Mia’s Pizza & Eats

I am loving this Summer Reading Program that our friends at Mia’s Pizza & Eats have just announced!

Check it out in their own words:

We’re parents just like you.  We want our kid to love reading, and we encourage the growth of her literacy at home in many ways.  We’re so excited to help parents encourage a love of reading by offering free pizza {free cheese slice & fountain drink} to kids who read six books and complete our simple pizza slice reading log.  All kids who participate are also entered into a drawing for a family meal that includes a 3-topping pizza, a large garden salad, and four fountain drinks or teas.  We want to reward you parents who work so hard to instill a love of learning in your kids, even in the off months.  Grab a printable copy of the log at our website.

This will be fun!

More about the Summer Reading Program:

1.  Must be 12 or Under to Participate
2.  Books should be age-appropriate
3.  Can’t combine with other offers or promotion

Click here for more information

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Things to Do This Weekend in Forsyth County – May 17th – 18th, 2013

This is the big weekend before the official start to summer and there are definitely lots of things to do this weekend in Fosyth County!!

Take a look at our Calendar of Events page for a full listing. You’ll find lots of great information on the following:

• 400 Lakewood Antiques Market
• Brookwood Farmers’ Market Grand Opening (click here for more information)
• Strawberry Picking at Warbington Farm (click here for more information)
• JP Jam & Strawberry Festival at Warbington Farm (click here for more information)
• Lake Lanier Boating Safety Awareness
• The Marvelous Wonderettes at the Cumming Playhouse (click here for more information)
• Mutts & More Festival (click here for more information)
• Sweet & Sassy 5 year Anniversary Celebration Event
• FREE Storytime Events
• Live Music in Forsyth County
• And more!!

Click here for all the Calendar information.

Kids Eat Free

Don’t forget to check out our Kids Eat Free Listing for the Weekend too!

Looking Ahead

Some great events to plan ahead & get on your Calendar:

• 2013 Summer Camps for Kids in Forsyth County – HUGE Round-UP and even more has been added!
• 2013 VBS Camps in Forsyth County – Get registered now!
• Cumming Aquatic Center: 2013 Season Opening
• Old Atlanta Spray Pad: 2013 Season Opening

Coupons & Deals:

• Discounted Braves Tickets & More: Save 50% through Goldstar – woohoo!

Giveaways:

• New Chick-fil-A Salads:  We’re giving away salads!!

Don’ t Miss This:

Just in case you missed these posts …

• FREE 2013 Summer Movies for Kids at Movies 400: We just received the summer schedule! Don’t miss it!
• Boost Your Immune System this Spring & Summer:  A contributing post from Dr. Marchman of Vickery Chiropractic.

No matter what you do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it & have a safe one!

The post Things to do this Weekend in Forsyth County appeared first on Cumming Local | Things To Do in Cumming, GA & Forsyth County.

The following is a post from Contributing Writer, Dr. Kristin Marchman.  Dr. Marchman is a Licensed Chiropractor at Vickery Chiropractic in Cumming, GA.  And we are thankful to have Vickery Chiropractic as a current website sponsor for Cumming Local.

Boost Your Immune System This Spring and Summer

The beautiful spring weather has officially arrived here in Georgia and, if you are anything like me, the last thing you want is to be stuck indoors due to an illness in your family.  Tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season run rampant, but these tips tend to be less prevalent once the weather warms up.  Since we unfortunately are not exempt to illness once warmer weather arrives, I would like to share some natural ways to boost your immune system this spring and summer.

The best way to avoid illness is not about avoiding everyone around you who is “sick,” but more about maintaining a healthy, well-functioning immune system. By keeping your immune system in optimal working order, you become far less likely to acquire an illness, and if you do, you are better prepared to move through it without complications and return back to optimal health more quickly.  

Here are some tips for staying healthy this spring and summer:

• Get outside.  Recent research has shown that optimizing your vitamin D levels is one of the best ways to naturally fight disease.  Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy with your family after a walk and soak up those rays of sunshine.  If sun exposure is limited, an oral vitamin D3 supplement is the next best option.
• Get active.  This is a great thing to do outside while soaking up some Vitamin D.  Find out what your family likes to do outdoors and have fun with it. Walks, bike riding, and skating are great ideas as well as many outdoor sports that can be played as a family.  Exercise increases your circulation and blood flow throughout the body. The components of your immune system are also better circulated, which allows it to function optimally. As always, be sure to stay hydrated.  Water is best and coconut water is a great natural alternative to sugary sports drinks.
• Get adjusted.  Chiropractic isn’t just for back pain and headaches.  By keeping the spine aligned, you are not only helping your nervous system function at 100%, but your immune system as well.
• Get the right foods in your stomach.  Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day and buy organic and local when possible.  Spring and summer are the perfect times to find local produce in the area.  Also, do your best to avoid sugar and processed foods. Sugar impairs the quality of your immune response almost immediately.  It also can decimate your beneficial bacteria and feed pathogenic yeast and viruses. Sugar can be consumed in moderation if you are healthy, but the last thing you should be eating when you aren’t feeling well is sugar.
• Get your gut flora levels on track. The bacteria in your gut have enormous control of your immune response. The best way to improve your beneficial bacteria ratio is to avoid sugars, as they feed pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, processed foods and many grains should be limited and replaced with healthy fats such as coconut oil, avocados, olive oil, eggs, and nuts. A quality probiotic supplement will replenish the “good” bacteria that your body needs.
• Get natural antibiotics to use if needed. Examples of these include garlic, colloidal silver, and coconut oil. These work like broad-spectrum antibiotics against bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in your body. Unlike pharmaceutical antibiotics, they do not lead to resistance and have less, if any, side effects.
• Get plenty of rest. Our bodies need sleep to regenerate and re-energize each night.  Just as it becomes harder to accomplish daily tasks when you are tired, it is much harder to fight illness when the body is overly fatigued.
• Get to know the best tools to address the stresses in your life. We all face stress every day, but when stress becomes overwhelming, your body becomes less able to fight illness.  Whether you turn to prayer, exercise, or relaxation techniques when you need to de-stress, find something that works well for you.
• Get happy.  It sounds cliché, but a positive mental attitude can do a lot for your health.  Do something that makes you happy every day, whether it’s a random act of kindness to brighten someone’s day or simply thinking of all the things you have to be thankful for and taking a moment to remember all of them.

My goal as a chiropractor is not only to keep my patients pain free, but also to help them achieve their best level of health.  I believe that following the above guidelines will help to keep your immune system functioning at its optimal level this spring and summer, so you can fully enjoy the upcoming warm months with your family.  

Dr. Kristin Marchman

Connect with Dr. Marchman

Web – www.VickeryChiro.com

Facebook – www.Facebook.com/VickeryChiropractic

Email Dr. Marchman

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Mutts & More Festival in Forsyth County 2013

It’s time for the annual Mutts & More Festival in Forsyth County!  Enjoy a day of  fun with kid’s games & activities, food vendors, pet demonstrations, dog / pet adoptions & more!  And enjoy the fun with your furry friends (on a leash of course).

Admission is free and all proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Forsyth County, a no-kill shelter.

Event Details:

Mutts & More Festival
Sunday, May 19th – 12Noon to 6pm
Fowler Park – 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming GA 30040
FREE Admission
Click here for more information

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Brookwood Farmers’ Market in Forsyth County – 2013 Season

It’s almost time for the 2013 Brookwood Farmers’ Market!   This is a great outdoor market that brings locally, Georgia grown produce and goods to consumers!   Shop from fresh, locally grown produce, meat, eggs, bread, flowers, soaps, and so much more!  Click here for a full list of participating vendors.

Also very cool – most nights feature activities for the kids and even live music while you shop.  Click here for the latest entertainment updates.

Admission is free and the market is open to the general public.

Personal Tips:

1.  Bring Cash – Some vendors accept credit cards, but it’s best to bring cash just in case.

2.  Bring a Bag – Don’t forget to bring your reusable bag to carry all your things home!

3.  Snack While You Shop – Go hungry and sample while you shop … you might find something new to purchase and take home!

4.  Enjoy the Playground – The market is located inside Caney Creek Preserve Park.  While the playground is too far away to just let the kids play by themselves while you shop (especially if they’re young), definitely check it out before you leave!  It’s not your typical playground, but my kids love it!

Event Details:

Who: Brookwood Elementary PTA/Brookwood Farmers’ Market
What: Local farmers’ market serving South Forysth, North Fulton and North Gwinnett
When: Kickoff May 17^th 4-7 p.m. // Every Friday through September 4-7 p.m.
Where: Caney Creek Preserve Park, Forsyth County
Why: To create an event that brings fresh produce and goods to the greater community
How: With the support of the Brookwood ES PTA and local farmers and growers

More Information

Like Brookwood Farmers’ Market on Facebook
Visit Brookwood Farmers’ Market Online

Kelly Walczak, Market Manager 404-401-3404 / kellywalczak@mac.com

Kristin Lauria, Assistant Market Manager 770-851-5265 /klauria@comcast.net

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Strawberry Picking in Forsyth County at Warbington Farms 2013

It’s time for the 2013 Strawberry picking season in Forsyth County!  And we’re super lucky to have a strawberry farm right in Cumming GA & Forsyth County – Warbington Farms!   I must admit I absolutely LOVE fresh strawberries so this time of year always makes me happy.

Warbington Farms is a U-Pick farm at just $12/ gallon. If you’re on a time crunch or just don’t feel like picking your own, you can also purchase previously picked strawberries (when available) at the same price. And sometimes even cheaper – last  year, I snagged some for $11/ gallon because they had been picked the previous day.

While you’re there, let the kids take advantage of some Farm Fun including hay rides, inflatable slide & petting zoo.  Activities and fees vary depending on the day.  Click here for more details.

Personal Tips:

1. It’s never a bad idea to call ahead or check their Facebook page to make sure they still have plenty to u-pick … especially if you’re driving from a big distance.  Farming isn’t an exact science after all!
2. Check out their other farm produce while you’re there – I snagged some farm-raised eggs for a great price!
3.  Buy a lot – they freeze great!
4.  And then be ready for all those strawberries!  You might want some new recipes, check out my “Strawberry Season” Board on Pinterest for a few ideas.

More Information:

Warbington Farms
5555 Crow Road
Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: 770.380.2920

Warbington Farms Online | Warbington Farms on Facebook

Strawberry Season Hours:
Tues – Saturday, 10am to 6pm
Sunday, 1pm to 6pm
Closed Monday

Note:  To reiterate, it’s always a good idea to check with Warbington Farms (on facebook or by phone) for the latest updates.  Strawberries may be unavailable for u-pick if supply is low.

The post Strawberry Picking in Forsyth County at Warbington Farms 2013 appeared first on Cumming Local | Things To Do in Cumming, GA & Forsyth County.

Have you tried the new Chick-fil-A salads yet?  I am a big Chick-fil-A fan – they have food that our whole family likes.  Everyone’s happy when we go there and no one gripes.  The kids can enjoy the playground and no one’s complaining about the free ice-dream after their kid’s meal!!

Plus you just can’t beat the service – I think both our Forsyth County Chick-fil-A locations are great.  The managers run them awesome and the employees are always so pleasant.

HOWEVER, I have never been a big fan of their salads!  The dressings weren’t that good and the salads were just boring, so I must admit I am super excited about these new menu choices!

And whether you’ve tried them yet or not, we’ve got an opportunity for you to try them for FREE!!

Giveaway – Enter for a chance to Win:

We’ll choose two lucky winners via Random.org to win a FREE coupon for one of the new Chick-fil-A Salads.  To enter, take the “are you a starter, quiz” (click red button below).  Then simply share how many points you earned in the comments below for your chance to win!

Get started now …

Disclosure Statement:  Cumming Local received these coupons to facilitate this giveaway; however, all opinions are my own.

Giveaway Disclosure (The Quick Version):   Giveaway will close on Monday, May 20, 2013 at Midnight EST. One winner will be selected from all entries and selected via Random.org. Winner(s) will be notified via email & have 24 hours from time of notification to submit their mailing address.

Disclosure (The Longer Read): While this giveaway is being promoted on Facebook, it is in no way associated with, sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook. By entering this giveaway, you acknowledge this and release Facebook from any responsibility of such. Furthermore, you acknowledge that any information provided for entry is being provided to Cumming Local and not to Facebook. No Purchase necessary. Giveaway open to all residents, 18 years of age or older, in the US (although it makes most sense to enter if you’re in the Atlanta area where prize is available for redemption).  This giveaway opens at time of publish and closes Monday, May 20th, Midnight EST.  Entry is only accepted via the forms listed above (completion of tasks & entry of comment on this post). Prize is valued at less than $500. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winner(s) will be selected via Random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize & provide a mailing address for shipment. If unclaimed, a new winner will be selected in the same manner. By submission of an entry, reader acknowledges that they are 18 years of age or older and also grants Cumming Local the right to use their name in a winner’s announcement, if applicable. By submission of entry, reader agrees to hold Cumming Local harmless in the event that the prize in some way negatively impacts the winner. Giveaway hosted by Cumming Local, LLC PO Box 972, Cumming GA 30028. Void where prohibited by law.

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Things to Do in Cumming GA – Week of May 13th, 2013

I don’t know about you, but between sports, end of school parties & events, it’s a pretty crazy week!!  And then add on some fun events in Forsyth County and it gets packed full!!

With our Calendar of Events page, you can always look ahead to see what’s happening and find great things to do in Cumming GA & Forsyth County.

We wanted to highlight a few activities going on during the week of May 6th. Take a look at our Calendar of Events page for a full listing. You’ll find lots of great information on the following:

• Peachtree Rides Carnival – Nightly (Click here for more information – and COUPON)
• FREE Storytime Events
• Mommy & Me at Glazed & Fired (pre-registration required)
• Dine to Donate at Rice for Remission (benefits Stick it 2 Cancer)
• Intro Classes at PeachMac store
• Totally Running – Group Run Nights
• Live Music in Forsyth County
• The Marvelous Wonderettes at The Cumming Playhouse (click here for more information)
• And more!!

Click here for all the Calendar information.

Kids Eat Free

Don’t forget to check out our Kids Eat Free Listing too – restaurants are listed every night of the week!!

Special Coupons & Deals:

• Goldstar Events: GREAT discounted tickets to see the Braves & more!
• Kids Bowl Free: Kids can start bowling free this week at Stars & Strikes. Make sure you sign up – it’s FREE!!

Looking Ahead

Some great events to plan ahead & get on your Calendar:

• 2013 VBS Camps in Forsyth County – Round-up of all the fun!
• 2013 Summer Camps for Kids in Forsyth County – HUGE Round-UP ** LOTS of new camps have been added!
• Cumming Aquatic Center – Grand Opening Weekend

Play Local, Eat Local, Shop Local, Stay Local … support LOCAL!

The post Things to do this Week in Cumming GA appeared first on Cumming Local | Things To Do in Cumming, GA & Forsyth County.