To Bring Or Not To Bring
Don't Forget To Bring
Lisa Blechman
and Laya Barak
try out the
backpacks.
time children don't recognize
their own clothes, especially if
the clothes are new and their
mom or housekeeper packed
for them," she says.
"Kids are kids. They grab whatever is at
hand. They forget to pick up after themselves.
And since the laundry washes each cabin's
laundry together, names are needed in order
to sort clothes properly."
Children also need practice deciding what
should be thrown into the laundry and what
can be folded back on the tubby. Ms. Stevens
recommends putting a laundry bag in the
child's room several weeks before camp so he
can decide what is dirty and what is clean.
Overpacking is another problem Ms.
Stevens regularly encounters. "Many moth-
ers are anxious and over-compensate," she
says. "Sometimes the amount gets out of
hand. Our laundry goes out every week, so
kids really don't need two dozen shirts."
Sharon and Marty Gene are almost old
pros at getting Faya and her 11-year-old
brother Benjamin ready for overnight camp.
Mrs. Gene admits that in the past she has
overpacked. "I sent more towelsand sheets
than they needed," she says. "I also sent rain
ponchos and boots which they refused to wear.
They preferred to stomp around and get wet
and dirty. Hey, it's camp.!"
If youngsters are going to camps where
Shabbat is observed, Mrs. Gene recommends
asking other camper families exactly what
the youngsters wear.
"For Faya's first year at Ramah, we sent
her up with a blue jean skirt and she was re-
ally underdressed for Friday night. It turned
out the other girls changed modes and put on
nice dresses and hose, wore makeup and fixed
their hair — just like they were going to shul.
Luckily, Faya's friends were happy to share
clothes with her. Benjamin was able to wear
khakis and a white golf shirt."
The Bare Necessities
In addition to clothes and hiking booth, area
camp outfitters offer a wide variety of sleep-
ing bags, bedding, duffles, daypacks, polar
fleece sweatshirts and jackets, rain suits,
socks and all the esoteric camping gear need-
ed for the wilderness trips, including utility
straps, water bottles and polypropylene lin-
er socks.
"We're not your father's Army-Navy store,"
says Jeff Goldsmith, owner of Joe's Army
Navy Surplus and Camping. With less gov-
ernment surplus than there used to be, Mr.
Goldsmith sells a lot of recycled foreign sur-
plus and new moderate-end outdoor clothes.
"Our clothes are comfortable, functional
and cheap," he says. "Kids love the multi-pock-
eted outdoor pants and our new German
moleskin shorts and pants."
At Moosejaw, youngsters and parents are
able to try out sleeping bags of different
weights. "For backpacking trips, we recom-
mend the lightest weight and most compact
bag," says Mr. Wolfe. "You can get away with
a less expensive bag if your camp includes a
canoe trip overnight and you won't be car-
rying your sleeping bag and gear."
An impressive item on the market this sea-
son is found at Brody's. "We've got these new
turtle fur camp blankets," says Mr. Shindler.
`They're the same material that neck and ear
wat iners are made of. Just wait till you feel
how soft they are," he says.
Nothing like bringing the comforts of home
deep into the wilderness. ❑
Do NOT Bring
(For overnight camps)
Clothes that have been labeled
Old, comfortable clothes
Bathing suits
Clothes that are dispensable
Sweatshirt and sweatpants
Cap
Rain poncho
Shabbat outfit (if appropriate)
Camp T-shirt or sweatshirt
Underwear
Stamped, self-addressed envelopes
(if you hope to get mail)
Laundry bag
Teva-style shoe
Gym shoes
Boots for rain, mud or hiking
(For overnight camps)
Fancy clothes
New clothes that must
come home in good condition
Clothes that need to be
Ironed or hand-washed
Knives of any kind
Televisions
Aerosol cans
Lighters or matches
Oversized boom boxes
Candy or pop
Electric; plug-in fans
Hotpots
(For wilderness trips)
Lightweight sleeping bag
Waterproof hiking boots
(sealed and broken in before camp)
Rain suit
Insect repellent
Long underwear
Water bottle
Bandanna
Camera
Compass
Flashlight
Laundry bag
(For wilderness trips)
Radio
Wallunan
Alarm clock
Tape recorder
You'll find camp clothes, accessories and camping parapher-
nalia at the following Detroit area stores, listed alphabetically.
Brody's Boys and Young Men's Wear, 6690 Orchard Lake Rd.,
West Bloomfield, 851-6232.
Benchmark Sporting Goods, 32715 Grand River, Farmington,
477-8116.
Bivouac, 336 S. Bates St., Ann Arbor, (313) 761-6207.
Dunham's, 33096 Northwestern Hwy., West Bloomfield, 626-9595;
3383 N. Woodward, Royal Oak, 288-2010;
2843 S. Rochester Rd. Rochester Hills, 852-9500;
5000 Dixie Hwy., Wat,erford, 674-4991.
Joe's Army Navy Surplus and Camping
981 W. Huron, Waterford, 681-5277;
26463 Hoover, Warren, 756-0404;
311 S. Main, Royal Oak, 547-2352.
M.C. Sporting Goods
Oakland Mall, Troy, 583-7710;
450 N. Telegraph, Pontiac, 335-2226;
28556 Telegraph Rd., Southfield; 799-8970.
Moosejaw, 3405 Orchard Lake Rd., Keego Harbor, 738-5291;
555 E. Grand River, East Lansing, (517) 3334000.
Raupp Campfitters, 421 S. Washington, Royal Oak, 547-5025.
Surplus City, 3144 W. 12 Mile Rd., Berkley, 548-5025.