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.