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Summer camp is a rite of passage for many school age kids and as the academic year winds down, there is excitement in the air for the upcoming summer camp season. Many children are excited to be packing their bags for day camp or sleep-away camp. Summer campers will be able to explore their independence and enjoy their summer vacation, without a text book in sight. However, with their new found independence, summer campers are responsible for their own health and safety.

Read on for some fantastic tips and tricks from the summer camp experts at the CVS Minute Clinic. As a family that has relied on their expert advice on how to deal with spring allergies, it should come as no surprise that the team at Minute Clinic can provide guidance on helping your camper pack for a fun-filled summer and being prepared for a happy and healthy summer. 

#1: Schedule your child’s camp physical – make sure it is up-to-date on immunizations and check their overall health. The MinuteClinic family nurse practitioners will review your child’s health and immunization history, perform a thorough exam and measure height & weight as well as provide safety and education tips. 

#2: Follow the packing list provided by the camp – review the list of items that are requested as well as the items that the camp suggests leaving at home. But, don’t forget to send them with an item that is familiar, like a stuffed animal or a favorite blanket. This will help your campers expectations and ensure a happy experience. 

#3: Visit your camp of choice – call ahead and schedule a visit with your little camper. This will ensure your child will be familiar with the setup and recognize faces of the counselors and directors of the camp. 

#4: Help your camper capture the memories – give your camper a journal or disposable camera to capture their summer camp memories. This will allow you and  your child to talk about their camp experiences and create lasting memories. 

#5: Pack the essentials – medication, sunscreen, a mini-first aid kit and flashlight and batteries! Include some extras such as chapstick, bug repellent, insect bite relief cream and extra batteries. 

The CVS MinuteClinic nurse practitioners are well-equipped to diagnose poison ivy, bug bites and more. They can offer on the spot assessments and recommend over-the-counter medications, that are right for each patient. 

The CVS MinuteClinic is a great destination for your family to stock up on the essentials of a summer camp luggage bag. Check out the fun character band-aids, the extreme sport bandages and the reusable cold packs, too. And, no bag, whether it is an overnight back or a day trip bag would be complete without hand sanitizer or handwipes. Stop by your local CVS for all of the summer camp necessities, including sunscreen, vitamins, allergy relief medication, band-aids, calamine lotion and more. Plus, customers can pick up a $25 coupon book, while supplies last. 

Join Us for a Twitter Party: Are you (and your kids) ready for camp? Join the #ReadySetCamp chat on Wednesday, June 10th from 1pm – 2pm (EST) w/@MinuteClinic to share your tips! RSVP here: http://on.fb.me/1FjqOgE

http://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/index.jsp

Disclosure: I have received promotional consideration from MinuteClinic