The best way to beat the heat is to plan ahead. Knowing you’re prepared for whatever humidity or weather is about to hit is the best way to stay safe, especially at camp.
A Cool Team
Calleva parents and Calleva staff make a winning team and can work together to keep campers healthy and happy. Checking the weather each morning can set your camper up for success, whether that means a raincoat in their gear bag or wearing breezy clothing for a warm day.
Start Hydrated: The Key to Staying Cool at Camp
Staying cool starts with being as hydrated as possible before you even set out for the day. Experts say that when you start to feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Make sure your camper is bringing a reusable water bottle to camp each day so they can keep it accessible throughout the day.
Camp staff will be reminding campers to drink throughout the day, but it’s important to enforce those good habits at home. Practice good hydration habits throughout the year to set you and your camper up for success during the hotter months.
Choosing the Right Clothing for Heat
The next step to beating the heat is wearing the right clothing for your activity. Wearing loose, non-cotton clothing helps campers stay cool, even when the temperatures are reaching the upper 90s.
Cotton clothing absorbs water when you sweat and retains it, causing chills or blisters. Synthetic material helps to keep moisture away from your body, keeping you cool. Most athletic clothing is made of synthetic material these days, but it is good to check your camper before they head out to camp to make sure they’re in the best outfit possible.
Loose, synthetic clothing keeps your camper breezy and cool, and if they happen to get wet during the day, their clothes dry out quickly.
The Role of UPF Clothing in Sun Protection
Another good clothing option is UPF clothing, which helps protect you from sun damage. UPF means Ultraviolet Protection Factor, this descriptor tells us which clothing can block the most UV rays coming into contact with our skin.
Children are especially susceptible to skin damage from the sun because their skin is thinner than adults. When shopping for UPF clothing, you can think about the similar acronym of SPF, a higher rating means higher protection.
A UPF rating of 50+ means you are getting the most UV protection and only about 2% of UV rays are being let through the clothing. A rating of 30 is okay, and you don’t want to get below 15, as over 6.5% of UV rays are being let in through your clothing.
Sunscreen: Essential for UV Protection
While it may not help your camper stay cool in the moment, sunscreen helps keep your camper safe from harmful UV rays. Sunburns can not only be painful and cause discomfort but can lead to long-lasting skin issues.
Especially for younger campers, practice applying sunscreen to any exposed skin before their first day of camp. Don’t forget the back of the neck, ears, and any exposed scalp!
Pack whatever sunscreen your camper is comfortable with and do a patch test to make sure it doesn’t bother their skin. SPF rating is up to users’ discretion, but the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a waterproof sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
Ensuring a Safe and Fun Camp Experience
These tips should help your camper stay cool and happy throughout camp. Sun and heat safety ensure campers don’t suffer from heat exhaustion or dehydration and can have as much fun at camp as possible!
Calleva’s Hot Weather Plans for Camper Safety
Also, the Calleva team has hot weather plans for keeping campers hydrated, healthy, and safe during the camp day. On super hot days, Instructors adjust their itineraries to include additional time in the water, more downtime in the shade, and games that involve getting wet.
Sometimes we play water-drinking games and create challenges to help campers remember to DRINK, DRINK, DRINK all day long! We do our best to keep the fun adventures going while also keeping campers hydrated and safe in the heat.
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