How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Summer at Redwood Country Day Camp – A Checklist for First-Time Campers

Summer is just around the corner, and if your child is joining us at Redwood Country Day Camp for the first time, they're in for an adventure of a lifetime! Since 1974, our 27 privately owned acres in Vaudreuil have been providing unforgettable summer experiences for children ages 4-15. To help make your child's transition to camp life as smooth as possible, we've compiled this comprehensive checklist covering everything from packing essentials to mental preparation.

Physical Preparation: What to Pack

Preparing your child's camp bag is the first step in ensuring they have everything they need for a successful day at Redwood. With daily swimming in our four outdoor pools and two waterslides and outdoor activities like rock climbing and biking, and creative pursuits like arts and crafts, your camper will need practical items that support their full participation in our diverse summer day camp program.

For daily essentials, pack two sets of swimwear since your camper will swim twice daily between our swim instruction and recreational swim periods. Our waterslides – the gentle Speedway for younger campers and the thrilling Twister for the more adventurous – are camp favorites that require proper swimwear. Include a sun hat, which is mandatory at Redwood for sun protection during our outdoor adventures and nature exploration activities. Apply sunscreen before camp and send some along for reapplication throughout the camp day. Don't worry if you forget –  give us a call at the office as we keep extras for those rushed mornings.

A refillable water bottle is crucial as active campers need to stay hydrated during physical activities and outdoor exploration. If your child forgot his water bottle, don't worry! Our camp features numerous water fountains where children can refill as they travel between activities. Choose comfortable, lightweight clothing suitable for active games and closed-toe shoes that will protect their feet during sports, rock climbing, and biking activities. Bug spray is essential for our nature-based activities in our forested areas.

For weekly supplies, send a sturdy backpack to carry their daily essentials between activities. Include an extra change of clothes for unexpected situations during their outdoor adventures. Since camp continues rain or shine, a light rain jacket is useful for unexpected weather changes.

It is important to leave electronics, valuable items, and nut products at home. Our engaging camp program keeps campers fully occupied with a wide range of activities without the need for electronic devices, and the active nature of camp means valuable items can easily be misplaced. Redwood is also a nut-aware camp with many children with nut allergies so it is important not to bring food with peanuts or nuts to camp.

Mental Preparation: Setting Expectations

The weeks before camp begins provide an excellent opportunity to build excitement and address any concerns your child might have about their first camp experience. Take the time to explore our website with your child,, looking at photos of our facilities and variety of activities like the 24-foot rock climbing wall, zipline adventure, and jungle vine. Let your child know that our daily schedule includes eight 40-minute activity blocks per day that balance sports, art, and nature activities with creative play-based games.

Explain our swimming program to your child,  letting them know that they will start in our shallow pool and that they will be tested and placed in the appropriate swim instruction level within their first three days. There is also a special deep water test for children who would like to swim in the deep end.  If they pass the test, they will receive a bracelet to show the lifeguards that they are allowed in the deep pool and for added supervision. This individualized approach ensures they'll learn lifelong skills at a pace that's comfortable for them while building confidence in the water. Discuss how they'll be in small groups with children their age, providing plenty of opportunities to build social skills and friendships that often last beyond the summer months.

For children experiencing any separation anxiety, remind them that our experienced counselors will be with them throughout the day. We maintain excellent camper ratio to ensure every child receives the attention and support they need. Emphasize that trying new activities is part of the outdoor adventure – whether it's climbing our rock wall, riding a bike on our trails, or learning to drive our special golf carts in Driver's Ed (grades 1 & up)  – and our day camp team will be there to guide them every step of the way.

Practice independence skills at home in the weeks leading up to camp week. Having your child organize their belongings, apply their own sunscreen, and manage their lunch containers builds confidence in their ability to handle these tasks at camp.  Ask them about eir day when they return home, perhaps with specific questions about specific activities or new friends and do not hesitate to give us a call at the office if you have any questions or concerns.

What to Expect: The Redwood Experience

On their first day at Redwood, your child will arrive either by bus (with pickup between 8:00-8:30 AM) or by car through our extended care hours program (starting at 7:30 AM). Our welcoming day camp team will greet them and introduce them to their counselor and bunkmates for the summer. Section heads for each unit greet the children each morning as they wait for everyone to arrive.  Music plays over the loud speaker to start the first activity and counsellors bring their campers to their bunks(cabins) to put away their belongings and get ready for the first activity.

Each camp day follows a structured schedule with eight 40-minute blocks that include 30 minutes of activity and 10 minutes for travel and water breaks. This schedule provides consistency while offering a wide range of activities through our diverse summer day camp programs. During their 40-minute lunch break, campers refuel and socialize with their group, building important social connections.

Swimming occurs twice daily in our outdoor pools, focusing on both instruction and recreational enjoyment. Our unique swim program parallels the Swim for Life principles, with qualified lifeguards and instructors ensuring both safety and skill development. Your child will also experience our signature activities like rock climbing on our six-faced wall, zooming down our waterslides, biking on our dirt trails, travelling along our zipline, swinging from our jungle vines and learning to drive golf carts in our supervised Driver's Ed program for campers grades one and up..

Throughout the weeks of camp, weekly theme days add an extra dimension to the regular schedule. Theme days bring camp community excitement with special events and fun activities. Unit programs deliver age-specific experiences for different campers ages, from treasure hunts and sports activities to art projects that cater to each development level. Through all these camp sessions, campers develop practical life skills – from swimming proficiency to cooperation skills – in an environment designed to build personal achievement.

During indoor activities on rainy days, campers enjoy board games, creative play-based activities, and cool games that keep the fun going regardless of weather. Our leadership activities for older campers help develop leadership potential through increased responsibility and mentoring opportunities.

The Redwood Community and Values

At Redwood, we've created more than just a summer camp – we've built a camp community where children of all ages feel valued, challenged, and supported. Our Redwood R.O.C.K.s philosophy emphasizes core values that shape every aspect of the camp experience: Respect for self and others, Openness to new experiences and friendships, Community building across all camp levels, and Kindness toward everyone.

These positive values aren't just words – they're put into practice throughout our camp programming. Our small group sizes ensure that each camper receives individual attention and builds close relationships with peers and counselors. Activities are designed to encourage teamwork and cooperation, helping children develop leadership skills they'll carry beyond camp.

The beautiful natural setting of our 27 private acres in Vaudreuil enhances the camp experience, with forested paths connecting activity areas, visits to our animal farm with goats and alpacas, and outdoor spaces that encourage nature exploration. This environment provides a welcome contrast to the technology-heavy school days and allows kids ages 4-15 to connect with the natural world in meaningful ways.

Our experienced counsellors, specialists and section heads model our core values, creating a safe space where campers feel comfortable trying new things. Many of our staff members were once Redwood campers themselves, bringing personal experience and enthusiasm to their roles. Their commitment to creating positive experiences for camp participants ensures that every child feels welcomed into the Redwood family.

Child Care Options

For families needing extended hours of supervision, our extended care program offers drop-off as early as 7:30 AM and pickup until 5:00 PM. This service provides supervised care with access to various camp activities, allowing parents flexibility with their work schedules. Space in our extended care hours program is limited, so early registration is recommended.

Unlike other day camp locations that operate in public spaces, Redwood's privately owned facility in Vaudreuil means your child enjoys exclusive access to our entire property throughout their camp day. Our focus on quality care in a safe, stimulating environment has made us a preferred choice for parents seeking summer day camps in the area.

Conclusion

As your child joins us for their first summer at Redwood, they're beginning a journey of growth, friendship, and discovery in one of the region's premier day camp locations. Our 50 years of history in creating magical summers means they're in good hands, and we look forward to welcoming them to a tradition of summer fun that's been making childhood memories since 1974.

From swimming in our pools to conquering our rock climbing wall, from creating art projects to participating in challenging activities, from enjoying science fun to embarking on outdoor adventures – Redwood offers countless opportunities for your child to develop new skills, make new friends, and build confidence in a supportive environment.

Remember that camp registration is now open for Summer 2025. Whether you're signing up for a single camp week or multiple weeks of camp, your child will experience the fun-filled, educational adventures that make Redwood Country Day Camp a summer tradition families return to year after year. We look forward to welcoming your child to our camp for children where adventure, fun, and friendships flourish!