http://www.cleverscampcamp.com/kids-camping-labels/
Deep Thinking on Camp Name Tags
Name tapes. Whether your kids are attending day camp or sleep away camp, these little strips of cloth or nylon ensure that you won’t have to buy your child a brand new wardrobe, each and every week. Bathing suits have a mysterious way of disappearing.towels and underwear, too. Although us practical moms try to “think disposable” when it comes to camp clothing, it is frustrating, nonetheless, to start off the season with twelve bathing suits and end the season with three!
You might say, I have been fascinated with name tapes for quite some time. I became aware of these little suckers my first summer at sleep away camp. It seems a pair of my underwear had fallen out onto a sports court on its way back from the camp laundry. Thanks to that wonderful little name tape, it wasn’t long before everyone at camp knew it was my underwear that had been loitering for days on tennis court #3!
Cut to age 16. I had just been hired by an upscale camp outfitter in town. While I had dreams of working the sales floor, I was immediately relegated to the basement, where — along with three other girls — we worked sweatshop style over sewing machines affixing an endless parade of name tapes onto camp orders: White thread for the light color clothes, black thread for the darks. So, by the time my kids were ready for camp, you might say I had already done some thinking on the subject.
Sew In Tapes
My kids’ first summer, I hired my seamstress to sew the name tapes into all their clothing. These labels, no doubt, stay on forever. But my kids, (who had “label issues” already) couldn’t stand the itchiness of these tags – and this method was definitely pricey.
Laundry Stamper
The next summer I tried a laundry stamp. It is great for last minute labeling, but the ink did fade over many washings, and did not show up on dark colored garments. However, I still keep one around for a quick fix.
Iron-On Name Tapes
The following year I decided to try iron-on name tapes. I was appalled when the first set I ordered turned out to be cheap nylon tapes. I promptly reordered the fabric variety. But when it came time for ironing-on, I noticed something interesting. The fabric ones adhered ok, but were definitely detectible (and able to be yanked off) by those label-sensitive kids of mine. The nylon ones, however, adhered fully & completely, and never seem to fall off.never!!! What’s more they are smooth and don’t cause unnecessary itching. I am sold on them!
Clothing Tattoos
Clothing tattoos are the newest entry to the name label market & I am intrigued by them. They are permanent iron-on transfers that come in fun and funky colors and shapes, for the coolest camp duds around! They adhere completely to clothing and are dryer-safe. This is the direction most clothing manufacturers are going in, (think Hanes® new “labeless” underwear.) The main downside to clothing tattoos is price. They will run you about $18.50 for a set of 50 tattoos, which is considerably more than the traditional labels, and which is why I have yet to try them
All in all, it is good to have a variety of labeling products on hand: Name tapes, laundry stamps and laundry pens for last minute labeling.and those awesome silver SharpieT pens for writing on dark surfaces. I have also become a big fan of the permanent identity stickers many companies sell, which are ideal for sticking on expensive sports & electronic equipment. As always, be sure to shop on line for the best prices.
About the Author
Laura Miller has been a staff member at several camps and has worked in camp marketing. She is the founder and Director of Marketing for CampRatingz.com.
Packing Cubes from Everything Summer Camp
|
|
Favorite Camp Songs $5.98 … |
|
|
Off! Skintastic Insect Repellent, Tropical Fresh, Family , 6 fl oz (177 ml) $4.49 Repels mosquitoes that may carry West Nile virus. FamilyCare Insect Repellent III is specially formulated with a lower level of active repellent ingredients and aloe vera to feel and smell better on your skin. Repels mosquitoes, biting flies, gnats, chiggers and no-see-ums up to 2 hours from treated skin and clothing…. |
|
|
Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent V, 25% DEET 6 oz $4.75 Contains 25% DEET. Lasts up to 6 hours and has a pleasant scent. Protects from mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers. 6 oz. aerosol…. |
|
|
Organic Valley Organic Nonfat Dry Milk Powder, 12-Ounce Bags (Pack of 4) $32.52 … |
|
|
Zebra Stripe Print Backpack Book Bag Hot Pink Trim $29.99 This great looking black, and white zebra stripe print backpack, with hot pink trim is great for students or campers, and makes a great overnight bag. Measuring 16 inches high, 12 inches wide and 4 inches deep, it has a padded back section, padded shoulder straps, a mesh side pocket, a zippered front exterior pocket, and has a large interior section for whatever you need to pack in it. This bag m… |
|
|
Blaze Orange Camping Backpack Safety Neon Book Bag $26.99 This incredibly bright orange backpack is a perfect accessory for students and campers alike, and is even good for bikers to use as a travel bag on the back of their bikes. Measuring 19 inches high, 14 inches wide and 6 inches deep, it features 3 front exterior zipper pocket for storage, has a zipper pocket on one side and a drawstring pocket on the other. The water-resistant interior has plenty o… |
|
|
Pink Pirate Princess Folding Camp Chair Camping $19.99 This super cool pink “Pirate Princess” folding camp chair has a heavy duty steel frame and a heavy 600 denier nylon seat to give you years of use. The chair holds up to 275 pounds easily, and has hard plastic feet to keep you sturdy. The feet have holes in the bottoms, so you can keep it in place with tent stakes if you wish. The chair measures 32 1/2 inches tall, 32 inches wide and 19 inches deep… |
|
|
Sawyer Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent Trigger Spray, 24-Ounce $11.99 As a treatment for clothing, Sawyer Permethrin clothing insect repellent does not harm fabrics and is odorless after dried. Use Permethrin on clothing by itself or with skin-applied repellents to create the ultimate protective, armor-like insect barrier. Permethrin-treatments on clothing are non-toxic to humans and are registered for use by the U.S. EPA. The active ingredient, Permethrin, is a … |
|
|
Deluxe Pop Up Beach Tent Sun Shelter with Zipper Privacy Door Family Cabana Sun Wind Tent Blue $19.95 Brand New Pop Up Beach Tent Sun Shelter with Zipper Privacy Door. Pops up to open and folds down easily. Ideal protection from sun and wind. Measuring 63″ wide by 47″ deep by 47″ high this deluxe pop up beach shelter family sun shade is large enough for 3 to 4 people enjoy. This Pop-up shelter would also make a great playhouse for the kids or grandkids. With this the kids can “go camping” indo… |