Fall Supplies to stay Warm and Dry

It’s that time again, the leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter, and the temperature is all over the place! It’s FALL in Northern Virginia!

We would like to remind you that our kids spend a good portion of their day outdoors, so layers are a must this season! In addition to the every day things your child needs, we ask that you also send in:

  • A lightweight jacket each day: Preferably a wind breaker, given how strong the wind can be in autumn!

  • A raincoat to live here at the center: We have had several days where the weather starts out sunny, but by pick up it is POURING. Per our Covid-19 policy, we try to stay outside as much as possible. Help us keep your kiddo safe and comfortable outside!

  • A pair of rain boots and extra socks to live at the center: We have had several days where the weather starts out sunny, but by pick up it is POURING. Per our Covid-19 policy, we try to stay outside as much as possible. Help us keep your kiddo safe and comfortable outside!

You can read more about our philosophy on “no bad weather, only bad clothes” here.

You can read more about why, even without the influence of Covid-19, we stand by going outside as much as possible here.

THE PERFECT RAINCOAT: ALLOWS THE CHILD TO WORK IN TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS AND STAY REASONABLE DRY FROM THE KNEES UP.

  • WATER BARRIER - RAINCOAT MUST BE A RAINCOAT AND NOT A WINDBREAKER. WINDBREAKERS ABSORB WATER; RAINCOATS ACT AS A BARRIER.

  • ZIPPER - MUST HAVE A WORKING ZIPPER CLOSURE.

  • UNLINED - THINNER RAINCOATS CAN BE WORN IN ALL TEMPS AND OVER COATS IN COOLER TEMPERATURES.

  • OVERSIZED - OVERSIZED RAINCOATS ALLOW FOR MULTIPLE LAYERS AND COVERAGE OF LEGS WHEN RAIN PANTS ARE NOT PRESENT. (HINT: BUY AN ADULT SIZE OR LARGER CHILD’S SIZE! - SEE IMAGE FOR GOOD FIT!)

  • A GOOD FITTING HOOD COMES WELL FORWARD OF FOREHEAD.

  • SLEEVES COVER FINGERS WHEN ARMS ARE DOWN; HANDS STAY DRY. CAN BE ROLLED, HEMMED, OR CUT IF TOO LONG. IF BOTTOM OF RAINCOAT COMES TO AT LEAST THE KNEES. KNEE TO ANKLE LENGTH BEST. DOES NOT HAVE CINCHED BOTTOM.

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Summer Camp Common Ground Summer Camp Common Ground

Summer Camp Information and Supplies

Hello Camp Parents!!

Summer is right around the corner, and we are so excited. We are going to go over some essentials now so that you can be ready when we start camp on June 14th:

FIRST UP:

There are TWO camp groups - The Rising K Camp (starts JUNE 1) and The Camp (starts JUNE 14). They will be following the same themes, but they will have different schedules. It’s pretty self explanatory, but if your child is a rising kindergartener, then they will be in the Rising K Camp, and if they have already completed kindergarten they will be in Camp.

SWIM DAYS:

Rising K Camp: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 11am at Herndon Swim Club, bus departs at 9:30am. They will do sprinkler water play on the other days of the week!

Camp: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays! Mondays and Wednesdays will be from 10am to 11am at the Herndon Swim Club, bus departs at 9:30am. Tuesdays and Thursdays will be from 1pm to 2pm at Uplands Pool in Reston. They will do sprinkler water play as well, so they should still prepare to get wet on Fridays.

NEXT UP - WHAT THEY NEED:

  1. Supply List: These are all the things we recommend for camp!

  2. T-Shirt Size Sign up: We will provide (2) camp shirts for every kiddo enrolled in more than 3 weeks of camp! Campers should wear their camp shirts everyday. We know that they will get dirty and grubby, but that is OKAY! Dirt is a sign that they have had a fun time! You may purchase additional Camp shirts up front now on our form, but we may also provide extra shirts as needed (and if we have leftovers as the summer goes on!).

Supply List

  • Hard FLAT TOP Cooler: This will be WAY more than your kids’ lunch holder. It will be your camper’s on-the-go camp chair. And an extra container for water.  

  • Outdoor Backpack: This needs to be large enough to hold what your kid needs all day long. We will be outside, so there will be no cubbies or hangers! Make sure it has a chest clip, a side pouch for a water bottle, and that it can stand up to the elements and hard, outdoor use! 

  • Camp shirt - provided

  • Gallon Ziploc Bag: For wet swimsuit 

  • Swimsuit: We will be going swimming most days all summer long! Send your kiddo in their swimsuit if possible.

  • Dry underwear and shorts to change into after pool time.

  • Towel: Small, lightweight towel. Your child will be carrying all of their own things, so make sure it can fit in their bag!

  • Goggles (these are not required but they are pretty awesome)

  • Tough, outdoor shoes with good support: Make sure they are breathable and good for wet weather. EXAMPLES: KeensCrocsNortiv, among others  

  • Water bottle: 12-16 oz maximum, we will have the ability to refill the bottle 

  • Extra clothes: ONE complete set - this should be packed in a ziplock in their backpack, as they will be carrying all of their things with them all day!

  • Optional Items: 

    • One Long-sleeved sun shirt if you want them to swim in it.

    • Optional: Hat (baseball, visor, sun hat) or Sunglasses

    • A book! Kids will have some down time, or may want to take a breather. Nothing is better than a book to read. 

    • Snacks: Even if your kid isn’t bringing a full lunch we recommend having snacks. It is a long day and we are really moving out there! 

    • ONE toy: one car, one stuffy, one action figure, etc. One toy from home to play with can be brought (but we are hoping the natural items they find will suffice!) 

    • A deck of cards: we will have our own, but having one means that they never have to wait to check one out! 

  • Unnecessary Items: Because of the interference with the flux-capacitor of our time machines, we ask that any ‘tech’ items be kept at home!  

    • No tablets/ipads  

    • No smartphones unless absolutely necessary. These will be kept with a counselor in a waterproof container 

    • No gaming systems 

    • No toys with a lot of small parts

Curious about t-shirt sizes?


Please fill out the form below so that we can begin to get your camper’s kit together for them!

And here’s Miss LJ in all of our sizes - from Youth Medium to Adult Medium!

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