If you’ve ever had trouble packing efficiently and lightly for a trip abroad, imagine preparing for your child’s first solo trip overseas. Don’t worry, and take a deep breath. Most camps will have a list of goods that must be sent, but we’ve come up with a few essentials and where to find them here in Beijing.
Packing Up
We suggest kids go with one suitcase and backpack for the airplane, plus one small daypack for camp that’s easy to carry around. Decathlon has great daypacks that are good quality and inexpensive.
Bags range from RMB 19 to 69. Some have side pockets for water bottles.
Vitals
Along with a vitals bracelet, we suggest a key ring for kids that would include a mini flashlight and a waterproof USB. Before they head off, you can store a copy of their passport, flight itinerary, medical records, addresses, and anything else an adult caretaker might need to access in the case of emergency.
This 16 GB USB by Teclastis costs only RMB 36 and is available on JD.com.
Leak-proof Water Bottle
A pet peeve of ours is a reusable water bottle that leaks. Readers have suggested the ever-loved Nalgene, the Bobble, and Lock & Lock. Nalgene and Bobble win for a trip being lightweight, but Lock & Lock is perfect if students will miss hot tea from home. Remind kids that liquids can’t be taken through airport security at most airlines, and so they should empty their water bottles before going through security check-in.
If you want to help protect the environment with reusable bottles, it costs. All three brands cost in the RMB 100 range and are available on JD.com. Bobble can be found at most BHG supermarkets.
Shutting Down Mosquitoes
A new find for us is Bebebugs. Mom Carol Ong made this itch eraser and mosquito repellant after her first product, Bebebalm, was made for her baby’s severe eczema. She brainstormed with her aunt, a dermatologist, and her husband, a doctor and biochemist, for this natural remedy. She’s a self-described geek for such solutions. It’s made from organic virgin coconut oil, lavender, neem, and plant-based lauric acid, naturally found in breast milk and plants.
Bebebugs sticks set of 2, RMB 39, Bebebugs 20g jar, RMB 59. They’re available on Taobao and WeChat (bebebal.taobao.com, WeChat ID: LadyMagix)
Other Necessities
Along with the waterproof USB, parents and kids could also create a key chain of a small bottle of hand sanitizer, a small key chain flashlight, and a whistle (for emergencies). These can all be found at your local Decathlon, with the hand sanitizer and flashlight at the front. Decathlon also has a great assortment of waterproof watches, but we suggest having kids trying out watches for comfort before sending them along for an overseas camp.
Photos: Decathlon.com, zdm.yizhun.com, carid.com, thegreenhead.com
This article originally appeared on p. 18-19 of beijingkids March Issue. Download a copy here.
