Feet First!

FEET FIRST

Just this week, we received the following note from one of our nurses:

“May I please add an additional nurse’s note when acquiring camp gear – Crocs are strongly recommended for the boys as they go to and from the waterfront- and not their flip flops. Last year we tended to many blisters in the perfect shape of flip flops and this could be easily remedied with a purchase of Crocs.”

Ah, yes, a blog on boys and their feet. It’s not the most glorious of topics, but here goes: Boys are not nearly as cautious with their feet as they should be. Camps everywhere report that the number one source of easily preventable injuries involve foot care. It’s often overlooked, but even a minor foot injury can take a lot of options off the table for an active camper. That waterskiing clinic, soccer tournament, or Mt. Moosilauke hike might not be an option if you have a bad blister on your foot. Just a little bit of “pre-work” by parents before camp will go a long way toward the prevention of foot problems.

First, insure that your son has the proper footwear for a few different scenarios. Let’s start with sneakers- he should have at least two well-fitting pairs of either running or tennis shoes. Note that we say “well-fitting” and not “new”. While new sneakers can be fine, they are more likely to produce blisters if they are not broken in or are not quite the right size. Sneakers are going to get worn to most non-waterfront activities at camp- even hikes. Unless your son has a well-broken in pair of hiking boots, we recommend you save your money since nothing causes painful blisters on the trail faster than a pair of brand new boots. A good pair of running shoes is suitable for just about all hiking trips offered at Kingswood. Why two pairs? It’s often wet at camp (morning dew, rain storms, muddy trails) and it’s great to have a backup. We also recommend packing a pair of rain boots – these are great on truly rainy days; sneakers can stay dry in the cabin, and your son won’t have to deal with multiple pairs of wet (and smelly) socks!

Next, your son should have footwear to wear to the waterfront and on special trips to off-campus swimming holes. Tevas, Crocs, and Aqua Socks are all good choices. The key is that they can be fastened to the foot and will not come off when walking in the water or during more vigorous activity. They need not be worn into Lake Tarleton, but boys often head off to other activities from the waterfront, and flip flops are insufficient protectors that often cause blisters, too.

Flip flops are fine to wear during those less active times, so it’s good to have a pair at camp. Boys who are planning on playing competitive sports such as soccer, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, or even the Kingswood intramural football tournament will want to bring a pair of cleats.

Lastly, take some time to talk to your son about the importance of taking care of his feet at camp. Make sure he knows what he has packed and which activities each piece of gear is appropriate for. With these steps hopefully we can keep you son on his feet and on the go all session!