Camp is back in full swing — and that means packing lunch is back on the agenda. Here’s what you need to remember when you pack your kiddo’s lunch during the hot summer months.

It makes a huge difference if your child’s lunch is being stored in a refrigerator verses kept out in the hot sun. Many establishments do refrigerate lunches, but always ask before you pack that lunchbox. Unrefrigerated lunches are kept out in hot temperatures that allow bacteria to grow, which means you’ll need to pack items that are shelf-stable, like a nut butter sandwich and banana, or include several ice packs.

Before packing your child’s lunch, make sure you start with clean hands, clean countertops and clean utensils. This means you need to wash your hands properly, and clean and sanitize countertops, utensils, dishes and anything else that will touch your kid’s food.

Insulated bags are designed to hold the cold temperature for a bit longer. This doesn’t mean the food can sit out in the hot sun all day long, but it does give you some wiggle room if there is some time between packing the lunch and putting it in the fridge. Reusable brown bags don’t hold in temperatures and can also easily tear.

To keep your child’s lunch extra cold, pack in several reusable ice packs. It’s just another barrier to slow down the growth of bacteria when the lunch spends time outside the refrigerator (like while your kid is traveling to camp).

You can also freeze items like juice packs and water bottles and use them as additional ice packs. Plus, if they happen to stay cold, it’s a refreshing beverage for your child, especially on a hot day.

If you’re worried about how long food will remain outdoors, opt for non-refrigerated items. Although it can become challenging, you just need to get a little creative. Healthy options to choose from include:

Aseptically packed soy milk or low-fat milk or chocolate milk

Whole fruits like bananas, apples, pears, plums and oranges

Whole vegetables like cherry tomatoes and baby cucumbers

Single-serve canned or vacuum-sealed packs of tuna, salmon or chicken (many now come in a variety of flavors)

Sandwiches with nut butter, like peanut butter, almond butter or soy nut butter

Whole-grain cereal with a shelf-stable box of milk

Dried or freeze-dried fruit or vegetables

Nuts and seeds (if allowed)

Jerky

Freshly popped popcorn (if old enough)

Cheese (Laughing Cow and Babybel do not need refrigeration)

Use wholesome ingredients to make a healthier trail mix (with or without nuts), muffins or even pancakes. Try this fabulous Healthy Carrot Muffin recipe, or make Pumpkin Seed Dried Cherry Trail Mix. If your child’s camp is nut-free, swap the nuts for a different seed, more dried fruit or even pretzels.

Remind your child to wash their hands immediately after lunch. It’s always a good idea to pack in a few hand wipes or a mini sanitizer, just in case your child is in a rush or no handwashing stations are available.

Any items that have been sitting out in the hot sun for hours should be tossed, especially yogurt, cheese, milk, meat, poultry, sliced fruits and vegetables, and leftover cooked foods. Although the camp may keep the lunch refrigerated, if your child sat on a hot bus for a while or went to the park after camp, the food should certainly be tossed. Always go by the motto "when in doubt, toss it out."