A Mom’s Guide to Help Pack Your Kids for Summer Camp
It hit me this morning that my son will soon be off to not one but two sleepaway camps this summer. I’m finding as he gets older the overnight camp experience is only going to grow and with that less time at home. Summer camp holds a very near and dear place in my heart so while I’m going to miss him, I know he’ll be in a great place with wonderful people hopefully growing closer to the Lord.
As someone who went away to camp myself as a kid and then later served in the kitchen and as a counselor in training on camp staff I’ve learned a few things along the way. Packing for camp is a bit like meal planning. You get things down to a science, find what works and discover what you really need.
Start with Their List
Most camps will give you their camp’s packing list of what the campers need. Start there. If they say a number of t-shirts or shorts, pack those. I love these labels for my kids clothes and items. They withstand the washing machine and are crucial when it comes to sending your kid to a sleep away camp! Especially if it’s your son or daughters first time at camp, you’ll want these. Kids tend to wear similar things and if they don’t know others in the cabin they’re less likely to speak up if they think someone has their shorts. At the end of camp the counselors will likely have a pile of lost and found, labeled items won’t end up there!
Now Think about Your Kid
We always go with the list but then add a few things that I know my kids will want while they’re away. This is a great reading light that isn’t too bright and helps them fall asleep naturally. I’m not sure I’d buy any other kind! Another thing to pack is a simple lined notebook with some markers or pens. Doodling is a great quiet activity at camp and maybe you’ll get a letter sent home too!
Bedding
For comfort your kid may want an extra pillow to prop up in their bed. When it comes to overnight trips I recommend a tiny camp pillow that will hopefully fit inside their sleeping bag anyways. We always send the boys with a fitted sheet, their sleeping bag and then another blanket or top sheet depending on what their preference is. Depending on not only the location of camp but also when you go temperatures can get pretty cool at night, or pretty warm!
Our boys have pretty warm sleeping bags for camping trips so sometimes they like to just have their sheets on hot evenings. Likewise a cosy blanket that can stay on their bed is nice after several nights away from home to feel like they have their own bedding.
Water Activities
With all the water sports we have loved two types of towels for camp, our super cheap thin beach towels from target and our nice quick dry towels. We got our nice towels from a homeschool conference and the 1,000 hours outside table and I find my teen now packs them in his backpack to meet up with friends at the pool. They really do dry quickly and are great for outdoor adventures! Here is something similar.
When the camp says water shoes, I highly recommend investing in something like keens, chacos, or teva’s. Personally I like things with a closed-toe because I know they may be creek walking and it’s just nicer to not have anything poke you in the toe! Crocs are not a good option here and for some they may even tell you that you can’t wear them!
Double Up if you Can
I recommend packing two goggles, two flashlights and one headlamp. Often these things come in packs but label them well! Headlamps work great in the evening and a flashlight that can also be a lantern is nice if your kid likes to read or doodle at night until lights off happens.
Any Readers?
If you’ve got a kid who likes to read pack a book, a reading lamp, and if they have glasses, consider packing an extra pair. You never know if something will break, you’re far away and having that backup will be very helpful!
Pro Tip
I remember kids bringing lots of big duffel bags to camp and phew, under the beds was a bit of a mess. Camps have gotten smarter and ours now recommends plastic packing bins! This is such a game changer. I highly recommend packing in two of these if possible, based on the dimensions they allow so that it will fit under the bed. At camp our kids are given two shelves so the clear plastic bins allows for things that don’t fit on the shelves to be stored neatly and cleanly. No bugs can get in but your kid can still see and remember that they have an extra towel, flashlight, or their sleeping bag there.
Last summer I packed the boys personal items and some loose items in bins like these on their shelves and it was perfect. No socks of underwear falling behind the shelves and no goggles either. Costco has packs or you can find them on Amazon. 2-3 per kid would be great!
The Little Things
Don’t forget deoderant of course, sunscreen your kid will actually apply, and UV protective sun shirts along with those swimsuits! Kids may ask you to put sunscreen on but they may not be as likely to ask friends. Believe me, I have memories of peeling our sunburned backs at summer camp!
Stain stick is likely not on your camp’s list but this is a game changer. If something spills on an outfit that won’t be washed for two weeks, your likelihood of wearing that top again increases if you pack your kid some stain stick. Even for my boys their counselors had Tide Sticks!
A laundry bag that is breathable and can hang on the end of the bunk bed is great!
Snail Mail
If you want to hear from your kid do the legwork. I now address and stamp a couple envelopes for my kids so they won’t have to do that while they’re there. I remember rest time being quiet and when I’d write home, but that’s not always the case. So, if your kid is in a cabin that is loud but they’re trying to quickly write you, get those envelopes ready for them to help ensure you hear from them after all!
Overnight Camp can be a big time not only for your kids but for you too! I know for me when I feel like they’re well set up I feel better saying goodbye. Rest assured at the end of the week they’ll have made new friends, new memories, and hopefully had an amazing time away at camp!
