The Ultimate Summer Camp Packing List
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Packing for summer camp? Read this first!
Sleeping bag? Check. Bug spray? Check. Most camps send out their own packing lists of what to bring to summer camp, but after years of packing my 3 kids up every summer for various camps, I’ve created a round-up of things that might not be on that list but will contribute to their enjoyment and comfort while at sleep away camp.
Sleeping bag | Mesh Shower Caddy | Clothing Stamper | Fitted Sheet| Nalgene Water Bottle | Packing Cubes | Portable Fan | Kindle | Camping Chair | Wipes |Playing Cards | Clogs | Sunscreen Stick | LED twinkle lights | Digital Camera | Lantern | Hanging Mirror | After Bite | Bug Spray | Over the door hanging | UNO | Mad Libs | Stationary
Of my three kids, my eldest daughter Sadie is my most enthusiastic camper! She counts down the days until camp drop off day at which time, she happily tosses her cellphone into the car’s glove compartment upon arrival at the landing. There are no tears on her end as she dashes off into the wilderness for weeks at a time!
It’s taken me a few years to get the packing down to a fine science, but I’ve finally mastered it. Kids live more simply at camp so they don’t need the prescribed 8 t-shirt, 6 pairs of socks, etc. Instead, I focus on things that will bring comfort and joy while they are living in a cabin in the woods.
Tip #1
Know your camp and do an inventory a month in advance.
Sadie’s camp has a uniform that the girls wear during the day. (It’s an all-girls camp) This makes packing so much easier, but I always check to see if she has outgrown anything or what looks worse-for-wear. Most camps offer a packing list
Tip #2
Label everything!
I think even the most organized of kids will have trouble keeping track of their belongings at summer camp. Camp gear can get expensive, so it’s nice when it comes back home with your kid! I love this stamp to label the kids’ things.
Tip #3
Use packing cubes
I love packing cubes for any trip because they keep like items together and really help to make the most of the packing space available! Depending on the setup at your particular camp, they could even help to keep items corralled on shelves or in drawers.
Tip #4
Use Shower Caddies to Corral Toiletries
This one will depend somewhat on your camp’s shower situation, but I always think it’s helpful to corral like items in one place when possible!
And at camp, it’s easy for everyone’s things to get mixed together. A shower caddy like this one can help to keep all of your camper’s toiletry items together, making them easy to find and transport from place to place when needed.
Tip #5
Pack some things just for fun!
Things like playing cards, Mad Libs, cheeky card games and an inexpensive camera can make for fun bonding moments in your camper’s cabin. Sadie wanted twinkle lights this year to decorate her bunk.
Tip #6
Send pre-stamped stationary!
Last year, I ordered these personalized camp notes with both my kids and they loved them! The artist behind Life of Paper can create a caricature of your camper doing their favourite camp activity! And the pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelops get you one step closer to receiving a letter home!
I’d love to hear your own summer-camp packing tips and suggestions for fun extras in the comments section below.
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