Summer Camp Packing Survival Guide

​With the school year ending, many parents are now looking to getting their child(ren) ready for summer camp. In my youth I spent every summer up until college going to both day camp and sleep-away camp. Using my personal experiences and knowledge as a pro-organizer, I have developed a survival guide for parents to assist with the frenzy that comes along with packing for summer camp. 

Know Your Camp: 

Every camp has different policies, procedures, & lay-outs, so the first step is to know exactly what your child(ren) will be walking into on that first day. A few good questions to ask are as follows:

1. How will your kids be able to store their clothes? Are we talking a dresser, cubby system, in their luggage, etc.
2. If they are not storing their clothes in their luggage, where does the luggage get stored? Are there any dimension requirements the luggage must be? Will the have continued access to it?
3. Will there be laundry facilities available or are you packing one outfit for every single day they are going to be away? Do they need more than one outfit per day?
4. Where are the bathrooms and showers? Are they in each cabin or are they in a separate location they must travel to? Can they store their toiletries in the bathroom, or do they have to carry them back and forth?
5. What time of day do they shower? Is there a schedule? When does it make sense for them to change clothing?
6. Is there a space for them to hang dry wet towels, bathing suits, or other wet clothing?
7. If they were to forget something, is there a camp store where they can purchase it? Can parents send care packages with additional items needed?
8. Are sleeping bags or sheets & blankets preferable?
9. Are they able to bring their own snacks? If so, what do they need to be stored in?
10. If your child requires medication, who does that need to be given too? What does that need to be stored in? Do they also need to provide their own over-the-counter medication like allergy or pain relief medications?
11. If your child has food allergies, what is the policy to handle that? Are they required to provide their own allergen-free food and snacks? 
12. Are they going to be taking any off-camp field trips? Do they need specialty items for this? 

The list of questions you might have can be endless but addressing these main areas of concern can assist with packing. Most camps provide a welcome packet with information or host a parent orientation so parents can ask questions they may have. When in doubt, call and ask. 

Inventory: 

Most camps will provide a list of items your child will need to bring to camp with them. Be sure to get that list as early as possible and start taking an inventory of items you have on hand. Make sure to check sizes on clothing, especially if it is something they have yet to wear this year.  If there are any gaps purchase them ahead of time. Do NOT wait until the night before to get what you are missing. Give yourself enough time to inventory, purchase, and inventory again before packing. 

Labeling: 

Label all of your child’s items before sending them off. You have to consider they will be living with multiple children and most likely they will have similar items. Whether it’s t-shirts, shampoo, flashlights, etc. Be sure to label everything with their name and not just their initials. This way there can be no confusion as to who has what.
-For clothing items, consider using iron on labels or fabric markers, this way the names won’t fade after use.
-For other items, consider using a label maker or even a permanent marker to label them, don’t forget the luggage too! 
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As a teenager going to cheerleading camp with a whole bunch of girls, labeling saved many arguments as to whose shampoo was theirs. 

Organized Packing Tips:

Instead of a suitcase or duffle bag consider: 
- A large storage bin- This can be easier to pack and transport. It also will keep out moisture and humidity. Also, if your child can keep this in their cabin with them, it can double as a space to keep extra items and food/snacks. Check out this 30 gallon bin from Wal-Mart!
- A drawer cart- this way you can separate out items by category and it doubles as their dresser for them. Check with your specific camp to ensure they can keep this with them. Check this one out from Wal-Mart! 

To separate out items, try using this helpful tools: 

1. Packing Cubes- This will allow you to separate out clothing by category and make transporting items easier. Whether you use a suitcase, bin, or drawer cart, it doesn’t matter. Check these out from Amazon! 
2. Shower Caddy- Even if their bathroom is in the cabin, use a shower caddy to keep all toiletries together. Make sure to put their name on it so they don’t get mixed up. Available at any online retailer or big box store! 
3. Plastic zip bags- These will most likely be your best friend. Use all sizes to store things from extra batteries to snacks to toiletries. This way nothing will spill during travel and when camp is over, they can place their items back in the bags. For a more eco-friendly approach, try purchasing re-usable document & puzzle bags. Check these out from Amazon!
4. Mesh Laundry Bag- be sure to provide a laundry bag for them to toss in dirty clothes. This is a simple step to keep them organized and it makes it easy on you when they come home. Unworn or clean clothing can be placed back in packing cubes or back in their totes or drawers. Also send a garbage bag to pack wet clothing in for the trip home. Check out this one from Amazon!
5. Pack for Days- when getting all your clothing together consider laying everything out they will need per day, this way you will know for a fact that each day is covered. Just grabbing a bunch of each category of clothing can lead to a situation where you have too much or too little of an item. 
6. Tight on Space- if you are not using the packing cube method or are tight on space considering rolling the clothes they will need for each day together. Put a pair of pants down first, then a shirt, then underwear and socks. This way your child can take out a roll and have all their clothing for that day! 

General Packing List: 

Now that you have the tips for how to pack, here is a helpful general list of what to pack. Get a free download here! 

Summer Camp Checklist
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1. Large tote, plastic drawer cart, or suitcase
2. Packing cubes
3. Mesh Laundry bag (plus garbage bad for wet items)
4. Shower Caddy
5. Toiletries
6. Hair brush or comb  
7. Sunscreen
8. Bug spray
9. Sleeping bag and/or sheets and blankets- for sheets at least 1, if going for longer than one week at least 2
10. Pillow(s)- store them in a garbage bag to keep them clean and moisture free!
11. Towels- you can send both beach and bath towels or just beach towels that serve both functions, send at least 4-5 towels
12. T-shirts and/or tank tops- 2 per day
13. Shorts- 1 per day + 1-2 extra
14. Underwear- 2 per day
    1. Sports bras and/or regular bras- pack for at least 1 per day or 1 every other day
15. Socks- 1 per day + 3-4 extra
16. Pajama’s- plan for at least 1 new set every day or every few days
17. Warm clothing- sweatshirts & sweatpants, always a good idea because even in summer temperatures can fluctuate
18. Raincoat/poncho
19. Hat
20. Swimsuits- depending on swim schedule, plan for at least 1 new swimsuit, every other swim day.
21. Shoes-
    1. Sneakers/athletic shoes- 2-3 pairs, including any specialty shoes for specific sports 
    2. Water shoes and/or sandals
    3. Shower shoes- like flip-flops   
22. Swim goggles
23. Sunglasses- you protect their skin from the sun, don’t neglect their eyes! 
24. Eyeglasses- pack a back up as well in case of damage or loss
25. Contacts- always pack a few extra
    1. Contact lens case- pack an extra
    2. Contact lens solution
26. Day backpack
27. Flashlight and/or headlamp- don’t forget extra batteries
28. Reusable, plastic water bottle
29. Quite time activity that is small and portable (i.e.: books, coloring books & colored pencils/crayons/markers, E-reader & charger, etc.)  
30. Battery operated clock and/or watch- especially if they can’t have cellphones
31. Cellphone- if they can have one:
    1. Charger
    2. Headphones
    3. Waterproof case
32. Disposable camera- Yes, they still make these and yes, it is a good idea if they can’t have cell phones.
33. Letter Writing Supplies- envelopes (pre-stamped & addressed, if possible), additional stamps, paper, pen/pencil, Addresses & Phone Numbers Sheet (Get FREE download below)
34. Medications
35. Important information sheet- Even though your child’s camp will have all important information, put this sheet in with your child’s camp gear, this way they will always have the information with them.  (Get FREE download below)  

I hope with these useful tips and tricks summer camp packing is a breeze! 

Happy Organizing!!

Important Information Sheet
File Size:	288 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Address & Phone Numbers
File Size:	285 kb
File Type:	pdf

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