Sending your kids off to overnight camp is a mix of excitement and anxiety. You’re thrilled for their adventures and new friendships, but also worried about them being away from home. As you prepare for this milestone, packing becomes a crucial task that can help ease your mind and ensure your child is well-equipped for their time away. Here’s a comprehensive guide to packing for camp, blending practical tips with an understanding of the emotional journey you and your child are embarking on.
Start with the Essentials
First things first, you need to make sure your child has everything they need for daily camp life. When it comes to packing, we always pack in 2 large duffel bags. The first bag is for all of the bedding, towels, toiletries and extras and the second duffel is for all of their clothes. Consider making their bags identifiable. Get them personalized with their names of personalize them in some other way so that when they get to camp, their bags are easy to find! You need to label everything…and I mean everything! So order some iron-on or stick on labels STAT!
Hot tip: If you have more than one child going to camp, consider only putting your last name on the labels so that you can use them for all your kids!
While I will go over the items in list format below, at the end of this article, you can find a downloadable packing list to make this easy!
Now, here’s a checklist of essentials:
- Clothing: Pack enough for the entire stay, plus a few extra items for unexpected messes. Most camps to laundry once a week, so keep that in mind. When it comes to clothes, this is what you should include:
- T-shirts and shorts
- Long pants and sweatshirts (for cooler evenings)
- Pyjamas
- Underwear and socks
- Swimsuits
- A light jacket and/or raincoat
- Footwear: Make sure they have:
- Sneakers (for activities) – at least 2 pairs
- Sandals or flip-flops (for the pool or shower) at least 2 pairs
- Waterproof boots for rainy days
Personal Care Items
Keep your child comfortable and healthy with these personal care necessities:
- Toiletries:
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and a toothbrush cover – this is an absolute necessity!
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Soap or body wash
- Hairbrush or comb
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Bug spray
- A small first aid kit (including band-aids, polysporin and after bite for bug bites!)
- Towels and Washcloths: Pack a few of each, plus a laundry bag for dirty clothes. Note: some camps provide a laundry bag, so just check with your camp if you need to send one.
Bedding and Comfort Items
Creating a cozy and familiar sleeping environment can help ease homesickness. They will be spending a lot of time in their camp bed so make it comfy with their favourites!
- Bedding:
- Sleeping bag
- Sheets and a comforter
- Pillow with a pillowcase
- Extra blanket (for added comfort)
- Optional: Egg carton padding to make the mattress extra comfy!
- Comfort Items:
- A favorite stuffed animal or blanket
- A family photo or small memento from home
- Optional: Fun pillows to make their bed extra cozy and inviting
Camp Gear
Depending on the camp’s activities, your child might need some specific gear:
- Outdoor Gear:
- A durable backpack that they can pack their stuff in for the bus
- A toolbox – this is for all campers! This acts as their personal drawer where they can keep their small and valuable items. You can send a lock to ensure everything stays safe!
- Water bottle
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Hat and sunglasses
- Activity-Specific Gear:
- Sports equipment (like a tennis racket or baseball glove if needed!)
- Books or a journal for downtime
- Mp3 player and headphones
- Letter writing Supplies: Say goodbye to phone calls and text messages. Make sure your child is prepared with:
- Stationary – you can have fun with this. Try this adventure stationary set or this happy camper set!
- Pens
- Envelopes
- Stamps
- Clipboard to write on and store pen and paper in
- Address book
The list doesn’t end there, but these are the essentials you need to start thinking about now!
Fun & Extras
Ensure that your child has a backpack for the ride up to camp. In their backpack, make sure to send them with a bunch of games, such as cards, word searches, sudoku and more. Make sure to pack their mp3 player as well as any favourite items from home for the ride. I always add a bunch of snacks and candy for the ride as well! Throw in some slime and tattoos for them to use when they get to camp too! I always throw in water balloons because who doesn’t love a water balloon fight?! The most essential item is a letter that goes in their backpack or in their toolbox for them to find after they leave. Just a short note that reminds them how much you love them and a reminder that they are going to have the best summer ever!!!
Navigating the Emotional Journey
Packing is just one part of preparing for camp. Here’s how to handle the emotional side:
- Involve Your Child: Let them help you pack. It gives them a sense of control and excitement about their upcoming adventure and will ensure that they are in control of what is being sent. This will also help them know where everything is when it’s time to unpack.
- Talk About Homesickness: Reassure them that it’s normal to feel homesick and that it usually passes. Share your own stories of camp or travel to normalize their feelings.
- Stay Positive: Focus on the fun aspects of camp when you talk about it. Your enthusiasm can be contagious.
- Plan Communication: Discuss how often you’ll write letters. Knowing when they’ll hear from you can provide comfort. Talk to them about their communication as well. Many kids feel homesick when it’s time to write a letter home, so give you child some prompts on what to write and let them know that it’s ok to keep the letters short and sweet!
Helping Your Child Manage Homesickness
Homesickness is a common experience for many kids at camp. To help your child manage these feelings, encourage them to engage in camp activities and make new friends as soon as possible. Remind them that it’s okay to miss home but also to embrace the fun and excitement of camp. Suggest they bring along a journal to write down their thoughts and feelings, which can be a therapeutic outlet. Sending along a few pre-written letters from you can also provide a comforting connection to home. Throw them in the mail before they leave to ensure they don’t have to wait too long to hear from you. Finally, reassure them that it’s okay to talk to their counselors about how they’re feeling—camp staff are trained to help kids navigate these emotions and make their camp experience positive and enriching.
Final Tips
- Label Everything: Camps are bustling places, and items can easily get lost. Use permanent markers or labels to mark your child’s belongings.
- Check Camp Policies: Some camps have specific packing lists or restrictions, so be sure to review any materials they’ve provided.
- Send lots of mail ahead of time: This will be one of the best things you can do for your child. They will love hearing from you often even though their letters will feel like they come few and far between! Remember, less is more…it means they are having fun!
- Saying goodbye will be tough: There will be tears and it will be hard, but remember that they are going to have the time of their lives!
Conclusion
Packing for overnight camp is a balancing act between practicality and emotional readiness. By carefully selecting what to bring and involving your child in the process, you can ensure they are well-prepared and feel confident about their adventure. Remember, while the logistics are important, providing emotional support and encouragement is key to helping your child have a memorable and enjoyable camp experience.
Happy packing, and here’s to a fantastic summer camp adventure!
Click to download packing list
