Every family has that one family member who tends to overpack whenever they have to go on a trip. What was supposed to be a short camping trip turned into a nightmare when they had to haul around all of those suitcases.
The same thing can happen if you’re taking your kid to a sleepaway camp. Just because they’re going away for some days, doesn’t mean you have to pack every single thing they’ll need. There are some sleepaway camp packing tips you should follow.
Especially when the female is involved, being a child or an adult, teenage girls and ladies tend to pack almost everything even for a short trip away from home. However, there are packing tips to help create a checklist for guidance.
So, every family and friend camping for any season of the year needs some camping experiences from a sleepover to a week or a month camping trip.
Here’s the Answer to Sleepaway Camp You Need to Know
These tips are sure to help you prepare for every situation known and unknown at every camp that involves staying away from home for even just a night. Some of them are;
1. Bring a small suitcase or duffel bag for your items and toiletries. This will make it easier to maneuver around the cabin, and you don’t have to carry everything around with you all the time.
2. Pack half of your clothes in a laundry bag or mesh bag so it’s easy to transport dirty clothes back home.
3. Leave room in your suitcase for the fun things that you’ll buy during your trip.
4. Don’t forget to bring extra underwear (and socks), as well as an extra pair of jeans or two, they can get dirty quickly, especially if you’re going hiking or swimming.
5. Bring a swimsuit and towel, just in case there’s an opportunity to go swimming at some point during your stay at the sleepaway camp.
Sleepaway Camp Organization
It is one thing to pack the cool stuff for sleepaway camp, and another thing to understand the sleepaway camp organization. The following will give you full awareness of all you need to know.
1. Prepare a Checklist
Before you start packing, make a list of what you need to bring. Check with the camp for any special items, such as water shoes or bug spray, and get them before you leave. Pack all your clothes in one place so it’s easy to find things at the end of the day.
It’s easy to forget things when packing for camp, so make sure to write down everything important so that nothing gets left behind.
2. Organize According to Days
You don’t want to be digging through your bag before you find something when you need it most.
Label each day of the week of camp with an index card and put it inside your suitcase so everything is organized by days rather than by outfits or activities. This will make unpacking easier once camp is over, too.
3. Label Every Item
Naming everything in your suitcase will make unpacking much faster once you get home from camp. Don’t forget important items like snacks or medicine either. You can use stickers or permanent markers, just make sure they won’t rub off on anything else in your bag.
4. Don’t Forget the Necessities
Remember these essentials when packing for sleepaway camp.
i. Water Bottle (and refillable one if possible)
No matter how close the taps are, there’s nothing like having a drink of water when thirsty.
ii. Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap
Bring shampoo and conditioner along with soap and body wash in case you run out during the weeklong adventure.
iii. Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Make sure you have these toiletries on hand because brushing your teeth after eating is essential for good oral health.
iv. Deodorant
Deodorant is another essential item that you won’t want to forget about when packing for sleepaway camp. You never know when. A trip to the woods might require that you use deodorant to keep smelling fresh.
v. Pack Stuffed Animals
A favorite stuffed animal is always good company when you need some comfort at sleepaway camp. It’s especially helpful.
5. Bring Extra Cash for Spending on Miscellaneous
While we don’t recommend traveling with a lot of cash while camping (because it can get lost or stolen), we still think you should take along some cash just in case something happens.
You’ll probably want to buy some things on the way to the camp. Things you didn’t plan for or forgot to bring (no one can perfectly plan and pack you know), so make sure to bring enough cash to cover the cost of doing this.
You might also want some spending money while at camp, so make sure to bring what you’ll need.
6. Get a Waterproof Bag for Electronics
If you are going on an excursion or adventure while at camp, be sure to keep your phone or camera in a waterproof bag or case so that it doesn’t get ruined by water or sand.
7. Bring Comfortable Baggage
When I went camping last year with my family, we packed all of our clothes in suitcases and duffel bags which were difficult to carry around when it came time to go hiking or fishing (what we did most).
Instead of using suitcases and duffels next time, I would recommend using backpacks as they are much easier than carrying around heavy suitcases everywhere.
For most camps, you’ll need to bring a duffel bag or backpack for your stuff. Your duffel bag should be big enough to hold everything you need for the trip, but not so big that it becomes unwieldy.
Sleepaway Camp Packing Tips and Tricks
Everyone needs to be smart and sensitive while packing for camping. So here are more ideas for you.
8. Pack for the Weather
If you’re going to be camping in a cold climate, make sure to pack warm clothes and blankets. If you’re planning on spending time outdoors, bring sunscreen and sunglasses as well.
You’ll need a variety of clothes for all seasons, including warm sweaters and jackets for cold nights. Make sure you have enough socks, underwear, and t-shirts for the week, too. And don’t forget your bathing suit.
You should also check the weather report for the area you’re going to be visiting. This will give you a good idea of what to pack for your trip.
If you’re going camping in the mountains, for example, you need to have warm clothes in case it gets cold at night. If you’re going to be camping near the beach, then you’ll want to pack swimsuits and towels.
9. Bring Bug Repellent
If you’re camping in an area that is known for mosquitos or other insects, then it’s important to bring bug repellent. It is also a good idea to take along some sort of insect bite treatment in case you get bitten by something while out exploring.
Bugs aren’t just annoying; they can also spread disease. Some bug sprays contain content, which can be harmful if swallowed or absorbed through your skin; check the label before buying. If possible, choose natural bug sprays made with essential oils instead of chemicals.
10. Choose Practical Footwear
When heading out into the wilderness, it is important to wear sturdy shoes that have tread on the bottom so that they don’t slip out from underneath you when walking across rocks or through streams.
Sandals are not recommended because they can become easily damaged by sharp rocks or slippery mud. You may also want to consider bringing along some hiking boots as well so that if there happen to be any steep hills or rocky areas where you will need stability over comfort.
Sneakers or tennis shoes are ideal for running around camp during the day, but flip-flops are great if you want to wear them in your tent or cabin at night because they’re comfortable and easy to slip on when nature calls in the middle of the night.
Make sure that your shoes are comfortable and sturdy enough to walk around all day long.
11. Lay Out Outfits and Roll Them Up
Before packing clothing items such as shirts and pants into your bag, lay them out flat so that they don’t wrinkle during transport. Then wrap each item individually with tissue paper. This also saves space for more things to be packed.
12. Pack a Flashlight and Batteries
If there is an emergency, you’ll want to be able to see in the dark. A flashlight can also be used for reading at night when the cabin lights are turned off.
13. Include a Bit of Home with You
Things like photos and mementos from home can help make those long summer days seem shorter by reminding you of where you belong.
Sleepover Camp Packing List
If you’re going to sleepaway camp for the first time, you might be a little nervous about what to pack. Sleepaway camps are different than day camps or sleepovers at home, so it’s important to pack the right things.
Here’s more sleepover camp packing list and sleepover camp packing tips that will help you get ready for sleepover camp:
14. Pack Comfortable Sleeping Bags
Most sleepover camps have extra sleeping bags for guests who forget theirs at home or who need an extra one for warmth. If you’re worried about forgetting yours or don’t want to go through that hassle, make sure you bring it with you.
15. Waterproof Sunscreen and Sun Shades
It’s important to protect yourself from the sun at all times during the summer, even when you’re not in the water. Sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is recommended. Also, consider bringing sunglasses and lip balm with SPF protection.
Sun hat or visor for shade and sweat prevention during long days of activity or working outside in hot weather conditions.
How Do I Pack My Kids for Sleepaway Camp?
Take the following steps to make sure your child’s suitcase is packed correctly:
1. Make sure your child’s name tag is on the outside of his or her suitcase. You can also put it on a plastic ID card that can be attached to a zipper pull or belt loop.
2. If your child has allergies, including an allergy list in a plastic baggie with his or her name on it.
3. Make sure your child has enough clothes for the entire week at camp, even if it rains one day during that week.
Remember that kids will often want to wear different clothes each day, so having extra clothes will ensure they have something clean to wear every day they’re away from home.
4. Bring along extra shoes in case one pair gets wet or muddy during the week at camp (or if he or she loses them).
How Do You Pack a Suitcase for Summer Camp?
For Campers:
1. The most important thing you can do is to make sure that your child’s belongings are clearly labeled. It would be very frustrating if you were to arrive at the airport and have to open up every bag to find out what belongs to whom.
2. Make sure that your child has a small backpack as well as a rolling suitcase for all of their clothing and other belongings.
3. You may want them to pack some clothes in their suitcase and then store their bathing suits in the backpack so that they are easily accessible when it comes time for swimming lessons or time by the pool.
Clothes should be packed in plastic bags or containers so that they remain clean during travel and don’t get lost in transit.
For Counselors:
Most camps require counselors to bring their sleeping bag, pillow, air mattress (if desired), sheets, pillowcase(s), towels, toiletries kit, and toiletries bag.
FAQ
What’s up moms packing tips?
When packing for camp, it’s important to keep in mind that most camps will provide everything from toiletries to clothing.
So if your child already has a suitcase or duffle bag that they plan on using for the rest of the year, you don’t need anything special for this trip.
If they don’t have one though, then we recommend buying them something lightweight, durable, and easy to carry around.
What should a teenage girl bring to camp?
The first thing we would recommend packing is an extra pair of socks and underwear because these items tend to get worn out quickly with all the activity going on at camp.
Also, pack some type of waterproof shoe cover or rain boots because it rains unexpectedly sometimes during the camp season. It’s also a good idea to pack sunblock and bug spray just in case they get exposed to the elements while at camp.
Lastly, bring a journal so that your daughter can write down all her thoughts and feelings about her experience at the sleepaway camp.
Final Thought
Ultimately, making a list of what to bring is a very personal process. Some people will want to bring everything, and some will find it easier to go minimalist.
But if you remember to ensure to follow these packing tips, and be sure that you have clothes for every weather type, snacks for trips around camp, and plenty of batteries, odds are that you will be as prepared as you can be.
And if all else fails, there’s always an adult in the bunk next door.
