Summer Camp Supplies

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I send to camp beyond the official packing list?

What to send beyond the official packing list comes down to comfort and convenience items that the camp does not require but that your child uses daily. An insulated water bottle, a clip fan for the cabin, a personal flashlight or headlamp, and a deck of cards cover the gaps most lists leave open. A clip-on lantern or book light is worth packing for the moment lights-out hits, and the cabin goes dark.

What are the best summer camp accessories?

The best summer camp accessories are durable, simple, and hard to lose. Insulated water bottles, headlamps, clip-on fans, kids' sunglasses, and a small mesh wash bag for laundry hold up to cabin life better than anything fragile or battery-hungry. Stick to one recognizable color so your child's things are easy to pick out of a shared pile.

What are good summer camp gifts?

Good summer camp gifts are practical things made a little nicer than standard issue. A Kikkerland Explorer headlight, a Hoptimist water bottle, or a Victorinox Swiss Army knife for older campers all earn their place in a trunk. For a send-off, a small bundle of these reads as thoughtful rather than obligatory.

What should I send for sleepaway versus day camp?

Sleepaway camp calls for items that support living away from home, while day camp needs only the daily carry. For sleepaway, send a flashlight, a laundry bag, batteries, and enough small entertainment for weeks of downtime. For day camp, pack a water bottle, sunglasses, bug repellent, and an umbrella that you can bring home each afternoon.

What can I put in a camp care package?

A camp care package can hold any non-perishable items that comply with your camp's rules, usually activities, comforts, and notes from home. Hacky sacks, a Huckleberry slingshot, bubbles, sparkle stickers, and a paperback travel well and need no batteries. A handwritten letter tucked inside means more than anything you can buy.

Does the camp allow food in care packages?

Many camps prohibit food in care packages, so check your camp's policy before sending one. The rules usually exist due to allergies and pests, and some camps inspect or return food upon arrival. When food is off the table, activity and comfort items make a stronger package anyway.

What are good non-food care package ideas?

Good non-food care package ideas center on activities and things that feel like home. Reusable water balls, bubbles, temporary tattoos, sparkle stickers, and kids' sunglasses all pass most camp rules and outlast the day they arrive.

How do I keep my kid's stuff from getting lost at camp?

The most effective way to keep your child's belongings from getting lost is to label every item before it leaves the house. Our White All-Purpose Labels and Paper Key Ring ID Tags mark water bottles, flashlights, backpacks, and duffels, and a consistent color or pattern helps your child identify their own gear fast. A few minutes of labeling now saves a lost-and-found dig at pickup.