Top 10 Essentials For Sleepaway Camp
My 13-year-old and 11-year-old boys just returned from 2 weeks away at Camp Ozark. This was their sixth summer at sleepaway camp, and over the years, we’ve become packing experts. If your kids go to camp, check out my list of essentials to pack. You know they need the usual clothing and toiletries, but here are some of our must-haves beyond just the basics.
Camp Essentials
- A trunk: You can get really fancy and expensive, or you can do what we do. Boys tend to be less concerned with the aesthetics of the trunk, while the girls tend to like fancier trunks with glitter and vinyl lettering like this one, which can cost upwards of $200. My boys have made it through 6 summers with this one from Academy for $30. It’s held up great and is very easy to clean. They just decorate it with various stickers from our vacations and colored duct tape.
- Towels: One thing I learned our first summer was that IF my boys even remember to hang their towels to dry, sometimes cabin ventilation doesn’t allow for complete drying. The following summer, I sprang for these quick-dry towels from Target. I loved them so much at camp that I bought more for our house.
- Wipes: Camp toilet paper isn’t as high quality as what we use at home. I send a pack of Cottonelle wipes. They’re there for 2 weeks, so comfort matters.
- Small flashlight/book light: If cabin lights are off, your campers can still navigate their spaces without disturbing others.
- Fan: Their cabins don’t have AC, so campers bring box fans. We find traditional box fans to be rather clunky and easy to crack if they fall over. Our boys prefer this fan. It’s smaller but just as powerful and has a stable base.
Fan affixed with cable ties, positioned just the way he likes it - Cable ties: To maximize space, our boys tether different things to their bed area. They also like to have their fans in a fixed position that allows the best air flow. We love these cables to secure different items.
- Laundry bag: A good one is a must. The mesh ones don’t cut it for our family. We love this one from Target because of its durability and backpack straps. These strong straps can hang from the bedposts and withstand the weight of laundry as it accumulates. Plus, the backpack straps are a game changer that allows two weeks’ worth of laundry to be carried easily. The inside has a plastic lining, so it doesn’t get too gross. After camp, we toss them in the washing machine and hang to dry. We’ve used this bag for 3 years now, so at $14, it has more than paid for itself.
- Labels: I’ve used these mini labels from Oliver’s Labels since I was labeling their bottles for daycare. I get a pack of 100 for $20 (and they almost always have sales. Save 20% with code CAMP2026 right now!). They hold up for years. I like to send a few extra labels for the boys to stick on any items they buy from the camp store. I’m also very intrigued by this stamp that popped up in my feed recently. It’s double sided, so it works on light and dark clothing and lasts for 50 washes. I don’t have one, but the reviews are positive.
- Anti-chafing stick: I also go to camp as a camp nurse. Biggest tip as a nurse and boy mom: send some Gold Bond Powder or Body Glide. Just trust me. And on that note, consider ways to prevent chafing before it starts. As a boy mom, I have learned that the net underwear inside of swim trunks is unnecessary and only causes problems. We cut that lining out or buy board shorts. For girl campers, make sure that whatever bra they have fits appropriately, especially underneath the breast area.
- School shoes: They bring 2 pairs of tennis shoes, shower shoes, and shoes to wear to the pool. Then, as a last resort back-up pair, my boys also bring their school shoes that they just finished wearing. These shoes are so beat up and won’t be worn next year anyway. If it rains or their tennis shoes get lost, at least they have something.
Pro packing tip: Buy the cheapest gallon size (they also make a 2-gallon size if you need) of Ziploc-type bags. Pack one gallon bag per week for socks and one bag per week for underwear. Then, pack daily outfits in their own bag. Swimsuits go in another. At my boys’ camp, they have themed days, so we would label each bag with the date and theme. This was especially helpful for my boys when they were younger, but they still pack this way because things stay neat and easy to find in their massive trunks. Think of it as a filing system for clothing.
Packing for sleepaway camp is definitely an undertaking, but the right tools and a solid system make all the difference!
