What to Pack for Summer Camp?
Want to know what to pack for your child's summer camp? Below, we present a list of essential items worth having during a camp stay, sorted by age categories.
What to Buy for Camp - Clothing for Different Occasions
The first thing we should pay attention to is the appropriate set of clothing. For camp, we should pack a few changes of clothes so that your child feels comfortable and at ease. It's also wise to bring a warm sweater or hoodie for evenings when the temperature might drop.
Besides comfortable everyday clothing, consider adding something for the camp disco.
Clothes at camp have a magical ability to disappear and reappear in other children's suitcases. Therefore, it's a good idea to pack clothes you already have and leave shopping for the return to school.
Camp is not a fashion show, well, except maybe for the discos 😊
Let's buy only the clothes we really can't find in the closet and be prepared for them not to return or undergo lengthy mud baths.
What Shoes for a Camp Trip?
Comfortable shoes for excursions, flip-flops for the pool, and possibly shoes for evening dances should also be remembered when packing your child for a holiday trip.
First and foremost, match the shoe choice to the type of trip. If it's a camp in the mountains, consider professional footwear that allows for hiking. Their quality and durability will aid your child in their trek.
For children going to sports camps , it's necessary to pack professional shoes, essential for practicing the chosen sport. This type of footwear protects your child by limiting the risk of injury, and without it, they can't participate in their favorite activities.
It's very important to also ensure your child's comfort during travel. Comfortable shoes for the bus are a must, especially since children may take them off and put them on at each stop.
Toiletries for Camp
The next important thing to add to the list is toiletries. It's worth bringing sunscreen to protect your child from harmful sun exposure. When traveling near lakes and forests, insect repellent for mosquitoes and ticks will be useful.
Equally important are personal hygiene products, such as shampoo, toothpaste, and soap.
Also, remember to pack a towel, one small for drying hands and another for drying off after a wash. If the trip includes beach or pool outings, consider packing a quick-drying towel.
Camping Accessories
In creating a list of essentials for your child to take, besides clothing and personal hygiene products, consider camping accessories. Here are some examples of items that are a must-have for young travelers.
Medications and a small first aid kit - headache medicine, insect bite treatments, band-aids, dressings, throat tablets, and doctor-prescribed medications. Any medications brought should be reported to the organizer and sometimes left with the guardian.
Flashlight and batteries/charger - for evening trips and walks.Items for excursions - backpack, water bottle, camera, map, notebook, and pen.
Games and cards - to spend free time with peers.
Magazines and books - for reading in leisure time.
Swimming gear - goggles, life jacket, swimsuit.
What to Pack for Young Children Aged 5-9?
For the youngest children, it's important to bring favorite items, such as toys, a blanket, or a pillow to help them feel comfortable in a new environment. It's wise to limit the number of such items.
Remember, during the trip they may get damaged or lost. It's worth discussing this with your child, which will help limit the number of toys and also make them aware of the need to keep an eye on their belongings during the trip.
List of items to pack:
Change of clothes: t-shirts, shorts, shirts, sweater, jacket
Footwear: flip-flops, sports shoes
Towel and swim trunks
Writing materials and notebook
Flashlight and batteries
Small first aid kit with medications and band-aids
Swimsuit and hat
Small toys, books, and board games
What to Pack for Teens, Children Aged 11-14?
Everything mentioned above, plus:
Laptop, tablet, or e-reader (check if they are allowed)
Charger for electronic devices
Power bank
Hair and skin care accessories
A few extra clothes for unforeseen situations (e.g., raincoat)
What to Pack for Youth Camps, Aged 15-18?
Besides the items listed above, older children often like to bring additional electronic equipment, such as a camera or sports camera.
Recently, instant cameras that print photos immediately have become increasingly popular.
Finally, it's worth remembering additional accessories such as flashlight, notebook, pen, and a small backpack in which the child can carry their things on excursions.
Sleeping bag, pillow, and sleeping pad - depending on whether they're provided at the camp or if you need your own.
What Suitcase for a Child Going to Camp?
Remember to bring a comfortable suitcase and backpack so your child has a place to store their belongings and easy access to them at any time. Most importantly, ensure the camp suitcase is large enough to fit all necessary items.
For younger children, who often can't pack themselves yet, opt for a suitcase with comfortable handles and wheels, so it can be easily moved. For older children, it's recommended to choose a lightweight and durable suitcase that will withstand damage.
It's also important for the suitcase to be equipped with quality locks, like a combination lock, to ensure the security of stored items. Consider suitcases with additional pockets and compartments for easier organization and access to needed items.
If older children or teenagers are going on a hiking camp, where they will often have to carry the suitcase over longer distances, try to limit the number of items as much as possible. It's a good opportunity to practice laundry 😉
In such cases, bags that can also be carried like a backpack are excellent. You can find them in larger sporting goods stores, with prices starting from a few dozen dollars.
For camps and trips where children will travel by plane, additional criteria for suitcase weight and size apply. Remember to check with the organizer what is allowed. Remember that power banks, for example, cannot be in checked luggage.
The most important thing is to bring good humor and lots of energy for fun.
Organizers can manage if a child forgets a small item, and as my children's camp suitcases showed, it's possible to survive a camp wearing two shirts for the entire week.
Camps have their own rules, it's a good time for a bit of relaxation, and stains on shirts are traces of new experiences, adventures, and camp meals.
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