You set the tone before the campfire's even lit. This is parent-to-parent intel: what to bring (and skip), how to keep it labeled and found, and the small habits that turn day-one chaos into calm. Borrow the shortcuts from parents who've done the bus line and the lost-and-found run, then build a list you'll reuse every year.
Make a Check List
Always make a checklist of everything you bring and label all personal items. Save the list and re-check it when departing—helps keep track of items.
Tips for Packing
I have one of the leading parenting channels on YouTube—we made a video last year on tips for packing for summer camp!
Decorating Your Trunk
Get a local artist to uniquely decorate your trunk! Marc Fresh in Baton Rouge, LA did ours.
Mailing Letters
Mail letters before your camper arrives so they get one right away—huge help for homesickness and the transition to camp.
Packing Cubes: Stay Organized
Packing cubes are great for packing and staying organized at camp—easy to grab outfits, sort swim gear, and put away laundry.
Extra Storage
Stuff socks in the horseback helmet. The more nooks you fill, the better!
Packing Cubes Make a Tidy Trunk
Use packing cubes to keep the trunk neat and make items easy to find fast.
Pre-Write the Mailing Envelopes
Pre-address envelopes to home and friends. It ups the odds you'll get letters back.
Organize Clothing With Packing Cubes
Soft trunk + clear cubes by clothing type. Drop cubes into cubbies—no fussy stacking and laundry sorting is a breeze.
Packing Cubes Are Essential
Cubes make everything fit. Roll tees and shorts together so outfits are grab-and-go.
Double Label Items
Use both stick-on labels and the name stamper—labels can peel or get picked off; ink is the backup.
Know Your Packing List
Follow the camp's list. Trunks with wheels are clutch—the pop-up/collapsible trunk was amazing.
Backpacks With Pockets
For younger campers, a backpack with lots of pockets beats a roomy bag with none—built-in organization wins.
Family Photos
Slip a family photo in the trunk lid so they see it at get-ready time—comforting without wall-posting homesickness.
Designate Items for Camp
Buy/label a set of sheets, towels, and a shower caddy just for camp. Wash and store them in the trunk for next year—no scramble.
Get Feedback From Your Camper
On pickup day, ask for packing feedback/requests. Put your notes in the trunk so they're waiting next year—genius!
Stamps for Labeling Items
Multiple campers? One last-name stamper covers shared gear that rotates between kids.
Start Packing Sooner
We washed linens the day they got home and pre-bought next year's items—then packed in a relaxed day. The sooner it's done, the better you feel!
Skip Overpacking
You don't need as much as you think—most shirts/shorts get re-worn. Don't overpack.
Sending Packages
Leave dated packages at the office—include shareables like glow sticks, funky sunglasses, or a small game to help the cabin bond (day two is perfect).
Comforts of Home
Send favorite snacks to share, a small stack of books, and an MP3 player—comforts that spark connection.
Make Packing Lists for Your Camper
Put a checkbox list inside the trunk with a pen so your camper can use it again when packing to come home.
Separate Essentials From Optional
Keep daily-use items handy under the bunk; stash sleeping bags/sports gear separately to reduce overwhelm.
Communicate During the Packing Process
Pack with your nervous camper—it opens healthy conversations or at least a chance to share what they're excited about.
Separate Clothes Using Packing Cubes
Use cubes by type; for week one, fold matching outfits together so coordination is effortless (repeat combos after laundry).
Personalize Your Bunk
Battery fairy lights, family photos, and a small throw pillow add cozy comfort during rest time—and help with homesickness.
Ziplock Outfit Bags
Pack a full outfit in a gallon zip bag for each day—morning dressing is grab-and-go (and trunk stays tidy).
Give Your Camper Time to Rest
Avoid trips for two weeks after camp—germs are real and campers are tired. Build in recovery time.
Clothing Stamps & Stickers
Plan time to label everything—stamps and clothing stickers speed up the process.
Clothing Cubes
Use clothing cubes so the trunk doesn't explode on day one when they rummage.
Label Camp Shirts
Get camp shirts early and label—there will be 100 identical ones.
Cheap Shirts
Old Navy $5 tees are perfect—kids may return with half their clothes (or not theirs!).
Iron-On Labels
Iron-on name tags save gear beyond clothes—add them to shoes and more (hello rain boots).
Leave Expensive Clothing at Home
Camp laundry mixes and loses items—label favorite brands extremely well or leave them at home.
Bracelet Making Kits
Send bracelet string in a lidded container—great for quiet time, sharing, and learning new stitches.
Polaroid Cameras
Polaroids capture memories and look awesome on fairy-light strings or in a locker next fall.
Sharing Eye Shadows
A big eye-shadow palette + Q-tips for hygiene = instant cabin glam (and a popular bunkmate on dress-up days).
Floor Mats
A bath mat by the bunk keeps dirty feet out of bed—simple and loved.
Pack Comfy, Old Clothes
Don't overbuy. Send comfy, older tees/shorts and let them get messy.
Quick-Dry Towels
Thin quick-dry towels save space and dry way faster than regular beach towels.
Drawstring Backpacks
Even if not on the list, a drawstring backpack was a favorite—carry water, sunscreen, bug spray, flashlight, etc., hands-free.
Calming Homesickness
A cozy bunk helps: twinkle lights, favorite bedding, photos, a journal + gel pens—little joys = calmer nights.
Easy Packing
Group clothing (tees, PJs, etc.) in jumbo slider bags—packing and unpacking are faster and tidier.
Separating Outfits
Put daily outfits in zip bags—it's easy to grab and prevents overpacking.
Utilize Ziplock Bags
For younger campers, pack each day's shirt/shorts/socks/undies in a bag. Grab-and-go + super organized trunk/cubby.
Outdoor Accessories
Send a Crazy Creek chair and an ENO hammock—instant outdoor hangout wins.
Pre-Addressed Envelopes
Self-addressed, stamped envelopes make mail home far more likely.
Make Packing Fun
Outfit-per-bag (tee, shorts, socks, undies) makes shower trips easy, prevents forgetting, and keeps it fun.
Prepping Your Camper
Pre-addressed, stamped postcards and letters make it easy for busy campers to share experiences.
Coordinate Clothing
Pick a simple color scheme so every top matches every bottom—no morning rummaging needed.
Set Aside Camp Items
Throughout the year, label and stash camp-only items in a clear bin—packing day becomes a breeze.
Rumpl Blankets
We use a Rumpl as a bedspread—dirt brushes off and it dries fast.
Extra Clothing
Send a few outfits you won't mind getting completely ruined—camp happens.
Friendships
Homesick? Start a list of new friends made at camp—it helps.
Camp Activities
Pick one activity to really work on—you'll be amazed at your progress.
Toiletries
Pack "wet" toiletries in a medium Amazon box; Press'n Seal the bottles; wrap the box in a trash bag—no leaks in the trunk.
Batteries
Send more batteries than you think—nobody wants a dead fan in July.
Packing Cubes
Cubes = more space and better organization when space is tight.
Watches
Bring a watch—especially handy on overnights or early wakeups.
Ziplock Bags for Boys
Outfits in zip bags make matching fast and painless.
Plan Outfits
Pre-make outfits and bag with the date—your camper knows exactly what to wear.
Personalize Your Gear
Monogram towels and bedding so nothing disappears.
Pack Early
Start early—and tell your camper where things live to avoid mid-session duplicate purchases.
Send Letters
When your camper writes homesick notes, reply with reassurance and pride: "Your feelings are normal. You can do this. I'm proud of you. Nothing big is happening at home."
Backpacks
A mini backpack is clutch for evening programs.
Trunks
Skip plastic trunks.
Stationery
Fill-in-the-blank stationery nudges more frequent notes home.
Sleeping Bags
Send a sleeping bag for campers who struggle to make beds—simplifies morning tidy-up.
Storage Cubes
Fabric cubes hold swimsuits and tricky-to-fold items—lift straight from trunk to cubbies.
Packing
Mesh lingerie bags keep underwear together—toss the bag in the duffel.
Photo Opportunities
Teach kids how to use a disposable camera ahead of time—avoid 12 shots of a finger over the lens!
Don't Forget the Games!
Send a book and a small game for rest periods.
Pack Warm Clothing
Add extra socks and pajamas—including one warm set for surprise cold nights.
Gift a Camp
Give the gift of overnight camp—or donate to your local scholarship fund.
Care Packages
Pack "bunk junk," birthday decor, and gifts in luggage. Label: "FOR COUNSELORS ONLY" and include the open date/event.
Packing List
Pack to the list. After camp, mark what didn't get used and stash the list in a Ziploc inside the trunk for next year.
Packing & Labeling
Have your kid help pack and label—ownership reduces "missing" gear.
Leave Notes
Hide little notes in shirts, books, or journals for them to find during the session.
Label Everything
Always label EVERYTHING.
Bedding
Pack bedding in the laundry bag so it's found first—make the bed before anything else.
Toiletries
A small mesh laundry bag (dollar store!) keeps toiletries together and lets them dry fast.
Send Care Packages
Hold a few fun items back and send as care packages: sunglasses, twinkle lights, playing cards—mail that makes their day.
Pop Up Trunks
The pop-up trunk's duffel attachment is perfect for bedding—lightweight, easy to organize, not bulky when under-filled.
Label Everything
From a former counselor + parent of two: label and organize everything—lost-and-found is real.
Label Everything
LABEL EVERYTHING!!!
Extra Clothing Labels
Send extra stick-on clothing labels. After a few washes they can fall off—kids can quickly reapply.
Get Your Camper Involved in Packing
Show your camper their gear before it goes in the trunk so they recognize laundry bags, equipment, and non-personalized items.
Less Is More
Too much stuff = too much to track. Lighter packing is kinder to kids (and counselors!).
Pack With A Plan
Plan where everything will go in the trunk and bags before packing. It saves time and uses space efficiently.
Color-Coordinated Cubes
Each kid gets a different color set of cubes (tops in one, socks/undies in another, swim in another). They can live from cubes until the first laundry—no full unpack needed.
Zipties
Zip-tie trunk zippers for travel to prevent opening in transit.
Packing For Young Campers
Pack daily outfits in labeled zip bags. My daughter came back with everything she brought!
Customize Your Trunk
Use a Cricut to cut adhesive vinyl and make custom name decals to decorate your trunk.
You did the heavy lifting. Save the tips that worked, tighten your list, and tuck it in the trunk for next year. Less chaos, fewer lost items, more time for the good stuff—because when parents share the playbook, everybody wins.
