How To Pack For Sleep-Away Camp

I was overwhelmed when Nina, my 8 year old daughter was getting ready to go to sleep-away camp. If you also find the organizing difficult, I hope that this post on how to pack for sleep-away camp will help!

1. Gather your stuff

• Start EARLY in case you need to shop for anything (wish I had thought of that sooner! Nina goes away in six days and I just stared, which means I had to pay for expedited shipping 😬)
• Take everything out of your drawers and closets (especially a good idea when you have put off spring cleaning!)
• Consult the child about what s/he MUST have and s/he absolutely would NEVER even consider bringing (!)
• make your (now angry) child try on clothes to be sure they still fit
• make three piles: to pack; to stay home; and to donate

2. Decide how much you REALLY need

• print the list that your camp provides; use it as a guide and checklist
• eliminate things that you know that your child will not use (for us, that included top sheets for the bed)
• add things you know your child CAN’T LIVE (!) without

3. Label EVERYTHING!

• I used Mabel’s Labels since Nina’s school had done a fundraiser with that company, and I had used them in the past with good results

4. Group like items and package them

• Our categories included bedding, towels, swim, sleep, tee shirts, long sleeves, pants, shorts, occasion wear and olympics gear
• Bag the items to ease the unpacking experience. I used Hefty Jumbo Sliders, but you could go fancy and use packing cubes or go the opposite way and recycle grocery bags
• label your bags

5. Add special gifts throughout (optional)

Obviously this is not necessary, but I wanted to, so I added the following secret items that Nina will find when she unpacks:

• Blanket with a special photo: Ours was a picture of Dexter, who Nina adores. I made this one on Shutterfly

• 

• 

• Some games, emoji tattoos and bubbles to help break the ice amongst bunk-mates

• A journal and some pens in a cool pouch

If your child is getting ready to go to sleep-away camp, you may want to also read:

• How To Choose A Sleep-Away Camp
• How To Shop For Sleep-Away Camp
• The Morning Before Sleep-Away Camp
• Letters To Sleep-Away Camp