With longer days, warm weather, and summer here, one thing is on a lot of mom’s minds… packing for sleep away summer camp. The thought of packing for one, two, four, or even more weeks can be daunting. These 7 sleep away camp packing tips will help keep you organized and make camp packing and unpacking experience a bit easier!
7 sleep away camp packing tips
1. Designate Camp Central in your Home
Before you actually pack anything, designate an area or space in your home that will become camp central. This will allow you to start storing items as you buy and keeping it all in one place will ensure you have everything together when it’s time to actually pack.
2. Ziploc Bags are Your Friend
Not only is this is a good camp packing trick, but this is something we suggest for any kind of packing or traveling – pack clothing and other items in 2.5 gallon ziploc bags based on category. For example, all bathing suits in one bag, socks in another, letter writing items in another, etc. Not only does this keep all items clean from any potential leaks while traveling, but it also makes unpacking a breeze!
3. Label, Label, Label…Did I Mention Label?
Label everything….and we mean EVERYTHING! Although this will increase the time needed for camp packing, it’s a must. We love this Name-Dropper stamp. It’s super easy and quick to label all fabric items with this self-inking permanent stamp. For non-fabric items, we love Mabel’s Labels. The mini custom name labels are perfect for anything and everything – they even stay on well inside of shoes and on items that get wet (water bottles, goggles, you name it!).
4. Make it Easier for Your Camper
Do you want to increase your chances of getting letters home? Why not make it easier and pre-stamp and address all of your campers envelopes. Hopefully they’ll use those couple of additional minutes giving you a little more detail about their summer!
5. Never Enough
Pack extras and show them how it works. They’ll need batteries, flashlights, the film for Instax cameras, and color war gear (every color they could get separated out in ziplock bags). Not only do you not want your kids to run out of the things they need, but they need to know how to install the batteries, film, etc. Be sure to include your camper in your camp packing process.
6. Storage Space is Key
Take advantage of the space available. Under bed soft storage is great for your extras as well as a place to keep stationery and games (jacks, old maid, cards, mad libs). If your kids have a cubby to keep socks and underwear, then send a soft storage cube so all of the items can easily be kept together without falling out.
7. Everyone Loves a Present
This may be one of my favorite sleep away camp packing tips. Unpacking upon arrival at camp isn’t complete without a little surprise. Whether it’s a cute pillow for their bed to snuggle with when homesick, a custom bracelet or necklace in your camp colors (we love the local Austyn Parker), or a sweet note from you, be sure to include a little something extra. It’s always nice to have a small gift when getting settled for a summer sleep away camp.
What are your favorite sleep away camp packing tips?
