25 Essentials to Pack for Overnight Camp

With these items in their bag, your kid will have the best summer yet!

June 22, 2023

By: Samantha Lande

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Pack These Items for Your Kids This Summer

Kids need a lot for day camp, but overnight camp is a whole different ball game! Parents spend days packing for their kids to spend a few weeks away during the summer, hopeful that what they pack actually comes back home. Each camp likely has a specific packing list, but we gathered a list of must-haves to pack in their duffles this summer.

Labels

Labels are key for any camp experience, day camp included. But when kids are on their own and have to manage their stuff at overnight camp, labels are a necessity. Many companies like Label Daddy and Mabel’s Labels offer sets designed for camp with various sizes for everything from clothes to flashlights.

Ziploc Jumbo Bags

Rather than throwing everything into the duffel and hoping for the best, these Ziploc jumbo bags offer some semblance of organization. They are great for keeping things like towels, sheets, and comforters together to allow your kiddos to unpack with ease.

BUY IT: Amazon, $9.99

Sleeping Bag

A sleeping bag is a quintessential camping item, and it’s key for summer camp — especially if kids go out on a hiking or camping trip. Most standard sleeping bags will work, but this primer from REI will help you pick the best one for your needs.

BUY IT: REI, $47.00+

Handheld Fan

Camp cabins don’t often come with air conditioning, so having a good fan is key. This one has an extra bonus: misting water! It’s especially great for those long, hot days spent running around outside. Batteries necessary.

BUY IT: Amazon, $6.98+

Crazy Creek

Camp involves sitting on the ground a lot — whether it’s roll call or around a campfire — so having a good camping chair is essential. Crazy Creek has been around for decades and with good reason. They make excellent, lightweight and waterproof camping chairs that can withstand all of the elements. They are super durable and as long as your kid doesn’t lose it, they should last for years.

BUY IT: Amazon, $39.95

Batteries

Without places to plug things in, batteries are needed for just about everything. These Better Batteries are recyclable and are said to last a long time. Send your kid to camp with a good variety pack to keep their fans and music players going all summer long.

BUY IT: Amazon, $37.99

Shower Caddy

At overnight camp, showers aren’t often in the cabin and you’ll have to walk to a special bathhouse to take a shower. Having a good shower caddy is essential and you’ll want to pack one that is easy to organize and doesn’t get too gross and mildewy. These ones fold up easily and come in a bunch of fun patterns that may just encourage them to shower.

BUY IT: Amazon, $10.99

Stationary

Fingers crossed that your kid actually writes home, right? But if you arm them with the right supplies, they may do just that. These fill in the blank notepads make it easy for your kids to think of something to say and hopefully put that letter in the mailbox as well.

BUY IT: Etsy, $18.00+

Storage Clipboard

So those letters and other things like Mad Libs or journals don’t get wet, you’ll want to get a storage clipboard. They can clip the paper to the outside to write a letter and keep everything stored nicely inside.

BUY IT: Amazon, $8.99

Bug Spray

Living in the woods comes with lots of bugs, so you’ll want to pack a good bug spray. There are so many great options out there if you prefer a more natural route, but either way, you’ll want to make sure you protect your kiddo against ticks and mosquitos.

BUY IT: Amazon, $14.78

Flashlight

It can get pretty dark walking around at night, so a good flashlight is in order. You’ll want one that’s durable, lightweight, and long lasting (again, batteries!).

BUY IT: Amazon, $9.99

Shower Shoes

Camp is just one of those places where you’ll want to wear shoes in the shower, especially for the trek back to your cabin. No need to spend a ton of cash — check out Old Navy, who often has $2 deals on their flip flops each summer.

BUY IT: Old Navy, $2.00

Sunscreen

You may want to hold your breath when thinking about your kid applying sunscreen on their own, but don’t worry — there are counselors to help. We love this new La Roche Posay kids sunscreen. It’s great for sensitive skin and it doesn’t leave a white residue that’s impossible to rub in.

BUY IT: Amazon, $32.99

A Good Raincoat

Not every day at camp is beautiful and sunny, so a good raincoat is a must. You’ll want something easy to fold up and pack that is wind and water resistant like this one from L.L. Bean.

BUY IT: L.L. Bean, $59.95

Music Player

No screens allowed, but music encouraged. If you held on to your iPod nano or shuffle, good for you. If not, there are some new screenless players in town like Mighty that you can download music onto for their listening enjoyment.

BUY IT: Amazon, $119.99

Something Fun for the Cabin

It’s always fun to send them off with a little extra game to share or play with their cabin mates. A deck of cards, Uno Splash (waterproof Uno), or other fun rainy day games are great to throw in their duffle.

BUY IT: Amazon, $10.99

Aquaphor

The cure all since they’ve been babies, Aquaphor is a great thing to have for chapped lips, dry skin, and more. The little tubes are perfect for camp.

BUY IT: Amazon, $5.49

Keens

Supportive waterproof shoes are always a good idea for camp because the terrain isn’t always flat and things can get rather muddy. We’ve always been a fan of Keens, but any similar shoe will do the trick!

BUY IT: Amazon, $29.95 - $133.00

Mat

Sandy and dirty feet are par for the course at overnight camp, but having a mat by your bed will help with some of that. These ones from Top Trenz function as a bathmat as well so they’ll absorb water.

BUY IT: Amazon, $25.99

Sweatshirt Blanket

What’s cozier than your favorite sweatshirt? These sweatshirt blankets are super popular as another layer to a fleece blanket or comforter for chilly nights in the cabin.

BUY IT: Walmart, $17.07

Water Bottle

You may want to grab two water bottles and keep one in their backpack and an extra in their duffel, so they’ll always hang on to at least one. Hydration is super important at camp with all of the sunshine and running around. Make sure it’s a bottle that’s insulated and can stay cool for at least a few hours.

BUY IT: REI, $34.95

Egg Crate

Camp cots aren’t known for their comfort, so getting a foam egg crate goes a long way. Keep it packaged air tight in the duffle for them to unpack when they get there. It’s one of those items that you might not be too disappointed about if it doesn’t make it home at the end of the summer.

BUY IT: Walmart, $35.99

Beach Towel

Whether there is a beach, pool, or both, you’ll want to arm your kid with plenty of beach towels that — if we are being honest — will likely double as shower towels too. No need to spend a lot of money, places like Target have them on sale for the summerfor under $10.

BUY IT: Target, $8.40

Fuzzy PJ Pants

When you aren’t in charge, chances are you may just see your kid in photos wearing pajama pants and a t-shirt because it’s super comfortable. A few pairs of fuzzy PJ pants are always great to include and we have a feeling they might be the most worn items.

BUY IT: Amazon, $29.99

Notes

Sure you’ll write your kid plenty of letters but it’s nice for them to find special surprises and notes from you. Stick a few around their bag to let them know how much they are loved and missed!

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