If you’re sending your child off to camp for the first time, it’s hard to imagine all the things they’ll need once they’re away from home.
If seemed like we were spending a fortune for someone else to host our children for 4 weeks…but that’s even before we started camp shopping! Oh boy, the list was endless! It seemed like it cost more money to buy the stuff our kids needed for camp than for camp itself.
We put together a list of ideas that our kids have taken to sleepaway camp over the years…aside from clothing (everyone can use their own judgement as to how many skirts/tops, undergarments, socks/stockings, shoes, pajamas, and Shabbos outfits your child needs.)
Here’s our camp packing list that includes clothing and other basics to help you get started checking things off, and here’s The Organized Camp Packing List for Boys.
First, before we get to the list, here are some pointers.
*Label all important things. Click here to order labels.
*Every camp has different clothing styles. At some camps all the girls wear long skirts, at others shorter midi skirts. Call someone that goes to that camp to find out so that your child can fit in.
*If your child is going to camp over the 9 days – keep in mind that you’ll need more clothing as laundry won’t get done for 10 days.
*How much clothing do you need? That depends on how often your camp does laundry. Even if it’s weekly, it takes a couple of days for the clean laundry to come back so you’ll still need those 10-16 t-shirts or polos.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL LIST
Note: We didn’t buy all this the first year. Over the years we’ve collected these items and they get used year after year, and passed down to siblings. You may also want to speak to someone that went to the same camp that your child is attending, as kids in different camps have different needs. Also, this list is as generous as they come (and combines the ideas from multiple families). Use your discretion and take whatever ideas here you feel are important. Some children need more than others. Have fun shopping! And once they leave, enjoy reading some good summer books. Or, if you’re feeling homesick (even though you’re not the one that’s away), you may enjoy reading this one.
(List and links updated 2025)
STORAGE
○ Labels!
○ 2 Soft Trunks
○ Plastic Drawers or Containers – Whether drawers or containers is better depends on the layout of the camp room. Some girls prefer to have colored drawers like these, rather than clear, so that they’re not see-through. You can also buy stackable drawers like these that pack easier in a duffle bag.
○ Mini Drawers – A neat way to keep their letters, stamps, pens, canteen card, small change, camera, and other little items they have in camp. These fit right onto a shelf. You can easily find these for $3-4 at closeout stores.
○ Duct Tape/Sharpies
○ Space-Saving Skirt Hangers
○ Plastic Container for Nosh
○ Staff Member: Laundry Pods
CLOTHING
Most girls prefer the types of skirts/tops that mix-and-match easily. Others prefer outfits that require less thinking, i.e. sets/casual dresses that are easy to throw on.
WEEKDAY CLOTHING
○ 10-14 T-Shirts
○ 6-8 Skirts
○ 6-8 bras/sports bras
○ Sleeveless Shells (optional)
○ 12-14 Underwear
○ 10-12 Pairs of Socks
○ Sneakers, Slides/Flip-Flops, Floafers
○ 2-4 Sweatshirts/including Zip-Up Hoodie
○ 4-5 Pajamas
SHABBOS CLOTHING
○ 4 Outfits
○ Any Shells Needed
○ 6-8 Stockings – They rip, rather have extra.
○ Shabbos Shoes
LINEN
When buying new linens, put aside the old linens for camp. Keep that linen stored with the camp essentials from year to year, packed away with the covers in Ziploc Space Saver Bags so they take up less space. You can also find some fun linens for as low as $29.99 at H&M online.
○ Fitted Sheet
○ Pillows & Pillowcases
○ Duvet Cover & Comforter
○ Throw Blanket (optional)
○ Mattress topper (optional)
BATH
○ 2 Bath Towels – You can find a set of everything they’ll need here.
○ 2-3 Hand Towels
○ Shower Caddy
SWIM
○ 2 Bathing Suits
○ Swim Dress / Cover Ups/Terry Robe
○ Bathing Cap (if required)
○ Goggles
PERSONAL
○ Siddur (with Shabbos Davening)
○ Book – Don’t send more than 2-3 as they won’t have much time to read
○ Canteen Money / Tips
○ Spare Glasses
○ Makeup (older teens)
○ Medication (if relevant)
CAMP STUFF Optional:
○ Mesh or Non-Mesh Laundry Bag
○ Mini Laundry Bags for Delicates
○ Collapsible Folding Chair – You can buy this for $5 at Five Below. This is what they look like.
○ Flashlight with Batteries
○ Clip-On Fan
○ Mini Backpack / Fanny Pack. This Lululemon Bag is popular. Here is a good dupe that’s available in lots of colors.
○ Camera/Charger
○ Plastic Bags (for wet clothing after a trip)
○ Umbrella
○ Netilat Cup
○ Tissue Box
○ Color Catchers & Shout Wipes
○ Lint Roller
○ Family Photos – painters tape to hang them up
○ Command Strips/Hooks
○ A Couple of Safety Pins / Mini Sewing Kit
○ Stamps, envelopes, cards to write letters, pens. (Stationery sets like this one for girls or this for boys makes it easy to write home).
HAIR STUFF
○ Brush and Shabbos Brush
○ Hair Iron/Blow Dryer
○ Hair Spray
○ Scrunchies/Headbands and Ponytail Holders
TOILETRIES
○ Shampoo & Conditioner
○ Body Wash
○ Face Wash
○ Deodorant
○ Off Spray
○ Itch Relief
○ Sunscreen
○ Febreze Spray
○ Mouthwash
○ Toothbrush/Case
○ Toothpaste
○ Nail Clipper
○ Lens Solution
○ Shaver
○ Feminine Products
FOOD IDEAS
We don’t want to send our kids off with just junk. Here are some options that are good to have on hand if they skip a camp meal.
○ Beef Jerky
○ Salsa and Tortilla chips – buy smallest jars possible so they can be finished same day
○ Jar of pickles
○ Cans of Israeli pickles
○ Hearts of palm – Make sure it’s the pull and open cans.
○ Granola Bars
○ Noodle Soups—Some camps don’t let kids get hot water
○ Cereal—1-2 boxes is enough for 4 weeks.
○ Water bottles—You can ship directly from Amazon to camp.
○ Healthy fruit leather
○ Yellow croutons—for Friday night soup
○ Gum or small candies
○ Some snack bags
Did we miss something? Leave us a comment below.
shelf liners and lysol (for mattress)
Mattress pad. Local dry goods stores have a size called camp size.
My girls like taking an over the door shoe pocket thingie. in their camp ea girl has their own closet and its easier to find their shoes this way
Rain-boots! It rains plenty over the summer and in camp kids walk from place o place with puddles all around, rain boots keep feet dry and avoid ruining shoes. Target often has fun ones for good prices.
Also cheap dryer sheets can be put between clothes both when packed and on the shelf in order to keep the clothes smelling clean and avoid the musty “camp” smell.
shower caddies are great for shampoos and soaps
I’m sending along a small backpack for trips and a coin purse for canteen money
my girls always like to bring their own beds couches friges and ovens
Hi thanks for this list! I see no one mentioned a uniform.. lots of camps ask that you pack it! Also, tutus and funky socks and beads you put in hair for braids! These are totally all the rage!
thats really retarted
my girls always like to bring their own beds couches fridges and ovens
Instead of a set of plastic drawers, fabric pop up cubes work much better, and are easy to pack and store. Also, my kids take laundry detergent pods and put them in their laundry bag. When the service does the laundry, they just shake all the laundry into the machine, pod included.
crackers for nosh box
Bath Mat for stepping out of the shower
not useful
thhdfxb
thank you so much it really helped me this list !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i love putting in my nosh box before i leave to camp cereal in zip lac bags and each morning when i leave to go to breakfast i just grab a bag, spill it in my plate and pore some milk!!
I packed an memory foam to make the mattress more comfortable
Hi! The link for the stackable drawers doesn’t work. Thanks:)
Some girls like to bring a cheap shower curtain because the ones in camp showers are usually gross ( although some camps do put a new one out and some have glass doors)
Thank you so much for this wonderful list.
Any good links for a sleeping bag for overnight camping? Not too big but also not paper thin that u feel the floor?
chocolate with pretzels, tuna with mayo packets on crackers is also a good snack! TYSM FOR THIS.
PASSPORT!!! Depending on where camp is but don’t forget!
This is a good folding chair
https://shopstyle.it/l/ccC7G
Hi, thanks for this! Link to download list doesn’t seem to be working.
Thanks for great list. It really helped alot. How about adding bunk card/ admission card. My daughter left hers home. Also some camps request a copy of insurance card to bring along.
Thanks again for everything. I really prefer to bcp alot. KEEP IT UP!
Refer
This is a geat list! thank you! Can you update the linen post? Would love to see some sets that are tried and true from H&M. The ones posted are sold out.
suck a good list tthank you so much
thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT REALLY IS A GREAT LIST
ziploc bags are great for any open packages in a nosh box
A shower bag to put in clothes and you bring the bag in the shower
Thanks soooooooo much