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 [girls], shorts/t-shirts [boys], undergarments, socks/stockings, shoes, pajamas, and Shabbos outfits your child needs.)
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.
Links updated June 2019.
*Labels! An essential if you don’t want all the stuff you just shopped for the end up in the lost and found. Label Land has lots of great (and really cute) options. There are even labels for shoes. Some of our favorites include:
—Stick and wear labels. These are great for items that are difficult to iron, like bathing suits. These are super convenient and they do not come off!
—Classic assorted labels are great for all non-clothing item…all the “stuff.” They’re waterproof and microwave and dishwasher-safe.
Storage:
*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.
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.
Bed & Bath:
*Towels—2 bath towels, 2 hand towels/washcloths.
You can find a set of everything they’ll need here.
*Linen—When I buy new linens for my kid’s rooms, I 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 $17.99 (or less with current sale) at H&M online. Walmart also sells complete bedding sets that are also inexpensive like this one or this one
*Mesh bags—For sending stockings/socks or underwear to the laundromat in camp.
Miscellaneous
*Collapsible Folding Chair—You can buy this for $5 at Five Below. This is what they look like.
*Siddur
*Flashlight/ with batteries
*Stamps, envelopes, cards to write letters, pens
(Stationery sets like this one for girls)
(or this for boys makes it easy to write home).
*Photos of the family; painters tape to hang them up
*Books—Don’t send more than 2-3 as they won’t have much time to read
*Hair appliances—blow dryer/ hair iron
*Camera
*Staff Member: Phone, travel iron
Personal Care:
*Brush/Shabbos brush
*Ponytail holders/bobby pins
*Headbands
*Toothbrush, toothbrush container
*Plastic cup for rinsing
*Hand Soap/Purell
*Toothpaste
*Bandaids
*Sunblock
*Deodorant
*Shaver
*Shampoo/Conditioner/ Body Wash
*Three in One Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Wash – better chance the kids will actually use it. Older boys can get this one here.
*Safety pins/sewing kit/eyeglasses kit
*Tissue Box
*Feminine products
*Staff Member: Laundry pods
Clothing:
*Bathing suits
*Bathing cap
*Sweatshirt (H&M carries great sweatshirts without logos. For kids sizes click here. For Girls ages 12 and up click here.)
*Flip flops for shower
*1-2 outfits they can ruin (tell your daughter which one it is!)
*Sneaker/shoe for Tisha B’Av
*Boots
*Rain Jacket/Poncho (especially for Shabbos)
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