The Ultimate Guide to Packing and Labeling for Summer Camp

Summer camp season brings a mix of excitement and nerves for both kids and parents, and packing is usually the part that feels the most overwhelming. Between hot summer days, outdoor adventures, shared cabins, and all the day-to-day essentials, it’s easy to feel like you’re forgetting something. That’s why we created this comprehensive guide: to help you pack smarter, label everything easily with Name Bubbles’ premium labels, and make sure your camper has everything they need for a fun, stress-free summer away from home.

Quick Glance: What to Pack and Label for Camp

Packing your kid’s stuff for summer camp doesn’t have to be stressful. The secret to keeping everything organized (and making sure it all comes home) is labeling (labeling everything!). From clothing and toiletries to sleeping bags and shoes, a premium name label from Name Bubbles helps campers stay confident, independent, and ready for fun (and gives parents peace of mind that expensive gear and belongings make it back home).

Our Ultimate Guide to Packing and Labeling for Summer Camp walks you through every essential item (plus smart labeling tips), so nothing ends up in the lost-and-found. For a deeper look at how to label clothing specifically, check out our guide on How to Properly Pack and Label Clothes for Camp. It’s a parent favorite and the perfect companion to this checklist!

Check the Weather Before You Pack

Before packing suitcases and trunks, it’s important to check the weather - you don’t want to send your child on their adventure without a raincoat or rain boots if there’s going to be scattered showers. Camp weather can be unpredictable! Always check the forecast before packing.

If rain is expected, include a waterproof jacket and quick-dry gear. For chilly evenings, throw in a few cozy sweatpants, hoodies, and a thicker blanket for nighttime. If the weather is expected to be extra hot, pack a stronger SPF, along with light cottons, tank tops, and cooler clothing.

And yes, label all outerwear! Jackets, hoodies, and sweatshirts are the most frequently lost camp items. If your child has a longer stay ahead, and you need tips on larger packing lists, check out our guide -  What to Pack for Overnight Camp - which includes helpful gear tips for longer camp stays.

What Clothes to Pack for Summer Camp

Before diving into labeling, let’s start with the basics. Most camps recommend a mix of casual and comfortable clothing - think athletic wear, t-shirts, and shorts, plus plenty of socks and undergarments. The length of your child’s camp visit, and whether or not it’s overnight, will determine how many of each to pack.

Clothing Essentials:

• T-shirts and athletic shorts
  
  
• Long pants or jeans
  
  
• Sweatshirts and lightweight jackets (unless it's supposed to be cold, then pack a warmer coat!)
  
  
• Pajamas
  
  
• Bathing suites
  
  
• Shoes (more details on shoes in the next section)

Pack extras of everything, especially for sports or outdoor activities. Camps rarely have laundry facilities, so assume each item gets used multiple times. Extras ensure your child isn’t running around stinky!

Labeling Tip: Label every article of clothing with Name Bubbles Camp Labels before it goes into the suitcase. For clothing, we offer Stick-On Clothing Labels for garment tags and brand imprints, and Iron-On Clothing Labels for a more permanent label that bonds directly to fabric. Both are easy to apply and ensure camp clothing stays in the right bunk and makes it home at the end of summer!

Let’s Talk Shoes (and How to Keep Them Together)

Kids run, jump, and explore all day at camp, which means shoes will get muddy, wet, and possibly switched with a cabin mate’s pair. Shoes must be comfy and appropriate for the activity.

Pack at least:

• 1 pair of everyday sneakers (make sure their comfortable!)
  
• 1 pair of "activity shoes" that can get dirty
  
  
• 1 pair of water shoes for lake or pool activities
  
  
• 1 pair of hiking boots or hiking sneakers (ensure they have proper tread!)
  
  
• 1 pair of rain boots (if the weather calls for rain)

Labeling Tip: Keep footwear together and on the right child’s feet with Name Bubbles Shoe Name Labels! They’re stick-on and fit perfectly inside insoles, helping your child (and their counselors!) match the right shoes after every activity. Our Camp Value Packs include shoe labels, and extras are available if you need more!

Great job, parents! You’ve tackled the first packing category and have successfully assembled your kid’s camp clothes. Packing for their next summer camp trip will be a breeze; you’re almost a packing pro!

Toiletry & Hygiene Essentials

Kids are hyped up and ready to get to camp, and the last thing on their minds are toiletry and hygiene products. It’s important to pack these products so kids stay hygienic all summer. Even the cleanest campers can lose toothbrushes and shampoo bottles in shared bathrooms. To avoid the “whose soap is this?” confusion, label every toiletry bottle and bag.

Don't forget:

• Toothbrush + a backup toothbrush
  
  
• Toothpaste & floss
  
  
• Shampoo, conditiioner, and body wash or soap
  
  
• Hairbush and or hair accessorties (bonnets, wraps, combs)
  
  
• Deodorant (espeically for older kids!)
  
  
• Towels (face, hand, bath)

Above is a list of the basic toiletries and hygiene products that your child needs for camp. More specific items may include a spray detangler for kids with long hair, odor-removing shoe spray to keep things extra fresh, and a Waterpik for kids with braces.

Labeling Tip: Tag all these essentials with our Waterproof Name Labels, which stay put even through steam and splashes, and they're perfect for bottles, brushes, and bath bags. Since most campers share communal bathrooms, clear, bold labeling prevents mix-ups!

Activity Essentials & Safety Gear

Camps are all about outdoor adventure, and preparing your child for non-stop fun in the great outdoors is essential!  Be sure to pack the following necessities for safety and fun.

Must-haves:

• Sunscreen
  • We recommend California Baby products, which are all-natural and great for sensitive skin. Plus, they're water-resistant for up to 80 minutes!)
    
    
• Bug Spray + Anti-itch Cream
  • Ensure you choose a water + sweat-proof bug spray! Mosquito bites are a fast track to an annoying summer day! Anti-itch cream is great for pesky bug bites!
    
    
• Aloe vera
  • Aloe vera is great for after-sun care, especially if there was a little too much sun exposure; its antioxidant properties can help protect against oxidative stress. Teach your child to apply this each day after being in the sun!
    
    
• First aid kit (bandages, wipes, pain reliever)
  • There is most definitely a nurse station at camp, but packing a first aid kit can is beneficial for quick care!
    
    
• Flashlight and spare batteries
  
  
• Water bottle - hydration, hydration, HYDRATION!
  
  
  • Staying hydrated is one, if not the most, important thing your child can do while away at camp. Hot, sweaty summer days will exhaust your kiddo, and it’s important they have a reliable, refillable water bottle on hand to stay hydrated all day long! It must be labeled!
    
    
• Backpack - light weight and functional
  • Pack your child a lightweight backpack for carrying around daily essentials. Make sure the backpack is functional with pockets and a water bottle holder on the side. Their backpack will hold sunscreen, bug spray, a small first aid kid, a quick change of clothes, and any other daily essentials.
    
    
• Medications
  • If your child takes any medication, it’s important not to forget these! Also, alert camp counselors and staff prior to the start of camp of your child’s medication needs. Typically, medications stay at the nurse station and not on the child.

Labeling Tip: Just as with toiletry items, use Name Bubbles waterproof labels for sunscreen, sprays, and reusable bottles, so items don’t get mixed up during group activities. These durable labels last all summer without peeling, fading, or falling off. 

Sleeping & Bedding Must-Haves

Whether your camper is in a cabin or tent, they’ll need a few things to make their sleeping arrangements comfortable, and feel more like home. Many kids have trouble with bedtime the most, especially for first-time campers, and by making things more relaxed and home-like, it eases the worry. Ensure you pack:

• Pillow + pillowcase
  • If you allow, let children bring their “home pillow” to camp, which helps comfort them and makes them feel like they're back in their own bed.
    
    
• Fitted sheet
  • If the summer camp your kid is attending has bunk beds with mattresses, pack a fitted sheet and a pillow. Make sure to ask in advance what size the mattress will be so you’ll have the right sheet dimensions.
    
    
• Sleeping bag and blanket
  • You will want to pack a sleeping bag and an extra blanket. We recommend packing an extra lightweight blanket in case of hot summer nights. If the temperature is too hot, your kids can sleep with the lightweight blanket, and if it’s too cold, they can bundle up in the sleeping bag with the added blanket for warmth!
    
    
• Night light or small flashlight
  
  
• Laundry bag
  • One of our favorite life-hacks for packing summer camp bedding is to use a laundry bag. We recommend one that is large enough to carry everything, and your kids will be able to easily pack everything back up into the bag once the summer is over.

Labeling Tip: For fabric items, like pillowcases, sheets, and sleeping bags, use our Iron-On Name Labels so everything comes home clean and accounted for. Iron-ons bond directly to fabric and are permanent! For a breakdown on why iron-ons are perfect for camp, check out our guide Don’t Forget the Iron-On Labels: A Camper’s Secret Weapon, which also includes step-by-step instructions for applying our iron-on labels!

Fun Extras, Optional Comforts, & Miscellaneous

Every camper loves a touch of home, and sending those labeled comfort items to camp helps ease any transition bumps. There are also a few miscellaneous items for "just in case." Pack items that help your child feel comfortable and confident:

• A book, journal, or disposable camera
  • A fun book to read for avid readers, a journal to write down their trail memories (this is also a great idea for end-of-summer sharing with family), and a disposable camera to help capture fun moments.
• Stuffed animal or plush toy
  • If your child brings their favorite stuffy or plush, make sure it’s labeled! Many of these items have a care tag on them - add one of our stick-on name labels to it! If there isn’t a care tag, iron-on a name sticker to a foot.
• Stationery for writing home
  • Paper for writing home, along with pre-addressed/ stamped envelopes, make it fun and easy for kids to write quick letters home while they’re away.
• Electronics + chargers
  • As we are in the age of technology, and most kids have cell phones, tablets, etc, it’s important to label and pack these items with care. Before packing electronics, call your child’s camp to make sure they’re allowed (some camps like to be tech-free, with the expectation of phones). And don’t forget their chargers!
• Spending money/emergency cash
  • Most of the time, kids’ camp is already expense-paid paid but in the event there is something that needs to be purchased, sending your child with cash isn’t a bad idea. Just make sure it’s in a plastic bag and labeled with their name. 

Labeling Tip: These personal items often carry the most emotional value, and labeling helps ensure they’re never left behind in a bunk or at the campfire. 

Final Thoughts: Label Everything That Leaves Home

Congratulations, parents!  Your camper is officially ready for their big adventure!

The most important step before zipping that suitcase? Label everything.

Each summer, countless towels, shirts, and water bottles end up in camp lost-and-found bins, many of which never find their way home. We made our award-winning value packs for camp with parents and kids in mind; both our Camp Labels Pack and Sleepaway Camp Labels Pack are durable, waterproof, laundry-safe, and personalized! Our camp bundles help families save time, money, and sanity while their kiddos are off having the time of their lives!

For a full camp-prep rundown once you’re done labeling, give everything a final check and compare your haul with our Checklist for Sending Your Kids to Sleepaway Camp, a quick list that helps double-check gear and safety must-haves!

FAQs: Packing & Labeling for Summer Camp

Q: Do I need to label everything for summer camp?

A: Yes! From clothing and toiletries to water bottles and sleeping bags, labeling prevents mix-ups and keeps items out of the lost-and-found.

Q: What kind of labels for clothes last through camp?

A: Name Bubbles’ stick-on and iron-on clothing labels are designed to withstand heat, water, sweat, and adventure! If you want to be 100% certain the label will last all summer, go with our permanent iron-ons. However, our stick-ons are long-lasting and ensure summertime organization! 

Q: What’s the best label for bottles or gear?

A: Our waterproof, dishwasher-safe labels are best for refillable water bottles and everyday gear. They won’t fade or fall off even after getting wet or being washed.

Q: How early should I start labeling before camp?

A: Begin at least one week before; it makes packing faster and reduces last-minute stress. It also gives you time to go over your list to make sure everything is accounted for!