What to Pack for Overnight Camp: A Complete Parent Checklist

Overnight camp is an exciting milestone for kids - new friends, outdoor adventures, tons of fun, and a little independence. Whether it’s your child’s first sleepaway camp or they’re returning for another summer, packing the right essentials can make a big difference in how confident and comfortable they feel once they arrive. It also makes a difference between whether or not they return home with all their expensive gear and clothing.

Having a clear overnight camp packing list helps eliminate last-minute stress, prevents forgotten items, and ensures your little camper is prepared for everything camp life brings. Our essential packing list is easy to assemble, parent-approved, and guarantees an easier time at camp!

Quick Answer

Packing for your child’s overnight camp trip is easiest when you plan for clothing, bedding, toiletries, footwear, and comfort items, and label everything before it goes into the bag. A simple checklist, paired with durable Name Bubbles name labels, helps prevent mix-ups, keeps kids organized, and ensures belongings come home at the end of camp!

Name Bubbles Camp Labels

Before anything goes into a duffel bag, make sure it’s labeled with Name Bubbles award-winning camp labels. Overnight camps involve shared cabins, communal bathrooms, and many campers with similar gear (and with all the excitement kids have at camp, they aren’t thinking about their stuff 24/7). Without labels, items can easily get mixed up or lost, leaving your camper without daily essentials and a homecoming with tons of expensive gear unaccounted for!

Personalized camp name labels help counselors return misplaced items and give campers an easy way to identify their belongings. Label clothing, shoes, toiletries, water bottles, bedding, and backpacks before packing begins. Pro-tip: if it’s going to sleepaway camp with your child, it gets a label! For a detailed, step-by-step run-down of labeling for camp, check out our Ultimate Guide to Packing and Labeling for Summer Camp!

Weather Ready Clothing Essentials 

The weather is always unpredictable, and that doesn’t change while your kiddo is at overnight camp. Before packing, first check the projected weekly forecast, then anticipate some curveballs. We suggest packing layers and versatile clothing; hoodies easily go over t-shirts, and thermals go under jeans and PJs with ease.

In addition to most camps, we recommend packing:

• T-shirts and shorts for warm days

• Long pants and sweatshirts for cool evenings

• A lightweight rain jacket or poncho

• Pajamas and undergarments

• A swimsuit and water shoes.

Parent tip: Camp life gets messy (always, trust us!). Packing a few extra outfits helps keep kids comfortable if laundry isn’t available. For more details on what clothing to pack and how to label them, check out our parent-approved guide, How To Properly Pack and Label Kids’ Clothes for Camp.

Cozy Bedding for A Good Night's Sleep

Bedtime is a major obstacle for many kids at overnight camp, especially first-time campers, and kids need restful sleep in order to fuel their fun adventures. Making things comfortable and feeling like home when it’s time for bed can make or break that first lights out. Many overnight camps provide a mattress but little else. Familiar bedding, stuffed animals/ plushes, and a favorite blanket help campers sleep better and feel more at home.

Consider packing:

• A sleeping bag or twin-size sheets with a comforter. We recommend packing both, especially a sleeping bag, since it really gives the “camp feel.”

• A pillow with an extra pillowcase. If possible, sending kids with the same pillowcase they use at home can make their bunk feel like home.

• A small stuffed animal or comfort item for younger campers (this really eases any anxiety or uneasiness at bedtime).

Be sure to label all bedding clearly - sheets, pillows, and sleeping bags are some of the most commonly misplaced camp items. For bedding, we’ve found that our iron-on labels work best, as they adhere directly to the fabric and won’t come off!

Toiletries and Personal Care Items

A well-packed toiletry kit helps campers stay clean and comfortable throughout the week. Travel-size shampoo bottles, toothpaste tubes, and soap are bound to get mixed up or forgotten, so having a label with our child’s name on every toiletry item is a MUST!

Overnight camp toiletry essentials include:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash

• Deodorant (this is a must-include for older kids)

• Hairbrush or comb

• Sunscreen and bug spray (these are non-negotiable for camp safety and comfort!)

A shower caddy or toiletry bag makes trips to shared bathrooms easier and helps keep everything in one place. Combined with Name Bubbles waterproof name labels, your child’s everyday toiletries will be there when they need them! 

Sturdy Footwear for Day-to-Day Camp Activities

Camp days involve a lot of walking, running, and all-day outdoor play. Make sure your camper has the right footwear, so the fun never has to stop or slow down! (Plus, we don't want our kiddos to miss out or have sore feet during their summer adventure!)

Pack:

• Supportive sneakers for daily activities

• Sandals or flip-flops for showers and pool time

• Swim shoes for pool and lake activities

• Hiking boots for safely hitting the trails and rougher terrain 

• Extra socks to keep feet dry and comfortable.

Packing the right shoes is essential to keep the fun times rolling, and labeling them is second (you don’t want your child to be without the right pair!) Our personalized shoe name labels work perfectly as long as the soles of the shoes are not rubber or silicone!

Comfort Items & Helpful Extras

Now that we’ve made it through the essentials and they’re packed, a few extras can make overnight camp more enjoyable:

• A lantern, flashlight, or headlamp with extra batteries

• A reusable water bottle (this is really more of an essential because staying hydrated is key on those hot summer days)
  

• A journal or book for quiet time

• Stationery and stamps for writing letters home (kids love this, and it makes them feel even more independent)

• A small backpack for daily activities

Not only do these items help campers feel prepared, independent, and confident, but they'll also love having them on hand to really capture that full camp experience. I mean, breaking out the flashlight around a campfire with ghost stories is unbeatable!

Overnight Camp Made Easy with Name Bubbles

Packing for an overnight camp doesn’t have to be overwhelming - all it takes is a little planning and Name Bubbles labels! With a clear checklist, thoughtful preparation, and durable labels, you can send your child off feeling ready for a fun and memorable experience, knowing that all their expensive gear and clothing will make it home at the end of summer.

Overnight camp is a big commitment for kids and parents, and a lot of gear goes into making those memories possible, so keep things organized and accounted for. Labeling items ahead of time with our sleepaway camp labels helps prevent lost belongings, reduces stress for campers and counselors, and makes returning home smoother for everyone.

Here’s to a happy, safe, and unforgettable summer camp season!

FAQ: Overnight Camp Packing & Labeling

What should I pack for my kids’ overnight camp?

Most sleepaway camps require clothing for varying weather, bedding, toiletries, sturdy footwear, and a few comfort items. Always check your camp’s official packing list and label everything before packing. As a mom-founded company, we have a lot of experience sending kids to camp, and our camp packing and labeling lists are sure to help!

Do I need to label items for overnight camp?

Absolutely! Labeling for camp is the #1 thing that keeps everything organized and coming home. Labeling clothing, shoes, bedding, and personal items helps prevent mix-ups and makes it easier for counselors to return lost belongings.

How many outfits should I pack for overnight camp?

Pack one main outfit per day plus two extras in case of spills, weather changes, or especially active days. In addition to the main outfit, make sure your child has multiple swimsuits (at least 2), pajamas, and plenty of socks and undergarments (always include extra socks!).

What items are most commonly lost at an overnight camp?

Socks, towels, toiletries, hoodies, water bottles, and shoes are the most frequently misplaced items at camp. But by labeling all these items with Name Bubbles name labels, everything has a better chance of making it home instead of landing in the lost and found!

When should I start packing for overnight camp?

Start packing at least one week before camp begins. In our experience, waiting to the last minute only adds frustration and the likelihood of forgetting something. Packing a week out allows time to label items, double-check essentials, and avoid last-minute stress!