So your kid is going to summer camp...

I first wrote about our summer camp packing tips and tricks here. There is still some great info there but now I’m cutting it down to the basics. Pinterest moms, you can prob just move along now. 😉

I have been packing a child for sleep away camp for 5 years now. I no longer pack a sleeping bag to put under the fitted sheet (rookie move). My kids just have to deal with the 1.5 inch mattress and honestly they are so tired by the end of each night that they could care less.

The TRUNK is one thing you really need. I bought this exact trunk year 1 and it has held up beautifully. No need to spend the big bucks on the ones container store sells…not worth it. I put a container of some sort in the middle and this becomes their shoe box that they slide under their bunk to keep stanky shoes easily accessible.

I bought a lid organizer this year and I really like the way it turned out. Much more storage and keeps things they may need quickly, visible. Possibly a little extra but it made my Type-A self really happy.

I pack my kids clothing in a gallon sized ziplock each day. Camp is gross and this keeps their things in a waterproof bag. My daughter says she likes that she can just take the bag with her to the bathroom each day to get dressed. I wasn’t going to do this for my 13 year old this year. I thought what the heck I’ll just throw a bunch of t shirts and shorts in and call it a day. He is definitely old enough to figure it out but he requested that I do it….so do it I did.

Label everything. Sharpies or this personalized stamp is your friend if you want it to come home. Oh and don’t buy new stuff for camp. They don’t care.

All bedding goes in these giant ziplocks. A pillow, cooling sheets and a comforter/blanket is all they need. Keep anything sentimental at home.

I also put in their towels (2 bath and 2 pool) with a hook to hang on their bunk. A mom gave me this tip on year one and it is still one of my favorites. They can hang up their damp towels to air dry. This and the pop up hamper to throw dirty clothes in help me sleep at night.

Probably the most bougie thing I pack is a fan with an extension cord. Our whole family sleeps with a fan/sound machine so trying to sleep in a quiet room full of kids can be challenging. Sometimes they can find a plug and sometimes they can’t but every year they take their chances.