Sending your kid to summer camp is a big deal. Independence! New friends! S’mores! And for parents? It’s also the season of “Wait… whose hoodie is this?” and “How did we lose a $35 water bottle in two days?”
Every year, mountains of perfectly good camp gear end up in the camp lost-and-found bin for one simple reason: no name. And in 2026, “writing it with a Sharpie” isn’t a real plan—especially when that name disappears after one swim, one dishwasher cycle, or one enthusiastic sunscreen application.
If you want everything that leaves your house to actually come back (preferably not smelling like a cabin), you need a simple, high-performance system of camp labels and camp name labels. Whether you’re packing for sleepaway camp or day camp, this guide covers what to label, where to label it, and which name labels for camp work best for each item.
Quick Mom-to-Mom Note: Camp prep always looks cute on Pinterest… until it’s 10:42 PM and you’re labeling flip-flops with a headlamp while your kid “helps.” You’re not behind. You’re just a parent in peak summer mode.
1. Why “Waterproof” Is the Only Way to Go
Camp Is an Obstacle Course for Labels
Camp is basically an extreme sport for anything you put your child’s name on: heat, humidity, mud, lake water, industrial laundry, and mystery cabin floors. If you’re using a standard sticker or marker, you’re basically donating your stuff to lost & found in advance. To survive camp life, you need waterproof labels made for real-world chaos.
Modern camp name stickers should be engineered for the stuff camp throws at them: high-heat dishwashers, constant handling, and the “chemical killers” like bug spray and sunscreen. (Yes, those oils can be brutal—more on that below.)
2. Where Camp Labels Work Hardest (Water Bottles, food CONTAINERS, Shoes & More)
01 Sweet Hydration (and Day Camp Snacks) - a.k.a. the swap zone
At sleepaway camp, kids usually aren’t hauling full meals around—but they are carrying water bottles everywhere. And at day camp (or camps with field trips), snack containers and lunch totes can definitely get mixed up fast. If you label nothing else, label these.
Must-label checklist: Reusable Water Bottles & Sports Flasks (hello, waterproof water bottle labels) • Bento Boxes & Snack Containers • Insulated Lunch Totes (tag the handle or inside lining)
Parent Pro-Tip: Label the lid AND the bottle. Camp kitchens rinse, stack, and shuffle parts fast.
02 Summer Essentials & Waterfront Wear
Water activities are the #1 cause of lost gear. Things get dropped at the lake, kicked under benches, and left on the dock. This is where camp labels earn their keep.
Must-label checklist: Goggles • Snorkel gear • Flashlights • Sunscreen bottles • Bug spray
Labeling swimsuits: For rash guards and swim trunks, use iron-on clothing labels or stick-on clothing labels so they don’t peel in chlorine, salt water, or repeated washing.
03 Hauling & Footwear: The “Shoe Label” Strategy
If your kid is going to camp, you need shoe labels. Flip-flops at the pool and sneakers in the cabin get mixed up constantly.
Placement Tip: Place the label on the inside heel. A strong adhesive matters here because shoes deal with friction and moisture all day.
3. Labeling Clothes for Camp: Stick-On vs. Iron-On
Clothing is where parents lose the most money—because camp laundry is no joke. You need camp labels for clothing that can survive heavy-duty washing and drying. At Sticky Monkey Labels, we offer two solid options depending on how permanent you want to go.
Option A: Stick-On Camp Labels for Clothes
Stick-on camp labels for clothes are perfect for the busy parent (aka most of us). Just peel and press onto garment care tags or the largest part of the tagless imprint—no ironing, no sewing, no extra steps. And speaking as a mom of three, these are my personal go-to when I’m labeling a whole pile of camp clothes in one sitting and just need it done.
Best for: Jackets, hoodies, and daily apparel with accessible tags.
Bonus: They stay put in the laundry and last and last, but can be removed later if you plan to hand clothes down.
Option B: Iron-On Camp Clothing Labels
For items without tags (or when you want the “this is never coming off” option), iron-on camp clothing labels are the gold standard. And yes—comfort matters. Our iron-ons are super soft, with no rough edges, and they blend seamlessly with the fabric so they feel smooth against the skin (no scratchy corners, no stiff patch feeling).
Iron on labels for bedding: Great for sheets, pillowcases, and blankets—especially when tags are missing or impossible to find.
Tagless items: If your child’s favorite t-shirt is tagless, an iron-on bond is the best way to keep the label smooth, comfy, and secure.
4. Safety First: Medical & Allergy Labels for Camp
For many families, labeling isn’t just about organization—it’s about safety. In a camp setting with new counselors and busy staff, clear labeling matters.
Make It Easy for Staff to Help Your Child
Use bold, bright medical labels for kids and allergy labels for kids on high-priority items like lunchboxes, epinephrine cases, and inhaler holders. If your child has food allergies, add allergy labels anywhere food might travel (lunch bag, water bottle, and even the outside of the camp bin). In a busy camp moment, clear and easy-to-read labels help staff act fast—and help your child’s items get back to the right place.
5. Beyond the Trunk: Toiletries Need Camp Labels Too
Labeling toiletries is the secret to a smoother sleepaway camp experience. Bathrooms are shared spaces, and items like shampoo, body wash, and toothbrushes are easily misplaced. Waterproof labels make it simple.
The “Shower Caddy Rule”: Don’t just label the bottles—label the caddy itself so it can be returned to the correct bunk.
6. The Sunscreen “Shield”: Keeping Camp Name Labels Sharp
Day camp means a constant cycle of SPF and bug spray application. While our labels are tough, the oils and chemicals in summer essentials can wear on ink over time. To keep your camp name labels looking crisp, we recommend adding a clear label overlay for small round or extra small rectangle labels. Think of it as a protective “laminate shield” that locks the ink in and keeps the chemicals out.
7. Ready, Set, Summer: Pro Application Tips
The “Golden Rules” for Camp Labels
Clean surface rule: Apply waterproof labels to a clean, dry, room-temp surface. Rubbing alcohol removes oils from plastic or metal gear.
Pressure rule: Press firmly from the center out to remove air bubbles.
24-hour rule: Let the adhesive cure before dishwashing, swimming, or heavy use.
After-camp cleanup: Dishwasher-safe (top rack recommended). For metal water bottles, hand washing helps protect both the finish and the label.
Want to beat the camp lost & found this year?
About the Author
I’m Dodie, the owner of Sticky Monkey Labels and a mom who has been living the “label everything” life since 2011. I started this business because I needed a real solution for real kid chaos—daycare routines, school supplies, summer camp gear, and managing food allergies in an all-boy household where everything somehow ends up wet, sandy, or missing.
Every product we sell is tested in my own home (yes, the dishwasher and laundry get a workout), and every order is made with the same goal: labels that actually stay put and help parents feel more prepared and a lot less stressed. If you ever have a question about which camp labels are best for your water bottles, shoes, or camp labels for clothing, just reach out—I’m happy to help you choose the right setup so your kid’s gear comes home where it belongs.