From the founder of Sticky Monkey Labels
As a mom of three boys and the founder of Sticky Monkey Labels, sleepaway camp is the labeling scenario where preparation matters most. Everything goes — and if it's not labeled, it has a meaningful chance of not coming back. This is the complete guide.
Sleepaway camp is a significant milestone — for your child because it's often their first real independence, and for you because you're sending a week's worth of gear into a communal living environment with dozens of other children. Clothes end up in the wrong cabin. Water bottles multiply on the dining hall tables. Sleeping bags migrate between bunks. Without a complete labeling system, a meaningful percentage of what you packed won't come home.
This is the complete sleepaway camp preparation guide — the full packing checklist, the right label type for each item, and the process that makes camp drop-off day feel organized rather than chaotic.
Why Labeling Matters More at Sleepaway Camp Than Anywhere Else
At school, your child goes to the same building every day and most items stay in a consistent location. At sleepaway camp, gear moves through cabins, dining halls, activity areas, laundry facilities, and outdoor spaces — often without adult tracking. The sheer volume of items in a communal space means unlabeled belongings become genuinely anonymous.
Camp counselors are managing groups of children, not individual belongings inventories. The labeled sleeping bag in the lost-and-found gets returned to its owner. The unlabeled one goes home with whoever picks it up — or stays in a pile until parents' pickup day when nobody can identify it.
"I LOVE these labels!!! They stay on even after several washes and the wax pencil stays on all day — even at daycare. These are amazing and oh so cute!"
— Morgan, July 2024
The Complete Sleepaway Camp Packing Checklist
Work through this list and mark each item with the appropriate label before it goes in the bag. Items marked with the label type have that label applied before packing — not after arrival.
Clothing and Accessories — stick-on or iron-on clothing labels
- T-shirts (pack extra)
- Shorts and pants
- Underwear and socks
- Pajamas / sleepwear
- Swimsuits
- Jacket or sweatshirt
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Hats and sun protection
- Camp-specific uniforms
- Dance or activity costumes
Label tip: Use iron-on labels for items washed most frequently — they bond permanently to iron-safe fabrics and survive the full camp session. Use stick-on clothing labels for non-iron-safe fabrics or items being passed down later.
Bedding and Comfort Items — stick-on or iron-on clothing labels
- Sleeping bag or blanket
- Pillow and pillowcase
- Sheets (if required)
- Bath towels
- Beach / swim towels
- Comfort item if allowed
Label tip: Iron-on labels are particularly useful for pillowcases and sleeping bags — large flat surfaces where the name needs to be clearly visible for cabin identification.
Gear and Equipment — waterproof name labels
- Water bottle
- Backpack / day bag
- Duffle bag (inside + out)
- Flashlight
- Fan (if allowed)
- Sports equipment
- Musical instrument case
- Art supplies case
- Camera or device case
- Camp journal / notebook
Personal Care Items — waterproof name labels
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo and soap
- Deodorant
- Hair ties and accessories
- Any prescription medications
- First aid basics
Footwear — shoe labels
- Sneakers / camp shoes
- Sandals or flip flops
- Water shoes
- Shower shoes
- Sports-specific footwear
- Rain boots if needed
Label every pair. Shoes come off at activities, in cabins, and at swim — and in a pile of children's shoes, unlabeled ones stay in the pile.
The Camp Label Pack — Everything in One Order
85+ labels covering the full sleepaway camp kit — clothing labels (choose iron-on or stick-on at checkout), waterproof labels for gear and hard surfaces, three pairs of shoe labels, and a contact label. Over 100 designs to choose from. Split across multiple children's names at no extra charge. Shop the Camp Label Pack →
The Labeling Process — Step by Step
- Order labels at least two weeks before drop-off day. Popular camp sessions mean high order volumes — order early enough to have labels in hand with time for the labeling session and the 24-hour adhesive setting period before first use.
- Let your child choose the design. A child who chose the dinosaur or the rainbow on their label recognizes their belongings instantly in a camp environment. The ownership connection is genuine and increases the chance they look for their items when something goes missing.
- Work through the checklist in one session. Spread everything on a table, work through the list category by category, label each item before it goes in the bag. One organized session beats reactive labeling on drop-off morning.
- Apply waterproof labels to clean dry surfaces. Wipe hard surfaces with isopropyl alcohol first. Apply firmly, pressing from center outward. Allow 24 hours before first water or dishwasher exposure.
- Label both inside and outside of the main bag. External label for quick identification in a bag pile. Contact label inside the bag as the backup — include a phone number alongside the name.
- Double-check every item before it goes in the bag. If it's going to camp, it has a label on it. No exceptions.
"The labels came very fast. They are high quality and I loved the guide included!"
— Kayla, November 2024
Browse our full range at Sticky Monkey Labels — including the Camp Label Pack, iron-on labels, stick-on clothing labels, and waterproof name labels. Sign up for our newsletter to receive a free downloadable sleepaway camp checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I label for sleepaway camp?
Everything. Every clothing item, every piece of bedding, every shoe, every personal care item, every piece of gear. The rule for sleepaway camp is: if it's going to camp, it has a label on it. The Camp Label Pack covers the full kit in one order — 85+ labels for clothing, hard surfaces, shoes, and a contact label.
Should I use iron-on or stick-on labels for camp clothing?
For items going through camp laundry multiple times — uniforms, t-shirts, sleeping bag — iron-on labels give the most durable permanent bond. For non-iron-safe fabrics or items you'll pass down after camp, stick-on clothing labels applied to care tags are the right choice. Both are included as options in the Camp Label Pack — choose your preference at checkout.
When should I order camp labels?
At least two weeks before drop-off day, ideally three. This gives you time to receive the labels, complete a full labeling session across all packed items, and allow the 24-hour adhesive setting period on waterproof labels before they go through their first wash or water exposure. Ordering the week before drop-off is the most stressful approach — items may not be fully prepared in time.
How do I label a sleeping bag?
Apply a stick-on clothing label to the care tag inside the sleeping bag, and optionally an iron-on label to the outer fabric if iron-safe. For pillowcases, an iron-on label applied flat to the fabric surface is the most visible and durable option. The name should be clearly readable when the item is in a camp lost-and-found pile.