Sleepaway Camp Packing List: 15 Things Your Child Actually Needs

From the founder of Sticky Monkey Labels

As a mom of three boys and the founder of Sticky Monkey Labels, I've helped thousands of families get camp-ready. The difference between a child who thrives at sleepaway camp and one who spends the first week stressed about lost belongings often comes down to how well they were packed — and how clearly everything was labeled.

Quick Reference: The 15 Essentials

1. Bug Spray

Summer camp means time outdoors from morning until well into the evening — and that means mosquitoes. Pack bug spray that's appropriate for your child's age and the types of insects common in the camp area. DEET-based sprays offer the longest protection; DEET-free options work well for younger children or those with sensitive skin. Pack enough for the full stay and teach your child how to apply it themselves if they're old enough.

2. Sunscreen

Daily sun exposure at camp is significant — outdoor activities, swimming, hiking, and sports all add up quickly. Pack SPF 30 at minimum; SPF 50 is better for extended outdoor time or fair-skinned children. Send enough to last the whole stay and remind your child that reapplication after swimming is non-negotiable. A stick-format sunscreen for the face is easier for kids to apply themselves than lotion.

The honest truth: At sleepaway camp, unlabeled items disappear. Not because anyone takes them intentionally — but because fifty kids are all sharing the same spaces, the same laundry facilities, and the same lost and found pile. A labeled item has a name on it. An unlabeled one is just an orphaned jacket.

3. Clothing Labels for Camp

Every clothing item going to camp should have a label on it — jackets, shirts, pants, shorts, underwear, socks, pajamas, swimsuits, and anything else in the bag. At camp, clothes end up in communal laundry, on shared clotheslines, and in piles after swimming. Without a name on each item, there's no way for staff or other campers to know whose is whose.

Our clothing labels for camp come in both iron-on and stick-on options — over 100 designs for kids of all ages, teens, and adults. Even camp counselors label their belongings with ours.

• Iron-on labels bond permanently to iron-safe fabrics — completely flat, no bulk, no corners that irritate skin. Ideal for garments that will go through repeated camp laundry cycles.
• Stick-on clothing labels apply to care tags or tagless imprint areas in seconds, no iron needed. Great for items being packed at the last minute or garments that aren't iron-safe.

Don't forget: labels work on towels, pillowcases, and sheets too — and those are among the most commonly lost camp items of all.

4. Labels for Gear, Shoes & Bags

Clothing isn't the only thing that needs a name on it. Shoes, sandals, water bottles, backpacks, duffel bags, toiletry kits — all of it is fair game for getting mixed up or left behind.

Our waterproof shoe labels go on the inner sole and stay put through water sports, mud, and every outdoor adventure — washer and dryer safe, only removable with intent. For everything else, our Camp Label Pack is the most efficient option — it comes with clothing labels, shoe labels, and waterproof labels for bags, water bottles, and gear, all in one order.

5. Swimsuits — Pack More Than One

One swimsuit is not enough for a week of summer camp. Pack at least three — more for longer stays. Between lake swimming, water sports, and the time needed for wet swimsuits to actually dry in a camp environment, your child will need to rotate. Wet swimsuits that don't dry properly are also a hygiene issue, so extra suits aren't a luxury, they're a necessity.

6. Reusable Water Bottle

Daily physical activity in summer heat means your child needs to drink a lot of water — more than most kids do naturally. A reusable water bottle they can refill throughout the day is essential. Look for one that's durable, has a secure lid, and is easy to carry during activities. Insulated bottles that keep water cold are a meaningful upgrade in hot weather.

7. Sandals or Flip-Flops

Sandals are non-negotiable for camp showers and walking between swimming areas. Bare feet in shared shower facilities are a fast track to athlete's foot and other issues. Pack a pair that's waterproof, easy to slip on and off, and secure enough not to lose in a lake. Flip-flops work; sandals with a strap around the heel are more practical for active kids.

8. Sneakers

Sports, hiking, games, and general running around all require proper footwear. Pack at least one solid pair of sneakers that your child has already broken in — new shoes at camp is a recipe for blisters. If your child is doing specific sports (soccer, tennis, basketball), check whether the camp recommends sport-specific footwear and pack accordingly.

9. Toiletries

Pack a complete toiletry kit: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb or hairbrush, and any skincare your child uses regularly. Keep it simple — a toiletry bag they can take to and from the shower independently is far more practical than scattered individual products. Check the camp's packing list for any restrictions (some camps ban aerosols, for example).

10. Towels — Beach and Shower

Pack at least two shower towels and one large beach or lake towel. Towels take time to dry in camp conditions, and having a rotation means your child always has a dry one available. Quick-dry towels are worth considering for longer stays — they're lighter to pack and dry faster in humid summer conditions.

11. Plastic or Ziplock Bags

Camp is muddy, wet, and wonderfully messy. Plastic bags give your child a way to separate soiled or wet items from clean clothes in their bag — which matters a lot when they're packing up after swimming or a rainy outdoor session. Pack a variety of sizes: larger bags for wet swimsuits and muddy clothes, smaller ones for wet shoes or toiletries that might leak.

12. Medication and Safety Labels

If your child has any medical needs — allergies, asthma, a seizure disorder, or any condition requiring medication — this section is critical. Medication must be clearly labeled and accompanied by written instructions for camp staff. Don't rely on verbal communication at drop-off — write everything down and make sure the camp director and your child's counselor both have copies.

Our safety labels cover a range of conditions including food allergies, asthma, autism, and seizure disorders, and adhere to plastic, glass, metal, and paper surfaces. Applied to medication containers, EpiPens, inhalers, and lunchboxes, they put critical information exactly where it needs to be — visible to any adult at a glance.

13. Clothes for All Weather Conditions

Summer weather at camp is not always predictable. Pack for warm days and cool nights, for sunshine and for rain. The full clothing list should include short-sleeved shirts, tank tops, shorts, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, a sweatshirt or hoodie, a rain jacket, underwear and socks (more than you think necessary), pajamas, and a hat for sun protection.

For longer stays, check whether the camp has laundry facilities and how often they're used — this determines how many of each item to pack. When in doubt, pack more socks and underwear than seems reasonable. You will not regret it.

14. Books and a Journal

Not every moment at camp is high-energy activity — there's downtime too, and having something to do with it matters. A book or two your child is genuinely excited about, plus a journal and pens or pencils, gives them a way to decompress, reflect, and capture memories from the experience. Many campers look back at camp journals years later. It's worth encouraging.

15. Pre-Stamped Envelopes and Letter-Writing Materials

This is the one item most parents either forget entirely or dismiss as unnecessary — and it's one of the most impactful things you can pack. Homesickness is real, especially in the first few days of a child's first sleepaway experience. Writing a letter to a parent, sibling, or friend is a genuinely effective way for children to process those feelings and feel connected to home without actually being there.

The key is making it effortless. Pre-stamped envelopes with your home address already written mean your child doesn't have to figure anything out — they just write, seal, and hand it to a counselor. Pack paper, envelopes, and pens, and consider tucking in a note from home in the bag for them to find on the first night. It goes a long way.

How far in advance should I start packing for sleepaway camp?

Ideally two weeks out — this gives you time to order and apply labels to everything, wash and pack clothes gradually, and replace anything that's been outgrown or worn out without a last-minute rush. Labels in particular benefit from being applied a few days before packing so everything is set and you're not applying labels the night before drop-off.

Do I really need to label everything for sleepaway camp?

Yes — and parents who've done it before will tell you the same thing. In a shared living environment with many children using communal laundry and storage, unlabeled items reliably go missing. Labeled items get returned. It's not foolproof, but it's dramatically more effective than not labeling.

What labels work best for camp clothing?

For clothing, iron-on labels are the most durable option for iron-safe fabrics — they bond permanently and survive repeated laundry cycles completely flat with no bulk or irritating corners. Stick-on clothing labels are a fast alternative for items going to care tags or tagless imprint areas and for anything that isn't iron-safe. Both are available in our Camp Label Pack.

How do I handle my child's allergies or medical needs at camp?

Contact the camp's health office well before drop-off day — not during check-in — to discuss your child's specific needs and confirm their protocols for managing medication, allergies, or other conditions. Label all medication and medical items with our safety labels and provide written instructions to both the health office and your child's counselor.

What should I do if my child gets homesick at camp?

Some homesickness in the first few days is completely normal, especially for first-time campers. The most helpful things parents can do are: send them with pre-stamped envelopes and writing materials so they can write letters easily, mail them a card before they leave so it arrives in the first few days, and resist the urge to pick them up early. Most children feel significantly better after the first two to three days once they're settled into the routine and making connections.

As the founder of Sticky Monkey Labels and a mom of three boys — including two with food allergies and one with special needs — I know firsthand the daily challenges of keeping a busy family organized. For over 14 years, I've balanced parenting, homeschooling, and running a made-to-order label business that's helped thousands of families, teachers, and healthcare professionals reduce stress and stay organized. Every product is tested in my own home before it ever reaches yours, so you can trust that our labels are practical, durable, and designed with real families in mind. Helping parents lighten their mental load isn't just my business — it's my passion.