Packing Tips for Maine Camps

Pack it up, pack it in, let me begin! Camp is less than 40 days away, so what and how to pack is on our minds. Before all the stuff gets bagged, tagged and ready to go out, some good advanced prep now means less scrambling later. Review your camp’s recommended packing list and take inventory of what you have and need. Here are 10 packing tips from Laurie, the Campcierge™ and a veteran camp mom:

1. Take your trunks out of their storage place sooner rather than later to make sure they’re still good with working zippers and no major rips (if they’re not – you’ll still have time to replace)
2. Label everything! Clothing, equipment, camper trunks, and more. Sew-in labels, stick-on labels, Sharpie – any of these are great! I also recommend sending your camper with extra stick-on labels or a marker
3. Wash dark colored items (sheets, shirts) before they go to camp
4. Equipment – make sure your camper has everything they need for the sports they’ll play which could include small items like a mouth guard for lacrosse and shin guards for soccer. This includes making sure your child has comfortable sneakers that fit well and will be good for active days ahead
5. Crazy Creek chair – I’ve found that multi-color or darker color chairs are best for looking cleaner, longer
6. Socks, socks, socks!
7. Spirit gear – always fun to have a few bandanas, shirts, socks and face zinc in fun colors. Great if you know a current camp family and can ask their camper if there are any special items that are good to bring
8. Don’t waste time, money, or space on things campers can’t have. For example, one-piece bathing suits for girls are required at many camps.  Same goes for dressy clothing – Maine camps want campers to be casual and comfortably dressed – focused on their activities and not appearances
9. Letter writing supplies – pack stationery, stamps, and pens. Include an address book and/or pre-addressed envelopes – especially great for younger campers
10. Other “must haves” include: fans, flashlights, sunscreen, bug spray, toiletries, water bottles, extra batteries, and a few fun activities like beads and/or string for making bracelets, Mad Libs, a book or two, and little games like cards, jacks, and pick-up-sticks are good for rest hour I like to pack my kids’ stuff in oversized plastic bags within their trunks in case it happens to rain while the trunks are in transit. Trunks (and campers!) here we come! Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

You can share your own Maine camps memories & expressions of gratitude on our Memories of Camp section of our website.

Looking for the perfect Maine camp for your child?  Try out our helpful tool where you can select a camp by choosing: type of camp (girls, boys or coed) and session length (1-8 weeks).  It helps to narrow down a few camps to a manageable list that includes rates.  Then you can research these camps in more depth.

Next, be sure to  to discuss these camps as well as for free, year-round advice and assistance on choosing a great Maine summer camp for your child.