Packing for Sleepaway Camp: 3-Week vs 6-Week Guide for Parents

Start With the Biggest Truth: Most Families Overpack

Packing for sleepaway camp feels high stakes because it’s tied to a fear: “What if my child needs something and can’t get it?”

That fear pushes families to overpack. The result is usually a trunk full of extra items that just make it harder for your child to stay organized.

Here is the most important thing to know: We do laundry on camp weekly. That single fact should drive your entire packing plan.

If you’re new to sleepaway camp, understanding the packing strategy will help you feel more prepared and less overwhelmed.

The Core Difference: 3-Week vs 6-Week Packing

For most campers, a six-week session does not require double the clothing. Since we do laundry every week, the right approach is:

• Pack for about 7 to 10 days of clothing
• Plan on weekly laundry cycles
• Add a small buffer for messy days

Even for six-week campers, we find that packing more than a week and a half worth of clothes is usually unnecessary. The longer the session, the more important it is that clothes are comfortable and durable—not that there are tons of them.

Why Weekly Laundry Changes Everything

Our weekly laundry service means:

• Campers can wear favorite items multiple times
• Less clothing = easier organization and less lost-and-found drama
• Trunks and cubbies stay manageable
• Kids learn to care for fewer items rather than treating everything as disposable

This is especially helpful for first-time campers who are still learning to manage their belongings independently.

A Practical Packing Strategy

Instead of packing by “weeks,” pack by “categories” and “laundry rhythm.”

Category 1: Daily Essentials (The Repeatable Core)

This is the clothing your child will wear on rotation:

• T-shirts and tops: 7-10 shirts (mix of short and long sleeve)
• Shorts and pants: 5-7 bottoms (mostly shorts, a few pants for cool evenings)
• Underwear and socks: 8-10 pairs of each (socks disappear, so bring extras!)
• Pajamas: 2 sets
• Sweatshirt or warm layer: 1-2 for cool nights and air-conditioned spaces
• Rain layer: 1 waterproof jacket or windbreaker

Pro tip: Choose clothes that can handle dirt, grass stains, and frequent washing. Save the expensive or delicate items for home.

Category 2: Activity-Specific Items

We have days full of water, sports, and outdoors. Pack based on the activities, not hypothetical outfits.

• Swimsuits: 2 (one to wear, one to dry)
• Beach towels: 2-3 (these get used daily at our waterfront)
• Bath towels: 2
• Athletic shoes: 2 pairs of sturdy sneakers (one pair will be in rotation while the other dries)
• Water shoes or sandals: 1 pair for waterfront activities
• Shower shoes/flip-flops: 1 pair (essential for shower house)
• Closed-toe shoes for specific activities: If your child does horseback riding, consider riding boots
• Sunscreen and bug spray: Clearly labeled with your child’s name

Note about Crocs: Yes, Crocs with Jibbitz are hugely popular at camp! They work well as both shower shoes and casual wear.

Category 3: Health and Hygiene

First-time campers need hygiene support—not because they don’t know how, but because they forget when busy.

• Shower caddy: For carrying toiletries to and from the shower house
• Clearly labeled toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant (all with name labels)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste: Plus a backup toothbrush
• Hairbrush or comb
• Hair ties: If your child has long hair, pack plenty—they get lost constantly
• Feminine hygiene products: If applicable, pack enough for the session plus extras
• Prescription medications: In original packaging with clear dosing instructions (these go to our health center at check-in)
• Small first aid supplies: A few bandages for blisters (we handle medical care, but blisters happen!)

Category 4: Comfort and Sleep Routines

For first-time campers, bedtime can be the most emotionally loaded moment. Packing for comfort is readiness.

• Bedding: Twin or cot-sized sheets, blanket or comforter, pillow
• Sleeping bag: For overnight trips or extra warmth
• Mattress pad or egg crate: Optional but makes bunks more comfortable
• A small comfort item from home: Favorite pillowcase, stuffed animal for younger kids, photos
• Flashlight or headlamp: For reading or navigating to the bathroom at night
• Books or journals: For rest hour and wind-down time
• Stationery and stamps: Pre-addressed, stamped envelopes make letter-writing home much easier

Category 5: Theme Days and Special Events

Theme days are where parents often get caught off guard. We send out a Themes Day and Events List before camp to help you pack only what is needed.

Common theme day items include:

• Olympic colors: Red, blue, green, or yellow shirts for Olympic Day competitions
• Color War gear: Blue and gray clothing for Camp Lakota’s traditional Color War
• White shirt and jeans: For “Sing Night” tradition
• Dress outfit: One nicer outfit for end-of-summer banquet
• Costume items: Some sessions may include specific holidays (like “Hal
  

  

  loween in July”)

Our advice: Don’t guess. Wait for our list, and pack only what applies to the session dates your child is attending. Theme days vary by session.

A Simple Quantity Guide (Based on Weekly Laundry)

For both three-week and six-week sessions, a good starting point is:

Item	Quantity
Underwear and socks	8-10 pairs each
T-shirts and tops	7-10
Shorts and pants	5-7
Pajamas	2 sets
Sweatshirt/warm layers	1-2
Rain jacket	1
Swimsuits	2
Towels (beach)	2-3
Towels (bath)	2
Athletic shoes	2 pairs
Sandals/water shoes	1-2 pairs

The Most Overlooked Item: Labeling

Labeling is not busywork. It is the difference between “lost” and “found.”

• Label every clothing item (yes, even socks and underwear)
• Label shoes, towels, water bottles, and toiletry bags
• Use one consistent name format (first name + last initial, or full name)
• Use permanent methods: Iron-on labels, permanent marker on tags, laundry-safe labels

This reduces anxiety for kids, too. When they recognize their own things quickly, they feel more capable and organized.

Best Labeling Methods

• Iron-on labels: Most durable for clothing
• Permanent marker: Quick and effective on tags and white items
• Stick-on labels: Work well for water bottles, toiletries, and books
• Stamp and ink: Fast for large quantities of clothing

Pro tip: Label items when you buy them, not the night before camp. This eliminates last-minute stress.

What NOT to Pack

To maintain our community values and safety, please leave these items at home:

• Electronics: No cell phones, smartphones, tablets, laptops, or video game systems
• Valuables: Expensive jewelry, large amounts of cash, heirloom items
• Food: No outside food (candy, gum, snacks) is allowed in cabins—it attracts animals and creates inequality
• Prohibited items: Weapons of any kind, fireworks, alcohol, drugs, or vaping products
• Too many clothes: More than 10 days of clothing is unnecessary and makes organization harder

Why These Restrictions?

Technology policies allow children to disconnect and be fully present. Food restrictions prevent pest problems and reduce socioeconomic visibility. Prohibited items protect safety and fairness.

Packing Tips for Success

Use the Right Luggage

Recommended:

• Large duffel bags or soft-sided trunks that fit under bunks
• Heavy-duty materials that can handle being dragged and stacked

Avoid:

• Hard-sided suitcases with wheels (wheels break on rough terrain, cases don’t fit under bunks)
• Multiple small bags (harder to keep track of)

Pack Together With Your Child

For younger children, pack together so they know what they have. For older children, let them lead with your oversight. This builds ownership and helps them know where things are.

Create a Packing Checklist

Check items off as you pack. Keep a copy of the list for reference when packing to return home at the end of the session.

Don’t Pack Brand New Everything

Camp is hard on clothing and gear. Send items that can get dirty, stained, or lost without heartbreak. Break in new shoes before camp—blisters from brand-new sneakers are miserable.

Consider Color-Coding

Some families buy all camp clothes in specific colors (e.g., all blue and green) to make laundry sorting easier and help kids recognize their items quickly.

Pack a “First Day” Outfit Separately

Put one complete outfit on top or in a separate small bag so your child can easily access it on arrival day without digging through everything.

Special Considerations for First-Time Campers

If this is your child’s first sleepaway camp experience, consider these additional tips:

• Comfort items matter: A familiar pillowcase or small stuffed animal can make bedtime easier
• Practice using the shower caddy: Make sure your child knows how to carry it and what goes in it
• Pre-write letters: Give several stamped, addressed envelopes to camp staff to distribute to your child during the first week
• Photos from home: A small photo album or a few pictures taped inside their trunk can provide comfort
• Keep it simple: Overwhelm is real—fewer, familiar items are better than lots of new things

Learn more about what to expect during your child’s first sleepaway camp experience.

Download Our Complete Packing List

When to Start Packing

6-8 weeks before camp: Order labels, purchase any needed items, start gathering clothing

2-3 weeks before camp: Begin actual packing, check everything off your list

1 week before camp: Final review, add any last-minute items, double-check labels

Night before camp: Just add toiletries and any perishables—everything else should be ready!

What Happens to Lost Items?

Despite best efforts, items get lost. Here’s our process:

• Lost and found is checked regularly
• Labeled items are returned to campers
• Items left at end of session are held for 30 days
• Unclaimed items are donated to charity
• High-value items (prescription glasses, etc.) are held longer and parents are contacted

This is why labeling everything is so critical—it dramatically increases the chance of reunion with lost items.

A Calm Conclusion for First-Time Parents

Packing is often where parent anxiety hides, because it feels like the one thing you can control. But remember: our staff are trained to help kids through these routines.

When laundry happens weekly and staff are there to support, most first-time campers do very well with a simple, repeatable packing plan.

You’ve got this!

And if you forget something? We have camp stores, local shopping options, and creative problem-solving skills. No packing mistake is a crisis. Your child will be fine, and so will you.

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Packing for sleepaway camp doesn’t have to be stressful. With weekly laundry, supportive staff, and a simple organizational strategy, your child will have everything they need to thrive at Camp Lakota this summer.