Every year I pack for camp, it gets easier. I thought it’d be fun to share what goes in my bag.
What you need:
- 6 T-Shirts: One for every day, plus one. The “plus one” is vital. One of your shirts will be destroyed at some point during the week.
- 2 Shorts: It doesn’t matter what’s happening. You just wear stuff over and over and no one cares.
- Towels: Bring the ones you can throw away. They will smell swamp-ish by the end of the week anyway, just pitch those things.
- Sandals: Forget the running shoes. You have the rest of your life to work out. Get the extra sleep instead.
- 2 Sticks of Deodorant: One for you and one for someone else. Because you’re a sweetie like that.
- Swim Attire: Something you can play ultimate frisbee in and not get totally embarrassed.
- Sunscreen: The spray kind to avoid the awkward “Can you put this on my back” moments when everyone but the bus driver is in the water already.
- Bible: The one you write in when you’ve taken giant leaps of faith and decided never to look back.
- Nail Polish Remover: Even if you’re a dude, the girls will thank you forever. Every camp I attend, it’s one of the first questions girls ask after unpacking their stuff.
- A dollar: Just one. At some point, some teenager who just burned 1200 calories playing beach ninja” will be eye balling the soda machine. Surprise him or her with a buck that you’ve carried with you just for that moment.
- Band-Aids: They make everything feel better.
- Starbucks Via Instant Coffee: Don Valencia, the creator of Starbucks freeze dried coffee, had no idea that he was doing the work of the Lord when he created little packages of heaven for all of us to enjoy. It’s worth the $6.
- Party Playlist: Enough said.
- Something Ridiculous: Having fun is the best part. This year, my bathing suit resembles the United States of America. Why not? One time I dressed up like a pirate and took Princess Jasmine with me to camp. I also have a giant Care Bear that I think might come in handy. Shhh, don’t tell my kids, I’ll have to commandeer it from my them tonight.
What are you bringing to camp this summer?
Can we borrow this for our annual trip to BigStuf camp next year? This is great!
I always take Sbux VIA with me to camp (and also read his story in Love Does ) I call it “camp coffee” and have a cool via cup several packets slip into. My list includes glowsticks, makeup remover wipes and I always bring a head lamp.
So glad I am not the only one who thinks that Sbux VIA is a must when going to camp. And yes glow sticks as well. When taking bandaids, and you will need them, I always take fun one, usually superheros are what I carry. Also, a pack of cards, there will be some teen at some moment with “nothing to do”, cards a great way to hang out and have a little down time.
Being a compulsive overpacker, I have 8 t-shirts and 4 pairs of shorts. Interestingly enough, this year, the guys are the ones who needed the nail polish remover. Something ridiculous, absolutely I had both the American flag swimtrunks and the oversized sunglasses, and actually bought an American flag t-shirt while there, so I was fully decked out in ‘murika gear.
Apparently you have never been to camp in the northwest. It still can get cold at night. You will also need a pair of jeans and a flannel or two
Chris! How easily one forgets. And you are so right. We may take a winter retreat next year so ill keep this in mind. Where do you buy these flannel shirt things? Lol;)