28 Jul 2026
Kids

Everything To Pack for Sleep Away Camp

The Ultimate Camp Packing Guide: Everything We Pack for Overnight Summer Camp

There is something so exciting (and a little emotional!) about packing for sleep-away camp. It marks a new adventure full of independence, friendships, campfires, and memories that will last a lifetime.  My oldest, son who is now 13, was never interested in going to sleep away camp and it always broke my heart a little bit, but I understand that sleep away camp is not for everyone and that is okay.  So I was very excited when my next child, Madelyn age 10 now, was ready to go to her first sleep away camp last summer.

As a mom, I quickly learned that packing for camp is a little different than packing for vacation. Everything needs a place, labels are your best friend, and it’s worth spending a little extra time organizing before drop-off. Trust me—your camper (and future you) will thank you!

This is our complete Camp Ozark packing guide (but works for any overnight camp) with everything we bring, our favorite packing tips, and a few things I wish someone had told me before our first year.

Our Best Camp Packing Tips

Label absolutely everything.

If it can leave your child’s cabin, label it. Clothes, towels, shoes, water bottles, flashlights, sunscreen—even hairbrushes.  Here’s our favorite stamp label.

Use packing cubes or bins in your trunk.

Instead of stuffing everything into one trunk, organize by category:

  • T-shirts – We like these.
  • Shorts –  These are great.
  • Pajamas – We love these camp jammies!
  • Swimwear – Stock up on some one pieces 
  • Underwear & socks – I love buying new ones for camp.
  • Dress up Nights – Check your camp list for these.
  • Toiletries – Grab travel size or regular depending how long you are there. Full list of toiletries below.

It makes finding clothes so much easier.

Roll clothes instead of folding.

They fit better, wrinkle less, and campers can actually keep them organized.  You can place each days outfit in our favorite zipper pouches or you can just roll them together and place them in one of your bins.  This year, we decided to roll each days outfit and put it in bin to take up less space and then used zipper pouches  for the evening costumes.

Pack complete outfits.

Place matching shorts and shirts together so mornings are easy.

Bring extra socks.

No one has ever wished they packed fewer socks.

Don’t send favorite clothes.

Camp is hard on clothing. Expect stains, dirt, mud, paint, and plenty of memories.

Pack a laundry bag.

A large mesh laundry bag keeps dirty clothes contained all week.

Include a small fan or a bigger one if camp allows.

Cabins can get warm, and a personal fan makes a huge difference.  You can do a clip on style or at Camp Ozark, they allow box fans that you can bungee cord to the end of the bed.  So make sure you grab an extension cord and bungee cords for your suitcase.

Pre-fill toiletries.

Open shampoo bottles, remove seals, and make sure everything is ready to use.

Zipper bags are magic.

Use our favorite zipper bags or you can use gallon bags for:

  • Swimsuits
  • Wet clothes
  • Toiletries
  • Dirty shoes
  • Small accessories

Decorate your Zipper Bags.

You can decorate your zipper bags with these markers and make them specific.  Swim, SPF, Days of the Week, Theme Nights, etc.  You can also order on Etsy specific ones if you like.

Right click and you can save image

camp ozark packing list

Clothing Checklist

Everyday Clothes

  • 10–12 T-shirts
  • 8–10 athletic shorts
  • 1-2 lightweight athletic pants (optional)
  • Sweatshirt
  • Rain jacket or poncho

Pajamas

  • 3–4 pajama sets

Underwear

  • Enough for every day
  • A few extra pairs

Socks

  • 12–15 pairs

Swimsuits

  • 7+ swimsuits

Dress Up Clothes

  • Check your camp packing list for this
  • Label you dress up clothes pouches

Shoes

Hat

  • Baseball cap
  • Sun hat (optional)

Bedding

  • Twin sheets – we love these!
  • Mattress pad – here is one.
  • Comforter – lightweight because cabins are warm.
  • Blanket – if you would like one.
  • Pillow – we love these!
  • Extra pillowcase
  • Stuffed animal if you kiddo would like

Towels

  • Bath towels – our bath towels
  • Beach towels – we bring these quick dry and 2 regular
  • Washcloths or Loofah

Toiletries for Shower Caddy

Keep everything together inside a plastic or soft shower caddy:

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Hairbrush
  • Comb
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body wash
  • Face wash
  • Loofah
  • Lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Razor (if needed)
  • Hair ties
  • Bobby pins
  • Lip balm
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray
  • Aloe vera

Camp Essentials

Gear

Optional Extras

These little comforts can make camp feel even more like home.

If you are headed to Camp Ozark and need some theme night ideas, you can find them here.

Health & Personal Care

Check your camp’s policies before packing medications.

Don’t forget:

  • Daily medications (in original containers if required)
  • Band-Aids or First Aid Kit
  • Blister pads
  • Prescription glasses
  • Contact lens supplies
  • Allergy medicine (if approved)
  • Feminine Products if needed

Before You Leave Home

✔ Label every item.

✔ Charge flashlights and fans.

✔ Write encouraging notes to tuck inside the trunk.

✔ Double-check medication forms.

✔ Confirm arrival time and directions.

✔ Take a photo of everything inside the trunk before closing it. It makes repacking at pickup much easier!

Our Favorite Camp Packing Products

These are a few things we never skip:

  • Packing cubes and zipper pouches
  • Laundry bag
  • Personalized waterproof name labels or stamp
  • Plastic or soft shower caddy
  • Refillable insulated water bottle
  • Battery-operated or rechargeable fan
  • Portable charger
  • Extra-large zip-top storage bags
  • Bedside Organizer to hang on bed

You can find our COMPLETE LIST OF ITEMS here

Our Favorite Tips + Tricks

  • Hand Signal – Find a hand signal that your child can display in the camp photos that lets you know that they are having a wonderful time!
  • Photo Bribery – Speaking of camp photos, don’t be above bribing your kid a buck or two for each photo they jump in with the professional photographer.  You will be so happy to get the notification of a new picture while they are gone.
  • Pre- Stamp and Address Mail – Go ahead and write out the addresses or notecards and put a stamp on them for your kid so they are ready to go.
  • Send a letter or Care Package early – It takes awhile for these to get to camp, so go ahead and send them before you kid actually leaves for camp, so they get there on their first or second day.
  • Hidden Note – Leave a surprise note for them under their pillow after you have helped them settle in their room and you’ve made their bed.  They will find it their first night and be so excited.
  • Ship your Trunk – This is only if you need to, but it’s nice to know that it is an option.  You can use ShipCamps to send it directly from your house to your camp.  We flew to camp on Delta and had no problems checking our trunk in, but it is nice to know there is a shipping option if we need it.

One Last Thought

Sending your child to sleep-away camp is one of those parenting milestones that’s equal parts exciting and emotional. They’ll come home a little dirtier, a little more independent, and with stories they’ll tell for years.

The best part? They won’t remember whether every shirt matched or every towel was perfectly folded. They’ll remember the friendships, the adventures, the camp songs, and the confidence they gained while they were away.

Happy packing—and here’s to an unforgettable summer at Camp!

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