Download a Printable Packing List
Packing List and Tips
Well-labeled, familiar clothes and items help campers return home with all their belongings. Sending a checklist with your camper will help them remember what to take back as they pack to return home. Jeans and close-toed shoes are required for horseback riding.
Suggested Items to pack
- 7 pairs of shorts
- 1 pair of jeans
- *7 t-shirts
- 7 pairs of underwear and socks
- Pajamas or sleepwear
- 2 one-piece swim suits for females; two pairs of swim trunks for males
- Lightweight jacket
- *Cap or hat
- *Raingear
- Sunglasses
- 2 pairs of comfortable, close-toed shoes (athletic shoes preferred)
- Sleeping bag/sheets and blanket
- Pillow
- Bath towel and wash cloth
- Beach towel
- Personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
- Shower shoes (flip flops)
- Sunscreen Insect repellent
- White t-shirt (to use in tie-dye arts and crafts project)
- Tissues
- Stamps, note paper and pens (to write letters home)
- Bible
- Favorite stuffed animal Books (for rest hour)
- *Water bottle (label with camper name)
- *Flashlight and batteries
- Laundry bag
- Plastic bags (for wet clothes)
- *Disposable camera (label with camper name)
- Medication: Prescription medication must be in original containers and placed in a labeled, resealable plastic bag. Please send only the amount of medication need to last the duration of your camper's stay at camper. Do not send their entire supply.
- No food, drinks, radios, ipods, cell phones, electronic games, etc. are allowed at camp. If found, these items will be held in the office until the end of a camper's session.
- The Pines does not tolerate alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or weapons including Swiss Army knives. Please do not send any food to summer camp with your camper or via a care package.
- The no outside food policy allows us to maintain a cleaner campsite and prevents insects and other critters from being attracted to the cabins.
* Signifies that these items are available for purchase in The Pines Camp Store
Suggestions from Parents
- "For young children, pack an entire outfit for each day in individual plastic bags, labeled with the day. It makes getting ready easy on your camper and on their counselor!"
- "Label everything!"
- "Send clothes that can get really dirty, it's camp!"
- "Pack with your camper so they know exactly what needs to be brought home. Including a packing list is helpful too, one summer I took Pictures of everything we packed and put them in a small album, when my 7 year old son went to pack up, he looked at the pictures and made sure he had everything."
- "Bring letters/packages with you and leave them in the office labeled with the day you want them delivered. It saves postage and guaruntees your camper will receive mail."
Helpful Hints to avoid Homesickness
- Pack together and talk about camp as you pack.
- Make sure this will not be the first time your camper has stayed away from home overnight. Arrange for a sleepover at a friend's house or with relatives.
- Let your camper know it is okay to miss home, but that does not mean they cannot or will not still have fun.
- Write your camper often. It is best to mail a letter or postcard the day before your camper leaves, and another on the day they leave for camp.
- When writing to your camper, do not make reference to how lonely you feel without your camper.
- If a family pet is sick or dies, please wait until your camper returns home to break the sad news.
- Do not encourage your camper to call home if they get homesick. Campers do not have access to a phone and are not allowed to bring cell phones to camp.
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Please remember, Pines counselors are well-trained in the area of homesickness. You will be notified if your camper experiences excessive homesickness.
Reassure your camper that you will be there to pick them up on the last day of camp.