Ready, set, start your camp shopping! Camp is coming, so it’s time to start gear-ing up for summer. Maine Camps send packing lists to families so campers know what to bring. Clothing and gear that the camps recommend ensure campers are ready for action-packed days.
For returning campers, now is the time to pull the trunks from attics and basements to take stock of what still fits and works. First-time campers will camp shop anew. Campers can make an in-person appointment with their camp outfitter or order online. Many Maine Camps work with Amerasport and The Camp Spot, which provide comfortable, well-fitting, durable, and stylish apparel and gear. Uniform camps have campers primarily wearing camp logo clothing (though there are special occasions they don’t). Non-uniform camps also want campers to have some logo clothing for trips out of camp and intercamp games.
Here are a few tips for camp clothing and gear, and recommended items:
Tips:
- Don’t overpack. Stick fairly close to the list your child’s camp provides. Bringing too much is isn’t good because campers and counselors have a finite amount of shared living space.
- Soft duffles are the preferred luggage from many camps because they can be stored flat and out of the way. A couple camps do still use hard trunks, which are kept in the cabins/tents during the summer for extra storage.
- Don’t bring clothing that is uncomfortable, racy, or fancy.
- Maine Camps are about the experiences – not about the “stuff.”
- Do label everything! Sometimes campers have the same things. And campers’ stuff occasionally gets mixed in the camp laundry (or in a jumble if the cabin isn’t neat).
- Personalized name tags are available from the camp outfitter when ordering clothes; they will sew in and give you extra for additional items you’re packing. A Sharpie is perfect for writing your child’s name on other items.
- Do pack a little fun! Ideas include: colorful bedding; games like playing cards and MadLibs for downtime in the cabin; beads and colorful string to make friendship bracelets; and clothes or accessories for camp traditions and special events.
- You can ask your camp director or a family you know with an older kid who already attends if there’s something special to pack like a plaid shirt for Western Day or tie-dye for a Woodstock Day.
- Do consider using oversized Ziploc totes within the trunks to keep all items inside dry while in transit.
Some Popular Recommended Items:
- Sports equipment – campers bring some of their own gear like a tennis racquet, lacrosse stick, mouthguard, face guard, cleats, shin guards, and a mitt. Depending on campers’ interests, they may also bring items like gymnastics leotards, dance shoes, or equestrian riding boots and helmet.
- Camps provide a lot of gear like boating equipment, footballs, tennis balls, baseballs and softballs, volleyballs, fishing rods, cameras, art supplies, and much more. When in doubt, check the list or ask your camp.
- Outerwear – while camp days are often warm, the mornings and evenings can be a little cooler. Campers should bring some sweatshirts, as well as a raincoat (like ones from Charles River).
- Similarly, footwear is important. Campers bring a couple pair of sneakers, as well as flip flops, slides, or Crocs for the shower and by the lake, and may want terrain shoes like Tevas or Chacos for water-based adventures like rafting trips. Also rain boots.
- Crazy Creek – these chairs are lightweight and easy to carry. Available directly online or from the camp outfitters, they come in many colors and can be personalized with your camper’s name. They are very useful to sit in at campfires and beyond.
- Campfire Player – camp-approved music-playing device that is screen-free (unlike cell phones, which aren’t allowed).
- Sun protection – sunscreen for sure. And, for campers who want extra sun protection, HiViz Swimwear has colorful and lightweight rash guard shirts.
- Sleeping bag – for overnight camping trips
- Flashlights – handheld (and headlamps are fun) – and fans to keep cool. Both with batteries.
- Refillable water bottles to stay hydrated. Some types that have been popular in the past include O2 Cool Mist, and Hydro Flask, and Nalgene. Stanley and YETI both make water bottles, too.
- Fun stationery and stamps, along with a clipboard case to hold the supplies and letters received.
- Especially for younger campers – it’s great to pre-address a few envelopes home to Mom and Dad to make it easier and show your child how it’s done.
- A shower caddy – makes it easy to transport toiletries
- Cozy pjs – fuzzy pants and other cozy pjs are a staple at camp!
- Lots of socks and underwear
- Some spirit gear – colorful face paint, bandanas, hair bows, shirts and socks in camp colors, and a cape or tutu may also come in handy. (Some camps provide items like these to campers – so you can always ask.)
The first year is often the biggest shop. After that, it’s just filling in with a few items as your children grow to the next size or need a replacement on a certain item. Happy camp shopping! Let the fun begin!!
Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools
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 contact our Maine Camp Guide, Laurie to discuss these camps as well as for free, year-round advice and assistance on choosing a great Maine summer camp for your child.
Talk to Laurie, our Maine Campcierge®, about choosing the right camp for your child and what to do in Maine.
Call 877-92-MAINE
