Summer Camp, Simplified: How to Prep, Pack & Stay Sane

Written By Kristen Donnino

As the school year winds down, the real parenting marathon begins—summer camp season. Whether your kiddo is heading to a local day camp or packing up for sleepaway camp, it’s easy to feel buried under gear lists, permission slips, and last-minute Target runs.

But with a little prep and some smart systems, you can actually make it through without losing your mind (or your kid’s water bottle on day two). Here’s how to get organized now—so you can enjoy your summer a little more later.

In Preparation: Create Your "Camp Central"

Before you start sorting socks or labeling sunscreen, set up a simple Camp Central Station—just one place where you corral all things camp-related.

  • Use a bin, clipboard, wall pocket, or magazine file.

  • Keep copies of registration info and any allergy or medical details.  Make sure pickup/drop-off times are on your calendar (bonus points if they’re on a shared calendar that is posted where everyone can see it!).

  • Bonus tip: Snap a pic of key forms (and add them to an album or your Favorites) so you have them handy in your phone in case something goes missing.  This small step eliminates the “where’s that paper?” scramble every single morning.

Day Camp Prep That Practically Runs Itself

For many families, day camp becomes a Monday–Friday routine—so think of it like getting your home into “camp autopilot.”

Pack the Essentials (and Label Everything)

  • Backpack

  • Refillable water bottle, lunch box and ice packs to keep lunch cold

  • Sunscreen + bug spray

  • Hat + sunglasses

  • Swimsuit, towel, water shoes (crocs, flip flops)

  • Change of clothes

  • Camp-specific gear (sports equipment, books, etc.)

Pro tip: Use name labels, clothing stamps or a Sharpie on everything. (Seriously — everything. Even socks.)

Set Up a “Camp Drawer” or Bin

Use a drawer, hanging organizer, or cube bin near the entryway to store your camper’s daily gear. Restock it each night so mornings are smooth.

Organize Snacks & Lunch Supplies

  • Create a mini snack zone in your pantry or fridge with bins for grab-and-go items. Prep fruits and veggies and store them in individual containers. 

  • Keep lunch containers, reusable bags, and utensils all in one cabinet for easy packing.

  • Want to really simplify? Pre-pack shelf-stable snacks in advance for the week.

Outfit Prep

Some camps provide t-shirts to wear. But, if not, try pre-selecting outfits for the whole week.  Whether camp-provided or not, you can ease your daily stress by organizing outfits in labeled pouches or bins (Monday–Friday). You can even include socks and underwear. It’s a small change that saves a ton of time in the mornings.

Sleepaway Camp Without the Stress

If your child is heading off for their first (or fifth!) overnight camp, there’s more to pack—but also more opportunities to organize smarter.

Pack by Category with Clear Bags

Use packing cubes, zippered pouches or gallon-sized Ziplocs labeled by type:

  • Shirts

  • Shorts

  • Pajamas

  • Swimwear

  • Undergarments

  • Toiletries

Alternatively, you can pack a pouch for each day’s outfit. Either way, it’s so much easier for kids (especially younger ones) to find what they need when everything has a “home.”

Plan for the Return Trip

Send a collapsible laundry bag and a large Ziploc labeled “MUST COME HOME” for borrowed items (like books or gear). You’ll thank yourself later. Upon return, the laundry bag goes right to your laundry room for washing, eliminating the tornado of clothes all over the bedroom floor!

Comfort for First-Time Campers

Include one or two small touches from home:

  • A photo of family or pets

  • A short note they can open the first night

  • A favorite book or stuffie (if allowed)

Also helpful? A small printed card with daily reminders like “Drink water! Reapply sunscreen! You’re doing great!”

My daughter’s sleepaway camp doesn’t allow calls home. If yours is the same, plan ahead and start sending cards, letters and care packages.  By sending one a couple of days before they arrive, you can ensure they have a fun note from home within their first day or two.

Bonus Tips to Stay Sane All Summer Long

  • Buy extras of the most-lost items: Let’s face it. Our kids lose items. As frustrating as this can be, if you’re prepared with a backup, everyone wins!  Order multiples of the items that get lost the most often – water bottles, swim goggles, sunscreen.  

  • Set calendar reminders for visiting day, care package deadlines, or laundry swaps.

  • Let kids pack WITH you: It helps them know what’s in their bag and builds independence.

Product Picks That Make Life Easier

Here are a few of my go-to favorites to make camp prep smoother:

Free Download: Camp Packing Checklists

I’ve created two printable checklists—one for Day Camp and one for Sleepaway Camp—so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

Kristen Donnino https://www.neatlybykristen.com
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