As we begin the 50-day countdown to Summer 2026 (Woo-hoo!), camp parents everywhere are beginning to drag trunks out of storage, stock up on sunscreen and bug spray, and force their kids to try on every single bathing suit from 2025 in the hopes that at least one will still fit.

Consider yourself one of the lucky ones if your Owegan didn’t sprout 3 inches over the course of the school year.

While you may end up wandering the aisles of your local Target, trying to decide if this is the year you bite the bullet and actually purchase rain boots to send to camp, we are here to help you navigate the packing list and separate the facts from the misconceptions when it comes to camp preparation. At Owego, our campers know what they like and they like what they know. Tradition is King (er, Chief), and Owego has enough traditions to fill up more camp trunks than the golf cart could ever possibly carry at once.

So, what do you really need to pack for camp?

By now, you’ve gathered up your Owego officials and your treasure trove of shirts from Olympics, Polar Bears, and Camper Scamper. Be sure to include a few hoodies and flannel pajama pants for Friday night campfires and chilly mornings. And don’t forget your 4th of July regalia! Whether you choose to bring a silly costume (ICYMI, last summer’s line-up featured campers dressed as an Icee, a hot dog, and a banana) or accessorize your patriotic clothing with hats, glasses, and beads, our 4th of July breakfast is a dress-up extravaganza!

Owegans love their athletic jerseys, and commonly incorporate them into their bunk’s Bombardment theme (don’t worry — if you don’t know, you’ll know very soon!). Another item that most Owegans cannot be without are pool shoes. Whether you’re a Crocs loyalist or a slides aficionado, pool shoes are suitable for lounging around the bunk during Rest Hour, participating in water activities at the lake, and hanging out in the picnic grove playing tabletop games during Rec Swim.

Two pairs of sneakers is a MUST. One pair will inevitably get wet, get lost, or end up stuck in the mud by the fishing dock (saw it once with my own eyes). On rainy days, some of our campers prefer an old pair of sneakers over rain boots. It’s a great opportunity to “phase out” those well-worn sneakers so you can throw them away at the end of camp and get a brand-new pair just in time for the start of school.

The only item more important than proper footwear is an abundance of SOCKS! Legend has it that campers have returned home from camp with not one single matching pair of socks. Labeled or not, socks tend to vanish into the thin mountain air. They get eaten by the laundry. They hide under bunk beds. No matter where they end up, socks are a hot commodity at Owego. Send lots of them! If the quantity of socks in your camper’s trunk seems ludicrous, you know you’re doing it right!

Clothing and footwear aside, Owegans like to have some basic items to make bunk living more comfortable and homey. A clip-on, battery-powered fan is a MUST, as those sticky July nights can make the cabin air feel downright soupy. A small floor mat placed next to the bed cushions the shock of bare feet against a cold wooden floor at wake-up time. A few photos of family members and pets are always a good idea for display on the bedside wall. A small throw pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal brought from home makes camp feel even more like your home away from home. Finally, a Crazy Creek or soccer chair will be used in an infinite number of ways — at Friday night campfire, during a session of PV Radio, on the sidelines of the counselor softball game on the 4th of July, or just sitting on the bunk porch, hanging out with your friends. That’s the best part of camp, after all.

We know that packing can be a daunting task for even the most seasoned camp families. The packing list will be your best resource, so use it to guide you as you assemble everything you’ll need to make Summer 2026 a huge success. When in doubt, just ask! Kyle and Freedo will happily talk you down off a ledge when you’re having a meltdown over how many beach towels came home last summer with another camper’s name on them (saw it more than once with my own eyes).

Hopefully, this inside scoop on camp packing has been helpful. The only question you should still be asking yourself is, Will I be purchasing rain boots???