With just 66 days remaining before the kick-off to Summer 2024, the panic has begun to creep in. Forms to complete, medications to register, optional activities to select — camp parents are facing a never-ending “to-do” list. And don’t even mention the astronomical task of packing. If you are lucky enough to squeeze your camper into last summer’s shorts and bathing suits, you may just be replacing a flashlight here or a pair of rain boots there (you WILL need to pack rain boots, if summer 2023 is any indication).
Let’s be honest, though. Since last summer, many of our Owego boys have sprouted up quicker than you can say “New Crocs.” T-shirts which once hung down past scraped knees now graze the hips. This is why the camp packing list can be so intimidating to parents: Do I start from scratch? Do I attempt to inventory everything currently stuffed into plastic bins in the basement? Is it too early to start labeling socks?
Let us help.
Whether you’ve been packing your kids for camp for many years, or you’re just starting this wacky, wonderful journey, there are certain unalienable truths that exist within the confines of the Camp Packing List. We are going to unpack (!!!) them right here, right now.
Storage: Under-the-bed plastic bins can be a clutter-collector while at camp, and also serve as a place to pack all those loose items and toiletries in the camp trunks. Did you get a call from the camp office last summer, stating that your child was unable to locate his shampoo while unpacking? Instead of shoving bottles into the nearly invisible side pockets of your camp trunk, why not utilize the under-the-bed bin? Batteries, stamps, sunscreen, books, bug spray, stamps, portable fans, frisbees, stamps — throw it all in there and fill that large empty space wisely!
Mail: Did we mention stamps? PLEASE pack stamps for your camper to include on his letters home. Frantic campers lining up at the office door, asking for stamps in order to collect Canteen, is an all-too-familiar scenario during the summer. While we’re at it, unless you are 100% confident that your camper has memorized his home address AND has received instructions on how to properly address an envelope, you might want to consider pre-addressing envelopes and packing them along with those stamps. Prepared parents are relaxed parents! And that goes for the campers, too.
Clothing: The truth is, no matter whether you pack 10 t-shirts or 25, your camper will most likely wear the same 3 or 4 shirts All. Summer. Long. Luckily, laundry goes out weekly and comes back to the bunks within a few days. This IS an all-boys’ camp, however, and it is totally reasonable to expect that your camper will seek to simplify his life by pulling whatever piece of clothing happens to be on the top of the pile in his cubby. That Under Armor shirt came back clean this morning? A perfect option for tonight’s post-shower evening activity!
Sports Equipment: The word “Optional” appears for a reason. If your camper is hoping to play soccer every day, a pair of shin guards can be an obvious choice. Trying lacrosse for the first time? No need to worry — sticks will be provided by camp. Tennis racquets are always a good idea, even if your camper is not signed up for Private Lessons. Our tennis program is out of this world, and most campers gravitate toward the courts sooner or later. Just ask Freedo! Baseball gloves, swim goggles, cleats — only a parent truly knows whether his or her camper will use these items regularly enough to warrant finding space to pack them in the camp trunk. Talk to your camper and come to a decision that makes sense!
Undergarments: Here’s where experience really pays off. Those of us who prepared for our child’s first summer at camp by ironing name labels onto individual socks, can now look back on our naivete and see how far we’ve come. Three words: BUY CHEAP SOCKS! Pretend they are disposable. Because after a summer at camp, they are! Calf length, ankle socks, no-shows — it doesn’t matter! Skip the labeling and just pack as many as you can. HINT: There are 49 days of camp, if your child is attending the full session. While underwear may not be quite as inexpensive, the same rule applies as previously mentioned. Your camper will most likely pull the clean pair off the top of the pile. If you pack 49 pairs of underwear, it’s likely that 30 of them will come home untouched and unworn. Perfectly labeled, but unworn.
Footwear: Shoes can be tricky. Two pairs of sneakers is a must. Your camper’s kicks will take turns role-playing “suitable-for-athletics pair” and “drenched-from-walking-through-a-puddle pair.” The aforementioned rain boots are a smart choice, as are water shoes with secure straps, like Keens. Which brings us to everyone’s favorite camp footwear — Crocs. Pick your style, pick your color, but pick a pair of Crocs. Love ’em or hate ’em, they are campers’ #1 choice for going to the pool or just hanging out on the bunk porch. Jibbitz (or little rubber charms that fit into the holes on Crocs) are a hot commodity at camp. Jibbitz trading is a favorite pastime for all age groups — even the counselors have been known to get in on the Jibbitz-trading action. But enough about Jibbitz, you’ll hear about them soon enough when your camper writes home asking you to ship them to camp via Amazon.
All kidding aside, the packing list has been curated and perfected summer after summer, by individuals who live at camp, interact frequently with campers, and who understand the daily needs of the Owego boy. No need to pack 5 extra bathing suits. If the packing list asks for 3, you know what to do. You can rest assured that no matter what your camper is wearing, he is having the time of his life.
All hail the packing list!
