Packing for Mini Camp is a whole new adventure for you and especially for the little girl who will cross the river with the fruits of your labor. I fondly remember packing for camp each summer, and now as a Camp Mom and Mini Camp Director, I have the week before camp clearly marked with a Sharpie for this annual tradition.
Allow me to introduce you to your two best friends in this process:
- The Mini Camp Packing List, a checklist of all the essential items she will need that week; and
- Your Camper! An unbeatable shopping buddy and the custodian of everything you get together during this time, she will bring all of her excitement into the process and start seeing herself as an Alleghany Girl.
What to Pack
The Mini Camp Packing List is based on the tried-and-true Alleghany packing list, with some modifications due to the one-week timeline. When in doubt, stick to the list: it has exactly what she will need. As an over-packer, I am always tempted to add some extra shirts or books; as the Mini Camp Director, I know that anything that goes across the river will have to be packed into the same trunk to come home, along with store purchases and the crafts that the girls create over the week.
Clothes: Send clothes that fit your camper and are comfortable and durable for play. We spend all day outside, so these clothes will experience the elements – the hot sun, rain, or mud. I choose well-worn clothing from my kids’ drawers and purchase cheaper options from places like Walmart or Target to fill any gaps. The girls love the camp store, which sells Alleghany clothing, like sweatshirts, long- and short-sleeved shirts, and other essentials.
Shoes: Our packing list includes four different shoes, and each will be worn during the week. Sneakers are our primary footwear at Mini Camp, as we walk around Camp all day, especially up the hill to the Dining Hall for each meal. These should be sturdy enough for the week, but know that they will go through the wringer! Crocs are a camp favorite, as the campers spend time in the river or creek throughout the week. A cheap pair of flip-flops is fine for the shower, though most campers choose to wear their Crocs there too. While rain boots are not always needed, they are essential to keeping those little feet dry when Mother Nature sends us a storm.
Rain: Please make sure that your camper has a rain jacket that is good enough for camp. It does not have to be new or super heavy duty: Mini Campers are of an age where they outgrow clothes quickly, but we continue all of our activities in the rain.
Linens: The mountains in mid-June can get very cold at night, so your camper will need a solid set of sheets, and a heavy blanket on her twin-sized bed. I bring a comforter or wool blanket and a second blanket to layer on the cold nights.
Aside from sentimental favorites (see below), I only send items to camp that we would not miss. When we do Spring cleaning in the Meyer house, we have three categories of linens: What We Are Using, What We Are Donating, and Camp Stuff. The Camp Stuff includes older towels and the twin comforters or sheets that my kids no longer want on their beds. These are in serviceable condition for the elements, but I’m not worried if they come home with pen marks from a Rest Hour Mail Session.
Toiletries: Your camper will use their toiletries every day of Mini Camp. We use our bug spray and sunscreen daily and are active enough that campers take showers every day. While your Mini Camper is not going to use an entire bottle of shampoo that week, she will take a lot of pride in having Her Own Shampoo With Her Name On It. Throughout the week, the scent will bring her back to that moment when she first smelled it with you, and comparing shampoo scents is a common pastime at Camp. It’s the little things.
Comforts From Home/Sentimental Items: Camp is a new environment, so it is great to send your daughter with something tangible from home. This may be a favorite stuffed animal or blanket to snuggle at night, or printed pictures of family that they can look at during the week or use to share stories with their tent mates. My recommendation is to limit the stuffed animals to one or two: anything that goes across the River will need to be packed or carried back at the end of the week. There are also stuffed animals at the camp store that the Mini Campers inevitably collect.
What to Leave at Home
- Electronic Devices: We schedule full days outside, and do not have a space to charge any devices. Your camper will have new friends and nature to pass the time, and will learn small crafts, like friendship bracelets or knitting, to do with her friends. Please see our Electronics Policy for more information about electronics at Alleghany.
- Valuables: Jewelry is barely a thought at camp, and there is no need for cash. Please do not send these items, as they can create more anxiety for the camper if they lose them in the river or while out playing with friends.
- Sleeping Aids: Many kids rely on white noise machines, sleepytime tea, or even melatonin at home, but are tired enough at camp that these are not necessary. I actually got a call from the Infirmary last year, when one of my daughters was worried about her nightly ritual being disturbed. The call the next day was as expected: she was asleep within 5 minutes of the bugle playing Taps. The campers are exhausted after a long day of playing, walking, and activities, and we get to sleep in the beauty of natural sounds and fireflies. A baby blanket or stuffed animal from home helps with comfort, as will a comfortable pillow. The Mini Camp Counselors will handle the rest!
How to Pack
All items on the packing list can fit inside a standard-sized trunk and one duffle bag. Many campers also bring a school-sized backpack for miscellaneous items, like their books or a stuffed animal. Since our campers are very young, some parents use packing cubes inside the trunk to keep campers’ belongings organized. These are not necessary, but are very helpful in dividing categories of clothing (like navy shorts or socks) or to pre-match outfits.
Getting it All Togther
One of the best ways to prepare your daughter for camp is to involve her in the packing process! This helps her to get excited about camp, visualize her experience, and become familiar with her belongings before she arrives. My daughters love using the printable Packing List to find items in our house, and as a shopping list when we go to the store. But before my first summer as a Camp Mom, I asked the age-old question:
Should I pack for her or have her do it?
Our Mini Campers range in age from 6-11 years old, so there is a range of independence and responsibility developing during this time. We do not expect them to fully pack on their own, and we support them to be responsible for maintaining their belongings for the week at camp.
You know your daughter best, so if you want to organize it for her or with her is up to you. She will either revel in the freedom of choosing her own outfits from a pile of shirts and shorts that week or will lovingly pick the outfits that you match for her in packing cubes. Each camper’s family does this differently, and the Mini Camp Counselors are right there to help each girl be fully prepared for the day’s activities.
Once everything is packed, I personally tape a copy of the packing list inside the top of their trunks to help them when packing everything up at the end of Mini Camp. Throughout the week, we reference that list with the camper to find what she needs.
You Got This!
No matter how seasoned you are at packing for Camp, we have you covered. Just remember to stick to the list, involve your camper, and trust the process. The Mini Camp Counselors can take it from there!
I look forward to meeting you and your Mini Camper on Opening Day!
Maggie Meyer, Mini Camp Director, Camp Alleghany for Girls
