Our family is starting to plan for our older daughter’s last summer in Senior Camp, and our youngest’s return after many happy summers at Alleghany. In that time, we have done our fair share of cramming packing. Last year, I finally got my act together and made a list of the items I actually packed for my girls that do not show up on the official packing list (ahem– menstrual products, anyone?!).
Some of the items on the list are needs (deodorant – you’re welcome) and some are wants (a pack of cards), but all make it into their trunks and would be sorely missed if they didn’t. They are in no particular order and are camper-checked and approved. They skew towards older term-campers but many are for any age. Some things can be found in the camp store but I like knowing they have what they need. Below the list are some notes on Bonnie’s essential blog post from 2016 (do not skip it!) and other tips.
From our girls to yours: have a wonderful summer at Alleghany!
| Pack of cards | |
| Menstrual pads | |
| Period swim bottoms | |
| Face wash | |
| Face lotion | |
| Razors | |
| Extra blades | |
| Shave cream | |
| Deodorant | |
| Book light | |
| Puzzle/activity book | |
| Sleep bonnet (for curly girls) | |
| Lovies (blankies, stuffed animal essentials) | |
| Hair ties | |
| Nail clippers | |
| Cuticle clipper | |
| Nail file | |
| Band aids | |
| Neosporin | |
| Thread for friendship bracelet | |
| Earrings (junky ones!) | |
| Chapstick | |
| Bug bite Thing/itch cream | |
| Insect repellent | |
| Pictures to hang | |
| Twinkle lights | |
| Sun hat/baseball cap | |
| Crocs | |
| Notebook | |
| Small scissors | |
| Spirit Stuff for blues/grays/ age group/ Christmas in July/4th of July. |
Hot Packing Tips
- For a shower caddy, my girls had mesh carriers for years. Last summer, they both stridently requested plastic tubs. The mesh, they say, fall over in the shower while the hard plastic tubs are easier to work with.
- For towels, we’ve had great success with quick-dry camp towels. They take up almost no space in the duffel, and dry quickly (a big deal, particularly in wetter terms). Something like this but it’s worth looking around for a deal!
- Under garments: will you ever again need over 20 pairs for your girls? Probably not, so paying through the nose feels folly. We buy online through Target (for kid sizes) or Uniqlo (for adult sizes). We also use these to get blues/whites and other things we’ll only need for Alleghany.
- For linens, we add a small camping blanket (we love the Rumpl) in case they need extra warmth.
- Also, a note on menstrual supplies: we decided against packing period underwear due to the laundry being an issue. Laundry goes out once a week and in between sits in their laundry bags in the tent as opposed to at home where laundry gets done more promptly!
- Finally, our family works to purchase items over the course of the year because it is all quite expensive to get in one go! Our girls got their camp trunks one year for their birthdays, for example, and Crazy Creek chairs for Christmas.
The summer is quickly approaching and I hope your campers are just as excited as mine! Packing your camper for camp can be a challenge, so hopefully, these tips and tricks help you and your camper pack everything she needs for an unforgettable summer at Alleghany!
-Amanda Beresford, Alleghany Parent
