June is here, which means camp season is officially upon us. My kids aren't heading to overnight camp this summer, but a lot of their friends are. Some for weeks, some for basically the whole summer. When my two did go, packing was always my headache. Too much stuff, wrong stuff, or cute stuff that fell apart by day three. So I got strategic: pack smart, pack light, and bring what they actually need, not just what looks good in a flat-lay.

Living in Vermont, where summer mornings can dip to 40°F before breakfast, my packing philosophy has always been: layers. The kids who are comfortable all week aren't the ones with the heaviest bag. They're the ones with the right system. Base layer, fleece, shell, and approximately one million pairs of socks and underwear. That's it. That's the whole secret.

Here's what we'd actually pack:

Plenty of underwear and socks

Non-negotiable. Summer = sun + activity + sweating, which means fresh socks and underwear every single day. It keeps kids comfortable, prevents heat rash, and frankly keeps the cabin smelling better for everyone. (Not that we'd know… we're not staying in there with them.)

Base layer: synthetic, not cotton

Polyester or nylon, always. Synthetic fabrics dry fast and handle the 40°F-to-70°F swing that's just a normal Tuesday at a Vermont mountain camp. My daughter basically lived in her Fleece Set at an outdoor camp in Ludlow: warm in the morning, not suffocating by noon. How thick to go depends on where they're headed, so adjust accordingly.

Mid-layer fleece: function over streetwear

Skip the trendy cotton hoodie if you can. Cotton gets cold and heavy when wet, and at camp, something is always wet. A bonded fleece, warm on the inside and water-resistant on the outside, is what you want. My son wears his Brighton Bonded Fleece Jacket basically year-round. The flat fleece exterior has a PFAS-free DWR finish, so it sheds light rain and doesn't hold damp. A hooded option is great for cold mornings, though thick hoods can get bulky under a rain jacket.

A rain jacket that actually works

“Functional” means it holds up in two hours of real rain, not a light drizzle. Mountain weather can change five times in a day, and getting soaked doesn't just mean wet clothes. It tanks morale for the entire afternoon. A solid waterproof shell is worth every dollar. Our kids love their Patagonia Rain Jackets.

Water shoes and one pair of old sneakers

Water shoes = anything toe-protected they can actually move in. Crocs work for most of camp life; Keen's are better for trail days. Skip the flip flops. They cause blisters and weren't designed for anything faster than a slow shuffle to the snack bar. And pack one pair of old sneakers you're emotionally unattached to. Camps are messy, and there's a real chance you won't recognize those shoes when they come home.

Sun hat with mesh back or big brim

If your kid refuses sunglasses (mine absolutely do), a hat is non-negotiable. Look for mesh panels in the back. They make a surprising difference between a hat they'll actually keep on and one that gets tossed in the bag by 9am. We're big fans of the Sunday Afternoons Sun Hat. It survived two kids and a full day hiking the Grand Canyon. Good enough for us.

Bug spray, sunscreen, and anti-itch cream

Pack these in a small ziplock and label everything with their name. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied, bug spray wears off, and anti-itch cream will absolutely get used. Most camps will store and administer them if you fill out the right forms. Worth checking ahead of time so nothing gets confiscated at drop-off.

Leave the phone and iPad at home

Most camps ask for this anyway, but beyond the policy, there's real value in the unplug. Without a device, kids have to look up, figure out how to fill the time, and talk to whoever's sitting next to them. It's harder than it sounds, and honestly, that's kind of the whole point of camp.

Hope this helps you pack smarter this summer, and maybe reclaim a little closet space too. For a more complete list, the American Camp Association has a thorough packing guide worth bookmarking. And as always, we want to hear from you: what are your camp bag must-haves? Share in the comments!

Claire
Mom of two and Co-founder of Hootie Hoo