Our Camp Mom Takes a Stab at the Packing List

Hi there, Bauercrest Moms, Dads, and anyone else responsible for getting the boy(s) in your house packed and ready for camp!

As many of you know, last week I hosted a little shopping excursion for some of our new moms.  We had so much fun getting to know each other while working our way down the packing list.  But as we were crossing things off, I couldn’t help but make some tweaks that I’d like to share with all of you.

One question that keeps popping up is whether the clothing list is the same for kids coming for shorter sessions.  YES!  We do laundry weekly, so this list is based on a week-long stay.  If it seems like a lot, remember… This is CAMP!  Your boys will get wet and sweaty and dirty.  They will change.  They will misplace.  This formula seems to work, so give it a shot.  You can always tweak it yourself next year!

Another piece of friendly advice:  Aside from the required Bauercrest logo-wear, DO NOT BUY NEW CLOTHES TO SEND TO CAMP!  For Max’s first year, I sent him with brand-new sneakers, socks, underwear, and bathingsuits.  I don’t know what I was thinking.  Actually, I do know what I was thinking; I don’t think it anymore.  I remember seeing pictures of Max during his first week at camp and wondering what he could have been thinking when he got dressed that morning.  But as the days wore on, I learned to love his new carefree look.  His shirt might not have matched his shorts, but he matched camp perfectly… comfy, casual, and broken in.  : )

So here’s my take on the packing list.  I invite our more seasoned families to chime in and let me know if I’ve missed anything, or misspoken in any way.  And to our new families, PLEASE do not be afraid to ask me anything!  The questions you think are the most ridiculous are probably the ones I can answer most easily; this makes me feel very smart, which makes me very happy.  And if you stump me, I’ll get the answer for you, so then we’ll both know!

MANDATORY

BEDDING/LINEN:

• Sheets—2 sets of twin size
• Pillow & 2 pillowcases
• Sleeping bag and 1 blanket or 3 blankets (August can be cold)
• 6 towels (2 beach/ 4 bath)
• Mattress pad
• Foam egg crate

CLOTHING:

• 14 underwear
• 14 socks
• 14 t-shirts
• 12 shorts
• 4 bathing suits
• 2 long pants
• 2 long sleeve shirts/ jersey
• 2 collared shirts
• 3 sweatshirts and sweat pants
• 3 pair of pajamas (1 flannel)
• Jacket
• Rainwear
• Bathrobe (IF your child wears one at home… you do NOT need to buy one!)
• Casual shoes (or not… my kids wore sneakers or Crocs everywhere)
• 2 pair of sneakers
• Beach shoes/flip-flops/Crocs
• 2 baseball hats (or 4)
• Cleats

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Toothbrush/toothpaste/toothbrush cover
• Soap/shampoo
• Deodorant (Even if your son doesn’t use it at home yet, he will be sharing a bunk with boys who do.  Totally a personal choice… merely a suggestion.  I am sure your sons smell delightful.)
• Travel sized Gold-Bond powder
• Hairbrush (If you’re sending your son with a buzz-cut, he does NOT need a hairbrush.  This might seem painfully obvious to you.  But since I was the genius who buzzed her son the day before camp and sent him with a hairbrush, I’m just putting it out there.)
• Small plastic cup for water (We use the $.99 party favor ones from iParty, Target or Wal-Mart)
• Nail clipper
• Laundry bag
• Shoe bag (holds misc. items… everything from his tennis racket to his sunscreen.   And yes, his shoes.)
• Stationery and Pre-stamped envelopes
• Pens
• Bug spray and mosquito repellant rubber bracelets
• Sunblock or sunscreen
• Hand sanitizer
• Shower caddy

OTHER:

• Personal Fan (there are plenty of outlets so send an electric clip fan)
• Power strip
• Clip Light – (Include a light bulb!  Learn from my rookie mistake.)
• Baseball Glove
• Tennis Racket
• Extra Pair of Glasses (If your son does not wear glasses, no need to send any, never mind extras.)
• Flashlight
• Water Bottle
• Hangers (There are lockers/closets in the bathrooms)
• iPod shuffle or nano – NO apps or games – MUSIC ONLY.  Strictly enforced!
• Clock radio (We get the cheapest one we can find that charges an iPod and plays music.)
• Headphones
• Playing Cards
• Husband (pillow with arms)
• Small Games
• Books
• Swim Goggles
• Musical Instrument – (IF he plays one that is NOT a piano.  Please do not feel the need to get him a musical instrument to bring to camp.)
• Hockey Stick and Helmet -(Both of my boys are avid hockey players and neither has ever brought his stick or helmet… plenty to go around at camp!)
• Golf Clubs – (If your son loves to golf and you think he will participate in the golf activities only if he has his own clubs, send them along.  Also, if your son is planning to play in the Cy Smoller Golf Tournament, he will want to use his own clubs there.)
• Fishing Rod – (NO.  Schools of fish have been caught using camp-provided rods.)
• Camera
• Hiking Boots – (Send only if you have them… no need to buy!)
• CD Player – I’m sorry… what?
• Sterilite/Rubbermaid style storage drawers – not more than 3ft h, 2ft w, 1.5ft d (Pack it with his clothes at home, bring it into his bunk, put it next to his bed, and VOILA!  He’s unpacked.)
• Sterilite/Rubbermaid style storage box for storage under bed – suggested dimensions – 36” l x 16” w x 6” h
• Two 40” duffel bags.  These should hold all the bedding, towels, miscellaneous items, and any clothes that don’t fit in the plastic storage drawers.  Once unpacked you can fold them up and store them on the top shelf of his closet; he won’t need them again until he’s ready to head home.

I hope you’ve found this helpful.  Again, I’m only an email away!

Hope to see lots of you this Sunday at our new camper orientation!

: )

Stacy