5 Ways to Prepare for Camp (At Home!)

Summer is just around the corner, and that means camp is almost here! Whether it’s your first time heading to Pine Cove or you’ve been counting down the days since last August, now’s the perfect time to get prepped and pumped for another incredible summer ahead.

If you’re anything like us, you’re already dreaming of theme nights, camp cheers, and laughs with cabinmates. While we wait (as patiently as we can) for the best week of the year, why not bring a little camp home? These five fun ideas will help you prep for your upcoming week and sneak in some camp-style fun right now.

1. Practice Your Favorite Camp Cheers

You know them, we love them: camp cheers are loud, wild, and oh so fun. Start practicing some of your favorite chants, and maybe even make up a few new ones of your own (you never know what may come in handy for the spirit stick!). Bonus points if you get the whole family involved in the backyard. Yes, we’re talking full volume.

Need a refresher on your favorite cheers? Or maybe you just want to sound like a true camper again! Either way, check out some of our favorite Pine Cove lingo here!

2. Finalize Your Best Theme Night Outfits

Camp is almost here, which means it’s time to put together this year’s theme night outfits! Start digging through your closet for that perfect wacky sock-and-hat combo, or pull out last year’s Halloween costume for this summer’s Star Wars-themed dance party. Pull out your camp’s theme night schedule and get creative with your theme night looks! Thrift store, anyone?

Need some extra inspiration? Check out our theme night Pinterest boards to help you plan the most epic costumes ever!

3. Practice Some Memory Verses

One of the best (and most important) parts of camp is diving into God’s Word. Start practicing some Scripture memory now, and you’ll be ready before you even set foot on camp grounds! Not sure where to start? Try some of your favorites from last summer, or pick a few verses that resonate with you or reflect themes from past camps. If you want to challenge yourself, try memorizing a verse each week leading up to camp!

The more you practice now, the more natural it will feel to recite God’s Word throughout the week at camp. You’ll find comfort, strength, and joy in having His truth hidden in your heart! If you want more practice, check out our six favorite ways to memorize scripture.

4. Refresh Your Camp Dance Moves

Let’s be real: it’s not camp without a little dancing. Whether it’s the Chainsaw, a theme night flash mob to “Camp is Here,” or the infamous (and tiring!) “Monkey,” get those moves back in your muscle memory! We’ve pulled together a playlist of some of our favorite camp dances to help you out here. Who knows, maybe even Mom and Dad will be camp dance pros by the time camp rolls around!

5. Pack and Label Everything 

It might not be the most exciting part of camp prep, but it’s definitely important. Start setting aside the essentials, label your gear (yes, even your socks!), and double-check that trusty packing list. A little prep now means smooth sailing come drop-off day!

Want to make packing more fun? Turn it into a game! Put on your favorite camp playlist and set a timer to see how fast you can pack a themed outfit. Invite a sibling or friend to help and get silly with it—you’ll be camp ready in no time and have a blast getting there! If you want to double and triple check to make sure you’re not forgetting anything, check out this summer’s packing list.

Gearing up and getting ready for camp is half the fun, and these five simple steps will help make sure you’re all set for the best week ever. We can’t wait to see your epic theme night ‘fits, hear your loudest cheers, and watch God work in amazing ways this summer. See you soon, campers!