Staff Favorites: Camp Tips for Parents

There is nothing quite like the anticipation of sending your child off to camp, a week filled with new friends, unforgettable memories, and life-changing moments. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back! We know it can be a big step for you and for them, so our staff has pulled together a list of top tips for parents, straight from the heart. Some are super practical, some are heartfelt, but all of them are meant to help you feel seriously prepared for what’s sure to be a seriously fun week. So dive in head first with us as we unpack our very best tips to feel your best before your favorite week of the summer begins!

Disposable cameras! Bringing one to camp was always my favorite! I enjoyed being able to document moments that were special to me! – Taylor “Mayo” White, Registrar

– Be sure to pack some handwritten letters into your camper’s trunk. My kids love opening a new letter from us each day.
– Bring lots of gallon-sized plastic bags! My kids pack their daily clothes in them, and then use them to separate dirty/wet/muddy clothes from the clean stuff in their trunks. Trunks can get pretty smelly by the end of the week if everything is thrown in there together.
– Don’t let your camper bring their expensive/name-brand clothes and shoes to camp! Things get lost, muddy, and sometimes accidentally end up in someone else’s trunk. And an extra pair of tennis shoes, or close-toed Crocs with the strap are so great for camp.
– We always tell our kids to look for the camera so we get lots of good pics throughout the week!
– Definitely pray that your camper grows close to Jesus during their week at camp. Camp experiences can be life changing and help campers to grow in their relationship with Jesus and to see the value of Christian community. – Amy “Encore” Drake, Executive Assistant – HQ

– Take your camper’s phone home with you when you drop them off! It helps ensure it won’t be a potential temptation and they will have camper mail (and our staff) to help communicate how they’re doing!
– Big ziplock bags for clothes after use: for smelly clothes (for odor) or for wet clothes
– Ask your camper how you can come alongside their growth at camp! How did they grow in their walk with Jesus? How do they want to continue to grow? How can you practically support your child day by day as a parent? Start that conversation ASAP, in the car on the way home from Closing Day! – Conor “Flow” Barry, Ridge Camp Director

Incentivize your campers to find the camera so you get lots of photos in the CampLife App! I had one child who would run from the camera, but once I started offering incentives, she was all in! – Susan “Singing TeddyGram” Andreone, Chief Communication Officer

My big tip would be to let your camper be a part of the packing process! That way during the week, they know they have more than one t-shirt, where to find their toothbrush, and that they have theme night clothes each day. We often get calls in the summer with parents saying, “My kid has worn the same shirt the past 3 days” or “I spent so much money on their theme night clothes and they didn’t wear them!” – Bri “Moon Boots” Reed, Registration Coordinator

Making sure that everything is labeled in a way it doesn’t come off can be a challenge, but we love our Name Bubbles labels for this! They’re super sticky (we’ve even used them on Crocs!) and make sure that all their stuff has their name on it so if it gets lost it’ll get back to us by the end of camp. – Jesse “Schmoe” Garner, Senior Director of Engagement

If you’re a family camper, write down things like fun moments and what the Lord did during the week so you can look back on it together as a family! – Alex “Licks” Barnholdt, Crier Creek Men’s Director

Get your elementary kids involved in helping you pack for camp! Print the packing list and let them begin laying out their clothes for each day, pajamas, swimsuits, shoes, etc! Let them help decorate their trunks and pick what they want to wear for theme nights—this gets them excited for camp! Then as they get older they are packing for themselves and you only have to do a double check that they don’t forget anything!  This makes packing for multiple kids much easier!  – Christina “Poke N Oak” Deimund

– I would recommend bringing two towels—one for the pool/ lake & one for the shower (you’d be shocked how many campers only bring one!)
– Always check the weather before your week at camp and please pack a rain jacket if it’s in the forecast!
– Stay connected with the CampLife app! We post tons of content to help you stay in the loop. Take a minute to check it out if you want to know what your camper is learning and experiencing!
– When packing, we highly recommend using packing cubes and labeling items by day or activity. It makes things way easier for your camper!
– Parents, a simple “thank you” to your camper’s counselor at the end of the week goes a long way. These staff members are away from their families for 5–10 weeks, and at high school camps, they’re often just 1–2 years older than your camper. They’re still growing up too!
– If your camper needs to reach you, we will make it happen—via phone call or another way. No phones doesn’t mean no communication! (And no, they’re not stranded on a remote island—promise.) On the flip side, if you need to get a message to your camper, just let us know. We’ve got you.
– Go all out for theme nights! Yes, even at the older camps. The wackier the costume, the more fun you’ll have, it’s a fact.
– Opening and Closing Day = some walking involved! Camp properties can be a hike, so please wear comfy shoes. Your feet will thank you.
– Send your camper with a reusable water bottle and label it clearly! Hydration is key, and bottles do tend to wander off.
– If there’s a camp store item you love, grab it on Opening Day! Our most popular items often sell out and might not be available on Closing Day.
– Two swimsuits = genius move. One to wear, one to dry. Trust me, putting on a damp suit from the day before? Instant shivers.
– Remind your camper: The first and last 20 minutes of camp are the hardest. The first 20 can feel awkward or out of your comfort zone, but push through, and you’ll forget you were ever nervous. The last 20? They’ll be tough because of how much they’ll grow to love camp, their cabinmates, and everything in between. But you can’t reach those amazing last 20 minutes without making it through the first.
– Miranda “Treat Yo Self” Simiyu, Shores Associate Director

Whether you’re a camp pro or gearing up for your first summer at camp, we hope these tips and tricks will help set your mind at ease as you prepare for the greatest week (or two!) of the summer!