Packing List

[CAMPFRIEND]

I think that we should come up with a packing list for new staff. What would you put on the list as a must have for camp? Lets see what you all come up with..

I think that some way to listen to music.. CD, Ipod or what ever you have or use. I think that this is a need for time of and at night if you can’t sleep!

[runrachrunn]

Must haves for camp:

- more than 2 nalgenes (mine inevitably get lost/thrown away because they're moldy, or some camper decides it might be fun to pee in it)
- Lots of sunglasses - again, I always lose mine
- Digital camera to take pictures of all the fun things that are happening
- Fun markers and stickers to decorate the cabin

[campnerd99]

-Flashlights or some other source of light for night time. More than one because campers will lose/forget theirs and want to borrow yours.

[camper]

-LOTS of stamps...that way if a kid runs out you can give her one.
-digital camera w/at least 2 memory cards...or if you're nervous about your digital lots of disposables.
-lots of extra socks...some will get lost in the laundry.
-lotion in case your skin gets really dry
-chapstick
-sunscreen
-a few nice outfits for days off/nights out.

[speedx5xracer]

-duct tape
-speakers for music (entertain the group)
-clipboard to keep organization of papers
-aloe vera

[rockinsmiles]

-Lots of paper and pens/pencils
-A fan if you have one (though your co-cabin counselor might bring one)
-Some type of bookbag
-A folder or something to keep all the papers you recieve during camp in

There is a lot more but I won't burden with a long post...plus when in need there are stores and other ppl to borrow from :D

[Skater Bubbles]

Definetly some random streamers, lights and glow stars to decorate the cabin!! Some gatorade!! And for sure Chapstick!!!

[Flukie]

Glowsticks! Wheee! And and and... Extra flashlights. I NEVER have one one me. I tend to walk in the dark, but kids (even my CITs) aren't always okay with that.

Also, anything that involves being plugged in should be kept separately at the end of the list (if someone wants to compile this at the end, that is!) There aren't any plugs in our tents!

[Sparkes]

I brought an octopus plug with me that saved the day many times over
(it's one of those plugs that go in the wall but has like 8 outlets on it). That way when getting ready for senior banquet, we plugged in as many things as possible (before blowing all the fuses). Oh, and a container to put the mulitude of little things you'll be given to hold onto in.

[Melk]

Chicken soup books.... they can be used for everthing from chapel to devo

[prettysocks]

stuff for kids/rainy days.. books, markers, puzzles, camp appropriate music & cd player, songs and games..

stuff for you.. music, books/magazines..

[Indigo]

Here's the packing list I made for my camp website: http://free.hostdepartment.com/C/Cedarledge/packing.html

And I definitely second the stuff for kids (stickers and temporary tattoos are great for all ages!) and for you! Even if you don't get much downtime, it's nice to have a book you can pick up if you have a couple free minutes.

[Fallen]

Everyone has mentioned some great stuff.

-I suggest a journal or notebook of some kind. Mine has become a lifesaver at times when I'm overly stressed.
-Funky clothes if the came does theme weeks or events. It's always great to weird crazy outfits when doing all camp activities.
-sharpies!!!! I can't tell you how many times I've needed sharpies while at camp. You can use them to write the campers name on things if they have the same water bottle for example as half the camp. (this is common at girl scout camps)
-A backpack that is in good condition. you may need to carry papers and a bunch of other things with you and it's easier to carry a backpack.

That's all that is coming to mind

[camplover86]

Extra nalgenes! they can get moldy, and campers will forget, loose, or break their water bottles. I had one girl drop hers into the lake off lookout point.
I also like to have different bathing suits for the lake and the pool.
Then there is duct tape, it comes in lots of fun colors and can be used as everything, from band-aids to name tags. And sharpies! they are a life saver, you can also use them for everything, like writing names on crafts to paperwork!
I can't really think of anything else that hasn't been mentioned a million times.

[CAMPFRIEND]

Great ideas all. I hope new counselors read this post and come up with things that I am sure are not going to be on their list from camp!

[runrachrunn]

I'm planning to take a touque (winter hat), mittens, and very possibly the outside shell of my ski jacket.

The last time I was at overnight camp, I was so sick, and I was miserably cold... Plus, sometimes guarding down at swim can be just so COOOOOLD.

[h0dGi]

Thanks for all the help, I am certainly learning some stuff on what to take :P

[collissimon]

I bring some stuff from home, like photos. The campers sometimes want to know about your family, but if they don't it's still cool to have their picture.

I also take a flag that I hang from the rafters above my bed, because the kids like it, and it covers my backpack in the rafters too.

I don't usually bother with a torch, because I usually nick one of the campers!

I am going to see if I can take some books of my brother's this summer, if not I'll take Roald Dahl and Horrid Henry!

[Sparkes]

I took my province's flag too. And then I had someone from home send me a Canada flag, because we celebrated Canada Day.
And taking a touque/mittens/scarf and litterly like thermal pants is a eadly idea because it can get so cold at night sometimes and its something that is not always on camp lists.
Oh, and look into getting a crazy creek - it's a butt saver! I used to nick them from a camper till I got my own!

[KiwiCRB]

What is a crazy creek?

[campCardinal]

A crazy creek is a type of seat that can be used just about anywhere. They're just the bottom and back of a seat (no legs), and they fold up nicely to carry. They help save your back if you have to sit for a long time somewhere without backs on seats (bleachers, the ground, etc.). If you google search um, I'm sure you can find a website that sells them or something.

[KiwiCRB]

Ooooh i know what you're talking about now.... thanks!

[Sparkes]

It's an over glorified situpon, like ones I used to make in Girl Guides with newspaper and plastic bags! To quote their website they are "Crazy Creeks are the most innovative (and durable) outdoor chairs you can get." check 'em out at www.crazycreek.com - they are awesome.

[KiwiCRB]

We use them on canoeing trips... they're pretty awesome, it's way better than sitting on the ground.

[ThanksALatte]

-Sharpees
-Dryer sheets are great to stick in your clothes or on the fan in the cabin to
make things smell fresher (if you don't get to do laundry regularly)
-Icy hot or something like that if you get muscle aches (the icy hot patches work wonders)
-a cheap little massager thing (not the battery operated ones--the one you hold and rub on the other person's back with) and/or a head massager are good for staff time
-face wipes for when you can't get to a sink
-Kleenex, or your tissue of choice...if you get a cold and have to blow your nose with camp-issued tissues, good luck cause they're not so nice to the skin (at least in my experience)

[ocean]

Dryer sheets keep away bugs at night

[who_stole_my_loofa]

mm whoever said glowsticks i disagree!!! they break very easily and the stuff inside can burn your skin and get in your eyes and that's bad news!

[Flukie]

I have never had a camper break a glowstick - we always talk about what they are for. Then again, they aren't running around the units with them either. More often than not, I use them for nightlights in the younger campers tents - you tie them to the front pole, and they'll agree to shut off their flashlights. A platform tent can be a very scary place if you don't like the dark. Likewise, in a large unit, a glowstick on the front of the staff tent can help campers remember where they need to go for help. It also depends on what type of glowstick you purchase and what is used in the fluid inside.

I think that a lot of things can be considered dangerous if you don't set limits and controls on their use.

[collissimon]

I don't think I would pack glowsticks, because they are likely to break ona transatlantic flight!

I did buy them this year though, blacked out the windows of the drama room, gave them a couple of glowsticks and stuck some music on... the kids went a bit mental, but really enjoyed it!

[rockinsmiles]

Haha I remember one year we had glowsticks and one of the counselors broke one open. Then with the gunk inside of it he painted a smiley face on his shirt. Wow did the campers like that!

[CAMPFRIEND]

I had one night when two boys got glow sticks all over the cabin. It was funny but it was all over the place in the cabin and the rest of the sleeping kids. Fun nights.

[h0dGi]

I have never really found a problem with glowsticks, its only if the stuff inside really gets into your eyes/mouth etc.. But yeah like someone mentioned, they are probably likely to crack on the plane :P

[KiwiCRB]

Ya we had one break in a cabin this year... there were spots of that glow stuff EVERYWHERE. I've broken a few in my day... the stuff inside tastes pretty bad...

[happy_camper]

To clear up some confusion, yes, if you give glow sticks to children at least one will end up broken. And yes, they taste nasty.

My Essential Packing List:
1. Sharpies
2. Nalgenes - because when I bring regular dasani bottles, they get thrown away
3. Chapstick
4. Sunglasses (I just might die without them)
5. More than one towel (because one can get very nasty very quickly)
6. Extras of everything (for yourself and your campers - I inevitably give stuff to campers every year because they forgot it or such. My stuff also gets lost or broken quite often too)


Oh, and make sure your sunglasses are polarized - they do wonders when on the lake or at the pool!

[prettysocks]

The dryer sheets idea (read it on page 3 in this thread) is BRILLIANT!

THANK YOU!

[Pooka]

Pack far more socks that you think you can humanly go through. Campers will borrow them, you'll lose them, they'll wear out, or they'll get too gross to wear even after they're washed (I don't know how this happens, but it does. Weird!) I keep an emergency pair in my backpack while at camp, and I always use them before the week is through.

Other than that, I make sure to bring a Sharpie, a Swiss army knife, a pack of playing cards, far too many hair ties, a few needles and some strong thread, and safety pins.

[happy_camper]

Ditto to Pooka! Needles and Thread are a must!
And playing cards! They always come in handy!

Oh, and prettysocks, I highly suggest Bounce with Febreeze! They smell SO good!

[facade1138]

I suggest Babywipes and a million ponchos or durable rain gear...we had a lot of rain last year and ponchos don't last that long...

[runrachrunn]

a million pairs of flip flops, an alarm clock and POST IT NOTES. You never knwo when you'll need post it notes. I use about 100 a day.

[JJ-14A]

A couple of cheap white t shirt for writing on
A stereo for rest hour with camp appropriate music

[Pooka]

Ditto to Post-Its! I've Post-Ited the program aides in the past, I think, and I'll wear my to-do list on my shirt.

I love Old Navy's flip flop sales-- two pairs in fun colors for $5. I get a few pairs for home, one for the unit, and one for the camp showers.

I've yet to encounter a poncho I like. They always feel sticky and gross. I've been using my mom's old raincoat from 1980 (older than me!) for years, but it's starting to get too worn. Does anyone know where one can buy a decent long raincoat that's not too insanely pricey? Think college-student budget. I may also have to start looking around for some reasonable hiking boots...

[KiwiCRB]

I'm a fan of rain jackets and pants. You can get fairly affordable ones at Wal-Mart and they feel way more natural than ponchos.

[runrachrunn]

I use my running jacket from the Running Room - worked for even the most torrential downpours, and as a bonus, it has the funky reflective stripes so I can be seen from anywhere.

[LifeIsGood]

tuck a few ziploc bags into your stuff, both small and large, you never know when you need to keep things dry, or small pieces from ending up in the bottom of a backpack.

foot/shoe powder. it really helps with shoes that smell and keeps feet from cracking.

extra toiletries. campers always forget things so i usually just go to walmart shortly after getting to camp and buy cheap shampoo, conditioner and body wash that i wont mind giving away. Its easier just to have some to share rather than trying to find stuff on camp.
This probably also depends on your camp and just how rustic the showers are, but I am a big fan of having one set of shower stuff that is bit fancier...nice stuff to use as a treat for nights off, inbetween sessions or the rare occasion when you have a few extra minutes to pamper yourself. Sometimes the shower is the only chance where you can relax and have time to yourself...might as well enjoy it.

[happy_camper]

I usually don't even wear ponchos - they get all sticky and steamy inside and then you can never fold it back up again. They are just nasty.

I ditto the ziplock bags and extra toiletries.

[Melk]

My camp gives us clipboards after staff training and I always have to bring my old one for outdoor ed to hold me over untill I get my new one.... I dont know how I would survive with out it to hold all my important papers and such.

[YUrocks!]

Sunscreen, hat and extra stuffed animals (homesick campers always get a kick out of sleeping with your teddy bear). Also, fun paper and stickers for writing notes of encouragement to other staff

[Flukie]

I have an amazing poncho out of heavy duty material that never gets gross - I love wearing it when I have to go to multiple locations around camp because my backpack is dry. I do own a rainsuit though, for really crappy days.

[Mouse...]

My poncho is essential often times when bad weather creeps up on you it's great to be able to throw is over yourself and whatever your carrying and go.

[facade1138]

Now if they would make waterproof socks....
then that would be essential