‘Tis the season! The Keystone Camp office is abuzz with lots of holiday preparations: mailing holiday cards, shipping out orders from our Holiday Pop-Up Tuck Shop, and sending out appreciation gifts to all of our staff from last summer.
We know everyone is deep into holiday shopping, and now is a great time to work on checking things off your Keystone camper’s packing list. You’ll find lots of great items that will serve your camper well next summer in our first annual holiday gift guide.
Clothing
Our packing list breaks down all of the necessary items your camper will need during her session. One of the most important items she’ll need is a 100% waterproof, breathable rain jacket (not water-resistant!). Our temperate summer climate means we often have afternoon showers, and sometimes a day or two of hard rain. We recommend purchasing a quality rain jacket that will perform well in a downpour and keep your camper dry all day. This Columbia Arcadia rain jacket is a great, affordable option.
A warm layer is also a good item to pack, especially for June campers. REI’s Co-op Trailsmith Fleece Jacket fits the bill: lightweight and breathable, yet warm and snuggly! Three zippered pockets are the icing on the cake.
When it comes to the feet, it’s really important to make sure your camper has shoes that fit well, have a backstrap if sandals, and don’t have any areas that cause friction (which can quickly lead to blisters). A good pair of tennis shoes is necessary, as we have many activities that require closed-toe shoes. Equally important is a good pair of sandals, as they can be used as water shoes on cabin tubing trips and for Sliding Rock. Check out these options from Teva and Chacos.
For the horseback riders in the family, a pair of riding boots meant for the barn helps make the horseback riding experience a positive one. Riding boots are specialized to use in stirrups, with a short heel and no tread. Whether your camper chooses lace-ups or zip-ups is a personal choice, and these options from Dover Saddlery will work great.
Sleepy Time and Trunk Organization
There’s nothing like a cozy bunk set-up to help your camper get a good night’s rest. A quality twin bedding set can last your camper years and years. After a good washing, store it in their trunk over the winter!
Every camper will go on an overnight with their cabin during their session, and a sleeping bag is required for this outing. Please don’t purchase a fancy sleeping bag; an inexpensive but quality option will be just fine. This REI Co-op Kindercamp 40 or the Kelty Kids Callisto 30 will both fit the bill. A small headlamp helps campers see at night while keeping their hands free and is less cumbersome than a large flashlight.
Keeping track of one’s belongings is a big step in learning independence and how to take care of yourself. Here at Keystone Camp, cabins are inspected daily and tidiness is essential. There are a variety of ways parents can set their campers up for success when it comes to trunk organization. Large ZipLock bags work great, but mesh laundry bags can help campers level up their clothing organization: all socks in one bag, all t-shirts in another, etc. And, this trunk lid organizer provides a place for all those little things that tend to disappear easily.
Shower caddies are great for keeping bathroom necessities in one place, and a mesh option like this one from Amazon will dry quickly and help your camper in maintaining good hygiene while at camp.
Fun Extras
Keystone campers love to decorate their bunk! Small touches help girls, especially nervous first-time campers, feel more comfortable when their sleeping space is a bit more like home. Many girls will bring a small strand of fairy lights to hang over their bed (don’t forget to make sure the lights are battery-operated before adding to your cart). Campers will sometimes also bring a small, battery-operated fan for those warm summer nights.
Having a stuffed animal or two is a great addition to a camper’s bed. We recommend leaving your camper’s absolute favorite stuffy at home, and bringing one that’s just for camp. It can be a hard day if something happens to a favorite stuffed animal! Crowd favorites like Squishmallows are a popular option here at Keystone.
Rest hour is a great time for writing letters, reading a book, or playing quiet card games with friends. For your camper’s stocking, colorful thread for making friendship bracelets is a must, and you can’t go wrong with adding a Madlibs or two.
We know working your way through the packing list can feel overwhelming and stressful at times. We’re always here to help if you have any questions, need suggestions, or just want to talk through all the items your camper needs while they are here at Keystone. Happy shopping!
