Printable Packing Lists
1-Week Packing List and Tips
2-Week Packing List and Tips
Labels
Please make sure everything is labeled with the camper’s name! If you order your labels from Mabel’s Labels, CJL gets a small return– thank you!
Laundry
During the middle weekend of each two-week session, campers may drop off their laundry for cleaning. The laundry is returned the next day. Please make sure everything is labeled with your child's name so that we can make sure it gets back to her. A flat fee (typically about $8) will be applied to the camper’s Trading Post bill for this service.
Shoes
Foot care is very important when you live outdoors. At CJL, socks must be worn at all times, and no open shoes (no open toes or open heels) may be worn except between the tent and the shower. Sandals, clogs, and similar items are not permitted outside the unit.
Many campers find that sturdy tennis shoes do just fine. Some prefer boots. Those participating in horseback activities should have sturdy shoes or boots with heels about 1″ high; specialized riding boots are not required. The barn has a limited number of riding boots that campers can borrow. Many campers end up playing in the river at some point, so an old pair of tennis shoes might come in handy.
Waterproof Bed Cover
Each camper must have a piece of plastic or vinyl large enough to cover her bed during the day, approximately 9 feet by 5 feet. The cover goes over the pillow and bedding to protect from rain and humidity, and should be large enough to tuck under the mattress to keep it from blowing off. There are several options that will work:
- Vinyl Table Cloth— standard sizes range from 52"x 108" to 60"x 102"; rectangle (NOT oblong)
- Fitted, Vinyl Mattress Protector— twin size; not padded
- Plastic Drop Cloth— heavy or medium weight, cut to size
- Tarp, cut to size
* Many people prefer the vinyl table cloths and fitted mattress protectors because they are the easiest to tuck in.
Groundcover for the Overnight
For TWO-WEEK sessions only: Each camper will need an additional piece of plastic or tarp to go on the ground, under her sleeping bag, during the overnight. The best type of plastic for the overnight is a heavy-duty plastic drop cloth or a tarp, cut to size. The plastic should be about 5 feet wide and 9 or 10 feet long.
How to Pack All This Stuff
TRUNKS: Most campers pack their belongings in a trunk. Rubber and plastic trunks are great because they’re less expensive, easier to transport, and easier to clean. Many campers opt to bring traditional wood trunks, but remember that someone has to carry what you bring, so keep it small and lightweight, if possible!
WHERE TO BUY TRUNKS: The Container Store carries a variety of storage trunks, including a sturdy, affordable plastic trunk. During spring and summer, Walmart and Target often carry trunks in stores. In addition, there are many websites that feature good quality, wood and plastic trunks (in fun colors too!), as well as a variety of summer camp supplies. If you order your trunk/supplies from Everything Summer Camp, CJL will get a small return– thank you!
EXTRA STORAGE: The camper’s trunk should contain the bulk of her clothing. If your extra sheets, towels, blankets, rain gear and cool-weather clothes don't fit in your trunk, you can use a small plastic storage container to store these items under the bed. Anything less than 13" tall should fit easily under the bed.
Packing Tips and Ideas
Because campers live out of their trunks for the time that they are with us, packing well and being organized (or at least starting off that way!) really help to make a camper’s stay more enjoyable.
- LABELS: All items should be clearly marked with the camper’s name.
- TRUNKS: Pack your daughters’ clothes in a footlocker/Rubbermaid trunk rather than a suitcase (if possible). We do not have facilities for storing clothing, and the girls live out of their trunks. Trunks help keep the campers from having to deal with an unwieldy suitcase several times a day. It is not necessary for your daughter's trunk to fit under her bed, but if you'd like it to, it should be less than 15" high.
- OLD CLOTHES: Please do not send your daughter’s best shorts, shirts or jeans—clothes may get dirty and worn. The same goes for towels and linens!
- ZIPPERED BAGS: Use large 1 or 2 gallon zippered bags to pack an outfit for each day (1 bag = shirt, shorts, underwear and socks). This is a good idea particularly for the younger girls who seem to want to change clothes several times a day. TIP: Pack one zippered bag with 2 or 3 extra shirts and shorts, and one with some extra socks and underwear. Save the bags to reuse next year!
- SHOES: Tennis shoes or other sturdy lace-up shoes with closed toes and closed backs are necessary to protect against twisted ankles and stumped toes. Campers are also required to wear socks to prevent blisters and any injury from sticks, etc. Flip-flops are only allowed for use in the showers; they are not suitable for wearing around camp. Boots for horseback riding should have a 1” heel and a smooth sole. The barn has about 20 pairs of riding boots that campers can borrow. TIP: Old, slip-on runners are great for wearing to the pool each afternoon.
- FLASHLIGHTS: A good working flashlight with fresh batteries is an absolute necessity—and don’t forget a supply of extra batteries! Many girls also bring small, battery-operated lanterns to light their tents at night. TIP: It never hurts to have a back-up flashlight! Small, LED flashlights that can fit in your pocket are easy to carry around during evening activities. Flashlights often end up in the lost-and-found, so make sure they are labeled with your name!
- WATERPROOF BED COVER: A piece of plastic or vinyl (approximately 9’ x 5’) will be used to cover a camper’s bedding to protect the bed and blankets from moisture or rain. Campers coming for 2 weeks will need an additional piece of plastic or vinyl for the overnight (9’x5’). TIP: Fitted vinyl mattress protectors or vinyl, felt-backed, rectangular tablecloths are great for bed plastic because they are easy to tuck in. For the overnight, plastic drop cloths and tarps work best.
- SHOWER BUCKET: A small plastic shower bucket will be helpful for carrying shampoo and other items back and forth to the shower. TIP: Make sure the bucket has holes in the bottom to let the water drain.
- LAUNDRY: During 2-week sessions, campers can drop off clothing (including socks, jeans, sweatshirts, towels, etc—but not sheets) to be laundered for a flat fee. Please make sure these items are labeled with your camper’s name.
- OVERNIGHT: Two-week campers will go on an overnight with their unit, so bring a sleeping bag! Older units sometimes use camping hammocks (like “Enos”) on the overnight, so if you already have one, you may bring it. If not, we have some to borrow.
- BACKPACK or TOTE: These are helpful for taking water bottles, pool towels, or riding boots to morning classes, and for carrying personal items on the overnight.
- CHECK THE WEATHER and pack accordingly! If the forecast calls for rain or cool weather, pack rain boots, extra socks, sweatshirts, towels, blankets, leggings, warm PJs, etc.
Things to Leave at Home
- Cell phones and walkie-talkies are not permitted at camp under any circumstance. If a camper does arrive with these items, they will be held in the office safe until she leaves.
- We ask that you please check your child’s belongings for any illegal items, such as drugs, alcohol, vapor products, e-cigarettes or tobacco products. If any of these items are found, you will be contacted and your daughter will be sent home immediately.
- We strongly advise against bringing valuable items to camp, such as expensive watches and jewelry, money, iPads, iPods, Kindles, Nooks, laptops, and other electronic devices. We cannot assume responsibility for lost items, although a diligent effort will be made to help campers keep track of their belongings. Please note there is no electricity in the tents, and therefore, no way to re-charge electronics.
- If campers wish to use electronic devices to listen to music, earphones should be used and wireless speakers should be kept at a low volume to preserve the peace and quiet of the natural setting. Cell phones are not allowed for the purpose of listening to music. Please note there is no way for campers to re-charge electronics.