Packing Lists

For 4-day, 6-day, and 13-day resident (overnight) camp sessions. Includes items required for horse camp sessions.

Download/Print the Resident (Overnight) Camp Packing List

Clothing

• Underwear (enough for each day and at least one extra)
• Socks (enough for each day and at least one extra)
• T-shirts or tops (one for each day)
• Two sweatshirts or warm tops
• Shorts
• Long pants (jeans, yoga pants, sweatpants, etc.)
• Rain jacket, raincoat, or waterproof poncho
• Swimwear/swimsuit
• Sleepwear or pajamas (one pair)
• Sturdy walking shoes with cushion and support that do not expose toes or
  heels

Equipment

• Backpack or over-the shoulder(s) bag for carrying items around camp
• Sleeping bag or twin-sized sheets and blankets
• Pillow and pillowcase
• Re-fillable water bottle

Bathroom Items

• Medications, if applicable
  • Please Note: Pack medications separately to hand in during check in. See medication packing instructions below.
• Deodorant
• Bug spray/insect repellent
• Menstruation products (pads, tampons, etc.)
• Lip moisturizer, balm, Chapstick, etc.
• Shampoo, conditioner, soap, or body wash for showers
• Towels for swimming and showers
• Washcloth and hand towel
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hairbrush or comb
• Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)
• Hat, beanie, bandana, or other preferred head covering
• Flashlight with charger or extra batteries
• Slip–on shoes or flip–flops for showers

Optional Items

• Sunglasses
• Facial tissues
• Other lotion or moisturizer
• Lip moisturizer, balm, Chapstick, etc.
• Other bathroom items as needed (extra contacts, contact solution, glasses, etc.)
• Stuffed animal or another comfort item
• Camera that is not connected to a mobile device/cell phone
• Book(s) to read
• Notebook/journal and pencil/pen
• Stationery or postcards and stamps (Remember to have addresses for people you want to write to.)
• Lanyard with Honor Pins (Returning campers may have received these in a previous summer.)
• Money for the Camp Store (pack separately to hand in at check in)
  • Please Note: The Camp Store accepts Cookie Credits and Juliette Program Credits.
• Something to tie-dye.
  • Please Note: Only some camp sessions include tie-dye activities. T-shirts can be purchased at the Camp Store, or campers can also bring a white clothing item from home to tie-dye.

Additional Items Required for Horse Camp

• Rain jacket or raincoat (no waterproof ponchos)
• Extra pair of long pants for riding.
  • Please Note: Thick materials like denim jeans work best—NO sweatpants
    or soft, thin, or velvety pants.
• Boots ** or sturdy tennis shoes for riding
  • Please Note: Cowboy boots work best. Make sure your boots have a one–
    inch heel, but no more than two inches—NOT allowed for riding: “Ugg”–
    style boots, rain boots, “Converse”–style shoes, dress boots, and any type of
    sandals.)
    
    ** We have a limited selection of boots to loan to campers if they do not
    have their own. New boot donations for use at camp are always welcome.
    Please contact Girl Scouts River Valleys if you have extra riding boots.
    

Items NOT to Bring to Camp

• Weapons
• Pets
• Tobacco
• Alcohol
• Personal sports equipment (unless approved by the Camp Director)
• Electronic devices***

***Cell phones, iPods, tablets, and game devices will be confiscated if brought to camp and will be kept in the camp office until departure. Electronic Readers (eReaders), such as a Nook or Kindle, may be brought for reading, but they will be confiscated if seen being used for playing games or using the internet.

For 13-day wilderness trip (overnight) camp sessions 

Download/Print the Wilderness Trip Camp Packing Notes & List

Important Wilderness Trip Packing Notes:

• Keep in mind the length of your trip versus the length of your stay at the camp site and pack accordingly. This list includes only what you need for your trip away from the camp property. You should also pack the items on the Resident (Overnight) Camp Packing List for use on camp property.
  • Examples: Pillow, towel, shampoo, etc.
  • You do not need to pack everything for your trip in a separate bag, as your trip group will spend time packing for your trip together at camp. Camp provides equipment for your trip including bags (backpacking packs, canoe packs, and/or dry bags).  
• The overall goal is to pack light (especially for backpacking) while still having what you need.
• Avoid cotton clothing as much as possible. Choose fast-drying, “quick-dry,” or “athletic” fabric like spandex, wool, fleece, or polyester, which dry faster than cotton and will keep you warm when wet. The key is to pack enough layers and have at least one full set of dry clothes to change into if needed.
• Once your group is off camp property and “on-trail,” you do not need to change all your clothes every day—Prepare to be a little dirty and smelly anyway.
• It is a good idea to check the forecast and typical summer weather for the location you will be traveling to. Locations that are further north or near Lake Superior will have colder temperatures.
• You do not need to purchase expensive equipment or clothing just to go on a wilderness trip. You can often find the clothes you need at second-hand stores or you can also borrow some gear from camp.
• The items with an asterisk (*) are available for all wilderness trip campers to borrow from camp. You may also bring your own if you already have these items.
• Unsure about packing an item? Before leaving your camp site for your trip, groups will go through packing for the trip together. If you’re not sure if some of your equipment is trip-worthy, bring it to camp, and we will evaluate it when you arrive to make sure you’re well prepared for your trip.

Clothing

Clothing will vary by trip length and type. Choose clothes that can be layered and serve multiple functions. Weather can change from hot and dry to cold and rainy within minutes. Campers need to be prepared to stay comfortable in all sorts of weather.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on gear. Some great synthetic clothing for outdoor trips can be found at thrift stores, department stores, or your closet! Synthetic materials such as fleece or polypropylene work well, because they are lightweight, dry fast if wet, and retain body heat if wet or in the wind. Cotton is the worst option, as it has the opposite of all these qualities.

• Underwear (enough for each day and at least one extra)
• Socks (enough for each day and at least one extra)
  • Please Note: Wool socks are the best option
• Two, three or four short sleeve shirts (depends on trip length)
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Fleece jacket, sweater, or another warm layer
• Rain jacket, raincoat, or waterproof poncho
• Long pants (Avoid jeans and cotton sweatpants)
  • Please Note: Leggings, hiking pants, or synthetic jogger-type pants with “athletic” fabric options work best.
• Two to three shorts (depends on trip length)
• One, two or three braziers (bras) (depends on trip length)
  • Please Note: Athletic/sports bras are the best option
• Swimsuit
• Warm hat, beanie, bandana, or other preferred head covering,
• Gloves
• Extra top and bottom layers for predicted cold weather
  • Examples: leggings or long underwear
• Two pairs of shoes (types depends on trip):
  • For Canoe/Kayak Trips:
    1. One pair of “water shoes” that will get wet. They should be sturdy and have a backstrap—NO flip flops
    2. One pair of dry “camp shoes” to wear around the campsite such as tennis shoes
  • For Backpacking Trips:
    1. One pair of hiking boots. They should be worn or “broken in”
       prior to attending camp.
       • Please Note: Unworn, poor-fitting or not “broken in” hiking
         boots can cause injuries.
    2. One pair of “camp shoes” to wear around the campsite such
       as tennis shoes or sandals that have back straps.
       • Please Note: We encourage sandals that have back straps,
         because you may have an opportunity to swim or wade in
         shallow water and shoes are required for swimming on trips.

Bathroom and Other Items

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Headlamp or flashlight with charger or extra batteries
• * Sleeping bag (synthetic or down and packable into a stuff sack)
• * Lightweight sleeping pad (foam or inflatable and packs small)
• * Two large refillable water bottles (approximately 1 liter each)
• Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)
• Bug spray/insect repellent
• Sun hat and/or bandana
• Sunglasses
• * Cup and/or bowl and spoon
• Other bathroom items as needed (glasses, extra contacts, contact solution,
  etc.)
• Menstruation products (pads, tampons, etc.)
  • Please Note: We will also bring extras for the group.
• Optional: book, journal, cards, or another small fun item

Download/Print the Troop Camp Packing List

For family camp sessions. Includes items required for horse camp sessions.

Download/Print the Family Camp Packing List

Clothing

• Underwear (enough for each day and at least one extra)
• Socks (enough for each day and at least one extra)
• T–shirts or tops (one for each day)
• Two sweatshirts or warm tops
• Shorts
• Long pants (jeans, yoga pants, sweatpants, etc.)
• Rain jacket, raincoat, or waterproof poncho
• Swimwear/swimsuit
• Sleepwear or pajamas (one pair)
• Sturdy walking shoes with cushion and support that do not expose toes or
  heels

Equipment

• Backpack or over–the shoulder(s) bag for carrying items around camp
• Sleeping bag or twin–sized sheets and blankets
• Pillow and pillowcase
• Re–fillable water bottle

Bathroom Items

Pack medication containers in a plastic zip bag with the camper’s name printed in permanent ink on the bag. All medications, vitamins, and supplements must be in original containers with the doctor’s name, dosage, and any instructions clearly stated.

For resident camp, the camp health supervisor will keep medications, vitamins, ointments, etc., in the health center during camp. On trips, we will send medications, etc., with staff. Inhalers, Epi-Pens, and other necessary items will be kept with each camper as determined by the health supervisor and information on the Health History Form (see forms).

We ask that troop leaders or troop volunteers keep medications, vitamins, ointments, etc., in a secure container for the Girl Scouts during their stay. Troop leaders should note the Health History Form (see forms) that parents filled out with medication instructions and approval when collecting and dispensing medications to campers.

We have a supply of commonly used over-the-counter medicines, so it is not necessary to send these to camp. If you have a question about a specific medicine, please contact us.

• Weapons
• Pets
• Tobacco
• Alcohol
• Candy, food, or beverages (they attract bugs and other critters)
• Personal sports equipment (unless approved by the camp director)
• Electronic devices***

***Cell phones, iPods, tablets, and game devices will be confiscated if brought to camp and will be kept in the camp office until departure. Electronic Readers (eReaders), such as a Nook or Kindle, may be brought for reading, but they will be confiscated if seen being used for playing games or using the internet.

Camp is not responsible for lost or stolen personal belongings, money, or any items left at camp. “lost and found” items will be kept at camp for one month. Any items not claimed by that time will be donated. Please contact the camp director if items are forgotten at camp.