Bringing a small day pack or book bag lets campers carry what they need for specific activity times and keeps their hands free to play and explore - without the need to carry ALL their belongings with them to every activity.
- Campers spending one or more nights can bring a carry-on size suitcase or a "Loot Box" (a 66 Qt. plastic container with a lid works well) to carry and store their gear while at Walcamp.
- Storage space is limited in our bunk rooms, so please avoid bringing full-size luggage with you - one easy measure is to ask, "Is my child's suitcase larger than my child?"
- A second cloth laundry bag can also be helpful. You can use it to carry bedding a pillow to camp, and then have your camper use it to bring home their sheets and dirty laundry - and packing their pillow in their less-full suitcase. Also, a distinctive cloth laundry bag is harder to misplace at Pick-up than a generic trash bag.
Backpack (Day Camp)
- Our Day Campers are encouraged to bring a carry-on size backpack to hold all of their gear. This allows easy transportation between your vehicle and their activity areas, and also helps as a guide so they do not pack too much stuff.
- Backpacks should be checked at home DAILY after camp to remove wet or soiled laundry, remove any crafts and 'take-home' projects, and to confirm that all your child's belongings returned home with them.
- It helps if each camper is able to carry their own belongings without assistance from a team member, but we are happy to assist as needed, especially with our younger campers.
Plastic Grocery Bag(s)
Highly recommended. Sending these with your camper helps separate wet clothes and mud shoes from the dry stuff in your child’s day pack and keeps your vehicle clean.
Seasonal and Extra Clothes
Whatever the weather, it helps if you pack at least one extra set of clothing for your child. Accidents can happen, as do rain, mud and other factors. Bring 2-3 extra pairs of socks!
It is a good idea to pack a little extra to prepare for the season. Even if snow is not predicted, a warm jacket and gloves will make your child's outdoor adventures more enjoyable.
Mud Shoes
"Mud shoes" are sturdy old sneakers or water moccasins your camper can get wet and muddy, keeping their normal shoes clean and dry. The goal is for your camper to play safe in mud or in murky water where they might step on submerged sticks, rocks or other potentially sharp objects.
- Mud Shoes MUST be closed-toed, fasten securely to your child’s feet, and should be expected to get wet or muddy.
- Avoid flip-flops, Crocs, open-toed sandals and expensive shoes like Air Jordan’s.
Swimwear
Our summer campers play in the water daily, Monday-Thursday, weather permitting.
- Swimwear should be as modest as possible - Aquatic play at camp is active - your child may be jumping, splashing, wrestling, climbing, and playing in mud - and we take pictures at most activities to share with family members back home. A modest two-piece swimsuit is acceptable; no bikinis please.
- Some female campers choose to bring athletic shorts to wear over their suit when they explore our creek and the river, and for our slip-and-slide.
- Some campers find that wearing a light cotton or "swim" shirt helps reduce the risk of sunburn, especially during our teen river canoe trips.