I remember my first experience as a camp mom. Since I had never gone to summer camp as a kid, I spent weeks asking friends about what my daughter should pack, how she should pack, when to send care packages, what to send in a care package…among a million other questions. I shopped in secret to build her care package for weeks in advance and had everything ready to go. It was essential that I crossed every ‘t’ and dotted every ‘i’ so her first camp outing would be memorable and perfect. These could also be used as College Care Package Ideas. I hope your child’s summer camp experience goes off without a glitch. And now to more than 60 care package ideas to help you do just that… We made it easy and created an amazon link for each to easily add to your cart!

Care Package Delivery

The morning after I dropped off my daughter, I hightailed it to the post office to mail a gift basket. They assured me it would arrive in two days. Every day I waited to get an email from my daughter telling me how much she loved my care package. Emails arrived daily, but no mention of the care package. Sure enough, as soon as I went to pick her up, she was sitting on her bunk bed opening her care package for the first time. I learned it arrived the morning of check out! Despite the post office glitch, her experience turned out to be memorable and perfect anyway.

So what did I learn? Consider dropping off your care package the same day you check-in your child! I also kept my list care package ideas for this year’s summer camp adventure, and I share them below. Maybe my list will make your preparations easier. Not every camp allows food in care package, so be sure to ask in advance.

Tips for Sending Summer Camp Care Packages

Label everything
Check camp rules first
Avoid homesick messaging
Send packages early
Use flat-rate shipping boxes

What to Put in Care Packages for Summer Camp

Homemade Care Packages for Summer Camp

Self-addressed stamped envelopes
Stationery/note cards
Notes from family members
Picture of family
Picture of family pet
A letter from your family pet

Non-Food Summer Camp Care Package Ideas

Band-aids
Waterproof Ear plugs for swimming
Extra sunscreen, Sunscreen Stick, and Sunscreen Applicator
Colored zinc – fun colored sunscreen
Chapsticks
Toiletry items
Insect repellent
Aloe Vera for sunburns
Bug bite relief
Mosquito Stickers

Unexpected Surprises

Snacks

Sweet Treats (Candy, Chocolate, granola bars, etc)
Savory Snacks (trail mix, pretzels, crackers, etc)
Taste of Home – Homemade baked goods (cookies, muffins, etc)

For the Long Nights

Flashlight (don’t forget the batteries!)
Booklight
Journal – These themed summer camp journals are perfect for giving them prompts to write about
Books
Magazines
Sketchbooks
Pens and pencils
Portable Fan (don’t forget the batteries if not rechargeable)
Warm, fuzzy socks

Summer Camp Care Package Ideas for Girls

Summer Camp Care Package Ideas for Boys

Sports cards
Comic books

A Couple of Other Camp Care Package Ideas

~ Consider wrapping each item individually so it’s like a holiday occasion for your child to open the care package.
~ Don’t have time to coordinate a care package? Send a pre-made camp care package from Amazon, the Wrinkled Egg, or Camp Pacs. Brilliant idea!
~ If you have more ideas to add to this list, leave a comment below!

What Not to Pack in Summer Camp Care Packages

Expensive electronics
Candy that melts
Aerosols
Strong fragrances
Valuable jewelry
Large amounts of cash

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