Packing Norms
When you think about preparing for your summer at camp, packing might be the first thing on your mind. We give lots of information about what to bring, but sometimes you just want to ask, “what does everyone else do?”
To make things easier, we’ve broken down the “norms” for some of your biggest packing questions. What do Whites actually look like? What kind of fan will work on her bed? None of these are necessities; in fact, we love when girls show their own style and preferences - none of us are exactly alike, so what we bring to camp won’t be either! Take what is helpful, and leave the rest.
Clothing
Camp clothes should be casual, comfortable, and easy.
Most girls will wear athletic shorts and t-shirts every day, though modest tank tops work too. Tennis shoes are the best choice for most classes, but she may want sandals for water activities (the best kinds are those that can stay on her foot). Top it off with the nametag her counselor gives her, and she’s ready for a full day of fun!
Whites are just that - white!
Other than that, they can look like a lot of different things. Most girls wear some version of an all-white shirt and shorts, but they can be as casual or cute as you want. Shoes don’t need to be white, but everything else does.
We get this question a lot! There’s no one answer that works for everyone, but we can point you in a few directions.
Many campers like the fun prints from Dolphin Uglies or the classic options from Summersalt. Target, Old Navy, and Cupshe are all great places to browse. Keep an eye on our Blog for our most recent recommendations. Just remember, no tankinis, and make sure she can move around lots and focus on having fun in her suit!
Believe it or not, yes! Mountain weather varies greatly and changes quickly, so it pays to have layers she can pull out when it shifts.
Mornings can be chilly, so make sure you pack a sweatshirt, and those sweatpants or pajama pants come in handy for snuggling in at night. The kind of raincoat or rainboots doesn’t matter, but she’ll be glad to have them since we get a small rain shower nearly every day.
For June, Main, and August campers, make sure to pack a simple dress or skirt for church on Sundays. It doesn’t have to be white!
If she’s attending June or Main Camp, it’s nice to have a couple of options in case one gets dirty, but there’s no need to pack a different dress for every Sunday.
Cabin
Anything that corrals her things works great, but most campers use a simple caddy. She’ll leave it under the bathroom sink, and can either take it to the shower with her, or just grab her things from it.
While we do provide a light blanket, most girls bring their own bedding to make their bunk feel like home. A warmer blanket or comforter is great for chilly nights, and a mattress pad will make her bed extra cozy.
Junior and August campers need to bring 1 sets of their own sheets, and June and Main campers need to bring 2 sets (in addition to a pillow), but any standard twin size sheets that you like will do.
We recommend a simple, clip on fan. Each bunk has a nearby outlet to plug it in, and she’ll be able to clip it anywhere on her bed.
In a word: yes! You’d be surprised by how many towels a camper uses in a week. We recommend 3-4 bath towels and 2-4 beach towels. That way, one can be in the laundry, one can be drying on the line, and one can be clean and ready to use. Parents (and campers!) love quick drying towels like these or these.
Primarily clothes, but she can use it for anything she wants.
Every camper has a drawer under the bunk that is all hers. The drawers are sizable - 32 x 32 x 9.5 inches to be exact - and can fit a whole trunks worth of clothes. Some parents like to send baskets or dividers to keep the drawer organized, but just folding the clothes works just fine.
Anything that doesn’t fit in her drawer can be kept in the cabin closet or in her luggage on the porch.
There is no wrong answer to your question! If it is your first summer at Greystone, we would recommend using a duffel or a plastic trunk (or rubbermaid box). All of our camp beds have big drawers underneath them, and girls will unpack all of their clothes into these drawers. Duffels are nice, as you can fold them up and put them in your drawer, waiting to use on Closing Day. A cheaper plastic trunk is also nice if you want to leave some “extras” on the porch in a water-proof type of tub (things like extra towels, costumes, or riding gear).
There is no need to spend a lot of money on a nice trunk, especially if this is your daughter’s first year. Many campers end up wanting a nicer trunk as they return year after year, as it provides the perfect place to show off all of their Greystone stickers. But, for your first year, a nice trunk is fine to use, but it is not necessary!
Accessories
Any kind of backpack will come in handy, in fact, a lot of girls just bring their school backpacks! Kavu-style bags are popular right now.
Again, any water bottle will work just fine! Hydroflask-style bottles are popular because they keep that Ice Hut ice cold all day long. Nalgenes are a classic, and the wide-mouth is perfect for catching ice. No matter what kind of bottle you have, it’s fun to cover it in stickers (which we hand out for free throughout camp)!
You’ll find out what team your daughter is on when you arrive on Opening Day (Odd numbered cabins are green, and Even numbers are gold). If you have green or yellow dress up items, feel free to bring them, but no need to go out and get them before camp.
You can always purchase an Odds or Evens shirt from The Store during the session, and we have various dress up items and team accessories girls can use (for free!) during the session.
Exactly what you pack depends on your daughter’s interests and preferences, but it does need to be something she can do quietly by herself on her bunk.
Books to read, puzzles to do, pages to color or draw on, or stationary for letter-writing are all great options. Check out our great list of Rest Hour Suggestions. You’ll be surpried by how often she just wants to close her eyes to nap - camp is tiring!
Many campers like to bring a Crazy Creek to make sitting outside more comfortable. They come in handy for picnics, concerts, and other outdoor events.
All cabins do have a shared picnic blanket to use, so a Crazy Creek isn’t necesary. If your daughter plans to come multiple summers, it might be worth investing in.
There’s no need to go out and buy Riding equipment before camp. All she needs to pack are long pants (jeans or leggings are fine) and closed toed shoes with a small heel if she has them. If you have Riding equipment (a hat and boots), free free to bring them with you!
We do have a small number of helmets and boots for riders to borrow and will make sure she’s wearing the proper gear.
To embrace the true Thunderhead Ranch feel, pack your cowgirl boots and cowgirl hat, and any other “ranch” accessories for your riding time.