Packing for Camp Foley: 5 Hacks from a Type A-/B+ Mom
Jules (right) with cousin Kate at Friendship Campfire
I am Jana, mom of Axel (10) and Jules (8). This will be their 3rd and 2nd year at Foley this summer!
Future Jana thanks past Jana. On the back shelf, deep in the abysses of my children’s closets is a laundry bag (required camp item) neatly tucked away. Its contents hold camp only equipment — items that we don’t need except for at Camp Foley. Each year when I dig the Camp Foley sanctioned laundry bag out to start packing for camp, I hug myself and thank past Jana. Its contents include; their lanyard, shower caddy, bandana, flashlight, soap container, toothbrush holder, twin sheets set and clipboard. Boom! 18% of
Axel (left) with friend Niles B.
packing already complete.
As a former camper, current camper parent of a boy and girl child, professional woman and type A-/B+ mom I wanted to share some of my other tips and tricks to make packing for camp 10% easier.
Name Bubbles Labels: Put that sharpie back in the junk drawer. For about $30 you can get the ‘Camp Clothing Pack’ with 94 sticker labels. Seriously, this is a sanity saver!
Wheeled Duffle Bags: While you pack your kid for camp keep in mind that your kid has to pack themselves up to come home. They are not going to neatly fold, tightly roll a single thing. I just ordered these duffle bags in the 80L size and the 120L and I am confident together they will be perfect enough for all involved. Best
part is that they roll up nicely for storage.
The truth about toiletries: A Shower caddy that drains itself is a must have to keep your lovelies toiletries (tooth brush, tooth paste, brush, deodorant, sunblock, shampoo, soap) semi-organized for the duration of their stay at Foley. For simplicity I prefer an all in one shampoo and conditioner. Leave the luxurious loofa and specialized shower gel at home. Grab that good ‘ole bar of basic soap and neatly place it in a soap container. Presto! And remember when the soap runs out in the shower, shampoo magically transforms into body wash.
Side Note: I’m tempted this year to send the boy child with soap on a rope as an experiment.
Keep the fancy hair scrunchies, headbands, barrettes at home and stick to the basic hair binders and barrettes. I will be setting up the girl child with this hair tie organization case to hang off her shower caddy in hopes that her hair finds itself in a pony tail more often than not.
Rest Box: I like to prepare a hard covered pencil case with stationary and stamps, writing utensils, mp3 player with earbuds, stickers, and a book for the infamous daily 45 minute rest period. Slip in a fidget spinner, origami, friendship bracelets, deck of cards, small book of riddles or brainteasers as a bonus.
Heavy Blanket: Do you pack a comforter? A quilt? A throw blanket? A weighted blanket? AN electric blanket (for sure not this one!)? I’ve struggled with this one for years. So, I reached out to the Camp Director, Alli Faricy, and here is the scoop on the blanket and bedding situation. Pack a microfiber comforter, they are economical ($20), light weight and warm. They make the beds soft and fluffy. On super cold nights, campers can use their sleeping bag as an extra blanket. If you have space in your duffels, throw in a small fleece blanket for added comfort.
And would you look at that, we are now 38% packed for camp, in May.