Preparing for Camp

A little preparation goes a long way toward a safe, fun, and successful week of camp.  Please review the information below to help your camper arrive ready to explore, play, and adventure.

Start the Day Ready

  • Please be sure your child eats a good breakfast before camp.
  • Apply sunscreen at home each morning (we’ll reapply midday).
  • Send your child in comfortable clothes that they can get dirty in.
  • If your child is feeling unwell, please keep them home and reach out to us.

What Campers Carry

Campers spend much of the day outdoors and may hike while carrying their own gear. Choosing items that are comfortable and appropriately sized helps campers move, play, and explore with ease.

  • A comfortable day pack that your child can manage independently
  • A filled, non-leaking water bottle (at least 20 oz)
  • A healthy lunch and plenty of snacks

💧 A quick hydration note: We love seeing campers arrive with big water bottles—yay hydration! At the same time, larger bottles (especially when full) and bulky lunch bags with ice packs can make backpacks very heavy for kids. There are opportunities throughout the day to refill water bottles, so when choosing a bottle, please consider the weight of a full bottle and what will be most comfortable for your child to carry.

Mountain weather reminder: Conditions can change quickly. Even on warm, sunny days in town, it can be cooler, windier, or rainy in the mountains.

Everyday Essentials

Most camps require:

  • Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or running shoes
  • Sun hat (full-coverage hats are best; baseball hats leave ears exposed)
  • Sunscreen and lip protection
  • Lightweight rain jacket
  • Warm layer (fleece or similar—even on hot days)
  • Spare dry socks (packed in the day pack)

Specific packing lists are linked by program type below.

Summer Camp Water Play Note 💦

We suggest that campers should always plan to carry water shoes, sandals, or Crocs in their backpacks.

Our goal is to find water every day—whether it’s creeks, splash spots, or muddy exploration—so having footwear that can get wet helps campers stay comfortable, safe, and ready for adventure. Please choose shoes that fit securely and can handle walking on uneven or slippery surfaces.

Extra Clothes (Required)

Please send a labeled bag of extra clothes on the first day of camp, including:

  • Shirt
  • Pants or shorts
  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Warm layer
  • An extra pair of shoes

Extra clothes are kept in our Adventure Van for the duration of your child’s enrollment in case of rain, water play, or muddy adventures. If your child can carry extra clothes in their pack, even better. 

Label Everything

Please label all belongings. We do our best to return lost items, but unlabeled items cannot be reliably returned. Any items left at the end of the summer will be donated. If your child comes home without a piece of clothing or gear, please check with their Field Instructor; often, items are in the van. 

What to Leave at Home

Nature provides plenty of entertainment! Please leave the following items at home:

  • Toys (including stuffed animals)
  • Electronics (including phones)
  • Knives, weapons, or weapon-like items

These expectations support safety, focus, and positive group dynamics and align with Mountain Kids! policies.

Wilderness Tools (Welcome!)

Campers are welcome to bring small, age-appropriate exploration tools, such as:

  • Compass
  • Flashlight
  • Signal mirror
  • Bandana
  • Binoculars
  • Small field guide

These items support curiosity and skill-building and may be used during programming.

A Quick Parent Pro Tip 😊

Outdoor days often mean big appetites. Please pack more snacks than you think your child will need, especially for full-day programs. Hungry campers have a much harder time staying warm, focused, and cheerful.

The most commonly forgotten items are:

  • Water bottles (filled and non-leaking)
  • Water shoes (proper-fitting sandals or Crocs work, too!) 
  • Extra dry socks

A quick double-check before drop-off goes a long way toward a great camp day.

Program-Specific Packing Lists

Packing needs vary by program. Please review the appropriate list for your child’s camp:

  • Summer Day Camp
  • Mountain Biking Camp
  • Backpacking & Overnight Camps