Packing List Tips!
April 2023
By Kendra Demopoulos (mom to Lizzie-Birches, Ally-Skytops and Aide Cate) and Alison Quinan (mom to Onaway alums: counselors Misses Emmy, Sarah, and Aide Jocelyn)
Dear Fellow Onaway Families,
Hello and Welcome (or Welcome Back) to Camp!
As we roll into spring and the warmer weather, thoughts turn to summer and getting ready for camp and with that, the packing list! We know it can be a little overwhelming at first glance and as two moms who attended camp in the ‘80s and ‘90s and have each sent 3 girls to camp over the last 10 years, we thought a little explanation/expansion might be helpful. While the official packing list is quite comprehensive for the necessities of day-to-day camp life, there are a few items that might need a little more explanation and a few items our daughters always add to their lists.
Let’s start with the dress-up clothes for Sundays. This does not mean formal wear and it does not mean bringing along your full Elsa costume. Sunday evening supper is typically a casual picnic and each cabin group picks a fun theme for their outfits. Girls create costumes to fit the theme from items they have or they can borrow from each other – our girls have found that their best option is to bring a small assortment of solid colored items (t-shirts in assorted solid rainbow colors, bandanas, shorts, even a random tutu left over from spirit week!) that they can mix and match to fit their needs. Definitely don’t go crazy with this as cabin space is limited!
Next, a suggestion for the laundry bag: The cotton ones on Amazon came with backpack/shoulder straps and they tell me it made life a lot easier when it came time to haul the full bag down the hill for weekly laundry pickup! Don’t forget to personalize it!
The emery board/nail clippers are on the list to help the girls prep their nails for daily nails inspection. Our girls preferred a small nail kit that included cuticle tools in addition to nail clippers and a nail file.
Our girls learned the hard way how important it is that their raincoats and hiking shoes/boots are truly waterproof. And make sure to break in those hiking shoes/boots (or pack plenty of moleskin).
Beyond the items on the packing list, here are some items our girls found helpful to include:
- Thumb tacks
- Masking tape or duct tape
- Extra Sharpie pen(s)
- Self-stick envelopes + stamps (humidity can stick the lick-em kind shut). If you prefer stationary without the self-stick option, we recommend a small plastic container or Ziploc bag for the envelopes to keep the humidity out
- Swim goggles (if your child typically uses them to swim)
- Box of tissues (the square, boutique size fit best on the bedside table)
- Toothbrush case/cover – always a bummer to accidentally drop a toothbrush in the dirt/pine needles on the way to the sink!
- A few small cabin decorations: photos of family/friends, a favorite stuffed animal, small artwork
- Waterproof sandals/shoes for canoe or sailing trips
Lastly, while it’s a pain in the neck, don’t forget to put names on EVERYTHING! You can even use a Sharpie to put a name on the shampoo bottle in case it gets left in the shower house by mistake. A Sharpie or a clothing stamp makes putting names on the many pairs of socks and underwear much easier. For dark clothing, iron-on name tapes work well.
The good news is many of the items on the packing list can be purchased for the first summer and then used for years to come so it gets easier! The cabins are tiny, so don’t bring lots of stuff because it only makes it harder to keep the cabin clean for inspection. Simple living is one of Onaway’s greatest life lessons.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to either of us if you have any questions – about the packing list or anything else!
Bring on Onaway Summer 2023!