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Packing Tips for Summer 2021 from Camp Wekeela

Camp Wekeela Packing Tips 

Packing can be a stressful endeavor, but using our packing tips can help to make the process much easier! You can also read more packing tips here. 

1. Make sure you have enough SOFT foldable duffle bags for packing – Wekeela only allows soft bags – we have storage in each cabin for these (we sell these bags at the camp store if anyone needs them).
2. Baggage: Make sure bags are still in good condition with working zippers and no major rips (if they’re not – you still have time to replace).
3. Follow our packing list – we are uniform on A days and C days – this means they must have a single piece of Wekeela Wear 6 days for every 14 days in camp. If your child needs more Wekeela Wear – they can purchase when they get to camp. We are shipping all orders to camp right now. 
4. Label everything! Clothing, equipment, camper trunks, and more. Label Daddy Stickers, Sharpie – any of these are great! We also recommend sending your camper with extra stick-on labels or a marker in their backpack.
5. Wash dark colored items (sheets, shirts) before they go to camp if possible so they don’t have issues when their clothing goes to the laundry. 
6. Equipment – make sure your camper has everything they need for the sports they’ll play which could include small items like a mouth guard for lacrosse and shin guards for soccer. If they have a favorite tennis racket – you can send it. We have equipment for every sport, but some campers have their own preference. Please make sure your child has comfortable sneakers that fit well and will be good for active days ahead.
7. Crazy Creek chair: We’ve found that multi-color or darker color chairs are best for looking cleaner, longer – these chairs are a camper favorite. Please label it. We use these in our Performing Arts building, at campfires, and other places where we are sitting unsupported.
8. Socks & Underwear: Socks, socks, socks! Underwear, underwear, underwear! You can never have too many of these items, especially for younger campers.
9. Spirit gear – always fun to have a few green and white bandanas, costumes for special events, socks and face zinc in fun colors. We also will have College Weekend and Color War shirts available at camp! 
10. Don’t waste time, money, or space on things campers don’t need.  For example: dressy clothing – Maine camps want campers to be casual and comfortably dressed and focused on their activities and not appearances.  We will have one or two opportunities to dress up, otherwise, shorts and t-shirts are best.
11. Letter writing supplies – pack stationery, stamps, and pens. Include an address book and/or pre-addressed envelopes – especially great for younger campers – we also will have the email service, Wekeela Notes, so your child will need a black or blue pen for these notes. 
12. Some other “good-to-have items” include: fans that are battery operated, flashlights, sunscreen, bug spray, toiletries, extra batteries, and a few fun activities like beads and/or string for making bracelets, Mad Libs, a book or two, and little games like cards, jacks, and pick-up-sticks are good for rest hour.

Just remember

We ask the parents to send the duffle bags in advance of arrival. We unpack and make the beds for every camper so that day one of camp we can get right into programming. If you are dropping your children off  at camp, remember we will not be allowing parents to leave their cars (see our very comprehensive Covid plan), so it may be beneficial to send your bags in advance so your child can enjoy the first day without having to unpack.

We are very excited for the start of this summer!

Bags (and campers!) here we come!