The Packing List below details the clothing and equipment that will be needed at camp. The list is only a suggested guide. Substitutions can be made for individual preferences and age appropriateness. Campers do not need more than what’s recommended and storage space is limited. Please do not overbuy!
All items brought to camp must be clearly marked with the camper’s name. We highly recommend the peel-and-stick washable labels from Label Daddy. (And enter AKEELA at checkout to have 25% of your order donated to CampLauncher!
REQUIRED:
☐ 1 white or grey Akeela t-shirt (Required)
☐ 12 additional t-shirts
☐ 4 long-sleeved t-shirts
☐ 4 pair pants (sweatpants, jeans, etc.)
☐ 8 pair shorts
☐ 2 sweatshirts (1 hooded)
☐ 2 pair sneakers
☐ 14 pair underwear
☐ 14 pair athletic socks
☐ 2 pair pajamas (e.g. 1 short and 1 long)
☐ 1 comforter or 3 cot-sized wool blankets (VT can be cold at night!)
☐ 4 cot-sized or twin sheets (2 flat & 2 fitted)
☐ 2-3 bath towels
☐ 2 swim/beach towels
☐ 1 shower caddy with soap dish, cup, toothbrush holder & toiletries
☐ pre-addressed, stamped envelopes with stationery
☐ 1 pillow with 2 cases
☐ 3-4 bathing suits: designed for active water programs (no string ties)
☐ 1 pair flip flops/sandals/Crocs
☐ 2 hats with brim
☐ 1 fleece jacket or heavyweight jacket
☐ 1 rain jacket or hooded poncho
☐ 1 pair rain boots
☐ 1 sleeping bag (required)
☐ 1 flashlight
☐ 2 water bottles or canteens (All Campers MUST bring)
☐ 1 bottle insect repellent
☐ 1 pr. hiking shoes (or sturdy sneakers) – please break in before camp
☐ 1 bottle sunscreen
☐ 1 small backpack (an Akeela backpack will be provided to all first-time campers)
OPTIONAL:
☐ Sunglasses
☐ Camera
☐ Music player (without screen content)
☐ Baseball glove
☐ Musical instrument
☐ Tennis racquet
☐ Fishing rod
☐ Books
☐ Crazy Creek chair (or similar)
Shipping Bags to Camp
Unpacking our campers is a vital part of how we welcome them to Akeela. Except for our overseas campers, we require that all trunks/duffels arrive at camp at least 3 days prior to the start of your child’s session
R & B Camp Baggage – We have been working with a camp shipping company, R&B Shipping, since Akeela’s inception in 2008. They provide door-to-door service for most major metropolitan areas in the Northeast.
Ship Camps – For anyone outside R&B’s regular service areas, campers who are flying to New England, and any other families who prefer to ship their bags, we highly recommend Ship Camps. They provide door-to-door service, ready-to-use labels, real time online tracking, and excellent rates that can be previewed on their website.
UPS / FedEx / USPS – If you choose not to use R&B or Ship Bags, you can send your camper’s belongings to camp via USPS, UPS or FedEx. All three shipping carriers deliver reliably to Akeela on a daily basis. For camp luggage, you’ll find the best pricing using their “Ground” services. Please make sure to get an estimated date of delivery and aim to have everything arrive at camp at least 3 days before your camp session. (NOTE: If you’re told that our camp address isn’t recognized, you can override that warning; we promise that packages find us at 1 Thoreau Way! If an alternative address is truly required, use this: Camp Akeela, 1 Camp Thoreau Loop, Thetford Center, VT 05075.)
Drop Off Bags At Camp – Families who live close enough are welcome to drive their campers’ belongings to Akeela. Because we unpack and set up cabins ahead of time, camper bags must arrive at least 3 days before the camp session. Please let us know if you plan to drop off your child’s baggage.
Getting Bags Home from Camp
While we are hopeful that bags will be able to go under the buses on the return trip home, space is very limited and we can’t count on it until we know for sure how many campers will be on each bus. As such, please contract return service with R&B, Ship Camps, or generate return labels from FedEx/UPS. If we think we can get your bags under the bus after all, we’ll let you know in advance. If you are picking your child up at camp at the end of the session, we will have their bags ready to put in your car that morning.
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