Camps › Compared
What almost every summer camp packing list asks for
8 items are on all 10 summer camp packing lists we hold: closed-toe athletic shoes, flashlight or headlamp, laundry bag, pillow, stationery and stamps, towels, twin sheets and water shoes. The table counts each camp once per item, across the 10 camp lists on this site, and shows how each camp words it.
Built from each camp's own published list (sources on each camp page), lists read 2026-11-02. Your camp's list always wins: check its rules for sizes, colors and banned items.
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Closed-toe athletic shoesSee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Pair of tennis shoes × 1
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Sturdy, comfortable shoes × 1-2 pairs (tennis, clogs, street shoes)
- Camp Greystone: Tennis shoes × 2 pairs
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Closed-toe athletic shoes × 1 pair
- Camp Champions: Tennis shoes × 2 pair
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Athletic shoes × 2 pair
- Camp Pinnacle: Closed-toed shoes × 2 pairs (Running or athletic shoes, good fitting)
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Tennis shoes × 3 pairs
- Camp Laney: Tennis shoes × 2 pairs
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Closed-toed shoes × 1-2
Flashlight or headlampSee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Flashlight with batteries × 1
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Flashlight and/or book light and extra batteries (recommended)
- Camp Greystone: Flashlight or headlamp × 1
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Flashlight with extra batteries
- Camp Champions: Flashlight
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Flashlight
- Camp Pinnacle: Headlamp or small flashlight with extra batteries × 1
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Headlamp (optional)
- Camp Laney: Flashlight × 1
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Headlamp with batteries × 1
Laundry bagSee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Laundry bag × 1
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Mesh laundry bag × 1 (inexpensive; for use while the laundry service bag is out)
- Camp Greystone: Laundry bag × 1
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Heavy-duty mesh laundry bag × 1 (available on the Camp Store website)
- Camp Champions: Laundry bags with full name on outside × 2
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Large, clearly labeled laundry bag × 1
- Camp Pinnacle: Camp Pinnacle laundry bag × 1 (New campers receive one; returning campers bring theirs; $5 at camp store)
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Laundry bag (optional)
- Camp Laney: Laundry bags × 2 (Offered in camp store)
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Laundry bag × 1 (Launderable mesh bag labeled with camper's name; can be ordered/purchased at camp)
PillowSee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Pillow × 1 (pack in laundry bag)
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Pillow × 1
- Camp Greystone: Pillow × 1
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Pillow × 1
- Camp Champions: Pillow × 1
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Pillow × 1
- Camp Pinnacle: Pillow × 1
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Pillow × 1 (provided for international campers)
- Camp Laney: Pillow × 1
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Pillow × 1 (With pillow case)
Stationery and stampsSee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Stamps and stationery items
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Pens, pencils, stationery, postage stamps (recommended)
- Camp Greystone: Pre-addressed letters and stamped envelopes (in Ziploc)
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Pre-addressed, stamped envelopes × 2+ (in Ziploc bag)
- Camp Champions: Stationery
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Stationery & stamps
- Camp Pinnacle: Letter writing materials (Paper, pens, stamped pre-addressed envelopes in a zip-top bag)
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Letter writing supplies and stamps (suggest pre-addressed envelopes)
- Camp Laney: Stationery (Offered in camp store)
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Stationery and envelopes (Optional; pre-stamped and addressed)
TowelsSee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Towels × 2
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Bath towels × 2-3
- Camp Greystone: Beach towels × 2 (preferably quick dry)
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Thin or quick-drying bath/beach towels × 2 (inexpensive)
- Camp Champions: Large beach towels × 2
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Towels × 3-4
- Camp Pinnacle: Bath towels × 2 (Avoid large, fluffy or bulky towels)
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Bath towels × 4 (provided for international campers)
- Camp Laney: Bath towels × 4
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Bath towels × 2-3
Twin sheetsSee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Twin bed sheet sets × 2 (one set in laundry bag)
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Sheets for regular twin bed × 2 sets (not extra long unless requested on Cabin Life form)
- Camp Greystone: Twin sheets × 1 set
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Twin sheets × 2 sets (with 2 pillow cases; extras remain in duffle on top of locker)
- Camp Champions: Fitted twin sheets × 2
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Twin fitted sheets × 2
- Camp Pinnacle: Twin-size bedding × 1 set (Fitted and flat sheet, blanket and pillow; sleeping bags cannot be used as bedding)
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Twin sheets × 2 sets (provided for international campers)
- Camp Laney: Twin sheet sets × 2 sets (2 fitted, 2 flat)
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Twin bed sheet sets × 1-2 (A second set is nice if one needs washing)
Water shoesSee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Pair of shoes for wading × 1
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Water shoes × 1 pair (lakes are rocky)
- Camp Greystone: Water sandals/shoes × 1 pair (shoes that can get wet)
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Shoes that can be worn in the river × 1 pair
- Camp Champions: Sandals or aquasocks × 1
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Water shoes × 1 pair (Tevas or Chacos that strap to the foot; Crocs or flip flops are NOT suitable)
- Camp Pinnacle: Water sandals with heel strap × 1 pair (Chaco, Teva, Keen, etc.)
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Water shoes with straps × 1
- Camp Laney: Shoes that will not come off (old tennis shoes, Chacos, water shoes) × 1 pair (For trip day rafting)
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Water shoes × 1 (Full coverage, no skin exposed below the ankle; for Swim Challenge and Sailing)
Rain jacket or ponchoNot on the list we hold for Camp ChampionsSee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Light weight rain jacket × 1
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Raincoat/poncho/lightweight jacket × 1 (any color)
- Camp Greystone: Raincoat × 1 (bring extra if cold weather expected)
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Rain jacket × 1
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Rain jacket × 1
- Camp Pinnacle: Waterproof rain jacket × 1 (Not a poncho)
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Rain jacket or poncho × 1
- Camp Laney: Raincoat or poncho × 1
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Rain jacket × 1 (Rain proof, not rain resistant)
SunscreenNot on the list we hold for Camp LaneySee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Sunscreen/Lip balm
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Sunscreen (broad spectrum, water resistant, SPF 30+ recommended)
- Camp Greystone: Sunscreen and bug repellent
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Sunscreen (1 bottle lotion, 2 bottles spray; SPF 30 or higher)
- Camp Champions: Waterproof sunscreen (SPF 15+)
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Sunscreen
- Camp Pinnacle: Sunscreen (Spray or lotion)
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Sunscreen (optional)
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Sunscreen × 1 bottle (Non-aerosol)
SwimsuitNot on the list we hold for YMCA Camp Manito-wishSee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Swimsuits × 3
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Bathing suits × 1-2 (adventure-appropriate; no string, thong or crochet suits)
- Camp Greystone: One-piece swimsuits × 2 (no tankinis)
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Swimsuits × 4
- Camp Champions: Swim suits × 2 (note new girls' suit requirements)
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Swimsuits × 2-3
- Camp Pinnacle: Athletic bathing suits × 2-3 (Suitable for a lot of movement)
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Bathing suits × 2
- Camp Laney: Bathing suits × 2
Water bottleNot on the list we hold for Rockbrook Camp for GirlsSee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Water bottle × 1
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Plastic drinking cup and/or plastic or metal water bottle with cap (water bottle required, 20oz or larger suggested, no glass)
- Camp Greystone: Water bottles × 2
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Water bottle without straw × 1
- Camp Champions: Water bottle
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Water bottle
- Camp Pinnacle: Quart-sized water bottles × 2
- Camp Laney: Water bottle × 1 (Optional; offered in camp store)
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Water bottle × 2-3 (Quart or liter size)
BlanketNot on the list we hold for Camp Pinnacle, Camp LaneySee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Light weight blanket × 1 (pack in laundry bag)
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Warm blankets × 2 (not electric; one blanket/comforter and one fleece; students must sleep in linens)
- Camp Greystone: Warm blanket for bed × 1 (bring extra if cold weather)
- Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA): Lightweight blanket × 1
- Camp Champions: Light blanket × 1
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Warm blankets × 1-2
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Blankets × 2 (provided for international campers)
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Warm blankets × 1-2 (Some nights can get into the 30s)
CameraNot on the list we hold for Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA), Camp LaneySee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Disposable camera (optional)
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Camera and accessories (recommended)
- Camp Greystone: Camera (optional)
- Camp Champions: Disposable camera (optional; no digital cameras)
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Disposable camera
- Camp Pinnacle: Camera (Disposable camera best)
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Disposable camera (optional)
- YMCA Camp Manito-wish: Camera (Optional)
PillowcasesNot on the list we hold for Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer (YMCA), YMCA Camp Manito-wishSee on Amazon
How each camp words it
- Camp Longhorn (Inks Lake): Pillow cases × 2
- Interlochen Arts Camp: Pillow cases × 2
- Camp Greystone: Pillowcase × 1
- Camp Champions: Pillow cases × 2
- Camp Highlands for Boys: Pillowcases × 2
- Camp Pinnacle: Pillowcases × 2
- Rockbrook Camp for Girls: Pillowcases × 2 (provided for international campers)
- Camp Laney: Pillow cases × 2