Our Official Best Summer Camp Staff Store

Before You Buy: Check With Your Camp First

Always start with your camp's official staff packing list. Summer camps vary widely in what staff members are expected to bring, what the camp provides, uniform or footwear requirements, electronics policies, staff housing, laundry arrangements, and the kinds of personal equipment that are permitted.

Some camps provide computers, instruments, sports equipment, outdoor gear, waterfront equipment, or other specialized supplies. Others may ask staff members to bring certain personal items. Before buying expensive equipment, electronics, specialty footwear, or activity-specific gear, confirm exactly what your camp recommends or requires.

Safety-critical equipment should always be camp-issued or specifically approved by the camp. That can include climbing equipment, helmets, personal flotation devices, rescue equipment, specialized protective equipment, and other gear used for supervised camp activities.

Top 10 Summer Camp Staff Essentials

Every camp and staff position is different, but these are some of the most useful personal items for counselors, instructors, specialists, and other summer camp staff to consider when preparing for the summer.

1. Durable Daypack or Backpack
   Useful for carrying water, sunscreen, notebooks, activity supplies, rain gear, and personal items during long camp days.
2. Reusable Water Bottle
   Camp staff can spend much of the day outdoors, moving between activities, supervising campers, or teaching programs, so staying hydrated is important.
3. Rain Jacket or Lightweight Weather Gear
   Summer weather can change quickly. A lightweight rain layer can be useful during outdoor activities, evening programs, and unexpected storms.
4. Flashlight or Headlamp
   Especially useful for overnight camps, cabins, evening activities, campouts, staff housing, and walking around camp after dark.
5. Comfortable, Job-Appropriate Footwear
   Counselors may spend many hours on their feet. Outdoor, sports, waterfront, maintenance, and specialty staff may have very different footwear needs, so check with the camp before buying.
6. Quick-Dry Towel
   A compact quick-dry towel can be useful for showers, swimming, waterfront activities, travel, and staff housing where drying space may be limited.
7. Laundry Bag, Shower Tote & Personal Organizer
   Staff living in cabins, dorms, bunkhouses, or shared housing may appreciate simple ways to keep clothing, toiletries, and personal belongings organized.
8. Watch or Simple Alarm Clock
   Camp schedules can start early and move quickly. A watch or alarm can be especially helpful at camps where phones are restricted during the workday.
9. Charging & Cable Organizer
   For camps that permit personal electronics, a small organizer for charging cables, adapters, headphones, and approved devices can make shared staff housing much easier to manage.
10. Notebook, Journal or Small Planner
    Useful for schedules, activity ideas, training notes, camper information, lesson planning, reminders, and recording favorite moments from the summer.

Remember: these are general ideas, not a universal staff packing list. Always follow the specific instructions provided by the camp that hires you.

Shop by Summer Camp Staff Role

Different summer camp jobs can call for very different personal gear. A cabin counselor may need practical items for shared staff housing, while an outdoor instructor, waterfront specialist, sports coach, technology instructor, music specialist, or program leader may have very different priorities.

Use these sections as idea starters, then check with the camp before buying job-specific equipment.

Counselors & Cabin Staff

Cabin counselors and general camp staff may spend long days moving between cabins, activities, meals, evening programs, and outdoor areas. Practical organization, lighting, footwear, and everyday camp gear can make shared living and busy schedules much easier.

Outdoor & Adventure Staff

Hiking, wilderness, ropes, expedition, nature, and outdoor-program staff may need durable personal clothing and weather-ready gear. Specialized climbing, rescue, paddling, and protective equipment should be camp-issued or specifically approved by the employer.

Waterfront & Aquatics Staff

Swimming, boating, sailing, paddling, and waterfront staff may spend much of the day around sun and water. Camps should provide or approve lifeguarding, rescue, flotation, and other safety equipment.

Sports Staff

Coaches, instructors, referees, fitness staff, and activity specialists may spend hours on courts, fields, tracks, or other active program areas. Comfortable footwear and practical coaching accessories can be especially useful.

Tech, Computer & STEM Staff

Technology, coding, robotics, engineering, gaming, and STEM instructors may use computers and electronics throughout the summer. Many programs provide their own computers and instructional equipment, so verify what personal technology is actually needed or permitted before buying it.

Music, Arts, Theater & Dance Staff

Creative-arts specialists may bring personal teaching accessories, notebooks, rehearsal tools, art organizers, or other supplies depending on their program. Instruments, major equipment, costumes, technical gear, and production equipment may already be supplied by the camp.

Leadership, Admin & Program Staff

Directors, coordinators, office staff, program leaders, and other administrative team members may spend the summer balancing schedules, communication, planning, meetings, staff supervision, and camp operations.

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Camp Favorites & Smart Picks

A few fun and practical items campers (and parents) love year after year.

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