How to Properly Pack & Label Clothes for Camp
Camping season is coming!
Whether it’s a family camping trip, the kids are heading off for a sleepaway camp, or they’ll be spending their time at a day camp – whatever summer camping you’re involved with you’ll need to know how to label clothes and gear you’re planning to pack!
Hey, that equipment and those supplies aren’t cheap. Even if your child just loses their socks regularly, it adds up - and it doesn’t have to. Proper packing and labeling for camp saves the day!
Labeling Means No More Losing
Before you learn the best way to pack your camping gear, you’re going to want to label it. Even if it’s just you, alone out in the wilderness, if you leave something behind, it might find its way back to you – that is, if it’s labeled.
If you’re going to use Camp Labels from Name Bubbles, which we’re pretty sure you’re going to love, then we have some tips for how to use them. They’re not tricky or difficult to use, but you’ll get the most out of them if you know how to label clothes for camp.
The Best Way To Label Clothes for Camp
The best way to label clothes for camp involves using one of three different types of labels: Laminated stick-on clothing labels, unlaminated sticker labels, or iron-on clothing labels. When determining how to label clothes for camp, it’s best to look specifically at the types of clothing your child will be taking, and pick one of these labels accordingly.
Laminated stick-on clothing labels work on care tags or label tags that you’ll find on most children’s clothing. The laminated stickers are also versatile, working on a variety of items like water bottles, flashlights, and hard gear that your kids will be using day-to-day at their summer camp.
For clothes that don’t have tags, unlaminated clothing stickers will do the trick on clothes that have a printed label or a brand imprint for the sticker to stick to. We don’t recommend putting our sticker labels directly on the fabric, as it needs something to grab onto (like the brand imprint).
For clothes without a tag or imprint like socks, our iron-on labels adhere directly to the fabric of their clothes. Once the labels are ironed onto the article of clothing, it takes about 24 hours to really bond.
Our stick-on and iron-on labels are durable, waterproof, and will withstand many washing cycles throughout the camp season and beyond. While our stick-on labels can be peeled off, our iron-on labels are permanently attached.
Remember: To get the most out of labeling your children’s clothes, don’t cut or trim labels, as they can lose some effectiveness around the edges. And don’t put labels on items your child will put in their mouth.
Our camp clothing labels packs -- like these cool tie dye camp labels -- include a variety of sticker and iron-on labels, and are a good pack to start. The instructions for the variety of labels in the packs show you how to label clothes for summer camp, especially if you have many different types of clothes you need to label.
Tips for Labeling Clothes for Summer Camp
- Go ahead – label everything. You’ll be glad you did.
- Always start with a clean, dry surface before applying a label.
- Let the labels rest for 24 hours before use or washing freshly labeled clothes.
- Get a variety of label sizes because cutting them can make them less adhesive.
- Be careful when labeling! The labels are removable, but it takes some work. Our labels are designed to last through the dishwasher and microwave, and adhere to just about everything except rubber or silicone. Using vegetable oil can help in removing labels that are misplaced or no longer needed.
Tips on How to Pack for Camp
Now that everything is labeled, it’s time to start packing. These tips can help you stay organized and make the most of your space.
More Bags
No matter what you use for your main camping bag (knapsack, duffel bag, etc.), having some zip lock bags of different sizes can help you keep your clothing safe from toiletries that might leak. It’s also easier to find stuff when you’ve organized them into bags. Remember to label those bags.
Don’t forget the garbage bag. One of our favorite tips is to line your bag with a garbage bag. This way, everything is protected from unexpected rain, heavy morning dew, or an unexpected splash.
Camp Clothing
You don’t want to overpack clothing, but you also don’t want to be without key pieces. It never hurts to pack an extra swimsuit and extra socks. We’re big fans of camp clothing with a UPF 50+ rating to block harmful UV rays. If we’re being honest, putting on sunscreen is something we all know we should do regularly, but when we’re camping, it can be a hassle. That’s why the extra protection is good to have. Similarly, you might want to invest in clothing with built-in bug repellent. Roll the Clothing
Another clothing tip that seasoned travelers swear by is roll your clothing instead of folding. This technique gives you more space in your bag, and it keeps them a little bit more wrinkle-free.
Try creating a clothing burrito for each day. Lay the t-shirt down, put the shorts on top, then lay underwear and socks down. Fold in half and roll. Now each day has a little packet of clean clothes.
But it’s not just about new clothing. A habit of rolling dirty laundry will help keep things nice and neat.
Simple and Less
The temptation is to pack everything, so you or your little one is ready for anything that comes along. Luckily, that’s usually not necessary so you can leave most of it at home. Try to pare down to just the essentials.
Checklist
Keeping a list of items you need and then checking them off as they’re packed is a great idea. Not only does this help you make sure you have the stuff you need, but you can use it year after year. If you stick to the same list, you can revisit and review it, so it becomes your official camping go-to list.
While it’s tempting to do all of the labeling and packing yourself, if your camping trip involves little ones or it’s for their adventure - let them help! If your child is involved in the packing, they know where stuff is, what they’ve packed, and they have a sense of accomplishment and pride. It also helps them keep track of what they’ve brought, so they might (just maybe) be more inclined to bring their supplies back home.
Thank you again for joining us for another edition of The Weekly Bubble! We hope this blog post on packing and how to label clothes for summer camp was informative for you and your children. If you have any questions about labeling or summer camp in general, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
We’ll talk to you next week!
