A good Christian summer camp packing list does more than prevent forgotten socks. It helps students arrive ready, gives parents a clear plan, and keeps youth leaders from solving avoidable problems during travel day.
Use this checklist as a starting point for a week at the beach. Your church and camp may have different rules, room arrangements, dress expectations, or document requirements, so always compare this list with the current information from your group leader and the official BigStuf resources (/resources) and Help Center (/help-center).
Quick packing rules
• Label luggage, backpacks, water bottles, towels, and important personal items.
• Pack light enough for the student to carry and manage independently.
• Use a separate bag for travel-day essentials.
• Put liquids and damp items in sealed bags.
• Confirm current camp and church policies before packing valuables, medication, or special equipment.
• Check the weather shortly before departure instead of packing from an old forecast.
Student clothing checklist
Pack comfortable clothes that work for warm, humid beach weather and active days. Choose items that can be mixed, reworn when appropriate, and stored easily in a shared room.
• Shirts for each day, plus one spare
• Shorts or casual bottoms
• Underwear and socks for each day, plus extras
• Sleepwear
• Lightweight sweatshirt or long-sleeve layer for cool meeting rooms
• Comfortable closed-toe shoes
• Sandals or flip-flops for the beach and room
• One or two swimsuits that follow your church’s guidelines
• Modest cover-up or shirt for walking to and from the beach
• Outfit appropriate for worship sessions and evening activities
• Church or group shirt if your leader requests one
• Laundry bag or plastic bag for worn clothes
Avoid packing an entirely different outfit for every possible moment. Space disappears quickly in shared rooms, and students need to keep track of their own things.
Beach and sun preparation
Beach camp means sun, sand, humidity, sudden rain, and plenty of time outdoors. Pack for comfort and protection.
• Beach towel
• Refillable water bottle
• Hat or visor
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen that the student already knows how to use
• Lip balm with sun protection
• Small beach bag or drawstring bag
• Reusable bag for wet swimwear
• Lightweight rain jacket or poncho
• Insect repellent if your family normally uses it
Parents should review sun protection and hydration expectations with their student before departure. Youth leaders should communicate when sunscreen, water, and beach items need to travel with the group. Follow product directions and any guidance provided by the student’s parent or guardian.
Toiletries and room essentials
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Soap or body wash
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush, comb, hair ties, and personal hair products
• Face wash and other regular personal-care items
• Shower shoes
• Bath towel and washcloth if your leader says they are needed
• Tissues
• Small first-aid basics permitted by your church, such as bandages, if requested
• Glasses, contact supplies, and a spare case
• Earplugs or sleep mask if useful in a shared room
Use travel-size containers when possible. Put anything that could leak into a sealed bag. Students should not share prescription products or personal-care items.
Bible, notes, and session items
BigStuf includes worship, teaching, and time for church groups to process the week together. Pack items that help students participate without creating another heavy bag.
• Bible, printed or digital according to church policy
• Notebook or journal
• Pens
• Small backpack or tote
• Any discussion materials provided by the church
Students can learn more about the SMMR experience at /events/smmr. Youth leaders can review leader support and preparation at /leader-labs.
Travel-day bag
Keep the items needed during the trip out of the suitcase. A small backpack should include:
• Water bottle
• Phone and approved charger
• Wallet or small amount of money if the church permits it
• Travel snacks that follow group allergy rules
• Light layer
• Headphones
• Book, cards, or quiet travel activity
• Any required travel documents handled according to the church’s plan
• Medication only when packed and managed under the parent and church’s established procedure
• One change of clothes for long trips or overnight travel
Youth leaders should tell families what stays with the student and what must be handed directly to an adult leader.
Medication, documents, and special needs
Churches should provide their own process for forms, medication, allergies, dietary needs, accessibility needs, emergency contacts, and insurance information. Families should follow that process exactly rather than placing sensitive items loosely in a student’s luggage.
Parents or guardians should:
• Complete every required form by the church deadline.
• Give leaders accurate emergency-contact and allergy information.
• Pack medication in its original labeled container when required by the church’s policy.
• Provide clear written instructions through the approved church process.
• Discuss dietary, mobility, sensory, or other support needs early enough for leaders to plan.
• Keep copies of important information at home.
This checklist is organizational, not medical advice. Contact your church leader about its medication and document procedures. Use /help-center for current BigStuf information, then follow the instructions your church provides.
What not to pack
Confirm your church’s rules, but students generally should leave these items at home:
• Anything illegal, unsafe, or prohibited by the church or camp
• Weapons or weapon-like items
• Alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, or recreational drugs
• Fireworks, candles, incense, or open-flame items
• Expensive jewelry or irreplaceable valuables
• Prank supplies that damage rooms or disrupt other guests
• Large speakers or equipment the group has not approved
• Excessive cash
• More luggage than the student can manage
Check policies before bringing gaming systems, laptops, tablets, sports equipment, food appliances, or anything that could distract from group activities. If an item would be difficult to replace, it is usually safer at home.
Parent checklist before departure
• Review the final itinerary and contact plan.
• Confirm drop-off and pickup times.
• Submit forms and payments through the church’s approved system.
• Review luggage limits and label every bag.
• Talk through phone expectations and spending money.
• Confirm the student knows which adult leader to contact.
• Share allergies, dietary needs, accessibility needs, and medication information through the approved process.
• Keep leader contact details available at home.
Youth leader group-packing checklist
Individual packing lists are only half the job. Leaders should also confirm the items the church needs to manage the trip.
• Participant roster and emergency contacts
• Required forms and secure document storage
• Rooming and transportation lists
• Leader assignments and communication plan
• Group first-aid supplies managed under church policy
• Chargers, power banks, and approved extension equipment
• Name tags or group identifiers
• Printed backup copies of essential schedules
• Extra water and travel snacks where appropriate
• A few basic replacement items, such as ponchos, pens, and luggage tags
• A plan for wet towels and luggage on departure day
BigStuf’s resources page (/resources) can help leaders prepare families, while Leader Labs (/leader-labs) explains how BigStuf supports ministry leaders during camp.
Printable final check
Before closing the suitcase, confirm:
• Clothes, sleepwear, shoes, and swimwear
• Toiletries and shower items
• Beach towel, sunscreen, hat, and water bottle
• Bible, notebook, and pens
• Travel-day backpack
• Phone charger and approved electronics
• Labeled luggage
• Completed forms and leader-managed documents
• Medication handled under the church’s procedure
• Weather check completed
• Prohibited and valuable items left at home
Plan with current information
Camp details and church procedures can change. Review the current SMMR overview (/events/smmr), BigStuf resources (/resources), Help Center (/help-center), and BigStuf 2027 updates (/bigstuf-2027-updates) before sending a final packing list to families.
The best packing list is clear, specific, and easy to check. Send it early, repeat the key rules before departure, and give families one place to ask questions.
