Walden Packing List

PACKING FOR CAMP

First-time camp parents will appreciate Assistant Director Annie Mauch’s Guide to Packing for Walden! Annie, a former camper, counselor, and mother of two Walden campers, offers suggestions and great hacks for making sure everything gets to camp—and comes home!

We have updated our 2026 Packing List to include limits on how much each camper can bring. Also, we are limiting the size of duffel bags that campers bring. Here is the suggest duffel to send to camp. This is just a suggestion, if you choose to use another bag, your bag of choice cannot be larger then the specified dimensions. While shelf space in cabins has not changed over the past half-century, the amount of stuff kids’ bring has! Please look at our packing list. Do not pack more than the limit allowed. If your camper packs too much stuff, we will let them choose the limit number and re-pack all extra items.

In general, clothes that come to camp should be comfortable and replaceable (expensive or valued items should stay at home!). Clothing should also be appropriate for an all-ages camp setting. If we see campers in clothes that are not, we will ask them to change.

This is a suggested list, as is the buying guide. If your child tends to go through clothes rapidly, then pack a bit more. If s/he loves sports, probably best to send more pairs of athletic shoes.

Please remember: We do not send out laundry for two-week campers. These campers will need a 13-day clothing supply. All other campers should have a 10-to-12-day clothing supply. Our camp clothes outfitters in the Detroit area are Brody’s in West Bloomfield and Perfect Trading Co. in Bloomfield Hills.

2026 Packing List

CLOTHING

____ 6-8 pr shorts (limit of 10)

____ 6-8 pr of pants (jeans, sweats, leggings) (limit of 10)

____ 10 short-sleeve T-shirts, including 2-3 Walden T-shirts from Brody’s or Perfect Trading (limit of 12)

____ 4 long-sleeve Ts (limit 6)

____ 4 sweatshirts (limit of 6)

____ 5 pr pajamas, 1 for cool weather (limit of 7)

____ 15 pr underwear (limit of 20)

____ 15 pr socks (limit of 20)
(we wear closed-toed shoes after 8 p.m., which requires socks) 

____ 4 swimsuits (limit of 6)  Consider rash guards for sun protection (see our swimwear policy in the Parent Guide) 

____ 1 rain jacket 

____ 1 mid-weight jacket

____ 2 caps or hats for sun protection

BED & BATH

____ 2 washable laundry bags.  (Two-week campers need one)

____ 1 medium mesh wash bag for socks and underwear (Two–week campers do not need this)

____ 4 bath towels (limit of 6)

____ 4 wash cloths / hand towels (limit of 6)

____ 4 beach towels (limit of 6)

____ 1 mattress pad (no egg crates, please)

____ 1-2 pillows

____ 2-4 pillowcases

____ 2 cot-sized or twin fitted sheets (either works; cot-sized fit better)

____ 2 cot-sized or twin flat sheets (ditto above) 

____ 2 blankets 

____ 1 sleeping bag (may be unzipped to use as a second blanket; campers may not sleep inside sleeping bags)

SHOES 

____ 1 pr water shoes / Crocs (not flip flops; shoes that will reliably stay on feet when in the water.) 

____ 1 pr shower shoes, if desired

____ 2-3 pr athletic shoes and/or sturdy trail shoe for easy-to-moderate hikes.

____ 1 pr rainboots, if hiking shoe is not waterproof 

____ Horseback riders: 1 pr paddock or cowboy boots. Alternatively, a hard-toed shoe with small heel (no tennis shoes)   

MISCELLANEOUS 

____ 2 medium duffel bags (no larger than 10,400 sq. in)

____ shampoo/conditioner

____ hair brush
____ hair accessories

____ toothpaste/ tooth brush

____ body soap

____ deodorant, if needed

____ sunscreen

____ bug spray

____ bug bite relief (e.g. Afterbite)

____ lotion 

____ flashlight and extra batteries

____ reusable h2o bottle (with or w/out carbon filters for taste)   

____ facial tissue

____ toiletry case/tote/dop kit

____ stationary/stamps (consider pre-addressing and stamping envelopes for younger campers)


OPTIONAL ITEMS (*available at camp) 

____ Personal music player with no video capability, like the Mighty (get $15 off with the code CAMP15)

____ Screen-free camera (such as CampSnap)

____ Foldable, ground-level camp chair, e.g. a Crazy Creek

____ Stuffed animal, blankie, pictures from home   

____ *Personal sports equipment

____ Personal musical instrument

____ Dance shoes (Tap, Ballet, etc.) 

____ *Board games, cards

____ *Books (Walden has a nice lending library, and we’re also happy to order books for kids) 

____ *Horseback riding helmet

____ Riding breeches or boots
____Costumes for the Halloween-themed banquet on July 17 and August 7.

REMEMBER:

NO NEEDOHS!
NO FOOD!
NO PHONES!

diversity, equity, inclusion

Walden understands that a relevant camp community requires the harmonies of many voices—not only those that inspire, but also those that instruct and challenge. We strive to be a camp where diversity is celebrated and supported, and where each camper and staff member is provided the resources and opportunities to succeed. Our mission of teaching empathy and respect is incomplete if it only serves those who think and look like we do. We believe that our camp can be anyone’s camp, and that our greatest strength lies therein.

Walden is an Equal Opportunity Employer that hires qualified staff regardless of their race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.