Packing for Camp

Parents often say they want their son to become more organized and to take better care of his belongings. But how can he be expected to take responsibility for his things at camp if he doesn’t know what he’s brought? It might take longer, but help your son be centrally involved in packing for camp. It teaches your son responsibility and the importance of preparation, and he’ll be less likely to misplace his belongings at camp. Even the youngest of campers can help pack—just pull out a stack of t-shirts, shorts, pants and allow him to choose the suggested number of each.

Here is your official: Pemi Packing List (PDF).

Our “uniform” requires ONLY four logo’d t-shirts: (2) Pemi Blues, (1) Pemi White, and (1) Pemi Grey logo’d t-shirts in your choice of fabric/style for athletic competitions and some special occasions. These are available through CampSpot, our logo-wear supplier.

Shop the CampSpot catalog online for other Pemi logo-wear and non-clothing items. CampSpot offers bountiful Pemi logo-wear and non-clothing items, but there is no need to buy all new for camp. “Old faithfuls” from home will do just fine, and we encourage everyday clothing from home. The goal is to have your son arrive well-prepared but not overloaded. Stick to the numbers offered on the packing list or, if you just can’t resist … throw in extra socks.

CampSpot order fulfillment and shipping can take 5–6 weeks, with additional time needed for personalized or name-taped items. By the way, the Camp Spot catalog “models” are Pemi campers, with photos updated annually. Maybe one day you’ll see someone you recognize!

Our “uniform” requires ONLY four logo’d t-shirts: (2) Pemi Blues, (1) Pemi White, and (1) Pemi Grey logo’d t-shirts in your choice of fabric/style for athletic competitions and some special occasions. These are available through CampSpot, our logo-wear supplier.

Although CampSpot offers bountiful Pemi logo-wear and non-clothing items, there is no need to buy all new for camp. “Old faithfuls” from home will do just fine, and we encourage everyday clothing from home.

CampSpot order fulfillment and shipping can take 5–6 weeks, with additional time needed for personalized or name-taped items. By the way, the Camp Spot catalog “models” are Pemi campers, with photos updated annually. Maybe one day you’ll see someone you recognize!

Pemi is excited to partner with Ship Camps to offer Pemi families a simplified option for luggage, duffels, boxes, and other camp gear to arrive to Pemi. Ship Camps will also schedule return shipments at the end of your son’s session. We have partnered with Ship Camps to give you preferred shipping rates. Please visit the Camp Pemi Ship Camps page to book your shipments.

Campers arriving by car: Bags can travel with the camper or shipped ahead of time via Ship Camps.

Campers arriving by NY/Stamford Chartered Bus: Bags can travel with the camper or shipped ahead of time via Ship Camps.

Campers arriving by air: Bags can travel with the camper or shipped ahead of time via Ship Camps. When traveling by air, please be aware of individual airline bag limitations and plan accordingly.

There is no room to store trunks while at camp. Each camper has a set of shelves to call his own where he keeps his clothes and other belongings. If you plan to ship a duffel to camp ahead of time via Ship Camps, use the address found in Contact. Ship Camps will also ship luggage/duffels at the end of camp. Be sure to indicate your use of Ship Camps on the Travel Form when asked about luggage.

Each boy receives a sturdy bag for use while at Pemi, labeled with his name and cabin. Laundry is picked up once a week by E&R Cleaners and returned 2 days later. (Boys still pack a personal laundry bag or pillow case to hold laundry for the time when his “official” laundry bag is out of camp.)

While boys should bring a sleeping bag for overnights away from camp and very cold nights in camp, they sleep on sheets and should bring TWO (2) sets: 2 flat sheets, 2 fitted sheets, and 2 pillowcases. Each Sunday, boys strip their beds, send those sheets to the laundry, and remake their beds with the second set. A great habit to develop!

Boys who live in the US supply their own bedding. Campers from outside the US may utilize bedding provided by Pemi . Please inform camp if you wish to take advantage of this service.

EACH and EVERY item should be labeled with first and last name, or the first initial of the first name and the full last name. Every shoe, flashlight, tennis racquet, towel, water bottle, daypack, pillowcase, and baseball cap. Everything! Name tags are best; permanent marker is fine but write clearly. (If you order early from the Camp Spot, they will put name tags in for you!) Color nail polish is handy for labeling things like flashlights. Local charities will benefit from unlabeled lost and found items.

iPod Shuffle without a screen (will need an adaptor for charging via an electrical outlet)
Digital or 35mm camera (not a Go-Pro). Personal digital cameras brought by campers to Pemi will be kept safely to be used with permission under counselor supervision.
Musical instruments (or we can rent one for you) and music
Book, art supplies, cards, chess sets, and similar items for rest hour (though our library is stocked with books and games)

Cell phone, unless traveling solo, in which case cell phones are collected and stored safely in the office
iPod (only iPod shuffles without a screen are allowed)
Go-Pro camera
Hand-held video games
Kindle, Nook, or other tablets (bring books or enjoy Pemi’s well-stocked library)
Laptop
Fidget spinners
Knives (Swiss Army knives for campers 11 and over are allowed, but with conditions)
Pets (sorry, Fido stays home)
Squirt guns, water balloons, trading cards, or Silly String
Snacks, candy, etc. (No food is kept in cabins for health and safety reasons)
Fireworks and other explosives, firearms, sling shots
Drugs, tobacco, alcohol

In 2015, in response to increased interest in community service and in partnership with the New Hampshire Food Bank, Pemi launched Cans from Campers, a food drive for Opening Day in June and arrival day for Second Session campers in July. We encourage each Pemi boy to bring a can of food or non-perishable to donate to this initiative. Returning campers and staff might even consider bringing a can for each year that they’ve attended Pemi!

We are fortunate to enjoy 3 bountiful meals each day at camp. By contributing to the NH Food Bank, we give thanks for this and help to provide a basic need for those less fortunate in our surrounding area. We also hope that this arrival-day initiative might in some small way symbolize the culture of generosity and community-mindedness that we aim to build each season at Pemi.

… a pillow!

Food insecurity in America increases during summer months, yet donations to food banks sharply decline starting in June. Summer camps are uniquely poised to intervene. Learn about Pemi’s Cans From Campers initiative, launched in 2015. We hope camps across the country will adopt this simple opening day tradition.