Simple clothing for a rustic camp

At camp, things do get dirty, damaged, lost and/or borrowed. Old, comfy clothes that let your camper feel free to move are best! We strongly discourage bringing anything of great monetary or sentimental value to camp - if you or your camper would be heartbroken not to see an item again, it really is best to leave it at home. You’re encouraged to borrow or buy used gear. Second-hand items in decent condition are just fine. Eden Village Camp cannot be responsible for the loss or damage to any valuables, including clothing, musical instruments, jewelry, sports equipment, etc.

Label Everything!

Please use Sharpies, sewn-on labels, embroidery, or laundry markers to put your camper’s first and last name on every item they bring to camp. We recommend Mabel's Labels or similar. This includes all clothes, luggage, water bottles, gear, laundry bags, shower totes, linens, sleeping bags, footwear… everything!  A list of items pinned inside the duffel bag will help campers remember what they brought when it comes time to pack and go home.

Hats & Water Bottles

We take camper safety very seriously, so we have a camp rule that everyone must carry a hat and water bottle with them at all times to guard against dehydration and heatstroke. Send your camper with extras and label them all clearly. Just like clothing, please don’t send any hats or water bottles you would be heartbroken to lose. Campers who lose their water bottle and/or hat (even if just for a day or two!) will be given a replacement from our camp supply and we'll charge your account. 

Laundry

We send all camper laundry out to a commercial service weekly. Our service is terrific but please do not send expensive items or clothes that require delicate or special care as we cannot ensure specific laundry directions are followed. 

Shabbat Clothes

Campers and staff wear entirely all-white outfits for Friday evening. White clothes do not need to be fancy or formal. Shabbat clothes cannot have pops of color or logos.   Consider karate pants or scrubs if your camper wants white pants and you're having a hard time finding them.

Forest Clothes

Campers must wear long pants, long sleeves, high socks, and a hat every time they go into the woods as part of tick safety measures. Light-colored, light-weight pants are ideal so campers can keep cool and easily spot any stray ticks; however, any pants and high socks will work fine! For extra protection, you may wish to send clothing pre-treated with insect repellent.

Lost and Found

After Closing Day all items will be kept for 48 hours before they are donated. Call the camp office at 845-809-0080 or email welcome@edenvillagecamp.org to inquire about a lost item. We are not responsible for any items that are lost at camp but we are happy to check the Lost and Found for you. 

A few other notes:

  • Average high summer temperatures at camp are in the 80s, and the average lows are around 60. Count on some truly hot days and cooler temperatures overnight.
  • Duffels are preferred over trunks, but if your camper packs in a trunk, be sure it is no more than 14.5” high, and will stay closed and locked for travel or shipping.
  • Campers should pack in no more than 4 bags. All items must be inside a bag - please put pillows, sleeping bags, small backpacks, etc into a larger bag and ensure there aren't any little things clipped to bigger bags. Small items can get misplaced in transit to and from bunks.
  • Please label your camper's bags with tags like this (color doesn't matter). Put your camper's name and bunk in sharpie on each tag. We will distribute these tags on Opening Day if you don't already have them.
  • For campers traveling via airplane, we offer an optional linen rental service.

 

Items That Must be Left at Home

  • Electronics of any kind. We are serious about unplugging at camp!  Campers may not have anything that connects to the internet or plugs into the wall to operate. This includes: cell phones, smart watches (Apple watches, fitbits, or similar), mp3 players, tablets, e-readers, digital recording devices (video or audio, including cameras with video capability), CD or DVD players, radios, video games, laptops, electronic games/toys, plug-in fans (battery-operated fans are ok!), hair dryers, curling irons and straighteners, walkie-talkies, etc.
  • Food of any kind, including candy and gum.
  • All footwear without a back-strap or closed heel, such as flip-flops, clogs, or slides - except for use as shower shoes. 
  • Any potentially disruptive or dangerous items. Examples include: money, potentially offensive clothing, jewelry, make-up, Magic or other trading cards, pop-culture magazines, aerosols (deodorant, hairspray, sunscreen), posters or flags, pets, weapons, candles or incense.
  • Attire with large logos or political messages.
  • All medications and supplements must be ordered through McCarthy’s Pharmacy, and cannot be packed in camper bags.
  • Please limit skincare to face wash, moisturizer, and sunscreen. 
  • Most campers leave makeup at home.
  • Any item that could endanger the health, safety, or welfare of campers or staff.

Any prohibited or disruptive items will be taken from campers and kept in our camp safe, and families will be notified of any items we confiscate. Items will be returned to families on Closing Day, with the exception of food which will be disposed of immediately. 

 

The following packing list is a guide; you know best how many clothes your child will need to last them 7-9 days. It is not necessary to have all these items in these exact quantities.

Clothing for July and August Sessions:

  • 8-10 T-shirts
  • 6-8 Pairs of shorts
  • 4 Pairs long pants
  • 2 Long-sleeved fleeces or sweatshirts
  • 2 Long-sleeve shirts (e.g. flannel)
  • 14 Sets of underwear
  • 14 Pairs of socks
  • 2-3 Swimsuits
  • 2 Entirely all-white outfit for Friday night (Saturday is casual clothes)
  • 1–2 Pajamas, 1 warm (make sure camper will be comfortable wearing them to some evening events)
  • 3 Hats for sun protection (all hats should be clearly labeled!)
  • 1 Raincoat or poncho (no umbrellas!!)
  • Forest clothes: light-colored, light-weight pants, long sleeves, high socks, and a hat

Footwear

  • 1 pair of Sneakers or sturdy shoes (can get dirty + wet)
  • 1 pair of Sandals with back strap for the lake and pool
    • NO Crocs or flip-flops! They are hard to run and play in and are only allowed as shower shoes.
  • 1 pair of Hiking shoes (if already broken in; otherwise sneakers are fine)
  • 1 pair of shower shoes, if desired (these may be flip-flops, slides, or crocs)

Linens and Bedding

  • 1 Pillow
  • 2 Pillow cases
  • 1 Bed Liner (optional)
  • 3 Cot- or twin-sized sheets
  • 1 Warm Blanket/Comforter
  • 1 Sleeping Bag (for overnights)
  • 2 Beach-size Towels
  • 2 Bath-size Towels

Toiletries (preferably unscented so as not to attract bugs)

  • 2 Toothbrushes and holder 
  • 1 Toothpaste 
  • 1 Shampoo/Conditioner 
  • 1 Soap & container 
  • 1 Nail Clipper 
  • 1 Comb/Brush, Hair ties
  • 1 Sunscreen 
  • 1 Insect repellent
  • 1 chapstick with SPF 
  • Any other toiletries that your camper is likely to need during camp
  • Be sure to label ALL toiletry items!

Accessories

  • 1 backpack/daypack (for carrying water bottle, journal, etc.)
  • 1 Flashlight plus batteries (should be clearly labeled)
  • 1–2 Journal/Diary & Pens/Pencils
  • 2 Water bottles (labeled)
  • 1 Laundry Bag (labeled)
  • 1 Sunglasses & hard case (as needed)
  • Set of extra eyeglasses and hard case
  • Plenty of Stationery, envelopes and stamps, including  at least 2 stamped envelopes per week addressed to parents
  • 1 pair of swimming goggles (optional)
  • Sharpies for closing day t-shirt signing
  • A couple of white cotton items for tie-dying or silk screening

Optional

  • Judaica: 2 Kippot (head coverings) & clips if needed, Tallit (prayer shawl) if you use one, any books or printouts for Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation, your own siddur (prayer book) if you like.
  • Musical instrument(s), sketchpad, inexpensive camera (without video or internet capability) & film if needed, hiking socks & liners, work gloves, bandannas, rain pants, stuffed animal, Frisbee.
  • Costumes, books, cards, and puzzle games.