The Ultimate Youth Camp Packing List

Although I am not a youth pastor anymore I still am blessed to get opportunities to speak at a youth camp every now and then. As of this writing, I have spent 44 weeks of my life at various youth camps. I have tried just about every trick in the book to pack lighter and more efficiently except for one year. that year, another youth pastor and I packed all our stuff into 2 large plastic tubs and pretty much brought all our clothes to camp. As many Wesleyan youth camps kick off this week I thought I would share some packing tips for leaders and students.

A Bible and something to take notes with are a must.  Sometimes a camp book is provided with note taking space and I have a collection of those dating back to ’91.  It’s helpful to look back and remember key sermons and messages from the Lord.

Youth camp can be messy.  Always take a pair of shoes you are willing to part with at the end of the week.  For me, this is even more essential when flying.  I typically have an old pair of sneakers that don’t make the trip back.

You’re also going to need some athletic shoes.  Between team games and sports activities you are going to be doing a lot of running.  You don’t want to spend a week running in flip flops.

You’re going to get wet at youth camp.  Pack a swimsuit and 3 towels.  1 for showering, another for pool/lake time, and a spare.  Guard these with your life.  Hang them in a safe place.  Parents(and wives) aren’t happy when these don’t make it home.

I always broke camp days into 3 parts:  morning, afternoon, and evening.  Morning is typically spent in breakfast and devotionals.  Sometimes there is an activity.  The afternoon is when most of you team events, sports, and free time are and the evening is for worship and an afterglow.  With that in mind, I packed clothes for each part of the day and always tried to pack more than I needed which sometimes made a last minute minute Wal-Mart run a neccesity.  That means lots of shorts and t-shirts with the knowledge that some of them may become youth camp casualties.  I’ve had more than my share of shirts ripped during a shaving cream fight.

Socks and underwear.  Pack what you think you will need and then double it.

Finally, you’re going to need a positive attitude and an adventurous spirit.  Chances are you’re going to be asked to participate in something you’d usually sit out like a shaving cream fight or game in the mud.  At youth camp, you’re going to do things you’re not going to do the other 51 weeks of the year.  I have seen kids some out of their shell to play a lead role in funny Gong show skits.  I have seen teens avoid team game time like the plague only to eventually have the time of their lives once they’ve joined in.  Youth camp is that rare opportunity to escape to a unique place with God.  View it as a quest to draw near to Him.  Embrace it like the great adventure it is.  Do not take it for granted.  God has used all my time at youth camp to make and mold me as his child, leader, pastor, husband, and father.  It is always a unique time.  My prayer for every youth camp is that God would change lives.  I could take you to the spot where God spoke to me at youth camps across the country.  One day, I hope to take my kids to see those places and then, we’ll go through this packing list together.