There is no wrong answer to your question! If it is your first summer at Greystone, we would recommend using a duffel or a plastic trunk (or rubbermaid box). All of our camp beds have big drawers underneath them, and girls will unpack all of their clothes into these drawers. Duffels are nice, as you can fold them up and put them in your drawer, waiting to use on Closing Day. A cheaper plastic trunk is also nice if you want to leave some “extras” on the porch in a water-proof type of tub (things like extra towels, costumes, or riding gear).

There is no need to spend a lot of money on a nice trunk, especially if this is your daughter’s first year. Many campers end up wanting a nicer trunk as they return year after year, as it provides the perfect place to show off all of their Greystone stickers. But, for your first year, a nice trunk is fine to use, but it is not necessary!

When we asked which was better (duffel or plastic trunk) on our Facebook page, the results were mixed - so you really can’t go wrong!

We asked our Instagram followers this question a few years ago, and the shoes mentioned over and over were tennis shoes, Crocs, Chacos, and rainboots. Many campers mentioned bringing 2 pairs of tennis shoes (a newer pair for activities and an older pair to get wet and messy) which is a GREAT suggestion. Other shoes mentioned were cowboy boots, Keens, nice shoes to wear on Sunday for church, flipflops, and riding boots.

Parents have many different suggestions on clothes organization. Each camper has her own wooden drawer (size is 32 x 32 x 9.5 inches), and most campers unpack all of their clothes into this drawer. There is no one “right” way to organize a drawer, but here are a few ideas from our parents:

• Use Ziploc bags for each outfit, putting everything she needs for one outfit in one ziplock bag.
• Use Ziploc bags for smaller items, like all socks in one, all underwear in another. This method may be better if your daugther likes the option of mixing and matching her own outfits each day.
• Consider some plastic storage tubs to put into the drawer; many parents buy a few cheap ones and put specific items in each tub - shirts in one tub, shorts in another, etc. This helps if girls are coming to longer sessions and will need to re-sort clothes after laundry day.
• Parents also recommend “dividers” for drawers - you can use different things, but something that can stand up in your drawer and section off different areas.

Drawers are approximately 32 x 32 x 9.5 inches.

If your daugther would like to try out for our Talent Show at our June, Main, or August sessions, make sure she doesn’t forget her costume, instrument, music, or other items she made need.

At all of our sessions, we celebrate our camp teams, the Odds (green) and the Evens (gold). Campers can bring something green and something gold, as they won’t know their team until they arrive on Opening Day. A simple green or gold shirt is all you need. Some campers bring more “fun” outfits like socks, wigs, tutus, etc. Our Greystone Store sells team shirts, so you can purchase what you need and we can deliver it to your daughter when she arrives (and knows her team). Camp also supplies free Odd and Even dress up supplies if needed.

You’ll want to check out our details on what you can use to decorate your bunk, but the gist is you can only bring photos and bedding to make the space “homey”. Camp is a simple place, and that is really all you need to make a bunk cozy!

For decorating: As far as decorating her space with photos, we have a couple of directions we can recommend. Option 1: just bring the photos with you and hang them on your headboard or beside your bed. Option 2: make a photo collage ahead of time on a small posterboard or small bulletin board that you can then hang or set next to your bed.

For bedding: We will have a jersey-style blanket available for every camper to use, if she needs one. Girls will need to bring two sets of twin sheets (for June and Main) or one set of sheets (Junior and August), a pillow, and a pillowcase. Many campers do like to bring their own comforter or quilt to make their bed feel like home. You can bring stuffed animals and fun pillows, which you will see on many camp bunks.

We asked our Instagram folks for their top THREE things that you need to bring to camp. Check out their answers.