Equipment Needs & Packing List

Follow our camp packing tips to help make your camper’s stay a great one

β€œAny enterprise requiring new clothes is not worth undertaking.”

Packing List

Keep in mind that 1 week campers do not receive laundry services. Items should be packed in a trunk/footlocker or suitcase + one dufel bag and be clearly labeled. Many of these items can be found second hand and we have included some links for specialty items for your reference.

Please note that it is required to pack daily meds using a free service like PillPak if your camper takes more than one daily medication. It is strongly recommended to use this service or similar regardless. Medications, vitamins, and supplements that are not in an original package and when, applicable, with the camper’s name and dosage will not be accepted.

You may also want to consider treating your camper’s clothing with a premethrin product like Sawyer Products Premium Premethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Footwear. Long pants that tuck into long socks are another preventative to the risk of tick-borne illnesses.

Virginia Law requires that all children age 7 years and younger to be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat. There is no height or weight requirement. Be certain to leave a booster seat labelled with your camper’s name if your camper is under 8 years old.

Clothing

  • 10 pairs shorts
  • 8-10 short-sleeved shirts (2 white)
  • 2 long sleeve shirts
  • 2-4 long pants (1 pair dark in color for campfire)
  • 2 pair white shorts
  • 3-4 pajamas (1 warm pair)
  • 2 sweatshirts
  • 1 fleece or jacket (*dark in color for campfire)
  • 10 pair socks
  • 10 underwear
  • 1 raincoat or poncho
  • 1 waterproof shoes / rain boots
  • 2 swim suits
  • 1 pair tennis shoes (sneakers)
  • 1 pair flip flops/crocs (ideal for swimming/showering but not for camp terrain)
  • Old tennis shoes/water shoes for tubing

*It is a tradition at the weekly campfire, where campers receive awards for levels passed and recognition of other achievements, that campers and staff wear close-toed shoes and dark colored clothing as a community so that bright clothing does not distract from the campfire.

Toiletries

Necessities

  • 1 waterproof watch
  • Flashlight/head lamp/reading light
  • Extra batteries
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug repellent (Picaridin, DEET, etc.)
  • Stationery/Stamps
  • Pen / Pencil
  • Water bottle
  • Hard hat / boots / hard sole tie shoes/ riding pants or extra jeans (if horseback riding)

Linens

  • 1 pillow
  • 2 pillow cases (mandatory regardless of length of session)
  • 2 fitted twin/cot sheets (mandatory regardless of length of session)
  • 2 flat twin/cot sheets (mandatory regardless of length of session)
  • 3 blankets (at least 1 warm)
  • 4 towels (2 bath, 2 beach)
  • 2 hand towels
  • 1 bathrobe or towel wrap
  • 2 washcloths
  • 1 sturdy nylon laundry bag (1 will be provided to send out with dirty laundry and 1 to use when the laundry is out)

Optional Items

  • Portable camping chair (e.g. Crazy Creek)
  • 11″ Fabric Cube Storage Bin for cabin shelves
  • Β Books to read
  • Coloring Books, sudoku, crossword puzzles
  • Playing cards
  • Sunglasses
  • Β Hiking boots (for longer hiking trips) *required for OLS Quest
  • Β Sleeping bag *required for OLS Quest
  • Β Tennis racquet & balls
  • Β Ballet/tap/toe shoes
  • Musical instrument & music
  • Β Sports Equipment: Hockey/lax stick/softball glove/shin guards
  • Β Nose plugs (for synchro)
  • Β Backpack/frame (for longer hiking trips) *required for OLS Quest
  • Β Camera w/o screen or playback function/Disposable camera
  • Β Ground Cloth/pad for camping overnights
  • Β Costumes for special events (skits, etc.)
  • White sundress or similar for the last night of camp (4, 6 & 7 week campers only)

Counselor-In-Training Additions to the Packing List

CITs will be required to pack the following items in addition to the standard camper packing list:

Required

  • Backpack with frame (35-Β­50 liter capacity)
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Hiking boots
  • 2 2Β­-liter water bottles / hydration reservoir (e.g. Camelback) with same capacity
  • Headlamp
  • Watch (waterproof recommended)
  • Bandanna

Recommended

  • Rain pants
  • Camping chair (e.g. Crazy Creek)
  • QuickΒ­-dry camping towel
  • Rain-cover for backpack
  • Moisture-Β­wicking clothing (synthetic, synthetic blend, or wool): 2 pair underwear, 1 shirt, 1 pair shorts/lightweight pants, 2 pair socks (above the ankle)

DO NOT PACK/SEND

  • Expensive jewelry, clothing or anything you would be upset if damaged or lost.
  • Personal electronics: Radio/CD/MP3/DVD players, iPad, Kindle or Nook
  • Cellphone
  • Any electronic devices with network or internet capabilities
  • Candy, gum, snacks
  • Animals
  • Weapons, alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs or any other illegal substance.

Camp Carysbrook is not responsible for items that become damaged, lost or stolen.

Participants are responsible for making their own arrangements to pick up any item left at camp.

Baggage Considerations

Linens are best packed in a duffle bag. Clothing and other articles will fit in a foot locker or trunk. Please MARK ALL BAGGAGE. Be sure your camper has the KEYS to all of her baggage.

BUS riders are allowed only 1 trunk, 1 duffle and 1 small carry on bag.

Check the FAQ page for sourcing any of the equipment needs including trunks.

*CAMPERS may occasionally be required to inventory their belongings in the presence of staff, if their health or safety of them or others indicates the need.

Registration is open!

Campers have the option to stay for 1-7 week sessions. Contact the office for availability in wait-listed sessions.

Call: (540) 382-1670 or Email:Β  info@campcarsybrook.com

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Memories and Reflections of CampΒ Carysbrook

β€œCamp impacted me by helping with my confidence, gaining new friends and creating memories for the campers that will last a lifetime is something I will never forget.”
First-time international staff member
β€œI believe that I gained professionally in the aspects of communication and collaboration with others, particularly those who I hadn’t met! Personally I know that i’ve grown more confident in myself, which will hopefully impact positively further in my life.”
First-time international staff member
β€œI got a lot better with my leadership skills and was able to learn a lot about myself, how I work best and grow in my professional skills.”
Returning staff member (US, former camper)
“Each year she goes to camp she comes back with an affinity for nature. She’s more independent and courteous. We love all that camp has to offer!”
Parent of 4-week returner
“She continues to come back from camp with increased accountability and independence. It’s wonderful to watch her develop her self esteem and confidence in herself. She wrote us 1 letter this summer because she β€œwas busy having so much fun!”
Parent of 3-week returner
“With every summer, she grows to love Carysbrook more and more. We love that she gets to experience being herself with girls of all ages, learning new things, and connecting with nature in a safe and positive environment.”
“I love seeing what she learns each year from camp. She is learning skills that will be useful throughout life. She loves riding so much. She also loves being able to go camping under the stars as well. I can see a change in her attitude since coming back from camp. She seems to helping me more. You all are amazing. I appreciate you calling me to let me know about things that have happened during camp. I think you do a fantastic job.”
Parent of 3-week returner
“She had the BEST time at Camp Carysbrook this year and cannot wait to return next year! Her cabin counselors were amazing. She also tried new activities and made friends which is exactly what we were hoping for :-)”
Parent of 2-week first-timer
β€œI really appreciate the director’s communication with me and support for my daughter when she was feeling homesick! I’m impressed with how prompt and thorough her emails were despite being, I’m sure, quite busy with the campers.”
Parent of 2-week returner
“She made good friends and loved her counselors. I was so touched to see her counselor get bit emotional when saying goodbye to her and her cabin mates. I wish that I had given her a big hug as I’m so appreciative of their care and love for all these girls. Very, very grateful for them.”
Parent of 2-week returner:
“My daughter loves the fact that she can earn ribbons and awards for doing activities. First thing my daughter mentioned is that she was shy at first but quickly overcame her shyness and could be herself. She wants to go back for 4 weeks because of the friends she made there.”
Parent of 2-week returner
“She loved the variety of activities! Both of us loved the unplugged experience. I believe she really enjoyed the night time experiences where they got to do a variety of fun, special activities. She loved her counselor! I worried that being a new camper at the age of 11 would be tough but she felt very included and made friends in and out of her cabin. She had a wonderful time! She had so much fun and it was truly a very positive experience for her. She was so β€œcamp sick” once she left!”
Parent of 1st year 2-weeker
“Everything was professional and organized. I really appreciated the communication and pictures, especially as a new parent.”
Parent of 1st year 2-weeker
“She feels like she is a part of the Camp Carysbrook family. Carysbrook has helped foster her independent spirit.”
Parent of Returning Camper
“She was crying when I picked her up at the end of her two weeks and said immediately she wants to come back next year!”
Parent of 1st year 2-weeker
“She absolutely LOVED her first camp experience at Carysbrook. Thank you SO much for helping to make this a magical and memorable place and experience for these wonderful young women.”
Parent of 1st year 2-weeker
“She had a wonderful time! She has done a great job with increased independence and has wanted to take on additional tasks and be helpful more often since returning home from camp. She did not have a single complaint or criticism! She does a great job filling us in when she does, so this is a great thing!”
Parent of first-time 1-week camper
β€œThey loved watching their counselor make a fire. Both girls were able to tell me what needed to be done to do it. They loved sleeping in the barn and also the caving!”
Parent of 1-Week Campers
β€œBoth of them loved everything about it – even the showers and toilets. They loved learning where everyone was from and all the activities to choose from.”
Parent of New 1-Week Campers
“I am really impressed with the time that the Carysbrook staff puts into the CIT program – to develop the CITs for a job as a future counselor as well as beneficial general life skills”.
2025 CIT Parent

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