{"id":695,"date":"2016-06-09T11:48:04","date_gmt":"2016-06-09T11:48:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/natuaventurablog.wordpress.com\/?p=12"},"modified":"2026-04-30T13:10:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T11:10:09","slug":"what-to-pack-for-camp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/natuaventura.com\/en\/blog\/what-to-pack-for-camp\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Pack for Summer Camp: A Luggage Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Packing for camp is one of those moments families remember year after year. This article is the starting guide<\/strong>: what you cannot leave out, what you never actually need, the basic decisions (rucksack or suitcase, sleeping bag or not, warm clothing even in July). The full official packing list always goes in the PDF we send before camp; here we explain the reasons behind it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Rucksack or suitcase: the first decision<\/h2>\n

At a summer camp we always recommend a rucksack or holdall over a wheeled suitcase. The facilities (paths, gardens, cabins, tents) are not designed for wheels, and the participant feels more independent carrying their own luggage. A rucksack of around 30 litres is usually enough for a fortnight.<\/p>\n

What you cannot leave out<\/h2>\n
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Warm clothing<\/h3>\n

Sweatshirts, long trousers and a fleece or waterproof jacket, even in July. In the mountains (Gredos, Sierra de Madrid) and in Cantabria the nights always turn cool, and rain can appear on any excursion.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Sleeping bag<\/h3>\n

Essential for camps in tents (Gredos, Navarredonda, Navatormes) and useful even in a hostel for bivouac nights. No need for a technical one: a bag rated for comfort around 5\u00b0C is enough.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Two sets: towel, swimsuit, footwear<\/h3>\n

One towel for the shower and one for the pool or beach, two swimsuits so they can alternate drying, and a spare pair of trainers in case the first pair gets wet or falls apart.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Forgotten essentials<\/h3>\n

Cap, sun cream, flip-flops (also for the shower), water bottle, torch, small daypack for excursions. Details that make all the difference.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

How to pack WITH your child<\/h2>\n
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Pack together, not for them:<\/strong> let the participant see what is inside and where everything is. Avoids the \u00abI can’t find anything\u00bb moment on the first day.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Label all clothing:<\/strong> first name and surname on every item, including footwear. In fortnights with 40-50 participants, unlabelled clothing is what gets lost.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Comfortable clothing, not new:<\/strong> better to bring clothes they already move around in freely than new items. They will be spending a great deal of time outdoors, in workshop painting sessions and on grassy afternoon activities.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Pocket money:<\/strong> 20-30 \u20ac for the fortnight, enough for excursions and the odd purchase.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The full official list<\/h2>\n

The detailed packing list, with exact quantities per item and the specific requirements of each camp (tent vs hostel, Cantabrian coast vs inland), is included in the official information sheet in PDF format<\/strong> that we send to enrolled families. That list is the definitive reference for preparing your luggage.<\/p>\n

What stays at home<\/h2>\n
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No need to bring<\/h3>\n