Day camp or overnight, everything to pack, ask, and insist on before you wave goodbye. Including the things most lists forget to mention.
Whether your child is heading to a half-day programme in Zürich or a two-week mountain camp in the Alps, the stress of preparation is the same: did I forget something important? This guide covers day camps and overnight camps separately, outlines what camp organisers are legally and ethically obliged to tell you, and ends with the tips that most packing lists never include.
Day Camp Checklist
Clothing & Gear
• Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing — label everything Use iron-on labels or a permanent marker on the inside collar.
• Closed-toe shoes with good grip
• Extra change of clothes in a sealed bag Essential for water activities, mud play, or hot days.
• Lightweight rain jacket or poncho
• Sun hat with brim
• Swimwear and towel (if water activities are included)
Health & Sun Protection
• Sunscreen SPF 50+ applied before stepping outdoors
• Sunscreen for reapplication in a labelled bottle
• Age-appropriate insect repellent
• Any prescribed medication with written dosage instructions Include a signed parental consent form authorising camp staff to administer it.
• Allergy information card inside your child's bag
• Small first-aid kit if not provided by camp (plasters, antiseptic wipes)
• Labelled water bottle, minimum 750 ml Insulated and refillable is best for warm days.
• Packed lunch if camp does not provide meals Check allergen policies and food restrictions in advance.
• Nut-free snacks if the camp operates a no-nut policy
• Lunchbox clearly labelled with your child's name
Admin & Safety
• Emergency contact numbers written on a tag inside the bag
• Camp's emergency phone number saved on your phone
• All signed consent forms returned
• Photo and social media permission form reviewed and returned
• Pick-up authorisation form submitted (who is permitted to collect your child)
• Medical and health declaration form submitted
Overnight Camp Checklist
Clothing (label every single item)
• T-shirts and shorts or trousers for each day, plus 2 spare sets
• Underwear and socks, one pair per day plus 2 spare
• Warm layer or fleece for cool evenings
• Waterproof rain jacket
• Sleepwear (pyjamas or onesie)
• Swimwear x2 and flip flops
• Sturdy outdoor shoes
• Sun hat and warm hat (for mountain or alpine camps)
Sleep & Comfort
• Sleeping bag rated for local night temperatures
• Small travel pillow
• A small comfort item for anxious children Confirm with camp staff that it is permitted.
• Ear plugs if your child is a light sleeper
Toiletries & Hygiene
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss
• Shampoo and conditioner in travel-size bottles
• Soap or shower gel in a zip-lock bag
• Age-appropriate deodorant
• Hairbrush or comb
• Sunscreen SPF 50+ (refillable bottle)
• Insect repellent
• Feminine hygiene products if needed
• Wet wipes and hand sanitiser
• Tissues
Health & Medical
• All medication labelled with name, dosage and times Include a written instruction sheet for camp staff.
• Allergy EpiPen if applicable, with usage instructions attached
• Copy of health insurance card (or AHV card in Switzerland)
• GP or family doctor name and phone number
• Updated vaccination record (some camps require this)
• Written list of allergies and dietary restrictions
Activities & Free Time
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Book or journal Check camp rules on screen time before packing a device.
• Stationery to write letters or postcards home Some camps prohibit smartphones — prepare your child for this in advance.
• Small daypack for excursions
• Torch or headlamp with spare batteries
• Reusable water bottle
Admin & Documentation
• All signed consent and medical forms submitted before the start date
• Minimum 2 emergency contact numbers — at least one reachable at all times
• Camp's 24-hour emergency line saved on your phone
• Travel or accident insurance documentation (especially for trips abroad)
• Camp rules document read and discussed with your child
• Pick-up plan confirmed in writing
What Camp Organisers Are Obliged to Tell You
Before you sign anything or pay a deposit, you are entitled to ask — and receive written answers to — all of the following.
RIGHT TO A FULL PROGRAMME You are entitled to a written schedule covering daily activities, supervision ratios, and any planned off-site trips for the entire camp period.
SUPERVISION STANDARDS Ask for the counsellor-to-child ratio in writing. In Switzerland, responsible practice typically means 1 adult per 6–10 children, depending on activity type and age group.
MEDICAL PROTOCOLS The camp must explain how medication is stored and administered, what happens in a medical emergency, and which hospital or clinic they would use.
ALLERGEN MANAGEMENT You have the right to know exactly how food allergens are handled — separate preparation areas, cross-contamination prevention measures, and what training staff have received.
PHOTO AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONSENT No photo or video of your child may be published publicly without your explicit written consent. Review all permissions carefully and restrict them if you wish.
COMMUNICATION POLICY (OVERNIGHT CAMPS) Ask exactly when and how you will be contacted, how frequently, and what the protocol is if your child becomes unwell or asks to come home early.
BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE Camps must have a clear, written policy on how behavioural issues are handled — including what constitutes grounds for dismissal and how parents will be informed.
REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY Request the full written refund policy before paying. Know exactly what happens if the camp cancels, your child falls ill, or you need to withdraw.
Tips Most Checklists Never Mention
WRITE ON THE SOLES Write your child's name AND your phone number directly on the soles of their shoes with a permanent marker. Shoes disappear more than anything else at camp.
THE TRIAL-PACK TEST Two weeks before camp, let your child pack a trial bag entirely by themselves. What they choose, and what they leave out, reveals anxieties you can address before drop-off day.
THE MEDICATIONS NOBODY PACKS Include antihistamines, ibuprofen and something for diarrhoea even if your child has no known health issues. Nature, unfamiliar food and excitement trigger surprises.
MAKE A DO-NOT-BRING LIST Leave valuables, jewellery and beloved stuffed animals at home. Create a written list of items not to bring, and involve your child in deciding what goes on it.
THE HIDDEN NOTE TRICK Slip a handwritten note or a small family photo into your child's bag without telling them. Finding it mid-camp is a proven and powerful comfort for homesick children.
CALL THE COUNSELLOR DIRECTLY Ask for a brief call with your child's specific group leader before camp starts. A voice connection reduces first-day separation anxiety dramatically — for both child and parent.
OVERNIGHT CAMPS AND SMARTPHONES If phones are permitted, agree on a fixed daily check-in time and set clear rules before camp. Homesickness consistently spikes when children scroll social media unsupervised.
NAME LABELS ARE A SAFETY RISK External name labels allow strangers to address your child by name and gain their trust. Use internal labels only, sewn-in or inside the collar.
CHECK ACCREDITATION IN SWITZERLAND Private youth camps are not required to hold a state licence in all Swiss cantons, but are obligated to follow Jugendschutz (youth protection) guidelines. Ask specifically whether the camp is affiliated with a recognised body such as Swiss Olympic, Cevi, Jubla or the Scout movement.
Roubini Charitou
Rubini Charitou is a graduate of the Department of Primary Education at the University of Patras in Greece and holds a Master’s degree in School Psychology. She has extensive experience working with children in general education classrooms and STEM Projects, as a shadow teacher, in a Special Education Primary School focusing on new teaching methods, and as an Inclusion teacher in an Experimental Primary School. As an educator and mother of two, she is dedicated to supporting children’s development and helping them reach their full potential. She is a regular contributor to Momizen on topics that cover education, STEM learning, future skills and personal development.
