Camp packing lists are long, and most of them include one line that sends parents into a late-night labelling session: “All items must be clearly labelled with your child’s name.” Camps handle hundreds of nearly identical towels, grey hoodies and water bottles every week, and the camp laundry doesn’t know whose socks are whose. Here’s the best way to label kids’ clothes for camp, so more of it comes home.
Start with the packing list
Before you label anything, lay everything out by category. It makes it obvious how many labels you need and stops you from labelling items that aren’t going. A typical overnight camp list includes:
- T-shirts, shorts, pants, pajamas and underwear
- Socks (lots of them)
- Hoodies, rain jackets and a warm layer for cool evenings
- Swimsuits and towels
- Hats and sunglasses
- Sleeping bag, pillow and pillowcase
- Running shoes, sandals or water shoes, and rain boots
- Water bottle, flashlight and toiletry bag
The best label for camp clothes: iron-on
Camp clothes go through rough wear and often a shared laundry. Iron-on clothing labels bond to the fabric with a household iron, with no sewing, and they’re made to stay on through repeated washing. For small items like socks, swimsuits and underwear, mini iron-on labels fit neatly without bulk.
Where to put labels on camp clothes
- T-shirts and hoodies: on the care tag or inside the back neckline.
- Pants and shorts: inside the waistband.
- Socks: on the sole near the toe or the inside of the cuff.
- Swimsuits: on the inside lining.
- Towels and sleeping bags: on a hem or the manufacturer’s tag.
Use the same spot on every similar item. Counsellors sorting a pile of laundry learn to check the back neck tag, and your child will know where to look too.
Labelling camp gear
Gear needs a different kind of label. Waterproof stickers handle rain, lake days and dirt:
- Water bottles and lunch containers: mini rectangle labels that are dishwasher-safe.
- Flashlights, sunscreen and toiletry bags: small waterproof labels.
- Shoes and boots: shoe labels placed inside, where the name won’t rub off. Label both shoes in a pair.
Day camp vs overnight camp
Day camp usually means fewer items but more daily handling: backpacks, lunch bags, water bottles, sunscreen and a change of clothes. Focus on waterproof labels for gear and a few iron-on labels for the swimsuit, towel and hoodie.
Overnight camp means labelling nearly everything, including bedding. Give yourself an evening or two, and do it at least a week before departure, so you can wash everything once after labelling.
Don’t forget food allergies
If your child has a food allergy, add an allergy alert label to their lunch containers and water bottle. Camp staff change often, and a clear label is an extra reminder. It doesn’t replace the camp’s health forms, so always share your child’s allergy plan directly with the camp.
A camp labelling timeline
- 3 weeks before: order labels and check the camp’s packing list.
- 10 days before: sort clothes, wash anything new, and iron on labels.
- 1 week before: label gear, shoes and bottles, and wash the clothes once.
- Packing day: do a final check for anything unlabelled.
Frequently asked questions
Do camps require labelled clothes?
Most overnight camps ask for every item to be labelled, and many day camps do too. Check your camp’s packing list for its exact rules.
Are iron-on or stick-on labels better for camp?
Iron-on labels are the more reliable choice for camp clothes, because they bond to the fabric and stay on through shared laundry and rough wear.
How do I label socks for camp?
Use mini iron-on labels on the sole near the toe or on the inside of the cuff, so the name is easy to find when sorting laundry.
When should I start labelling for camp?
About ten days before departure. That gives you time to iron labels on and wash everything once before packing.
Make it one order
The Camp & Travel Name Labels Combo Pack includes clothing labels, waterproof labels and shoe labels made for camp. Busy with more than one session? See everything on our camp labels page. Every order ships free across Canada.
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