Going to sailing camp is an exciting adventure for many children. During a week on the water, they learn how to sail, cooperate with others, and spend full days outdoors in nature.

To make the week as enjoyable as possible, it’s important to pack the right things. Children spend a lot of time outside, and the weather on the water can change quickly. The right clothes and equipment therefore make a big difference for both comfort and safety.

Here you’ll find a complete sailing camp packing list to make sure your child has everything they need before camp starts.

👉 Download the checklist as a PDF here

Clothes for Sailing Camp

Clothing is the most important thing to pack for sailing camp. Children often get wet while sailing, and the weather can shift between sun, wind, and rain.

It’s therefore a good idea to pack several layers and extra changes of clothes.

Clothes to bring

• Rain jacket or full rain gear
• Windproof jacket
• T-shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Warm sweater or fleece
• Shorts
• Long pants
• Sweatpants and sweatshirt
• Base layer / thermal underwear
• Long underwear
• Underwear
• Socks
• Wool socks
• Pajamas
• Cap or sun hat
• Beanie, scarf, and gloves (useful in colder weather)

An extra change of clothes is always helpful, since clothes often get wet during the day.

Shoes

Good shoes are important because children move around a lot on docks and on land.

Consider packing:

• Rubber boots
• An extra pair of shoes
• Sandals or flip-flops

Sailing Equipment

In addition to clothing, there are a few items that make sailing both easier and safer.

Common equipment at sailing camp

• Life jacket (required at many camps)
• Sailing gloves
• Sunglasses with strap
• Waterproof bag or dry bag
• Backpack
• Water bottle
• Mug

A waterproof bag or backpack is especially practical since equipment can easily get wet otherwise.

Personal Items

Children will also need a few personal items for daily life at camp.

Good items to pack

• Towels
• Sunscreen with high SPF
• Lip balm with sun protection
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Soap and shampoo
• Any necessary medications

Sun protection is especially important because sunlight reflects off the water and can cause children to burn more quickly.

Overnight Items

If the sailing camp includes overnight stays, bedding may also be required.

Bring:

• Bed sheet
• Duvet cover
• Pillowcase

Duvets and pillows are often provided at camp, but always check what applies for your specific camp.

Other Useful Items

A few small items can also be helpful to bring.

• Pen and notebook (for theory lessons or notes)
• Pocket money for the kiosk
• Hand-washing detergent

Checklist – Sailing Camp Packing List

To make packing easier, you can use this checklist:

Clothes

☐ Rain gear
☐ T-shirts
☐ Long-sleeved shirts
☐ Warm sweater or fleece
☐ Shorts
☐ Long pants
☐ Sweatpants and sweatshirt
☐ Base layer / thermal underwear
☐ Long underwear
☐ Underwear
☐ Socks
☐ Wool socks
☐ Pajamas
☐ Cap or hat
☐ Beanie, scarf, and gloves

Shoes

☐ Rubber boots
☐ Extra shoes
☐ Sandals

Equipment

☐ Life jacket
☐ Sailing gloves
☐ Sunglasses
☐ Water bottle
☐ Mug
☐ Waterproof bag or backpack

Personal items

☐ Towels
☐ Sunscreen
☐ Toiletries
☐ Medications

Overnight

☐ Bed sheet
☐ Duvet cover
☐ Pillowcase

Other

☐ Pen and notebook
☐ Pocket money
☐ Hand-washing detergent

Label All Clothes and Items

At sailing camp, many children participate and equipment can easily get mixed up. Jackets, towels, and water bottles often look the same.

By labeling clothes and belongings with name labels, it becomes much easier to keep track of everything and avoid things getting lost during the week.

This is especially helpful for:

• jackets
• water bottles
• towels
• backpacks
• sailing gloves

When everything is labeled, both children and instructors can quickly see who the items belong to.

Summary

A good packing list makes a big difference when preparing for sailing camp. With the right clothes and equipment, children can focus on what matters most — learning to sail, spending time on the water, and having fun together.

By planning the packing in advance and labeling clothes and belongings, sailing camp becomes easier and more enjoyable for both children and parents.

See More Guides

Looking for more tips on how to label clothes and belongings for children, school, or camps?

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