SportFormIQ
Soccer Camp Packing Checklist
Everything to pack for a youth soccer camp, plus the items parents forget every year. Work through it the night before.
Essentials
The non-negotiables
Cleats. Already broken in. Never a brand-new pair the day before.
Shin guards. Many camps will not let a player on the field without them.
Soccer socks. Tall enough to cover the shin guards. Bring several pairs.
Ball. Correct size for the age group, labeled with your child's name, if the camp asks players to bring one.
Water bottle. Large. The most important item on this list.
Clothing
Pack more than you think
Shorts and a wicking shirt per day, plus spares for a midday change.
A warm layer for cool mornings and evenings.
A rain or waterproof layer. Camps usually play through light rain.
After-camp clothes and regular sneakers or sandals for off-field time.
Hydration, food, and sun
Underestimated every year
A second water bottle or a refill plan for hot or full days.
Snacks, and lunch for a full-day camp, kept somewhere cool.
Sunscreen, applied before drop-off and sent for reapplication.
Hat and sunglasses for breaks in the sun.
Personal and health
Easy to forget
Name labels on everything. Identical lost water bottles and cleats pile up by Friday.
Medications, clearly communicated to camp staff, including any inhaler or allergy medication.
Small towel, blister plasters or tape, and hand sanitizer or wipes.
Residential camp extras
Only if staying overnight
Clothing multiplied by the number of days, plus sleepwear. Assume nothing comes home clean.
Full toiletries and any bedding specified by the camp.
Phone or contact plan per the camp's rules.
The five most forgotten
If you do nothing else
A spare pair of socks.
A second water bottle.
Sunscreen for reapplication.
A warm morning layer.
A name label on every single item.
Choosing or evaluating a camp? See how to choose a youth soccer camp and the full packing guide.