Many cheerleaders are already packing their bags in anticipation for one of cheerleaders’ favorite events of the year – cheer camp. Needless to say, there’s a lot to consider when thinking about what to bring to camp, but after reading this article you should have a much better idea of what you need to take with you and what you can afford to leave at home.

Starting with the basics, you’re going to need lots of cheer practice wear, like shorts, t-shirts, socks and hair bows or hair ties. Remember, the purpose of cheer camp is to improve your skills and you’re likely to break a sweat doing so. Additionally, summer is the warmest time of the year and you’re definitely going to want to be able to take the heat in-stride. Make sure you pack plenty of cheer wear, since washers and dryers will probably be scarce or unavailable. Another option to consider may be coordinating some cheer wear with some custom embroidery to rep your squad. Some other items to consider bringing are sunblock, chapstick, and/or insect repellent to protect your skin from those long hours outside and to combat any critters you may encounter during that time. You may also want to consider bringing a camera to capture all your great cheer camp memories for Facebook later on.

Also, it’s a good idea to pack a couple pairs of cheer shoes, as well as another pair of shoes or sandals for your trip. There’s no telling what the weather conditions might be like and it’s a good idea to have a pair of back-up sneakers just in case your shoes get wet, muddy, etc. It’s also a good idea to bring some flip-flops or sandals for showering and kicking back.

Since a fair share of cheer camps are overnight, you’ll probably need to pack things you’d generally take in an overnight bag, i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, face wash, body soap, deodorant, towels, etc. Unless you check ahead of time, you won’t know if the camp will have these items available, or if you’ll have another chance to go out and purchase them once you get there. You may also want to consider bringing some extra snacks, some drinks, a water bottle, and some Advil. You should also make sure to pack a notebook and pen so you can write down all the great routines you learn at cheer camp.

Another thing to consider is taking a bit of spending money (unless the camp explicitly asks you not to). As many of you may have experience! There may be opportunities for you and your team to hit the town several nights during your stay at camp and having a few dollars in your pocket may come in handy. There also may be an opportunity for you to pick-up some souvenir items.

Of course every cheerleader’s list will vary, but hopefully after running down this list you’ll be able to pack more efficiently for your upcoming trip to cheer camp.

Speaking of cheer camp, Campus Teamwear currently has a number of great items on-sale just in time for camp, like our Lycra tops, practice shorts and practice skirts with built-in shorts. Our Lycra tops come in a variety of different cuts and colors, have breathable mesh panels to help you beat the heat and many styles include built-in bras, for extra support. Paired with any of our practice shorts or practice skirts, these tops help form a great cheer outfit and are sure to keep you looking fresh and feeling cool during intense camp workouts. As well, all of these camp wear items can be customized with embroidery in case you and your team can feel a little more team pride.