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Camp Trends

By: Avery Bromberg

Ever wonder what to bring to summer camp? Or what’s trending this summer? Well, this article is for you! I’ll be listing all the must-have items to bring to camp, what’s trending this year, and what items people have stopped bringing. Whether you’re heading to day camp, spending the summer with friends, or—like me—going to sleepaway camp (shoutout to Camp Chen-A-Wanda!), this article will give you the latest summer trends and camp essentials. I even collected data from many students at Grand Avenue Middle School. So grab your parent’s credit card, and let’s go shopping!

Clothing Must-Haves

Clothing trends are always changing—some are brand new, some are making a comeback, and others have stuck around for a while. According to my data, these are the brands and items you’ll want in your duffel bags this year:

For boys, the top clothing brands are Goat USA, Nike, and Under Armour. These are especially popular for shirts and shorts. While all three got votes, the overall winner is… NIKE! Yes, even after more than 55 years, Nike remains the king of summer camp fashion. The Swoosh is still in style!

For girls, the top brands for shorts were Lululemon and Aerie—both awesome, but only one can win. So, the winner for coolest shorts brand is… Aerie! Aerie offers trendy, comfy clothes at about half the price of Lululemon, making it a big favorite.

In the girls’ shirt category, the most popular brand is… Katie J! I own several Katie J shirts and love the variety they offer. Out of 109 students who responded to my Google Form, most preferred Katie J, especially for shorts. However, when asked which brands they’d leave, many girls mentioned Brandy Melville as an alternative favorite. So if you’re shopping for a fun day out, head to a department store for Katie J—or take a trip to SoHo and check out the Brandy Melville flagship store!

WANTS That You NEED to Have

Let your parents handle the “needs”—let’s talk about the wants.

From my survey, I noticed a lot of items campers like to bring to stay entertained when they’re not at activities. Whether it’s a rainy day, rest hour, or time to wind down before bed, you’ll want something fun to do. Surprisingly, jacks didn’t make the cut this year—even though it’s a classic at my sleepaway camp! Instead, board games were a big hit across the board (pun intended), with both boys and girls saying they love them.

Let’s talk footwear. The go-to shoe of the summer? Crocs! Nearly everyone brings them. But boys tend to also pack athletic shoes like Nike or Air Jordan 1s, while girls mix it up with Adidas Sambas, shark slippers, flip flops, and Air Forces.

For spirit wear, camp-branded clothing is a must. Camp swag with your camp’s logo? Yes, please! Nothing screams camp pride louder.

This section is your quick guide to what’s IN and what’s OUT this summer.

SOFFE Shorts: ❌ OUT. Still around, but not as hot as last year.
Jacks: ❌ OUT. A classic, but not making waves this summer.
Sports Trading Cards: 🤷 BOTH. Out for most, but still popular with some boys.
Nike Pro Shorts: ✅ IN. Stylish and comfy—perfect for summer days!
Stickerbeans: ❌ OUT. These sparkly stickers were once a summer hit, but their sparkle has faded.

This article is just a guide to help you pack and shop smarter. Everyone has their own tastes, their own sense of style, and their own idea of what’s “cool.” At the end of the day, you should wear and bring what makes you feel good. It’s summer—have fun and enjoy every second!

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