The Ultimate 2026 Sugar Bay Packing Guide: What Your Camper Actually Needs!
Updated: Oct 11
Packing for camp is easier when you and your child work through the list together. Whether you are travelling from Johannesburg, Durban or further afield, this guide brings together the essential checklist, arrival hand-ins, optional extras and camp rules so your camper knows what to bring and where to find it.
Please read the whole guide, even if your child has been to Sugar Bay before. The packing list is updated regularly. Tick off every essential item: missing equipment or clothing can prevent campers from enjoying all their activities. Put a copy of the checklist in their bag so they can use it again when packing to come home.
Download the packing checklist (PDF). Save or print a copy to tick off as you pack.
Still planning your child’s first stay? Our first-time parent guide covers camp life, activity choice and the practical steps before booking.
Before you start packing
How much luggage and clothing should you bring?
Each camper carries their own luggage on a long walk to the cabin, so pack as lightly as possible. If you are using Sugar Bay transport, the limit is one medium-sized bag and one small day bag per camper.
Pack enough clothing for your session, whether it is 5, 6, 7 or 10 days. If your child is staying for more than one session, laundry is done at the end of each session. You only need to pack enough clothes for the longest session.
Pack with your child
Make sure your camper knows exactly what is in the bag and where to find it. Children sometimes think an item is missing simply because they did not know it was packed. Let them help tick off the list and keep it in the bag for the return journey.
Choose old, casual clothes
Camp includes activities such as skateboarding and muddy obstacle courses. Old clothes are best. Avoid fancy or expensive clothing that could be damaged or go missing. One smart outfit is enough for the weekly party or end-of-week dance.
Label everything and leave valuables at home
Clearly mark every belonging with your camper's full name. If an unlabelled item is found, Sugar Bay reserves the right to write your child's name on it in black permanent marker. This may damage the item, so please label everything yourself. Unclaimed lost property is donated to charity.
Sugar Bay is not responsible for damage, wear or loss of personal property. Check that your insurance covers loss, theft and damage while your child is away. We recommend leaving valuables at home: belongings can go missing despite our best efforts. Any valuables handed in at camp should be secured in a zip-lock bag.
First-day hand-ins: keep these easy to reach
Keep medication, the completed Medication Form and other hand-in items easily accessible for check-in, for example in the day bag.
Emergency medication: bring TWO sets of all prescribed allergy or chronic medication, such as an asthma pump, cortisone or an EpiPen, even if your child has not used it recently. Sugar Bay is in a highly pollinated area. One set travels in your camper's day bag and the other stays at the Health Centre. Pack each set in a separate, clearly labelled, clear zip-lock bag and give dosage instructions on the Medication Form.
Prescribed medication: clearly mark it with your camper's name. Campers prescribed ADD or ADHD medication must bring it for emergency use even if they do not normally take it at weekends or during holidays. Supply the full dosage and directions on the Medication Form.
Completed Medication Form: include full details, dosage and directions for every medication brought to camp.
Medical aid card: bring it to help speed up emergency hospital admission. Pack it with medication if medication is brought.
Tuck or food from home, if bringing any: hand it in for storage in the tuck room. Keep all food in one large zip-lock bag, choose only non-perishable items and do not pack chewing gum.
Essential clothing checklist
Pack enough of the everyday items below for your child's session.
Shorts. Senior girls should choose shorts long enough to cover their bottom when bending over.
T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts.
Underwear and sleepwear.
One smart outfit for the weekly party or end-of-week dance.
Warm clothes. Even summer evenings can be cool; pack more warm clothing in winter.
A peak or sunhat.
Takkies or trainers. These are compulsory for the ropes course.
Day bag, sun protection and water essentials
Day bag or small backpack*: compulsory. It must hold the things your camper needs each day while being small enough to carry comfortably.
Sunstick*: compulsory. Pack one for your camper’s face. It is easy to carry and designed to stay on. If your child does not bring one, Sugar Bay will supply one from the camp-store. This may use a substantial amount of your child's savings account.
Sugar Bay Passport*: returning campers should bring theirs. New campers can receive one in a camper pack or buy one at the camp-store.
Sunblock lotion: at least SPF 30. Pack enough for two 30 ml applications every day, with a minimum of 450 ml. Check that the amount you pack covers the full session.
Water bottle*.
Swimming costumes: two. Girls should bring secure sports costumes that will not slip. Follow the swimwear policy below.
Beach towels: two.
Strops or rock shoes: they must stay on when crossing a river and have grip for slippery rocks.
Items marked with an asterisk are included in the camper pack: the day bag, sunstick, Sugar Bay Passport and water bottle. Order the camper pack in advance to receive these items, plus more cool stuff, at a discounted price.
Swimwear policy: please read before buying or packing
Pack the correct swimwear for swimming activities:
Girls: a one-piece swimming costume with swim shorts worn over it. No bikinis. Choose a secure sports costume that will not slip.
Boys: swim shorts only. No Speedos.
Campers who do not have the required swimwear will still participate in swimming activities, but they will not be included in camp photos or videos.
Personal care checklist
Personal toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, shower gel, shampoo, deodorant and, as appropriate, shaving gear and/or feminine products. Basic supplies are available at the tuckshop.
A bath towel, in addition to the two beach towels.
Insect repellent. There are plenty of mosquitoes, and the guide recommends Peaceful Sleep spray.
An empty laundry bag.
Optional extras and comforts from home
These extras can be useful, but they do not replace anything on the essential checklist.
Stingose or an equivalent for mosquito bites.
Baby powder and bum cream for chafing from wet swimming costumes.
Closed shoes suitable for walking on rocky surfaces.
After-sun lotion.
Pen and paper for autographs, camper passports and writing faxes home.
Ear plugs if your camper is prone to ear infections from frequent swimming. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about protective ear drops such as Swimseal®.
Personal items such as a hairdryer, books, a musical instrument or sports equipment.
A skateboard or Ripstick, if desired, together with a helmet and knee, wrist and elbow pads. Campers may not skate without protective equipment.
Tuck or food from home. Snacks are also sold at camp. If you send food, use one large zip-lock bag, pack only non-perishable items and leave out chewing gum. Food is handed in on arrival and stored in the tuck room.
An insulated cup or flask with a lid, for seniors only, if they want tea or coffee.
Something to fit the week's theme. This is welcome but not compulsory. Avoid expensive clothes and items that could be damaged.
Cutlery is provided. Sleeping bags are only required when there is a camp-out excursion.
What to leave at home
Cellphones for use at camp. They disrupt the programme and distract campers from enjoying the moment, making friends and having fun. They are also costly items. The travel exception is below.
Vuvuzelas, which are too noisy for wildlife and neighbours.
Penknives or any other knives.
Chewing gum.
Valuables and expensive clothing wherever possible.
Cellphones on the journey to camp
Campers travelling by flight or on the Sandton bus may bring a cellphone for the journey. It must be handed in on arrival, will be kept safe and will be returned on departure. Cellphones may not be used at camp.
Please do not arrive with a contagious illness
If your child has a contagious illness, please do not bring them to camp. Germs can spread quickly in shared cabins and spoil the holiday for everyone.
Quick questions parents ask
How many towels and swimming costumes are needed?
Bring two swimming costumes and two beach towels, plus a separate bath towel. Follow the swimwear policy above.
Is a sunstick needed as well as sunblock?
Yes. A sunstick is compulsory. Also pack sunblock lotion of at least SPF 30, allowing for two 30 ml applications every day and at least 450 ml in total. If a sunstick is missing, Sugar Bay supplies one from the camp-store, which may use a substantial amount of your child's savings account.
How much luggage is allowed on Sugar Bay transport?
One medium-sized bag and one small day bag per camper. Your child carries their luggage to the cabin, so keep it manageable.
Do I need to pack extra clothes for consecutive sessions?
Laundry is done at the end of each session for campers staying for more than one session. Pack enough clothing for the longest session.
Does my child need a sleeping bag?
Only when there is a camp-out excursion.
Are theme outfits compulsory?
No. Something that fits the week's theme is welcome, but it is optional. Avoid expensive items that could be damaged.
What happens if an item is not labelled?
Sugar Bay may write your child's name on it with a black permanent marker, which could damage the item. Label every belonging with your camper's full name before they leave. Unclaimed lost property is donated to charity.
Can my child bring a phone?
Phones may not be used at camp. A phone may be brought for travel by flight or on the Sandton bus, then handed in on arrival and collected on departure.
Need help before you pack?
Contact the Sugar Bay team with any questions about your camper's packing or arrangements:
Call: 032 485 3778
Email: holidays@sugarbay.co.za
WhatsApp: 082 525 9503
Before you close the bag, check every essential item, label everything and let your child walk through the contents with you. Keep the checklist in the bag for packing to come home.
