For any American kid, nothing beats the feeling of getting dropped off at camp for the first time.
Love it or hate it, you can’t deny it’s full of excitement! It’s just you and your trusty trunk, your luggage that will provide you with your home away from home.
Full of clothes lovingly and practically chosen for the camp, a teddy bear to keep you safe at night, all organized to provide easy access by your loving parent, your luggage can make or break a trip.
It’s important to pick the best trunks for summer camp for your kid to make the most of their experience! This article provides an overview of:
- Why the right trunk matters
- Key features
- Our top two camp trunk recommendations
- Packing essentials
- Caring for your camp trunk.
Let’s crack this case open!
Why choosing the Right Camp Trunks Matter
If you’re sending your child on a trip, deciding on their luggage depends on what they’re going to be doing!
Let’s break down three things to consider in your decision-making for camp trunks:
Protection from Elements
While it is summer and we all cross our fingers and toes for blue skies and sunny days, you must always make sure your kid is prepared for any circumstance.
Waterproof materials are worth considering, even if it’s only raining as the trunks goes from a car to indoors. Your child’s essentials are in that trunk, so it’s definitely important to take the proper measures to keep them safe!
Additionally, if you are making a purchase of a trunk, it’s worth going for long-lasting durable materials.
This is not only for practicality — it’s got to last the summer, at least — but for sustainability reasons as well.
These camp trunks could be with them for the rest of their summer camps or even when they go off to university! It’s worth paying the extra now on durable material so that you don’t have to later on.
Storage and Organization
Living out of luggage is always a hassle, especially if it’s for an extended period of time.
Rifling through clothes, zipping, unzipping, buckling, unbuckling: if you’re living like that for a few weeks, it can get tiring quickly and take some of the joy out of the trip!
You just want to make things as easy as possible for your child so they can make the most out of their time, so a high priority for you should be how the trunk is set out for storage and organization.
Think about access and where things will go. Another consideration is noise: if your child is sharing a room, they’ll often want to be as quiet as possible getting things in and out of their case.
Talk with your child about which trunk they feel would be the most functional in this sense.
Safety and Security
It’s easy to forget about security, especially if you start to feel safe in a place. However, that’s often when bad things happen and trips get ruined!
That’s why you’ve got to consider straightforward security that’s simple enough to become a habit.
A simple lock on the front of the camp trunks could be the perfect solution, but is your kid likely to lose the key? Would a combination lock be better?
Only you and your kid know what’s going to be best for them, so it’s worth having a conversation about the purchase of this essential camp item.
Key Features to Consider
Here, we’ll cover the key elements that make for the best camp trunks for summer camp for your child.
Material and Durability
You’re making a purchase to last for summer camp and maybe a lifetime, so you want a durable camp trunk. Consider waterproof and durable materials in your purchase so you know that your money is going to go a long way and last a lifetime.
Size and Capacity
The trunk is going to need to strike that balance between providing the right amount of storage space for everything your kid is going to need as well as being easy for them to manage and slide under their bunk. Know what gear your kid is packing and remember to check out the dimensions of the trunk.
Locks and Security Features
The reality, and I’m not trying to scare you, is that your kid is taking a trunk full of valuables to a place where they’ll be having too much fun to worry about securing camp belongings. It’s so important that they have the skills and the tools to keep themselves and their belongings safe. Considering the safety features of the trunk is an essential part of that.
Ease of Transport
Wheels, handles, straps, weight, and size. Is your kid capable of moving their trunk? Are you sending them on a three-hour hike to their campsite with a wheeled suitcase? An easily portable trunk is going to make any travel your kid has to do a lot easier. It also might help make them more independent, especially in any unexpected circumstances.
Top Trunks for Summer Camp: Recommendations
Trunk Model 1: The Seward Trunk Rover
Wheels: ✅
Pushbutton key lock: ✅
Accommodates padlock: ✅
One front handle + side handle: ✅
Durable and weather resistant: ✅
Dimensions: 76.2 x 40.01 x 31.12cm; 10.55 kg.
Price: $129.99
This is one of my favorite options on the market. Not to mention, it’s pink for your girls! However, it also comes in many other colors, and if you go through the website you’ll find that it is very customizable.
It looks very attractive, so it can be used as both luggage and a durable storage option.
It’s worth checking out not only the Rover collection but also the other trunk options the brand offers, including some soft trunks if that appeals to you.
Reviews for this trunk are overwhelmingly positive, with many people noting its durability.
With a 4.5 star rating from over 3000 reviews, people have bought it for storing keepsakes, gear, apparel, for college dorms, and of course for travel.
The only one-star reviews indicate a delay in ordering, so make sure to order it early just in case!
Trunk Model 2: Rhino Camp Trunk
Wheels: Designed to add or remove although not initially included.
Slam soft close: ✅
Built-in padlock: ✅
Accommodates padlock: ✅
Leather handles: ✅
Durable and weather resistant: ✅
Lifetime warranty: ✅
Dimensions: Small – 30” x 172 x 13”
Price: Small: $209.95-$259.95 | Large: $219.95-9.90 | XL: $249.95-$299.90
While slightly more expensive, there’s just something about Small and Large Rhino Camp Trunks.
Maybe it’s the customizability, with multiple colors and patterns to choose from inside and outside, or the ability to add engraved nameplates, combination locks, or hardwood trays.
If you’re looking for a trunk to last a lifetime – especially given its lifetime guarantee – the rhino trunk is definitely a great trunk to consider.
All of the different aspects I discussed above are just so customizable with this option and well worth the purchase despite the expense. There are even different sizes to choose from depending on what your kids might need!
Packing Essentials for Camp
Make the most of your trunk space with smart packing, because it’s no use having the best trunk in the world if you can’t fit everything you need in it!
Here are our selections for top summer camp packing essentials:
Segmenting Items
Make sure your kid is set up for an easy trip by helping them learn to organize and apply labels to their belongings and gear in their trunk.
It’s worth spending some time figuring out what goes best where and talking it through with them so they understand! It’s simply an important life lesson for them to learn, summer camp or no summer camp.
Space-Saving Tips
Teach your child techniques like rolling clothes and using pouches. I’m sure we’ve all opened a suitcase to fall into absolute despair, overwhelmed by the chaos of clothes everywhere.
Using pouches to divide and compact your clothes is a real game-changer!
Learning to efficiently roll clothes to keep them un-crinkled and tightly packed will help save space and will make things easier to access.
Items to Avoid
First of all, remember to closely follow any camp packing guidelines you get sent. After all, they’ll know better than anyone what a kid might need!
However, a good rule of thumb I follow is to pack what you want to bring, half it, and then half it again. Your kid will be surprised with how much they actually don’t need even if they insist that they do need that Captain America t-shirt.
Something I’ve also learned from my travels pertains to shoes: Your kid doesn’t need that many shoes!
I always find shoes take up the most space in packing. It depends on the camp requirements, but I recommend one pair of hiking/outdoor shoes and a pair of durable black waterproof sandals that could be used as shower shoes but also paired with a nice outfit for camp talent night or dinners.
Caring for Your Camp Trunk
Tips for maintenance and longevity for your kid’s summer camp trunk:
Cleaning and Sanitizing
To ensure the longevity of the trunk and teach your kid about looking after their things, spend some time with them post-camp emptying and cleaning the trunk.
Each different trunk will have its own cleaning recommendations, but you can’t really go wrong with a vacuum cleaner, an all-purpose spray, and a clean cloth.
Storage Recommendations
These trunks are so pretty, you might as well have them as a feature in your kid’s room!
Alternatively, if you want to keep them in storage, just make sure they are kept away from any dampness to reduce mold or water damage.
FAQs
How much should I spend on a camp trunk?
If you are looking for a long-lasting durable trunk, it could be anywhere between $100 to 400. Sure, it’s pricey, but it’s also a long-term investment in a piece of furniture, storage, and luggage. However, it depends on your budget and priorities, and there are plenty of options out there!
Are there restrictions on trunk sizes for most camps?
Yes, this is quite common. Remember before you think about buying a trunk check out what the requirements are for the specific camp.
Is it better to have a hard or soft trunk for camp?
Functionally, it’s easy to argue that a hard trunk is superior despite the extra weight. Again, it all depends on what you are looking for.
How can I personalize or label my child’s camp trunk?
You can personalize or label your child’s trunk any way you like! There are so many great trunk options that allow you to personalize the label – just be sure to get input from your child too.
What’s the best way to transport a packed trunk to camp?
If you’ve taken size and portability into consideration in your decision-making process, you should be pretty set when it comes to transport. Of course, the most straightforward answer here is putting the trunk into your car boot and dropping your kid off to camp sessions!