2026 Camp Prep Guide
Best Labels for Camp Gear:
2026 Edition
How to Label Everything for Day & Sleepaway Camp
Camp season starts earlier than you think. By late March, parents are booking programs, camps are sending packing lists, and online searches for camp labels spike fast. If you want to be prepared (and not panic-labeling at 11 p.m. the night before drop-off), now is the time to get familiar with camp labels!
Whether your child is heading to day camp or sleepaway camp, properly labeling their belongings is one of the most important parts of camp prep. The right waterproof, laundry-safe camp labels prevent lost items, reduce stress for camp staff, and make sure your kid's gear doesn't get mixed up — and actually makes it home each day.
Here's your complete 2026 guide to the best labels for camp gear, how to label for camp properly, and which products work best for different camp scenarios.
Why Camp Labels Matter
At most camps, labeling isn't optional — it's strongly encouraged, and often listed right on the packing sheet. Why? Because unlabeled gear creates camper chaos.
Camps rely on parents to use durable camp labels to help reduce their lost & found pile and eliminate the time counsellors spend tracking down the owner of a stray water bottle or damp towel. When items are clearly labeled, staff can return them immediately instead of interrupting their day to find their owner.
And then there's the hygiene factor. At sleepaway camp especially, clearly labeled personal items help reduce accidental sharing and the spread of germs. Picture a cabin bathroom with six identical toothbrushes sitting in one cup — do we really trust a group of tweens to confidently remember which blue toothbrush is theirs? Or communal sunscreen bottles? Or goggles tossed together after swim time? Labels remove the guesswork.
This isn't just school labeling. Camp labels need camp-level durability — sun, sand, sweat, and so much more. The best labels for camp are waterproof, laundry-safe, and strong enough to outlast the items they're stuck to.
When you label properly, you're not just protecting hoodies. You're saving counselors time, avoiding camp cooties, and helping your kids keep track of their belongings confidently.
What Parents Really Mean When They Search "Camp Labels"
When parents search "best labels for camp gear," they aren't looking for decorative stickers. They're looking for labels that stick, stay, and survive camp. Camp labels are unique because camp gear is exposed to so much more:
- Waterproof: Holds up to pools, lake water, puddles, spills, and more!
- Laundry-safe: Because camp clothes definitely get gross
- Dishwasher-safe: Durable enough to survive the nightly washing needed for day camp
- High-quality: Won't bubble, peel, or fade in the sunlight
- Ultra-durable: Stands up to sweat, sun, sand, sunscreen, and much more!
- Stay stuck! These labels last the entire summer — we guarantee it
The best labels for camp combine durability with ease of application. Because when you're staring at a 3-page packing list, the last thing you want is a complicated system. That's why choosing the right pack for day camp vs. sleepaway camp makes all the difference.
The Best Name Labels for Day Camp
The Day Camp Label Pack
Day camp gear moves daily. Backpacks get piled on the side of a field or left in the gym. Water bottles are refilled and brought outside, then forgotten somewhere random. Lunch kits get unpacked and repacked, then again for snacks. Items travel back and forth on buses, then home again.
Because of that daily movement, day camp labels need strong adhesion and waterproof durability — surviving dishwasher cycles, playground dirt, and being tossed into a backpack every afternoon. The Day Camp Label Pack is specifically designed for this daily wear and tear!
What's Included in the Day Camp Label Pack
| What's Included | Perfect for Labeling |
|---|---|
| 1 Bag Tag | A backpack that goes back and forth every day |
| 24 Small Rectangle Labels | Snack containers, water bottles, sunscreen, lunch gear |
| 4 Shoe Labels | 2 pairs: sneakers + sandals |
| 50 Tag Mates™ | Clothing — hoodies, shorts, socks, camp tees, and any layers that get forgotten |
Why the Day Camp Label Pack Is a Bestseller
- Over 100 designs and 8 fonts to choose from!
- Quick peel-and-stick application
- Waterproof and dishwasher-safe to survive nightly washing
- Strong adhesive to stay stuck all season and beyond
- Sized for typical camp essentials
The rule for day camp labeling is simple: if it leaves the house in the morning, it gets a label!
Best Labels for Sleepaway Camp
The Sleepaway Camp Label Pack
Sleepaway camp labeling requires a different strategy. Your kid's belongings will be in shared cabins, handled by counsellors, sorted in communal laundry, and mixed among other kids' stuff for weeks at a time. Clothing rotates. Towels get mixed. Toiletries often live together communally.
When parents ask each other what the best sleepaway camp labels are, what they're really asking is which name labels have long-term durability. The Sleepaway Camp Label Pack is designed specifically for extended stays, look-alike items, and heavy-duty camp toughness.
What's Included in the Sleepaway Camp Label Pack
| What's Included | Perfect for Labeling |
|---|---|
| 2 Bag Tags | Luggage + backpack for day trips |
| 24 Small Rectangle Labels | Toiletries (hairbrush, shampoo, cleansers), sunglasses, journals, pens, chapstick, chargers, and personal gear |
| 8 Shoe Labels | 4 pairs: sneakers, sandals, water shoes, hiking boots |
| 10 Large Rectangle Labels | Water bottles, flashlights, sunscreen, journal |
| 50 Tag Mates™ | Clothing (hoodies, shorts, PJs, socks, t-shirts), hats, sleeping bag, bedding, pillowcase, towels |
Why the Sleepaway Camp Label Pack Stands Out
- 112 Labels and 2 Bag Tags!
- Over 100 designs and 8 fonts to choose from!
- Hundreds of positive reviews from happy parents!
- Quick peel-and-stick application
- Waterproof labels built for repeated washing, lake dips, swims, and water fights
- Strong adhesive that sticks through sunscreen, sand, and dirt
- Multiple sizes for a variety of items
- Designed for true camp-level wear and tear — 100% Guaranteed to last!
Sleepaway camp isn't gentle. Labels must stay secure through high heat, constant wear, and humidity. That's what separates other name labels from true Mabel's Labels camp labels!
Tagless Clothes? Use a Clothing Name Stamp
The Custom Clothing Stamp
Many kids' clothes no longer have sewn-in tags, which can make traditional labeling harder. If you've found yourself asking "how to label tagless clothes for camp?" — a clothing stamp is one of the fastest and most effective solutions!
Instead of peeling and sticking, you simply stamp your child's name directly onto the fabric. It's especially helpful when you're labeling dozens of small items in one sitting.
What the Custom Clothing Stamp Is Perfect For
| Perfect for Labeling | Why It Works for Camp |
|---|---|
| Bathing suits | Stays put in water — perfect for swim-heavy days and survives chlorine |
| Towels | Survives all summer long — no fading or washing off |
| Socks & underwear | Ideal for frequently washed, extra-dirty essentials |
| Tagless t-shirts, shorts & more | Clean, clear imprint — works even without tags |
| Pajamas | Durable and fuss-free — lasts all summer and beyond! |
Why Parents Love the Custom Clothing Stamp for Camp
- Quick application: label everything on your pack-list in minutes
- Won't wash away: reliable in laundry & pool — 100% guaranteed to last all summer!
- Clean, clear imprint: easy to stamp, easy to read!
- Perfect for everyday camp essentials
Where to Place Camp Labels for Maximum Hold
Even the best waterproof camp labels need proper placement to perform their best. Before applying any label, follow these steps:
Then use these placement tips for the best hold all summer long:
Inside care tags or along inner seams
Smooth area away from textured grips
Inside heel area
Corner hem or sewn label area
When Should I Order Camp Labels for 2026?
Camp label sales spike in late March to early April. Ordering early gives you time to label properly before packing begins — and often means the best sale prices too!
With the right durable, waterproof camp labels, you can reduce lost items, avoid camp cooties, support camp staff, and send your kiddo off to camp feeling organized and confident.
Ready to Get Labeled Up?
Choose the pack that fits your camp and start the season stress-free.
Because the only thing that should come home from camp is stories — not someone else's swimsuit!