Last-Minute Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids and Teens: Perfect for Summer Camp

The holiday season is a time for giving, and what better way to spread joy than by surprising the young people in your life with gifts tailored to something we all love: summer camp? Whether it’s their first year or they’re a seasoned camp veteran, these ideas are perfect for all outdoorsy children and teens. Let’s explore the ultimate camp gift guide for 2024!

1. Customized Camp Essentials

Start with the basics—items like personalized water bottles, duffel bags, or toiletry kits. Adding their name or a fun design makes these practical gifts special and ensures their belongings are easy to identify during their session at camp. Something like these Caden Lane water bottles, which can be customized with the child’s name and interests, will do the trick.

2. Starry Skies at Home

For many camp lovers, one of the first things you picture when you imagine being at camp is a starry sky. Now that it’s too cold out to go and stare at the stars, bring the gift of a starry sky to your camper by getting them a starlight projector for perfect galaxy skies on the ceiling of their bedroom. We found this Star Projector on Amazon which can be set to various colors and designs.

3. Campfire at Home Supplies

Campfires are the heart of camp evenings – they can be the heart of at-home evenings, too with an at-home S’mores set. This Sharper Image Compact S’mores Set is perfect for freezing evenings when your camper is craving s’mores but the snow outside won’t allow a fire. 

4. Camp-Ready Clothing

From quick-dry shirts to fun graphic tees featuring outdoor themes, there’s no shortage of options to outfit your camper. Throw in a cozy hoodie or socks with camp logos or nature-inspired prints for chilly evenings. We found these adorable camp-themed socks on Etsy, which are perfect for chilly nights and mornings in the cabin.

5. Board Games and Card Games

Small board games and card games are perfect for downtime at camp or home. We highly encourage games like Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, which is a quick card game that’s easy to store at camp and encourages connections between friends in the cabin.

6. Creative Activity Kits

Help your camper embrace creativity both at camp and at home. Simple craft kits for drawing, jewelry making, and more are perfect for using during downtime in the cabin and sharing creative gifts with friends made at camp. Check out these cute friendship bracelet making kits available at Target.

7. Outdoor Comfort Items

Our campers tell us that the hammocks at camp are one of their favorite places to rest and relax. You can buy your very own hammock which can either be set up between two trees at home, or on a hammock stand. Bring the same cozy feeling of comfort to your backyard with a compact hammock from Wise Owl, which comes in a variety of colors and includes tree straps and carabiners.

8. Waterproof Fun

Waterproof disposable cameras or waterproof cases for their belongings are fantastic for capturing camp memories or protecting their essentials during water-based activities. Did you know that Uno makes waterproof cards? They’re sure to be a hit for your camper this summer.

9. Books and Journals

Inspire their imagination with books about camping adventures or journals for documenting their own camp stories. These gifts spark creativity and make memories last long after camp ends. Of course, we also recommend purchasing a clip-on reading light so that your camper can read or journal before bed each night. We found this cute building-block themed reading light from Barnes and Noble. 

10. The Gift of Camp

For the ultimate gift, nothing beats giving them the chance to return to camp for another summer! Signing up for a camp session is a meaningful way to provide them with the life-changing experience of camp—a place where they can learn, grow, and have fun while creating cherished memories. It’s a gift that truly lasts a lifetime.

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Make This Holiday Season Magical

These thoughtful, camp-themed gifts are perfect for the holiday season and will inspire excitement for the upcoming summer. Whether you’re helping them prepare for camp or reliving favorite memories, these ideas are sure to bring smiles. We hope you have a happy holiday season and a great start to the new year!

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Lydia Beeler

Lydia Beeler is Camp Starfish’s Program Director, ensuring that all campers have a safe, supportive, and fun Starfish experience. Lydia joined Starfish in the summer of 2021 and has enjoyed multiple different roles on camp. With a degree in psychology from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and experience in healthcare and education, she brings both knowledge and enthusiasm to her role.

Lydia is from Worcester, Massachusetts, and takes great pride in being able to pronounce her hometown. Her favorite camp activity is the closing campfire, where campers are able to reflect on and celebrate their achievements made during their time at Starfish. Her favorite Camp Starfish Tool is, “We make camp a safe place.”

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Danielle Lubbers

Danielle joined Camp Starfish in the spring of 2023 as Camp Director. Originally working with the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay, Danielle has ten years of experience providing programming to children, outdoor skills training for adults, and directing overnight summer camp experiences.

In her spare time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her two-year old Dalmatian, Mia. Danielle’s favorite activity at camp is raft building, as she enjoys seeing campers and staff work together to complete a team goal. Her favorite Camp Starfish Tool is “We are here to learn, grow, and have fun!”

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David Mahnken

David Mahnken is Camp Starfish’s Mental Health Consultant. He provides staff training each summer on topics such as self-care, trauma-informed care practices, and health & wellness. David also provides support and consultation to the organization throughout the year. David holds a BA from St. Olaf College and an MSW from Simmons University. David is a LICSW who works in emergency services in addition to his own private practice in Massachusetts.

Prior to becoming a social worker, David’s first experience at camp was as a counselor in the early 2000s before becoming an administrator and member of the year-round team. His favorite camp activity is swim-I (swim instruction), and his favorite Camp Starfish Tool is: “We make camp a safe place.”

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Joe Clark

As the Assistant Director at Camp Starfish, Joe is a seasoned professional who is well-versed in all aspects of camp life. With five years of summer work at Starfish, he brings extensive experience and expertise to the camp year-round. Joe is from the UK, and holds a degree from Keele University. Joe works as a support worker in the UK, providing care to individuals with disabilities, since 2019. Joe also engages in volunteer work, including spending three months in Abrobiano, Ghana.

Joe is known at camp for his charming English accent, which campers often try to replicate! His favorite camp activity is playing soccer (football) on the field, and his favorite Camp Starfish Tool is: “I take responsibility for my actions.”

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Rachel Roberts

Rachel Roberts is the Director of Staff Experience at Camp Starfish, responsible for all things staffing and groups. With a degree in Anthropology, and a Certificate in Global Citizenship from Franklin Pierce University, Rachel brings a unique perspective to her role. She oversees hiring, onboarding, retention, and staff appreciation for the 100+ seasonal staff at Camp Starfish each summer. Rachel has been a part of the Starfish team since 2016, working in various seasonal roles. She joined the Year-Round Team full-time in 2022.

As a lifelong New Hampshire resident, Rachel enjoys hiking in the woods with her dog, Clover. Her favorite camp activity is Free Play, and her favorite Camp Starfish Tool is: “We respect each other’s differences.”

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Kristie Martin

Kristie Martin is Camp Starfish’s Communications Director, ensuring that Starfish is able to reach a wide audience of potential campers and staff each year to further the Starfish mission. With her degree in Applied Psychology & Human Development from the Lynch School of Education at Boston College, Kristie has a deep understanding of child development and uses this knowledge to create a nurturing environment for all campers during the summer.

Kristie grew up in the Monadnock region and takes pride in being a local. Kristie’s favorite camp activity is the Camper Talent Show, which she believes is the perfect opportunity for campers to showcase their skills and feel comfortable sharing with the community. Her favorite Camp Starfish Tool is, “I try my best, I do not have to be the best.”

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Sarah Scott-Sandagato

Sarah Scott-Sandagato is the Director of Operations at Camp Starfish, joining the team in the Spring of 2022. She brings with her a wealth of professional experience working in both mental health and human resources. Sarah’s role at Camp Starfish is crucial in ensuring that camp runs smoothly, and she is available to assist families every step of the way through the registration process. If you call the Starfish office, Sarah will likely be who you speak with first!

With her dedication to helping others and her commitment to creating a positive camp experience for every child, it’s no wonder that her favorite Camp Starfish Tool is: “We are members of a team.”

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Jamie Mahnken

Jamie Mahnken is Camp Starfish’s Executive Director, and has been an integral part of the Camp Starfish community since 2010, serving in a variety of roles. With a degree in Business Administration and Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University, Jamie is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for every camper, staff member, and volunteer.

As a North Carolina native, Jamie enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. Her favorite camp activity is kayaking to Blueberry Island, which is a meaningful and memorable experience for many campers, as well. Jamie’s favorite Camp Starfish Tool is: “I am flexible and open to change.”

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