What to Pack

Documents for Arrivals Day
See Checking In Upon Arrival for a list of the items that we'll collect on Day 0.

Clothes
We recommend you bring:

• 8–10 pairs of socks and 10 sets of underwear
• Pajamas
• 8 light shirts or T-shirts
• 3–4 pairs of shorts and 1–2 pairs of long pants
• 1 waterproof jacket
• 2 sweaters/sweatshirts (Keep in mind that it does get chilly at night!)
• 1 pair of sneakers and 1 pair of sandals
• A swimsuit is highly recommended; there isn't a pool on campus but you might want one for Relays in the Pool even though it's not in a pool, and also for field trips (more on field trips below)

Camp is very informal, but you might like to have one set of nicer clothes, with clothes hangers (which we do not provide), for the occasional dress-up day. Nothing fancy will ever be required, but campers sometimes dress up for fun, and there is an annual dance party for which some campers step it up a notch. Bring anything that makes you feel snazzy!

Stuff
We recommend you bring:

• Refillable water bottle (important!)
• A backpack, both for classes and if you want to go hiking
• Sun block, hat, sunglasses
• We will have plenty of nice KN95 masks for the all-camp orientations with required masking, but you are welcome to bring your own.
• Toiletries
• For when you shower: bathrobe, shower slippers, and something to carry your toiletries in. (You'll be going between your dorm room and the hall bathroom to shower.)
• A hairdryer, if you use one
• If you're a light sleeper: eye mask and earplugs
• Things for recreation: personal sports equipment (e.g. tennis racket, swimming goggles), frisbees, board games, chess sets, puzzles (the more the merrier)
• Musical instruments
• 1–2 large bags for carrying laundry to/from the laundry room

Students do their own laundry at Mathcamp. If you do not know how to use a washer and dryer, learn before you come!

Things for field trips!
Additional things to bring for field trips (all of which are optional):

• Sturdy water bottle (highly recommended)
• Sun block, hat, sunglasses! (We will provide some sunscreen on field trips, but it's best to carry your own.)
• Non-cotton clothes (that will dry quickly), recommended for water field trips like whitewater rafting or paddleboarding. Also, swimsuit and extra towel!
• Long socks for ice-skating, such as soccer socks (definitely bring these if you're interested in ice-skating!)
• A helmet, if you have one and want to bring it for the biking field trip (the venue may have limited numbers or sizes)
• We are planning a rock climbing field trip. Bring climbing shoes if you have them and would like to use them; the venues may not have enough rental shoes!
• For hiking trips: comfortable and sturdy shoes, such as sneakers or hiking shoes, are required for all hikes. For mellow and medium Mathcamp hikes, sneakers with good treads will be just fine. If you'd like to go on the longest hike, which is typically 15 miles with significant elevation gain and potentially scrambling, you will need hiking boots. They need to be comfortable and broken in – do make sure you've hiked in them before you come to camp. Since we don't want you to be miserable, breaking in the boots before camp is NOT optional.

Technology and school supplies

• Bring a cell phone (if you have one) with charger. (If you don't have a cell phone, that's okay: there will be phones for you to borrow for up to an hour at a time from the camp office for calling home.)
• You're in charge of getting up in the morning, so you'll need your own wake-up alarm! Some campers use a cell phone; others bring an alarm clock.
• Do bring a laptop, if you already have one. (If you don't, you'll have access to public computers on campus!) Consider also bringing a surge protector.
• We recommend you bring a notebook, pens/pencils, binder for handouts, and some paper. (No need to pack your whole desk — you can easily buy more supplies at the campus bookstore.)

Finally: think about the personal items you enjoy having at home. A reading lamp by your bed? Your favorite stuffed animal? Bring the little things that will make camp your home.

What Not To Bring

• You could bring a scientific or graphing calculator for fun, but you won't need it for Mathcamp classes, so we don't especially recommend it.
• We suggest that you do not bring unnecessary valuables or expensive electronic equipment. If you have necessary valuables with you like spending money or your passport, you may opt to store them in the Mathcamp office.

The Camp Will Provide:

• Pillows and blankets and, in 2026, sheets and towels as well — though you are free to bring your own if you wish
• Laundry detergent and dryer sheets
• Clothes iron and sewing kit
• First aid and basic over-the-counter medication (e.g. Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl; administered by staff)
• Recreational equipment (soccer balls, basket balls, etc.)

Suggested Spending Money: $100-$150 USD
for incidental expenses, extra field trips, etc. (recommended)

Official Mathcamp activities are included in the camp fee, but occasionally staff or students organize extra excursions for which students pay their own way (e.g. going to the movies). Mathcamp is able to support students who would find thse informal activities difficult to afford on their own. Talk to any staff member (e.g. your residential advisor, or a camp director) if you need extra support. The conversation will remain confidential. We want everyone to be able to enjoy the opportunities offered at camp!

Travel Documents
Don't forget to carry your ticket, visa, and passport/birth certificate safely.

Mailing Boxes to Camp
If you prefer to travel light, you can mail boxes to camp up to a week before camp starts.
Our address this summer is:

Name of Individual
Champlain College
c/o Mathcamp
375 Maple Street
Burlington, VT 05401


Please be advised that boxes that arrive too early could be returned at the discretion of the campus; we will pick up the mail a few days before the campers arrive. At the end of the program, students can pack up boxes and ship them from the on-campus mail center. (Ask any staff if you need help with this, extremely preferably not on the actual day of your departure!)