6 Swimming Gear For Summer Camp That Swim Instructors Recommend

The summer camp packing list arrives, and your eyes immediately scan for the swim section. Suddenly, you’re faced with decisions about goggles, suits, and a dozen other items you hadn’t considered. Choosing the right swim gear isn’t about having the fanciest equipment; it’s about setting your child up for a safe, comfortable, and successful experience in the water.

Gearing Up for a Successful Camp Swim Season

You’ve seen it before: the child who spends half their swim lesson fiddling with leaky goggles or tugging at a saggy swimsuit. These aren’t just minor annoyances; they are distractions that pull a child’s focus away from the instructor and the skill they’re trying to learn. The right gear removes these barriers, allowing kids to feel confident and secure so they can concentrate on their breathing, kicking, and strokes.

Investing in a few key, quality items can make a world of difference. This isn’t about buying professional-level equipment for a seven-year-old’s first camp experience. It’s about choosing durable, functional pieces that can withstand a summer of chlorine, sun, and daily use. Think of it as an investment in a positive attitude toward swimming, which will pay dividends long after camp is over.

Swim instructors see it all, and their recommendations are always rooted in practicality. They value gear that promotes safety, allows for freedom of movement, and minimizes poolside drama. The following items are consistent favorites because they simply work, helping kids of all ages and abilities get the most out of their time in the water.

Speedo Jr. Vanquisher 2.0 for Clear Vision

Nothing stalls a swim lesson faster than a pair of leaky, foggy goggles. When a child can’t see clearly, their confidence plummets. They hesitate to put their face in the water, constantly stopping to adjust their gear and losing valuable practice time.

A quality pair of goggles is a non-negotiable for camp. Look for a model like the Speedo Jr. Vanquisher 2.0, which is a great example of what to seek out: an inner-eye fit that creates a secure seal, adjustable nose pieces for a custom fit, and anti-fog coating. For younger campers (ages 5-8), the priority is a comfortable seal that doesn’t require constant tweaking. For older kids (ages 9-14), the adjustability is key as they spend more time with their face in the water working on technique.

The ability to see underwater is a safety and skill-development tool. It helps a child orient themselves in the pool and builds the confidence needed to progress from tentative splashing to actual swimming. A good pair of goggles that fits well is one of the most impactful purchases you can make for their camp swim experience.

TYR Durafast One Suits for All-Day Comfort

That cartoon-character swimsuit that looked great in the store can become a stretched-out, faded mess after just a few weeks of camp chlorine. A poorly fitting suit that sags or chafes is a major distraction. Children who are constantly pulling up straps or adjusting their bottoms are not focused on their lesson.

For the daily grind of summer camp, choose a suit made from chlorine-resistant fabric. Materials like the polyester-based TYR Durafast One are designed to hold their shape and color despite constant exposure to pool chemicals and sun. This means the suit you buy in June will still fit properly in August, making it a smart investment that often lasts long enough to become a hand-me-down.

For camp activities, instructors overwhelmingly prefer functional styles. A one-piece suit for girls and jammers or a brief for boys stay in place during games, dives, and drills. Baggy board shorts create significant drag in the water, making it physically harder for a child to learn proper kicking technique. A well-fitting, durable suit provides comfort and confidence, freeing your child to simply enjoy the water.

Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen for Water Play

The midday sunscreen battle is a familiar scene for any camp parent. Sun protection is critical, but you need a product that can keep up with active, water-loving kids. A sunscreen that runs into their eyes or wears off after the first splash isn’t doing its job.

Mineral-based sunscreens, like those from a brand like Blue Lizard, are often recommended for children because they provide a physical barrier against the sun’s rays. The active ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are less likely to cause irritation on sensitive skin. Look for a formula that is specifically labeled "water-resistant (80 minutes)," which is the highest level of protection available.

Make sun safety a team effort. For younger kids, apply it thoroughly before they leave home. For older, more independent campers, pack a sunscreen stick for their face—it’s less messy and easier for them to apply themselves without getting it in their eyes. This empowers them to take responsibility for their own sun safety during reapplication time at camp.

FINIS Silicone Swim Cap for Tangle-Free Fun

If you’ve ever dealt with the tearful, tangled mess of post-pool hair, you understand the value of a swim cap. For camp, a cap isn’t just for the swim team. It’s a practical tool that keeps long hair out of a child’s eyes and mouth, reduces chlorine damage, and makes wearing goggles much more comfortable.

When choosing a cap, you’ll generally see two main types: silicone and lycra. While lycra caps are soft and easy for a young child to put on independently, they don’t do much to keep hair dry. For durability and function, silicone is the superior choice for a daily camp environment. A cap like the FINIS Silicone Swim Cap is thicker, lasts longer, and provides a better seal to protect hair.

A child with hair plastered across their face cannot focus on their instructor. A swim cap solves this problem instantly, clearing their field of vision and minimizing sensory distractions. It’s a simple piece of gear that can dramatically improve the quality of their lesson and make the after-pool routine significantly less stressful for everyone.

Flow Swim Gear Microfiber Towel for Drying

That big, fluffy beach towel feels luxurious, but it’s a logistical nightmare for summer camp. It’s heavy, takes up most of the space in a backpack, and after one use, it’s a sopping, mildew-prone mess for the rest of the day. At pickup, it weighs down your child’s bag and often brings half the sandbox home with it.

This is a perfect place to prioritize function over familiarity. A microfiber towel, like those from Flow Swim Gear, is a camp-changer. These towels are incredibly lightweight and compact, yet they absorb a surprising amount of water. Their biggest advantage is how quickly they dry, which means you’re less likely to pull a damp, smelly towel out of the backpack at the end of the day.

Switching to a microfiber towel simplifies your child’s routine. It’s easier for them to pack and carry, and it performs better in the demanding camp environment. It’s a small, inexpensive change that solves multiple common camp annoyances.

Native Jefferson Shoes for Poolside Safety

The pool deck is a notoriously slippery place, and the wrong footwear can easily lead to a fall. Flip-flops can slide off, and wet sneakers become heavy and uncomfortable. The ideal poolside shoe is all about safety, independence, and hygiene.

Look for a shoe that is waterproof, has good grip, and is easy for your child to manage on their own. Shoes like the Native Jefferson or classic Crocs are excellent examples. They are made from lightweight, closed-cell foam that doesn’t absorb water, they slip on and off easily, and they provide more toe protection than open-toed sandals—a huge plus during active games.

This choice supports your child’s independence. When they can easily transition their own footwear without help from a counselor, it builds confidence and keeps the group moving smoothly from the changing room to the pool. A secure, non-slip shoe is a fundamental piece of safety equipment for any camp with a pool.

Labeling Gear for a Stress-Free Camp Pickup

Walk by any camp’s lost-and-found bin in mid-July, and you’ll see a mountain of identical-looking goggles, towels, and swim caps. The single most effective thing you can do to protect your investment in swim gear is to label every single piece.

This isn’t just about preventing loss; it’s about teaching responsibility and avoiding frustrating mix-ups. A clearly labeled item is almost always returned to its owner. An unlabeled one is often gone for good. This simple, five-minute task at the beginning of the summer can save you significant money and stress.

Use a waterproof permanent marker on tags and light-colored gear. For dark items or slick surfaces like goggles, invest in a set of durable, waterproof stick-on or iron-on labels. Be thorough: label the suit, cap, goggles, towel, shoes, and the swim bag itself. A stress-free pickup, with all your child’s gear accounted for, is the perfect way to end a fun day at camp.

Ultimately, the goal is to equip your child for a summer of fun, learning, and confidence in the water. The right gear acts as a silent partner in that process, removing obstacles so your child can focus on what matters most. With these functional, instructor-approved items, you’re not just packing a bag—you’re setting the stage for a great swim season.