How to Prepare for Summer Gymnastics Camp

Summer gymnastics camp is something fun and exciting for gymnasts of all ages and levels. There are so many different kinds of gymnastics camps available these days that there is something that fits every gymnasts wants, needs, and budget. Gymnastics camps are a great learning experience for all gymnasts. Gymnasts get to work with a variety of different coaches, use different equipment, work on different skills, and make friends when they go to gymnastics camp.  From day camp in your club gym to overnight camp at FlipFest or International Gymnastics Camp to camps at colleges and universities, there is something out there for every gymnast. Even though gymnast camps are fun and a great learning experience, they take a lot of mental and physical preparation. Preparing for gymnastics camp can be overwhelming and even scary for some gymnasts, especially if it is their first time. But there is no need to stress anymore, Snowflake has you covered! I have compiled an in-depth guide on how to prepare for gymnastics camp based on my own experiences at gymnastics camp! I grew up attending camps at my club gym, weeklong camps at International Gymnastics Camp, and weekend camps at Penn State University. I have also coached many gymnastics camps at club gyms and at Penn State University! I loved summer camps and some of my fondest memories of the sport come from my camp experiences. If there is one thing I can convince you of today, it would be to have your gymnast attend at least one summer camp in her lifetime. They truly are something special and something that I will cherish forever. Now, let's get into how to best prepare for summer camp! 

How to Pack for Gymnastics Camp

My first tip is to not procrastinate when it comes to packing. It’s not fun to scramble around the morning of camp packing, only to get to camp and realize you forgot something important! Especially at an overnight or weeklong camp, when you need to pack more than just your gym bag. So, the first thing you should do is read the details of your camp. See if there are theme days such as Animal Print Day or USA Day. If so, make sure you purchase any items your gymnast needs for theme days well in advance to avoid any added stress. Be sure to check out our wide selection of gymnastics leotards for camp theme days! Next, make sure your gymnast has enough leotards that fit her. If your gymnast is going to an overnight camp or a weeklong camp, she needs a clean gymnastics leotard for each day. You will want to make sure she tries on all the leotards she will be packing. Nothing is more uncomfortable than a leotard that is too small. Many leotard companies have sales around summer camp season so that you can make sure your gymnast has leotards for camp. We have the Grab Bag Sale during the whole month of June. During the Grab Bag Sale, you can get 1 leotard for $17.50 or 5 leotards for $74.95, a deal you can't beat! We are also having a Camp Bundle Deal Sale where you can get a leotard, a matching t-shirt, and matching pants for just $99.95. (This is a $122.98 value!) This offer is only available for a limited time, so be sure to check back on the website every so often so you do not miss it. Next, check the details of your summer camp to see if they provide you with a packing list. Many summer camp programs have specific items that they want gymnasts to bring. For example, here is FlipFest's packing list. No stress if your summer camp did not provide you with a packing list, we will give you one!

Now that you have purchased any theme items and gymnastics leotards, check your cabinets for toiletries. If your gymnast is going to an overnight camp, make sure she has enough of each toiletry depending on the length of her gymnastics camp. Theme day items, leotards, and toiletries are all things that you want to check a few weeks before cam so you have time to buy them if you need them. 

What to Pack for Gymnastics Camp:

Mentally Preparing for Gymnastics Camp

Gymnastics camp can be scary for young gymnasts or for gymnasts who have never been to summer camp before. If this is your gymnast's first overnight camp, make sure you sit down and make sure she understands camp is about having fun. It's okay if she is not the "best gymnast" at camp. Instead of being sad or worried that she isn't as good as other girls, she should take the opportunity to learn from those stronger gymnasts and even make new friends! Make sure she understands it is not a competition. If your gymnast has never shared a room before, go over how to be a good roommate. Make sure she knows to make her bed and put her clothes away neatly. Make sure she knows to be respectful of her roommate's space and privacy. It may also be a good idea to practice independence by having her sleepover at a friend's or family member's house. You want to make sure your gymnast is comfortable being away from home so that she has a smooth and enjoyable camp experience. Being homesick can ruin a camp experience and if there is any way to prepare for it, you definitely should. Have her practice how to do her own hair for practice and make sure she knows when to take any medications if she needs to. If she has a comfort item such as a blanket or a doll, be sure to remember to pack it. You could even get her and her doll matching gymnastics leotards!

By sending your gymnast to camp, you’re letting her know that you believe she can take care of herself. She will be more confident in herself and will learn leadership skills at camp. Help your gymnast stay involved in the entire camp process, not just going to camp. Let her help pick her camp and decide what she wants to pack. Research the camp together by looking online or talking to gymnasts who have been there before. Talk with your gymnast about the camp experience and answer any questions she has about being away from home. Consider sending a letter or small care package ahead of time so that it is at camp waiting for your gymnast when she gets there. This will help ease any initial nervousness when she first arrives at camp and remind her that you are still supporting her even from home. And if you need ideas on what to put in the care package, check out our large gymnastics accessories selection!


One of the most important things you can do as a gym parent for your gymnast going to camp is to avoid sharing your nervousness and doubts with her. Telling her how much you’ll miss her or that you’re scared for her to be gone for so long, will only make it harder for her to leave for camp. Instead, emphasize how much fun camp will be and how excited you are for her to experience something new.

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Are You Hosting a Gymnastics Camp This Summer?

Hosting a gymnast camp is a lot of work but they are very rewarding for everyone involved. Not only are they a great experience for gymnasts, but they are also a great experience for gymnastics coaches. Coaches get to create a bond and work with many athletes that they do not usually get to work with. They also get to watch and learn from other coaches at the camp. They can share experiences and ideas and make each other better coaches.

There is a lot that goes into planning for a gymnastics camp. Let Snowflake make it a little easier on you by letting us be the official outfitter of your summer camp! We love designing custom gymnastics leotards for summer camps, clinics, showcases, and competitions! Check out the camp leotards we are doing for Peak Training Clinic right now. If you want us to outfit your next event, give us a call. You would get to work one-on-one with one of our design experts to make your dream leotard design come to life. Then, we will put it on our website so that your customers can order it via our website. From there, if we will be at the event, your customers can pick up their orders at the Snowflake booth. If we will not be at the event, the orders will be shipped directly to the customer. Making it an effortless task for you!