Best Backpacks For Camp Counselors
Working as a summer camp counselor can often mean being in one place for upwards of 3 months - this means you’ll have to pack a lot of things with you for the summer.
Trying to cram everything into a cumbersome suitcase is impractical, particularly if you’re planning to go travelling after camp.
That is why we have created this article highlighting the best backpacks for camp counselors.
We know how hard it is to find space for everything you need for the summer, so our review of the best backpacks will help you.
We outline the best daypack for camp counselors, before reviewing the best overall backpack for summer camp counselors.
So, let’s dive into: Best Backpacks for Camp Counselors
Disclaimer - this blog post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission, if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).
Best backpacks for camp counselors
We will start this article by letting you into a little secret - hard, cumbersome suitcases are not practical for summer camp counselors. Even if you aren’t planning to go travelling after camp, they are tiresome to lug around and often take too much effort to get to camp.
This is particularly true for international summer camp counselors who must get trains, buses, planes and taxis to arrive at camp. Even if you’re from the US and driving to camp, the likelihood is that you’re going to want to meet up with friends after the summer has finished and the chances of you wanting to do this with a big suitcase are very slim.
That’s why we always recommend buying a sturdy, reliable backpack to use as a summer camp counselor. You can still fit everything you need to pack in a backpack and they are much easier to navigate when it comes to travelling around after camp.
Summer camp counselors at Timber Lake West
Best daypack for camp counselors
Why do summer camp counselors need a daypack?
A high-quality, reliable daypack is essential for summer camp counselors for several reasons.
Firstly, you need a good daypack to simply use for your role as a summer camp counselor. More often than not as a camp counselor, you will be required to carry around medications, bathing suits, snacks, you name it. They aren’t all going to fit into a little drawstring bag, so you will need a good-quality daypack instead.
Secondly, on your days off (Yes, mercifully, we do get days off as camp counselors), you aren’t going to want to be lugging around your 60+Litre hiking backpack. This is where a daypack comes in handy - you can easily fit your chargers, spare clothes, towels and anything else you need with you on your day off.
Lastly, if you plan on doing any travelling after you’ve finished working as a summer camp counselor, then you are going to need a daypack to be able to visit all the amazing places that the US, or even further afield, has to offer.
Best daypack for camp counselors - Osprey Europe Unisex Daylite Plus Backpack
Admirable Features of the Osprey Europe Unisex Daylite:
20 litre capacity
Breathable material on the back
Laptop sleeve inside
Front pocket
Lightweight
So, now you understand how important it is to have a sturdy, reliable daypack, you will need to know which one to buy - introducing the Osprey Europe Unisex Daylite Plus Backpack.
Together, we have been using this particular daypack for years and it has ventured with us to summer camp on countless occasions. It has survived travelling around the globe, even been to the Bolivian jungle, and came out the other side in one piece.
One of the features we love about the Osprey Daylite is the breathable material behind the straps - this means you can take it hiking or traipsing through Manhattan on a very sticky day in mid-August, and your back won’t be covered in sweat.
Another feature we particularly love is the laptop sleeve inside the bag's main compartment. We like to keep the blog updated on our days off at camp, so having this laptop sleeve has proved very useful for us.
You can grab the Osprey Daylite from Amazon in various colours. Why not even try to match the colour of your bag with the camp you’re going to work at? The Cosmic Red Daylite would go perfectly with the colours of our camp Timber Lake West - the best summer camp to work at.
Camp Counselors in fancy-dress at Timber Lake West
Best overall backpack for summer camp counselors
So, now we have described to you the best daypack for summer camp counselors, we are going to highlight our two favourite backpacks for camp counselors.
We have split the review up into male and female backpacks, but they are the same bag for all intents and purposes. They have very little to differentiate between them other than potentially style and colour. We’re not really sure why backpacks are gendered nowadays anyway, they’re only used to carry things.
Best backpack for male camp counselors - Osprey Rook 65 Men’s Backpacking Backpack
Admirable Features of the Osprey Rook 65 Men’s Backpack:
65 litre capacity
Ventilated back panel (increased breathability)
Internal hydration reservoir sleeve
Lightweight
Removable rain cover
If you haven’t been able to tell by now, we really like the Osprey brand - they are one of our favourite outdoor brands because they’re so reliable and their bags last forever.
We particularly like the Osprey Rook 65 because, similar to the daypack, it is lightweight and perfect for travelling after camp.
It is also a pretty durable bag, so whether you’re traipsing through the centre of Manhattan at the beginning of the summer, attempting to find Port Authority Bus Station, or whether you’re in the middle of a 3-day trek across Yosemite National Park, the Osprey Rook Backpack will feel like the perfect bag for the job.
The adjustable hip straps come in handy when you’ve packed one too many things on your summer camp counselor packing list and are struggling to take all the weight on your shoulders.
The Osprey Rook 65 is certainly the best backpack for male summer camp counselors. Underneath is a link for you (depending on your country) to check out more reviews and functionalities of the Osprey Rook 65.
Having fun while working at summer camp
Best backpack for female camp counselors - Osprey Renn 65 Women’s Backpacking Backpack
Admirable Features of the Osprey Renn 65 Women’s Backpack:
65 litre capacity
Ventilated back panel
Internal hydration reservoir sleeve
Adjustable shoulder straps
Removable rain cover
The female equivalent of the Osprey Rook 65 is the Osprey Renn 65 - our choice for the best backpack for female summer camp counselors.
The lightweight yet durable bag has all the features you’d want from a backpack for summer camp counselors.
It is lightweight, making it easy to transport across the USA and airport terminals, but also roomy enough to pack all of the essential items you are going to need this summer.
We particularly enjoy the adjustable shoulder harness on the Osprey Renn 65. Whether you’re 6ft 5”, or 5ft 1”, the bag can adapt to your torso length.
The Osprey Renn 65 is certainly the best backpack for female summer camp counselors. Underneath is a link for you (depending on your country) to check out more reviews and functionalities of the Osprey Renn 65.
There we have it folks, our round-up and reviews of the best backpacks for summer camp counselors. Working at summer camp is an unbelievable experience that you will never forget, so you want to make sure you come prepared with the right equipment for the job.
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