Memories for a Lifetime
Custom Summer Camp T-Shirts
Campfires, starry nights, and s’mores are just a few things that make summer camp something to look forward to all year. Here’s something else that can help build a lifetime of amazing memories: summer camp t-shirts.
Summer camp shirts are a terrific way to say “thank you” to staff and campers. They help make your camp feel like a team pulling together. And they’re just plain fun.
Let’s look at how to create memorable summer camp t-shirts for your campers and staff, including summer camp shirt ideas you can use. You’ll find out why your camp needs its own gear, including t-shirts and maybe hoodies, and you’ll discover how easy it is to put together cool and fun t-shirts (hint: it’s easier than getting burrs out of campers’ hair).
Make Your Summer Camp Experience Stand Out
Summer camp t-shirts or hoodies are a great option for your staff and campers. For camp counselors and staff, custom clothing creates a sense of community. Your staff can wear their gear with pride.
For campers, t-shirts are a way to feel part of the experience. The first day of summer camp can be intimidating: Will I make friends and fit in? What if I don’t know anyone? T-shirts make all your campers look like they’re part of your camp and help them feel like they’re part of the group right away. They’re a cool uniform people actually want to wear. As the summer winds down to an end, campers can get their new friends to sign their summer camp t-shirts or hoodies so they’ll always remember their amazing summer! Just have a few fabric markers on hand to transform every shirt into a one-of-a-kind work of art.
Camp shirts also make fabulous prizes and fundraisers. Hand them out for contests and games won or as a thank you for spending the summer at your camp. Sell them to raise money for camp programs so you can help more kids have an unforgettable summer experience.
These shirts can spread the message about your camp and all your incredible programs, too. Why not create t-shirts for the parents, proudly declaring they had the excellent taste to send their kids to your camp? It’s a nice thank-you to parents and a fun way to encourage more campers to sign up.
T-shirts for your summer camp can even be a safety feature. If any campers need to find staff fast, all they need to look for is the staff camp t-shirt. And when camp counselors are trying to count how many kids are on the hike, all they need to do is look for the right t-shirt color. Just choose different t-shirt colors for staff and for different groups in your summer camp, and you’ll always have an easy way to do a fast headcount.
Design Unique Shirts for Summer Camp!
Summer camp hoodies, t-shirts, and even caps aren’t just practical. They’re also a way to let your creativity run wild so you can create the right design. A simple design is often best. It gives camp staff and campers plenty of room for signatures at the end of the summer, and it creates a cleaner look, too.
As you think about the design, consider what makes your camp stand out. Do you have a stunning lake or gorgeous log cabins? A stylized design of these parts of your camp can make your shirts stand out. If you’re a band camp, why not put designs of musical instruments on your shirts? Or try your camp logo.
You can also think about what kind of message you want to create on your t-shirts. For example, maybe you want a classic t-shirt design you can use year after year. Or maybe you want to include the year on your t-shirt so returning campers have something to remember each unique year. Another option is to include a slogan you want campers to live by for the whole summer. Any of these ideas can help you design the right shirt for the summer.
The Steps To Designing Your Perfect Summer Camp T-Shirt
Consider Who’s Wearing Your T-Shirt
The ideal t-shirt for your summer camp is comfortable, durable, and something kids and staff actually want to wear. Here’s how to make it happen:
Include everyone by making sure your shirts fit different bodies. Unisex styles are your surest best here, with the classic t-shirt half-sleeve cut that fits most bodies. With a wide range of sizes and styles, most people feel comfortable in this type of shirt.
That’s not the only option, though. Long-sleeve shirts can be a solution if you want to protect campers from ticks and insects. It’s also a solid choice for colder nights.
Running an all-girls camp? Fitted women’s shirts can be stylish and comfortable, even when your campers are running and playing.
Think Fabric
A heavy, itchy t-shirt is always a drag. Pure cotton provides lots of breathability and softness. Polyester is very quick-drying and durable. It won’t wrinkle or crease, even if someone stuffs it into the bottom of their duffle bag for a week. Polyester is also lightweight and resists odors, which can be a big advantage when you’re on a three-hour afternoon hike.
A blend of both materials could give you some advantages from each. A poly-cotton blend is soft and lightweight, making it comfortable for almost everyone. It dries faster and shrinks less than pure cotton shirts.
Make the Design Rock
Play around in a free program like Canva to create a unique design you’ll love. Need some more inspiration? TeamShirts has free designs you can use! Just grab a design that looks right, or use one of the images as a starting point for your own creation.
You can tweak the pictures, upload them, and send them out for design in just minutes. You’ll get to see exactly what the shirts will look like before you order, and you even get to try out many different signs until you find the perfect one. The platform is easy to use, even for first-time designers.
Create a Shirt With Style
Think about your camp colors and the colors you want your t-shirts to be. Don’t forget about patterns, too. You can choose tie-dye t-shirts, t-shirts with the American flag on the sleeves, two-tone raglan three-quarter sleeves, stripes, and other patterns to make your camp stand out.
It’s not all fashion, either. If you are setting up nighttime activities or programs in the woods, consider a bright-colored t-shirt to keep campers visible. Outdoors a lot? A darker color can be easier to wash than a white t-shirt that will show every grass stain and bit of mud.
Think About the Budget
While quality matters most, look for affordability, too. Whether you’re covering the cost of the shirts or expect campers to pay for their uniform, look for features such as bulk discounts, free shipping, and free samples when you order from a company. When you save cash, campers can have more than one t-shirt in case there’s a food fight or a mud pie-making contest. Saving money can also mean you can spring for water bottles, caps, and other custom camp gear.
Make It Last
Summer gear can go through the wringer. Camp t-shirts can get tossed in the lake, flung over canoes on sunny days, or covered in paint.
Your campers may need to change up their t-shirts often to get out grass stains, mud, sweat, and other camp-related debris. Whether your campers send their laundry home to wash or you have facilities at your camp, everyone will thank you if you choose easy-to-care-for shirts. A fabric that resists stains makes laundry day less of a pain, and this free guide on how to wash t-shirts so you can help your campers out even more.
Multiple Sizing and Product Options
There’s a reason your campers don’t do the same thing every day: it’s booooring. Everyone wants options, and when it comes to summer camp shirt ideas, you’ve got more than a few, especially when you work with TeamShirts.
TeamShirts has lots of sizing options, including youth and adult sizes and even shirt sizes for toddlers. Everyone can be included! You can also choose from different styles and a rainbow of colors and patterns. If you can dream it, we can help you create it!
And shirts are just the beginning. With TeamShirts, you can also create:
- Hoodies and sweatshirts for chilly summer evenings
- Baseball hats, cadet caps, beanies and bucket hats
- Sportswear and athletic apparel, including moisture-wicking gear for high-performance athletes
- Polo shirts
- Tank tops
- Long sleeve shirts
- Aprons and more!
Lots of choice is always good, whether we’re talking toppings on your pizza or the perfect camp t-shirt to help you celebrate your awesome summer. The good news is that you have a ton of options, from what kinds of camp gear to buy to the style, cut, and type of material.
Use TeamShirts to Design Custom Summer Camp Shirts!
Thankfully, TeamShirts makes it a snap to order high-quality, custom t-shirts that can stand up to everything the summer has to offer. All our t-shirts come with a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee, so you can order with complete peace of mind. They’re built to last, too. Our premium t-shirts, for example, are reinforced at the shoulder, sleeve, waist, and collar, and they’re double-stitched for durability. Let summer do its worst — you’re ready!
TeamShirts has you covered if you need t-shirts for summer camp, even if you’ve never designed shirts before (shhhh… we won’t tell). We help you every step of the way with free designs you can use to create summer camp shirt ideas and quality printing to make your design last.
With lots of gear choices and plenty of shirt styles, you can create a camp shirt as unique as the experience you offer. And we have every size you need, so everyone gets included. Our shirts are printed in the USA, and we give you lots of free reign when it comes to options, so your t-shirts end up looking just as you want them. We figure out the best printing methods for your t-shirts and even ship fast, so all you have to do is sit back and get ready for more singalongs, suntans, swims, and fun. With us, you even enjoy free samples and bulk discounts, so you have more money to put towards your camp programs.
But why not check it out for yourself? Take your camp experience to the next level with a custom t-shirt for your campers, staff, and more. Start designing today with TeamShirts and create a lifetime of memories for everyone at your camp.
Delivery was on time
Delivery was on time, and communication was great—they helped me edit the T-shirt design background before production and included friendly notes with the shipping.
Nils Kurre
Team shirts UK
Easy website to use. Shirts good value. Be aware if ordering from UK shirts are shipped in from Germany and may be subject to import duties. My order was hit with 40% additional costs. Team shirt UK do however promise to refund customs charges and did so in a few days.
shaun powell
Fantastic Customer Service
What fantastic customer service this company has! I cannot compliment them enough, and the product I received was very well done. I highly recommend this company.
Jane Maday
I absolutely love the activewear
I absolutely love the activewear! The fit is perfect, super comfy, and the fabric is really breathable. I’ve been wearing it for my workouts, and it holds up great! Highly recommend for anyone looking to elevate their active wardrobe!
Georgann Gonzalez
Shirts fit well and look amazing
Shirts fit well and look amazing. thank you
David Sisneros