I was fortunate enough to go on CLTC 1 during the summer of 2024, and it was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I had heard so many different things from girls within my chapter and region, so I had no idea what to expect. While packing, I tried to anticipate what I would need for every situation. I asked girls I knew who had gone, scrolled through pictures, and checked the weather in advance. BBYO sends out a packing list, which is an amazing place to start. That being said, when I look back, there are some items I wish I had brought that ended up being complete lifesavers. Whether it was for comfort, organization, or just making the most of the experience, here’s a list of what I found most helpful:

1. A portable fan - The weather at CLTC varies so much. It will be chilly one minute and then burning hot the next, but throughout your time there, you can count on it getting hot and humid. When you’re outside, having a fan, especially one with a mister, makes a big difference, and I wish I had brought one.
2. An insulated water bottle - The packing list provided has a water bottle on it, but I cannot stress how important it is to have one, especially one that’s insulated. It is super important to stay hydrated in the summer, and having an insulated water bottle is great for keeping water cold throughout the day. Make sure your bottle is leakproof too!
3. A compact portable charger - You will use your phone for taking pictures, posting takeovers, texting friends, and so much more, and your battery will drain quickly. You won’t always be able to go back to your bunk to charge your phone, so a portable charger is a MUST. It’s especially helpful if it’s compact and cordless so you can carry it with you throughout the day.
4. A journal - I was encouraged to bring a journal to CLTC. I brought one along, and I wrote in it daily. Sometimes it would get busy, but I would always carve out some time during chofesh or before bed to write in it. I often look back on it, and I’m so glad I had it with me. Don’t forget a pen or pencil with this!
5. A small bag - A small bag is lifesaving for carrying your phone and anything else. Since you won’t always have access to your bunk, your bag should be able to fit anything you may need for the day.
6. A portable mirror - You’re sharing a bunk with a bunch of other people and limited mirror space, so getting ready gets super busy, especially on Shabbat. Having a portable mirror is super helpful for doing your makeup without crowding the bathroom. It allows you to get ready in your own space, and it will save you so much time.
7. Friendship bracelet string - This is something I never would have thought of, but so many people brought it. Friendship bracelet string is so fun to have and share with others. So many people had a bracelet string around their water bottles. It was a great way to bond and keep busy!
8. A speaker - Someone is bound to bring it, but if you love music, it’s a great idea to have your own. We used speakers for everything from morning alarms and meals to chofesh!
9. Packing cubes - Packing cubes help so much for packing for CLTC. Since you won’t get laundry, it’s difficult to try and fit almost two weeks' worth of clothes, sheets, towels, and toiletries into one bag. Packing cubes help so much to organize everything and keep it compact. Not only that, but it is super helpful when you’re organizing your things at CLTC because you have such a small space.
10. Items you can leave behind - If you can leave things behind on the way back home, your bag is lighter, and you don’t have to worry about it being overweight. It seems so obvious, but when packing clothes, bring things that are casual that you don’t mind getting messy or having to toss. I brought old shoes to CLTC, and they got so dirty, so I threw them out, and it saved me so much space packing on the way back. This also applies to towels and bedsheets, not just clothes.

Besides this, the packing list provided by BBYO is a great place to start, and it outlines all the basic things you need. After CLTC, you’ll realize you packed some things you didn’t need and forgot others that you did, but hopefully this list helps you out. Everything here is optional, but they’re all things I found helpful or wish I had with me.