Bear Grips Pro ShopsSleepaway Camp Counselor Shirts: The Staff Uniform Program
- Counselor shirts run as a three-piece program across the summer.
- Training-week polo, daily staff tee, end-of-summer gift hoodie or crewneck.
- Embroidery available on polos and hats for a higher-end staff look.
- No minimum order means even small camps with eight counselors get full pricing.
Sleepaway camp counselor shirts are the visible uniform that parents notice on opening day, that campers identify by during the session, and that staff wear home as the keepsake from their summer. The right counselor shirt program runs as three distinct pieces: the training-week polo, the daily staff tee, and the end-of-summer gift. Below is what each piece does, what to print on it, and how to budget the program for a typical sleepaway staff.
The three-piece counselor shirt program
| Piece | When worn | VIP base | Print method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training-week polo | Pre-season staff training week and check-in days | $34.88 | Embroidered logo on chest |
| Daily staff tee | Throughout each session | $19.88 (cotton) or $23.86 (performance) | Printed front chest + back graphic |
| End-of-summer gift hoodie or crewneck | Closing banquet, post-summer | $36.88 hoodie or $34.88 crewneck | Printed with embroidered counselor first name |
Training-week polo
The training-week polo is the piece staff wear during the pre-season training days when camp parents drop by for orientation and tours. The polo sets the staff-versus-camper distinction at a glance. Standard pattern is a Sport-Tek performance polo with embroidered camp logo on the left chest, occasionally with a staff title (Head Counselor, CIT Director, Waterfront Director) embroidered on the right chest.
Polos hold up to repeated wash cycles and look professional in pickup-day photos. Most camps order one polo per staff member at training week, with a second polo for senior staff (head counselors, unit leaders, program directors).
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.Daily staff tee
The daily staff tee is the workhorse piece. Counselors wear it during morning lineup, activity rotations, and dining hall service. Stock five to seven shirts per counselor across the summer so staff can rotate through the wash cycle. Print is usually camp logo on the chest plus "STAFF" or "COUNSELOR" on the back in large block letters so campers and parents can spot staff from a distance.
Choose cotton crew for general staff and performance tee for waterfront, athletics, and outdoor-program staff who sweat through their shirts. The performance fabric dries by lunch break and holds up to repeat washing.
End-of-summer gift hoodie
The end-of-summer gift is what staff wear home as the keepsake of their summer. A hoodie or crewneck with the camp logo, the year, and the counselor first name embroidered. This is the piece staff post on Instagram and wear back to college in September.
- Embroidered counselor first name on the chest opposite the camp logo
- Year printed on the back ("2026 STAFF")
- Optional unit or department on the sleeve ("WATERFRONT" / "ARTS" / "TRIPS")
- Pick a heritage color the camp does not use on camper tees so the staff piece stands apart
Sample budget for a 24-counselor staff
| Item | Quantity | VIP base | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training-week polo | 24 | $34.88 | $837.12 |
| Daily staff tees (5 per counselor) | 120 | $19.88 | $2,385.60 |
| End-of-summer crewneck | 24 | $34.88 | $837.12 |
| Total program | $4,059.84 |
Roughly $169 per counselor across the summer for the full three-piece program. Most camps cover this through the staffing budget rather than charging staff for their own uniforms.
Launch the Counselor Shirt Program
Training-week polos, daily staff tees, end-of-summer gift hoodies with embroidered names. One shop, three pieces, full summer covered.
Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Can each counselor have her own name on the gift hoodie?
Yes. Embroidered first names are available at no minimum and a small per-piece add-on fee.
How early should the training-week polos be ordered?
Three to four weeks before staff training. Ship time is about a week, allow buffer to confirm hire list and sizes.
Are senior staff (directors, head counselors) supposed to wear different shirts?
Often yes. Common patterns include a different polo color for senior staff, an embroidered title on the right chest, or a distinct fleece quarter-zip for the leadership team.
Can the camp order replacement tees mid-session if staff sizes are off?
Yes. No minimum and about one-week US delivery makes mid-session replacements straightforward.
