I have been a camp counselor for 4 years now and the lunch you pack can really have an impact on the rest of your day. If you do not eat enough or you eat too much, the rest of your day could be miserable. Keeping up with the kids is no easy task, so you need everything to be in your favor.

Your lunch should be something light that will keep you full for the rest of the day, but won’t make you feel bloated. There is nothing worse than running around with the campers on a full stomach. Keep it light, but also treat yourself every once in a while. It is camp, after all, let out your inner kid.

1. Healthy Chicken Burrito Wrap

On-the-go lunches

Photo by Bari Blanga

Wraps are great because you can customize them to fit your preferences. This wrap is great for a camp counselor because it is light, but packs a lot of flavor. We would all love to bring Chipotle to work, but that is often not an option, so this healthy burrito is the perfect substitute.

2. Mason Jar Salads

On-the-go lunches

Photo by Bernard Wen

Mason jars are the new brown paper bag, there is no doubt about it. If you want to impress your campers with your fancy lunch, this is the meal for you. Using the mason jar also ensures that the ingredients don’t get soggy from the dressing, which is a major key.

3. Curry Chicken Salad

On-the-go lunches

Photo by Ashleigh De Simone

Teach your campers that they should branch out from the plain old chicken salad with this exotically spiced version of a classic. You are probably low on energy after a long day of yelling at children, so skip the whole cooking the chicken yourself part and use a pre-made rotisserie chicken.

4. PB&J Panini

On-the-go lunches

Photo by Tarika Narain

Some nights when you are packing your lunch, you probably aren’t going to feel like assembling much, so PB&J is the move. Spruce it up a little bit by putting it under the panini press for some added crunch. It is a classic for a reason, the peanut butter will keep you full and the jelly will give you the sugar rush you need to keep up with the kids.

5. 5-Minute Chicken Cucumber Pita Pocket

On-the-go lunches

Photo by Abigail Wilkins

The pita pocket travels well and the cucumber makes it nice and fresh on those hot summer days. To make it even better, it only takes 5 minutes to make.

#SpoonTip: Add the cucumbers at lunch time so the pita does not get soggy.

6. Deconstructed Sushi in a Mason Jar

On-the-go lunches

Photo by Gabby Phi

If you are missing the days where you could go out for sushi whenever you wanted, this is the recipe for you. You can completely customize it with the sushi components you like. Your campers will be in awe of how strong your lunch game is.

7. Bagel Sandwiches

On-the-go lunches

Photo courtesy of @ourplatesdaily on Instagram

If you are running out the door before work, you can quickly grab whatever deli meat you have on hand and slap it on the bagels you had out from breakfast. Bagels are great if you are tired of plain old white bread and want to switch it up. They also are more substantial than just a white bread sandwich if you are feeling low-energy by the end of the day.

8. Pasta Salad

On-the-go lunches

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Emery

I always see my campers with Tupperware filled with pasta salad and I get extremely jealous. Pasta salad is perfect for summer because you can eat it cold and the tangy dressing makes it refreshing.

9. Chickpea and Quinoa Salad

On-the-go lunches

Photo by Caitlin Wolper

This salad is perfect for a camp counselor because it can be eaten cold and it is packed with protein. You need the protein to hold all of the campers who will constantly asking for piggy back rides.

10. Grilled Cheese Pizza

On-the-go lunches

Photo courtesy of askchefdennis.com

This is an easy way to reuse your leftover pizza. Instead of taking boring cold pizza to work, fold it in half and put it under the panini press for some added pizazz.

11. Breakfast Sandwich

On-the-go lunches

Photo by Elise DeVoe

Breakfast for lunch is always a good idea, especially if it saves you time. If you are already making one or stopping by your favorite fast food breakfast place, save another one for the next day for lunch.

12. Corn Salad with Hummus, Feta, Peppers, and Chicken

On-the-go lunches

Photo by Krysten Dorfman

This salad is for all the peeps out there who aren’t down with the classic salad built around lettuce. It is very heart healthy, which is important because the kids can send your blood pressure through the roof at times.

13. Breakfast Fried Rice in a Mug

On-the-go lunches

Photo by Katherine Baker

Another breakfast for lunch, you’re welcome. This is great for when you don’t feel like making two meals, so you just make some extra scrambled eggs and re-purpose them for lunch. Throw it in your travel coffee mug and you are out the door.