Clothing and Equipment

Please read entirely and plan ahead to ensure proper equipment for your camper

There is no camp uniform; plain rugged outdoor clothes in good condition are suitable for both base camp and canoe trips. Our camp store offers wool jackets, tumplines, duffel bags, ground sheets, and some sundry items. It is important to bear in mind while outfitting your camper that equipment and clothing will see hard use. Likewise your camper will be exposed to the elements while on trip. Cool, wet weather should be anticipated as should hot and sunny. Dressing in layers is essential to remain warm and dry as well as cool. Popular brands and outlets for purchasing trip clothing i.e. base layers (long underwear and underwear), insulating layers, and wind and rain repellent layers among other equipment needs include REI, Campmor, L.L. Bean, Sierra Trading Post, Northern Mountain Supply, Patagonia, the North Face, Ibex, Cloudveil, and Helly Hansen among many other options. In Canada, Mountain Equipment Coop is most popular. Below is a list of essential and recommended equipment.

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT:

• Duffel bag with waterproof throat*- available in camp store
• Tump line*- available in camp store
• Sleeping bag*
• Waterproof Ground Sheet*- available in camp store
• Sleeping pad - short, ultralite model (for insulation) Ridgerest, Thermarest popular
• Soap and shampoo – biodegradable - like Dr. Bronner’s or Campsuds
• Toilet kit – this should include regular toilet articles and an extra toothbrush
• Sunscreen and aloe vera (in case of a sunburn)
• Extra pair prescription glasses and contacts
• Sunglasses with attachment cord
• Flashlight and/or headlamp with batteries
• 1 liter water bottle, lexan nalgene preferred
• Bug dope

*See below for detailed descriptions

Pack additional clean clothes for the trip home in a separate ziploc bag: one pair underwear, socks, pants or shorts and shirt. 

ESSENTIAL CLOTHING

We discourage tripping in cotton

• Warm jacket – heavy wool or fleece material (it gets cold up here!)
• 2 long sleeve wool or fleece shirts – 1 lightweight, 1 heavy
• 2 pair pants*
• 5 pair underwear  (1-2 pair capilene or wool)
• 2 pair shorts*
• 1 pair jeans for base camp
• 2 long-sleeved shirts – synthetic or wool
• 1 pair long underwear, wool or fleece
• 3 T-shirts*
• Footwear – 3 pairs minimum*
• 5 pair wool socks*
• Bathing suit – 2 piece best for girls
• Rain suit*
• Wool or fleece hat
• Baseball cap
• 2 Handkerchiefs or bandannas
• 2 Bath towels – 1 full size, 1 pack towel

OPTIONAL OUTFIT LIST:

• PFD: i.e. Life jacket - should be a vest type model and a good fit
• Wool or fleece vest
• Small pocket knife*
• Laundry bag
• Scrub brush for laundry - available in camp store
• Camera and film - plus waterproof bag or ammo box if appropriate and extra batteries
• Pajamas or sleepwear
• 1 pair warm gloves (wool or polypropylene) for cold weather
• 55 liter dry bag*
• 5-15 liter dry bag for books/wool jacket
• Back pack with padded shoulders for 13 years and older
• Books – paperback
• Ziploc bags
• Journal and pencil
• Tennis racquet and shoes
• Cards and/or chess, cribbage sets, etc.
• Fishing gear – spinning or spin-casting: 6-12 lbs. test line plus lures for pike, walleye, bass, and trout

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTIONS:

Duffel Bag: Should have approximate size of 13" x 30" and a waterproof throat. An excellent model is available through the camp store. The duffel bag dimensions are important as this size bag fits in the canoe easily.

Tump Line: Essential for carrying equipment. Available for purchase at the camp store.

Ground Sheet: A 6' x 8' tarp is excellent, inexpensive, and available at the camp store.

Sleeping Bag: Bag should be rated to 20-35 degrees (or personal preference). Fill should be a synthetic material (such as Hollofil).  Bags that are a partial mummy shape are preferred to full mummy bags as they roll better.

Long Pants: 2 pairs in addition to trip home clothes. Nylon camp pants are excellent because they are durable and quick-drying.  Convertible pants to shorts are popular. Dickies 100% polyester pants are inexpensive and popular. Jeans for trip are unacceptable as they are slow to dry and offer little insulation when wet, but are okay to wear around base camp.

Shorts: 2 pairs, plus a bathing suit. Any shorts are appropriate as long as they can last the whole season.

Underwear: 5 pairs of briefs or boxers. 1-2 pairs wool or fleece for trip.
 

Long Underwear: 1 pair leggings. Wool, silk, or synthetic preferred.

T-Shirts: at least 3.

Long-Sleeved Shirts: 2 or 3 wool or synthetic. They provide protection from the sun and insects and are comfortable when it is cold. Button down shirts are popular.

Wool or Pile Jacket (or Sweater): This is a crucial insulating layer, available over a broad price range. The camp store sells good wool jackets. Some staff and campers prefer pile or fleece-type jackets.

Rain Suit: Jacket and pants are essential.  Suits should have taped seams and should be waterproof. Durability is important. Ponchos offer little protection and are unacceptable.

Footwear: A minimum of 3 pairs of shoes is essential.

Trip Shoes: A durable pair of shoes or boots is absolutely necessary and should be suitable for all terrain. Trip shoes will get wet. They should provide support and protection and also be able to last the whole season. Staff and campers prefer a range of full-grain leather to Gore-Tex, to low top, lightweight, fast-drying. Converse Chuck Taylors are not acceptable. 

Camp/Dry Shoes: Comfortable shoes to wear in base camp or around the campsite, such as high-top Chuck Taylors or an old pair of sneakers. Campers should not bring sandals for their only camp shoes.

Sandals: A pair of sturdy sandals for swimming. Popular brands include Teva, Keen, Chaco, Crocs, and Merrel.

Wool Socks: 5 pairs. These are essential not only for their warmth and durability, but also for their ability to help prevent blisters. They should be at least 80% wool, and a limited supply is available at the camp store.  Hook and loop is best style.

Small pocket knife: This should be limited to a small folding knife or Leatherman. Sheathed knives and blades over 2 inches are unacceptable.

55 liter dry bag: This is not necessary but many campers and staff choose to use this item.