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Camp Kit List

Below is some indication of the minimum amount of kit that is required for camps. You should always pack your own kit - that way, you know what you've got, and you know you can fit it all in again on the way home. Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure you've got everything, not your mum's.
The following is a kitlist for a basic weekend camp:
  • Sleeping bag
  • Foam carry mat - these are very cheap and last forever, so don't try and make do without one. Not only do they make things more comfortable, they stop you losing a lot of heat into the ground and hence go a long way towards keeping you warm. Inflatable "Thermarest" type mats are even better, but extremely expensive. Inflatable airbeds/lilos are good from a comfort and insulation point of view, but take up a lot of room and are very noisy, so they won't make you popular with the other people you are sharing a tent with.
  • Pillowcase - you can stuff it with clothes to make a pillow. Alternatively, splash out on an inflatable pillow.
  • Small rucsuc - for taking things to offsite activities etc
  • T-shirts - take plenty: say three for a long weekend.
  • Shorts - we always wear shorts on camp, weather permitting, so make sure you are prepared
  • Trousers - jeans are not ideal, as they become heavy and uncomfortable when wet or damp, and take a very long time to dry. They will also not keep you very warm. Jogging bottoms are better in winter, or lightweight trousers (eg combats) in summer.
  • Jumper/fleece - to keep you warm
  • Full Uniform - we always wear full uniform to camp
  • Socks/Underwear - one pair per day, plus some extra ones.
  • Pyjamas/sleeping clothes - you must never sleep in the clothes you have been wearing all day.
  • Washkit
  • Towel
  • Waterproofs and waterproof trousers - always assume it will rain.
  • Trainers
  • Boots/Strong shoes - not only will these keep your feet dry if it's muddy, they are a necessity for going on the woodpile and for axe/saw work
  • Tea towel - preferably an old one :)
  • Personal First Aid kit - if someone has an accident, you are supposed to use their first aid kit to treat them... so make sure yours is up to scratch
  • Torch - and spare batteries
  • Watch - although preferably not an expensive one
  • Pen and paper
  • Plastic bags - you can never have too many of these. They can be used for carrying things, dirty washing, wet clothes, muddy boots...
  • Extra clothes for activities - eg old clothes and trainers for canoeing, swimming trunks for swimming, etc.
  • A hat - a warm one in winter, and something to keep the sun off in summer. Do not underestimate the importance of wearing a hat.
  • Gloves, if it's cold
  • Sun cream, if it's hot
  • A bag to put it all in!
For a longer camp, you will need, in addition:
  • More clothes - more t-shirts, more shorts, more pairs of trousers, a couple of jumpers.
  • More socks/underwear - one pair per day, plus a few extra pairs.
  • Two tea towels
  • Two towels might be useful
  • Extra clothing for the extra activities you might be doing
  • A Cake, if requested
If the camp includes a hike, you will additionally need:
  • Large rucsac
  • More plastic bags, or a rucsac liner - no rucsac is 100% waterproof
  • Survival bag - very cheap, and could save your life. Plus they're useful to sit on to eat your lunch if the ground is wet.
  • Water bottles - enough to carry at least 1.5l of water
  • Compass, if you have one