Suggested Personal Equipment

All gear including sleeping bag should be packed in plastic bags because, no matter what the salesperson tells you, there is no such thing as a waterproof pack or stuff sack.

In addition to the items listed below, you can bring anything else you can carry without complaining about the weight of your pack with the exception of the following items which are not permitted: radios, tape, disc, mp3 players, electronic games, cell phones, pagers, firecrackers and other incendiary devices.

     

Spring to Fall Camps
  1. BACKPACK - large enough for personal gear and a share of your Patrol's food and equipment
  2. SLEEPING BAG - if you have a light summer bag you can bring an extra blanket for fall and winter trips
  3. GROUND INSULATION - a sleeping pad of closed cell foam or a self-inflating mattress is essential to a warm night's sleep
  4. GROUND SHEET - a piece of 6 mil polyethylene about 75 cm x 200 cm
  5. FOOTWEAR - leather boots are ideal, but alternate footwear which fits well and provides ankle support is also acceptable. Gum boots are not recommended
  6. CHANGE OF FOOTWEAR - a light pair of running shoes
  7. CHANGES OF SOCKS - two
  8. TOQUE
  9. RAIN GEAR - this should include waterproof headwear and should be sufficient for serious rain. Gore-Tex or other breathable fabrics are neither required nor recommended
  10. FLEECE JACKET or WOOL SWEATER- these are preferable to cotton sweat-shirts for the same reason wool or fleece pants are preferable to jeans
  11. LONG FLEECE OR WOOL PANTS - these retain insulating capacity when wet. Jeans are not recommended
  12. CHANGE OF CLOTHING - each person should have a change of clothing from the skin out
  13. EATING UTENSILS - cup, bowl, knife and spoon. Metal dishes are recommended
  14. WATER BOTTLE - a one-liter wide mouth bottle is recommended
  15. INSECT REPELLENT
  16. SUN SCREEN
  17. TOILET PAPER
  18. TOOTH BRUSH, TOOTH PASTE & DENTAL FLOSS
  19. SOAP & TOWEL
  20. BANDAIDS AND MOLESKIN - important to deal with blisters and hot spots on the feet
  21. POCKET KNIFE
  22. MATCHES or BIC LIGHTER and CANDLE
  23. WHISTLE ON A STRING
  24. PENCIL AND PAPER
  25. FLASHLIGHT or HEADLAMP - make sure the batteries are charged
 Winter Camps (Keeping Warm)
  1. BACKPACK - large enough for personal gear and a share of your Patrol's food and equipment
  2. SLEEPING BAG - unless you have a very warm sleeping bag (i.e rated to -15 C) you should bring two lighter bags and place one inside the other
  3. GROUND INSULATION - a sleeping pad is also very important. Bring two sleeping pads unless your pad is more than 1 cm thick
  4. GROUND SHEET - a piece of 6 mil polyethylene about 75 cm x 200 cm.
  5. FOOTWEAR - should be waterproof and not too tight. A pair of insulated Sorel type boots are a good idea
  6. CHANGE OF FOOTWEAR - for use in the warming tent
  7. WARM SOCKS - several changes of thick socks
  8. TOQUE OR BALACLAVA
  9. MITTS - either insulated mitts or wool mitts with overgloves - 2 changes are recommended
  10. WATERPROOF JACKET
  11. INSULATING JACKET- a ski jacket, heavy sweater or pile jacket
  12. EXTRA INSULATING LAYER - an extra sweater or fleece jacket
  13. WARM TROUSERS - wool, pile or insulated ski trousers are good.  A pair of waterproof pants is also recommended. Blue jeans and cotton sweat pants are useless once they get wet
  14. PAJAMAS - or sweat pants is a good idea to change into for sleeping
  15. CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR TORSO - remember layers are the best - you could wear a cotton or polypropylene t-shirt under a long sleeved shirt
  16. CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR LOWER BODY - a couple of changes of underwear, long johns
  17. EATING UTENSILS - cup, bowl, knife, fork and spoon
  18. WATER BOTTLE - a one-liter wide mouth bottle is recommended
  19. SUNGLASSES
  20. SUNSCREEN
  21. TOILET PAPER
  22. TOOTH BRUSH, TOOTH PASTE & DENTAL FLOSS
  23. SOAP & TOWEL - and moisturizer for lips and skin
  24. BANDAIDS AND MOLESKIN - important to deal with blisters and hot spots on the feet
  25. POCKET KNIFE
  26. MATCHES or BIC LIGHTER and CANDLE
  27. WHISTLE ON A STRING
  28. PENCIL AND PAPER
  29. FLASHLIGHT or HEADLAMP - with good batteries
  30. NON ESSENTIAL ITEMS - bring them along if you have them: gaiters and hollofil booties