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