Camp
Rounding up all the items your kiddos need for summer camp can be time-consuming & stressful, to be honest! So, stress no more! The team here at ODSS has prepared a handy little checklist that covers all the bases. Nice thing too -- you can pick up most items shopping with us at ODSS! Download Checklist Here.
Checklist:
- Rain pants/bib (consider Shell pants as an alternative - waterproof, durable, and breathable)
- Rain Jacket (consider a Shell jacket as an alternative - waterproof, durable, and breathable)
- Rain mittens (or shell mittens)
- Rain Hat (optional if jacket has a hood, but visibility is better w/ a hat vs. a hood for children)
- Lightweight Jacket or Sweater- fleece or lightweight insulation
- UV Sun Hats and / or Sunglasses
- T-shirts
- Shorts
- Closed Toe Shoe / Water Shoes
- UV Sunshirt / Rashguard
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray / Bug Wipes / Bug stickers
- Anti-itch creme
- Bento or Lunchbox option
- Waterbottle
- Backpack or Waterproof Bag
- Long Sleeve breathable shirt {Tip: Merino wool base layers work great for this)
- Long Pants or zip off pants to shorts
- Socks (we recommended lightweight merino wool that extend mid calf)
- Towel
- Baggies for the little things that get lost (lip balm, hair ties, extra socks)
- Baggies for the little things that come home (rocks, leaves, acorns, nature treasures
- Camera
- Sleeping Bag
Northeast outdoor kids
2 Outerwear Kits Needed
Kit #1: The first kit of outerwear is for the more temperate shoulder seasons of spring and fall. During this time of year, your child will rely on lighter waterproof outer garments such as rain and shell coats and rain and shell pants or one-piece waterproof suits.
Kit #2: As the weather becomes chillier and snow moves in, layers and insulated outer items such as snow coats and pants or full one-piece insulated snowsuits become necessary. During winter, your child will depend on the 1-2-3 layering principle to stay happy, warm, and dry while learning and playing outdoors. Read more here.
Checklist:
- Rain pants/bib (consider Shell pants as an alternative – more durable and breathable)
- Rain Jacket (consider a Shell jacket as an alternative – more durable and breathable)
- Rain mittens (or shell mittens)
- Rain Hat (optional if jacket has a hood, but visibility is better w/ a hat vs. a hood for children)
- Insulated waterproof snow jacket
- Insulated waterproof snow pant
- Prefer a one-piece option? Select an insulated waterproof snowsuit
- Insulated waterproof snow mittens or gloves
- Wool socks and/or tights
- Appropriate hat – one for fall/spring and warmer one for winter
- Base layers – wool or high-tech poly or function fleece – never cotton
- Rain boots
- Insulated waterproof snow boots
Southern + South Central outdoor kids
1 Outerwear Kit Needed
This kit will consist of either waterproof separates (rain or shell jacket and rain or shell pants) or a waterproof one-piece suit in either rain or shell material. The decision of whether to choose separates or a one-piece option will depend on your child and the recommendations/requirements of the school. Weather get chilly sometimes, but no snow? Rely on smart base layers and mid layers too (if your child runs cold). Read more about layering techniques here.
Checklist:
- Rain pants/bib (consider Shell pants as an alternative – more durable and breathable)
- Rain Jacket (consider a Shell jacket as an alternative – more durable and breathable)
- Rain mittens (or shell mittens)
- Rain Hat (optional if jacket has a hood, but visibility is better w/ a hat vs. a hood for children)
- Outer jacket for cooler days in fleece or lightweight insulation
- Thin ply wool socks
- Thin gloves or mittens
- Rain boots
Pacific Northwest outdoor kids
1 Outerwear Kit Needed
Weather in the Pacific Northwest should allow children to rely on one kit of outerwear for outdoor school, but you may find that you will need two pairs of rain pants or two full complete kits of rain gear if your gear is not drying out over night before returning to school. Options: the primary set of rain gear could be a higher quality (and price point) and the secondary set a more affordable option perhaps with not the same level of functionality but serviceable as a backup. Get a feel for how things are going at school before you invest in the second set; you may or may not need it! Don't forget waterproof accessories such as waterproof rain mittens and hats. Also, the weather in the PNW will get chilly and feels more so due to the dampness, so you will need to rely on smart base layers and mid layers. Mid layer jackets can function as your child's outer jacket on non-rainy days. Read more about layering techniques here.
Checklist:
- Rain pants/bib (consider Shell pants as an alternative – more durable and breathable)
- Rain Jacket (consider a Shell jacket as an alternative – more durable and breathable)
- Rain mittens (or shell mittens)
- Rain Hat (optional if jacket has a hood, but visibility is better w/ a hat vs. a hood for children)
- Outer jacket for cooler days in fleece or lightweight insulation
- Insulated waterproof snow/winter jacket
- Base layers – wool or high-tech poly or function fleece – never cotton
- Wool socks and/or tights
- Appropriate hat – one for fall/spring and warmer one for winter
- Thin gloves or mittens
- Rain boots
- Boot liner
Midwest outdoor kids
2 Outerwear Kits Needed
Kit #1: The first kit of outerwear is for the more temperate shoulder seasons of spring and fall. During this time of year, your child will rely on lighter waterproof outer garments such as rain and shell coats and rain and shell pants or one-piece waterproof suits.
Kit #2: As the weather becomes chillier and snow moves in, layers and insulated outer items such as snow coats and pants or full one-piece insulated snowsuits become necessary. During winter, your child will depend on the 1-2-3 layering principle to stay happy, warm, and dry while learning and playing outdoors. Read more here.
Tip: Not all insulated winter gear is created equal! Stretch the functionality of your winter gear by wearing waterproof layers over it in extreme weather conditions. Example: Rain pants can waterproof snow pants which may just be water resistant. For this reason, the rain gear sold here at Outdoor School Shop is very generously sized (across all the brands we carry) so it can be worn over insulated gear and last for several seasons.
Checklist:
- Rain pants/bib (consider Shell pants as an alternative – more durable and breathable)
- Rain Jacket (consider a Shell jacket as an alternative – more durable and breathable)
- Rain mittens (or shell mittens)
- Rain Hat (optional if jacket has a hood, but visibility is better w/ a hat vs. a hood for children)
- Insulated waterproof snow jacket
- Insulated waterproof snow pant
- Prefer a one piece option? Select an insulated waterproof snowsuit
- Insulated waterproof snow mittens or gloves
- Wool socks and/or tights
- Appropriate hat – one for fall/spring and warmer one for winter
- Base layers – wool or high-tech poly or function fleece – never cotton
- Rain boots
- Insulated waterproof snow boots
California outdoor kids
1+ Outerwear Kits Needed
All children in California will require a kit of waterproof gear, separates or a suit. We do recommend the versatility of separates (rain pants or rain bib and jacket) for Southern California where children may overheat in a one-piece suit option. Live in the northern part of the state? Don't forget layers! Your child will rely on smart base layers and mid layers when weather gets chillier. Mid layer jackets can function as your child's outer jacket on non-rainy days. Read more about layering techniques here. Remember – all CA kids will need wool socks!
Tip: Not all insulated winter gear is created equal! Stretch the functionality of your winter gear by wearing waterproof layers over it in extreme weather conditions. Example: Rain pants can waterproof snow pants which may just be water resistant. For this reason, the rain gear sold here at Outdoor School Shop is very generously sized (across all the brands we carry) so it can be worn over insulated gear and last for several seasons.
Checklist:
- Rain pants/bib (consider Shell pants as an alternative – waterproof, durable, and breathable)
- Rain Jacket (consider a Shell jacket as an alternative – waterproof, durable, and breathable)
- Rain mittens (or shell mittens)
- Rain Hat (optional if jacket has a hood, but visibility is better w/ a hat vs. a hood for children)
- Outer jacket for cooler days in fleece or lightweight insulation
- Insulated waterproof snow/winter jacket. (Northern CA)
- Base layers – wool or high-tech poly or function fleece – never cotton
- Wool socks and/or tights
- Appropriate hat – one for fall/spring and warmer one for winter (Northern CA)
- Thin gloves or mittens
- Insulated Gloves or Mittens (Northern CA)
- Rain boots
- Boot liner
Region not listed?
If you do not see your state listed, do not worry! Look for the characteristics of the states that are listed and determine which of those states have the same weather and climate profile as yours. Go with the recommendations for that state but do not be afraid to edit or add to what we have prepared. Every outdoor school will have its unique requirements and these needs can be tailored to your own individual checklist. ODSS just wants to provide you a good starting place! If you live in a “hybrid state”, one where it snows once a year but not much accumulation, high humidity and heat during the summer, usually above freezing or just at freezing temperatures in the winter, you will want to consider a gear list that has items from both the South Central checklist and the Northeast checklist. Pick and choose to meet the needs of your program! These gear checklists are living documents that can be adapted to your requirements!
Still feel like you need more guidance on building a suitable checklist for your region and program? We would be happy to work with you to meet your needs! Just email us here to get started.
Quick Start!
There are certain essentials that every outdoor school kiddo will require, pretty much regardless of where you live in North America. If you want to jump right in and make sure you have the essentials, this is the list for you. Maybe later once your child has settled in at outdoor school, you can explore some of the other regional lists and get the items your child might still need for your exact region. Download Checklist Here.
Essentials:
- Rain Mittens - If you are only going to buy one item, buy rain mittens. They will take your adventures to the next level!
- Rain Bibs - Rain bibs allow your kiddo to stay clean & dry in most conditions. We recommend wearing these all year long when it's wet, muddy or dirty.
- Waterproof Boots - Depending on your climate, you can go for all weather rain to snow waterproof boots or in warmer climates, grab a pair of rain boots to keep their feet dry.
When weather starts, here are the additional items to think about:
- Rain Jacket - When it's raining or wet outside, a rain jacket is an easy way to keep them outside for hours. If you do not have rain bibs already, buying a rain set is an easy way to get both.
- Base Layers - When temperatures drop, a warm base layer makes a big difference. You only really need one to start, they can wear the same base layer day after day. Tip: Wool is anti microbial and holds its shape.
- Socks - Another investment piece to help keep them out longer. Again, you really only need a couple of really good wool socks for the entire week.
- Winter mittens - A good pair of waterproof mittens in mild - cold weather is key. We recommend mittens as they tend to keep kiddos hands warmer longer but gloves are good too. Remember, if its really wet- you can layer your rain mittens OVER your snow mittens for the ultimate play without compromising how long they can be out.
- Rain Hat - When it's really coming down, a rain hat will allow elongated outdoor play. We also carry rain hats with fleece for cold temperatures.
Colder Climates:
- Snowsuit - If you live in colder climates, a snowsuit is key. We love one-piece options for younger kiddos and in activities such as snowmobiling, sledding, skiing. The one-piece coverage is a game changer.
- Snowpants - If your kiddo does not like the one piece, a good pair of snowpants is almost more important than their jacket to get right. Kids spend more time on the ground then adults do generally. Look for a high-water column and breathable features in your snowpants.
- Neck warmer - You will be so impressed by how much longer you can stay out when you wear a neck warmer. This advice is for adults and kids! Plus neck warmers are much safer and less bulky than scarves.
- Warm socks - We love to recommend a thinner pair of wool for all season (above) and then add a warmer option for colder climates. These can be layered together on very cold days.
- Mid Layer - A technical fleece or fleece mid layer jacket that is not too bulky helps protect and keep the warmth in. Add mid layer pants in very cold climates.
- Hat - While this is super important and probably should be #1 on the snow list- we find most people know the hat already and what it does to keep us outside longer.
- Winter Jacket - Similar to above, in winter we all know this piece. However, often with kids the jacket is the first thing to come off when they are too hot, but we encourage this layer to be the barrier to water. In milder climates, think about layering beneath a waterproof rain shell jacket. Or consider the breathability and not just the insulation of the winter jacket so your kiddo doesn't have to remove it. The jacket is working with their body to pull away the heat they don't need and keep them dry at the same time. It is important they want to keep this outer layer on.
Preparing for Back to School Success
At ODSS we have created handy, downloadable regional checklists to help ensure you have all your outerwear needs covered. Each 'kit' has an easy clickable link to a curated regional shop that we hope will assist you even further in narrowing down the best options for your region! Back to school the easy way!
In addition, we love these Back-to-School hacks....
- Check if shoes and boots still fit
- Remember to mark your gear
- Any rips or tears need to be fixed?
- Maintenance Supplies
- Does your school provide a gear checklist? Cross reference it with the one we provide at ODSS for your region and see what the differences are!