Helly Hansen
This iconic and trusted outdoor school brand was founded in Norway in 1877 when sea captain Helly Juell Hansen found a better way to stay protected from the harsh Norwegian elements. Soon thereafter, Captain Hansen and his wife, Margrethe, launched business producing waterproof oilskin jackets, trousers, sou’westers and tarpaulins made from coarse linen soaked in linseed oil – and the legend was born! Helly Hansen gear is worn and trusted by professionals on oceans, mountains, worksites and, of course, outdoor classrooms. The brand prides itself on being a leader in technology with a long list of first-to-market innovations developed through insights from those working and recreating in the world’s harshest environments. We are happy to be able to leverage all these innovations to keep our kiddos happy, warm and engaged at outdoor school! ODSS also loves that as a leading Scandinavian workwear brand, there are tons of great options to keep our teachers warm and dry too.
Bogs
Bogs knows a thing or two about the great outdoors. The brand is devoted to making boots that are lighter and more comfortable than any other boot, in any kind of weather. Then they put them through the kind of testing that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy, if you had one. The result? Boots that are warmer, dryer, more comfortable, easier to get on and off, and sometimes cuter, than just about anything you can put on your feet. Because they not only have your back; they have your toes, and your heels and your arches -- and most of your ankles, calves and shins, as well. That’s just who they are. Think of Bogs boots as warm as a hug, and as protective as a parent. Bogs boots will keep the kids warm, keep them dry, and most importantly keep them outside.
Reima
Reima is the leading outerwear brand for kids in Finland as well as in Russia and much of Northern Europe -- they know cold, snow and wet for sure! Reima is also a top supplier to the Finnish school system as Finnish children play and learn outdoors no matter the weather! Reima wants kids to discover the joy of movement, so it stays with them for life. Reima outerwear is perfect for active children at outdoor school and hard-wearing enough for full immersion outdoor school - like a forest program. The entire range of outerwear is made from durable, non-toxic fabrics that are easy to care for and free from harmful fluorocarbons. And don't forget to check out Reima's essential mid and base layers (wool socks too!) to keep the chill at bay so kids can play outside as long as they want; ODSS carries it all!
Oaki
The rain suit you see everywhere at Nature Preschool -- and for good reason! This stellar, functional waterproof suit from Oaki Wear is the lifesaver all parents and teachers need for their kiddos as they explore the great outdoors in the wet and the muck. This suit was the brainchild of a tuned in mom who designed it for her own twins. She created the durable and affordable suit she could not find anywhere else on the market. ODSS is glad she did.
Polarn O. Pyret
Polarn O. Pyret is Sweden's leading children's wear brand since 1976 and has been available in the United States for 10 years. The brand specializes in outerwear and wool and continuously receives awards for their great quality and sustainability efforts. PO.P lives the Swedish motto “There is no such thing as bad weather - only bad clothing" and constantly promotes the benefits of being outside and active, no matter the weather! PO.P maintains a laser-like focus on durability, functionality and longevity.
Didriksons
For over one hundred years, Didriksons has remained true to its original basic concept, producing functional garments that keep you warm and dry whatever the weather. And that is perhaps why today, more than one hundred years later, they are still one of Scandinavia’s leading brands for outerwear. They have a simple philosophy: rather than challenge the elements, let's adapt to them. Just like Julius and Hanna Didrikson did back in 1913, when they began producing workwear for the fishermen in Sweden. The brand has now developed an extensive line of items ideal for the requirements and rigors of outdoor schools from rain mittens to snowsuits. Your kiddos will be just as dry and warm as these Swedish fisherman. They just won't be bringing fish home for dinner.
Muddy Puddles
Muddy Puddles started life on a farm in the UK when a mom laid her smallest child down on the kitchen table, drew round him and made the brand's first waterproof all-in-one suit. The brand is now a trusted go-to for dedicated forest schools allover the UK and beyond. Remember, the UK does know a thing or two about rain! Muddy Puddles believes in the importance of growing up to be confident and independent, which comes from the freedom to take risks, learn your limits and use your imagination and they are on a mission to make childhood magical in the great outdoors. The brand is committed to making durable, practical and protective outerwear that ensures children can play and learn outdoors no matter what the sky is throwing at them!
Stonz
Stonz story starts in 2004 with CEO and founder, Lisa Will, and her dream that her own kids could play outdoors every day, regardless of the weather. As a lover of the outdoors, Lisa would frequently bring her infant son on adventures with her, but his footwear would always fall off, leaving his feet cold. After searching the market and unable to find anything that worked, Lisa decided to put her dream in action. The brand started with a vision for the perfect boot but has evolved into so much more! Stonz makes it easy for kids to play outside safely, in any situation. They make sure that every product created serves a purpose and solves a problem. They took care of these points so you and your little ones can be completely engaged at outdoor school, in their own magical worlds filled with enchanted spells, secret missions and treasure hunts during any season of the year. As much as we love to experience the outdoors by ourselves, we want our children to experience it along with us. Stonz makes this happen.
Jack Wolfskin
Jack Wolfskin is a major German producer of outdoor wear and equipment and is one of the biggest suppliers of outdoor products. The founder Ulrich Dausien developed the first TEXAPORE jacket in 1980 and soon brought the first 3 in 1 jacket to the market. Jack Wolfskin ensure the highest level of social and environmental responsibility, and only use 100% organic cotton. They have been awarded with Leader Status by the Fair Wear Foundation four times and also won 4 major awards for sustainable technologies. ODSS are proud to carry their products for both children and teachers.
Tuffo
Kevin, the founder and owner of this staple outdoor school brand, grew up in Cape Town, South Africa before moving to the USA. The lifestyle there was active, physical and for the most part outdoors. By taking advantage of this lifestyle on both continents, he developed a strong appreciation for nature and the outdoors. The goal at Tuffo, is to continuously develop a line of non-technical outdoor and recreational products. The brand's products are geared towards the outdoor enthusiast who is looking for a quality product at a reasonable price. By utilizing durable materials and quality manufacturing techniques, Tuffo provides an affordable and reliable rain suit for your child at nature school.
Kombi
Firmly rooted in a tradition of innovation, quality, and comfort, the Kombi mission remains the same today as it has for the last half century – to create reliable performance products fusing technical function with careful construction and thoughtful style. Headquartered in Vermont, they know wet and cold. Once the vibrant autumn foliage display has fallen, the VT winter settles in for the duration. Sub-zero temperatures, icy slopes and trails, slushy sidewalks, and the joyous deep powder day are all served up in winter mix. In this challenging, beautiful environment Kombi products are conceived, developed, tested, and approved. If a product passes the Vermont test, you know it will perform for kiddos and teachers at outdoor school!
Turtle Fur
Located just North of Stowe, VT in the shadows of the state's highest peak, Mount Mansfield, this trusted brand knows tough weather. By creating comfortable, quality products, Turtle Fur’s mission is to help our children and teachers stay outside longer to enjoy the things they love to do. Millie Merrill founded Turtle Fur in 1982, leaving the company’s initial mark on winter sports with the invention of the first fleece neck warmer. Affectionately dubbed the Turtles Neck, it was a design shift in winter accessories that is still proving to be successful to this day. The invention of the Original Turtle’s Neck freed once scarf-bound skiers from their tangles and burdensome accessories. Besides being incredibly warm and easy to for the littles to put on, what we especially love at ODSS is the safety behind it. Turtle Fur's products allow kiddos to run and play without worry.
Kamik
Kamik is proud to say that they have been operating in their Canadian homebase since the start, alongside our extended family of over 400 employees. Each new pair of Kamik footwear comes withover 120+ years of history and expertise. That’s not to say they’re old fashioned. Even after over a century of proven quality, they are still looking for new, sustainable ways to improve— from the manufacturing process right down to the finished product. It’s a longstanding commitment to keeping feet warm, dry, comfortable, and happy.
Kid Orca
We enclose substantial meaning into this invention. Promoting the active attitude to life and boundless curiosity, KidORCA encourages the movement of enthusiastic parents who cultivate the adventurous spirit in their kids. Children love playing. It is their job. And our job is to provide comfortable and enriched environment for them. KidORCA Children Rain Boots incorporate all the requirements that parents may set. Stylish and lightweight, boots take the best from waders’ functionality while keeping the benefits of regular rain footwear.
Wild Med
Here at Wild Med, we believe connection to Oneself, Each Other and Nature is the most important work of our time. We exist to teach Families and Nature-based Leaders the skills they need to prevent emergencies and respond to those that can't be prevented so that they can Reduce Anxiety, be more Self-reliant, and Adventure with Abandon. Wild Med is an award-winning, industry-leading, mission-driven organization committed to delivering the most accessible, current, well-organized, useful, and painless CPR and First Aid Trainings to prepare our students for the unexpected. Most people don't know how to relieve choking, control a major bleed, or use critical life-saving tools such as an Epipen, AED, or Tourniquet. And so, they limit their experiences, travel, and adventure or worse yet, when they encounter emergencies they feel frozen and unprepared. Your mission should you choose to accept it is to learn these and many other life-saving skills so you can set off on adventures feeling relaxed, confident, and ready for anything! https://www.instituteforwildmed.com