Packing Tips

Start EARLY

Review the camp's clothing and equipment list, like swimwear, clothing, shoes, and such. Then pack your bag early and refine it as you pick up more ideas.

Luggage

You'll need a robust and roomy bag for all your kit. NATO deployment bags are fairly tough and have shoulder straps that can be hidden away. Available in good army surplus stores or online.

Clothing

Many adventure centres offer several wet events every day where you'll get soaking wet. Bring enough changes of clothes, as putting on cold wet and clammy clothes can be brutal. Start each event in dry clothes.

Look through your closet to see what you really need that you don't already have. Comfortable clothing and shoes are more important than having everything new for camp. Some items return damaged, or not at all.

Ease into the camp spirit by wearing camp clothes until it is time to pack. Try on all clothes in your shower, bath or a pool. There is nothing more annoying at camp than clothes that chafe or don't fit when wet.

Plastic bags to hold laundry or wet items will come in very handy, as well as zip-locks to keep small items together. Prepare a bathroom kit with toiletries and shower shoes.

Pack enough sun care protection like hat, sunglasses, sun block, lip balm with SPF, as well as insect repellant. Unlike sun lotion, clothing doesn't wash off when you go swimming.

Sample Pack List

All of this will get wet at some stage, so choose quick drying kit where possible. Take around 2 to 4 of each item, more of socks and shirts. Make sure all this fits well when wet.

Clothes for Adventures and Swimming
Base layer for outdoors, or survival training in the pool. Always dress well for the pool parties.

• Tracksuits for watersports
• T-shirts or lycra swim shirts with long sleeves
• Hoodies or sweatshirts to keep you warm
• Jeans or cargo pants
• Swim shorts
• Full body lycra swimsuits for the pool
• Sandals and robust shoes, plenty of socks

• Anoraks and cagoules (short zip or no zip)
• Army ponchos or hiking ponchos
• Rain pants

• Waterproof camera with several spare batteries.
• Snorkel kit with fins/flippers.
• Waterproof bags for clothing.
• Toothpaste and brush.
• Hair brush.
• Skin care.

You will feel empowered when your bag is packed up. Remember to take a photo of you sitting on your luggage. It marks the beginning of the camp season for you.