Preschool Summer Camp Pack List

Preschool Summer Camp 2024 (Ages 3-5) Pack List - Printable Copy

BEING PREPARED = BEING SAFE

Summer camps take place outdoors in every kind of weather. Please use the following list as a guide before your outing. Your packing list may change depending on the weather, but keep in mind that Pacific Northwest (PNW) weather can shift to cool, wet, and cloudy at any time of year. Please note: Wild Whatcom reserves the right to turn children/families away who are not safely dressed for the weather. Mentors will bring some extra gear, but we request you let us know at least five (5) days prior to your outing if you need to borrow gear/clothing.

LOANER GEAR

Wild Whatcom has loaner gear available. You do not need to purchase gear to participate in our programs. To request loaner gear, please fill out this form and we will reach out to you. Please let us know at least five (5) days prior to your outing if you need to borrow gear/clothing.

PREPARING FOR YOUR OUTING

Sleep well the night before: Outdoor adventure requires lots of energy!

Check the weather forecast before each outing: Don't depend on what the weather looks like outside your window before you leave! Practice paying attention to, and predicting, weather.

Check your outing location/activity: Different types of terrain (beach, forest, hike) require different gear. If specific gear is needed for a particular activity, mentors will alert you ahead of time via email.

DRESSING AND PACKING FOR AN OUTING

Clothing Layers + Shoes/Boots

Socks

Shirt: Short or long-sleeved. Light weight material (synthetic or cotton).

Zip-off Pants or Shorts

Lightweight or Fleece Jacket

Pants: Thickness depends on temperature. Long pants are great when exploring brambles, buggy, or rocky places.

Change of Clothes: It is always helpful to have spare socks, underwear, shirt, and shorts/pants just in case!

Sun Hat or Baseball Hat

Sunglasses

Walking Shoes or Hiking Boots

Rain Jacket and Rain Pants: The PNW is known to get rain - even in summer! Check the weather and pack rain gear when needed. Essential for rainy days and after rainy days when it is wet in the forest.

Gear and Personal Items

Backpack (Optional chest strap): Carrying all necessary items means a full pack. A chest strap helps keep that full backpack from sliding off your child’s shoulders.

Water Bottle: We do not always have access to drinking water, so bring enough for the whole outing!

Lunch and Snack

Bandana (Optional): Lots of potential uses

Sunscreen: Please come with sunscreen already applied. Camp staff will have sunscreen available as well and can assist with reapplication during the day.

BEACH BUDDIES CAMP=Required

OTher CAmPs=Weather Dependent

Beach Buddies: While exploring the beach at Marine Park, we will be splashing around in shallow waters. Please have your child arrive prepared to get wet!

On hot days, our Little Birders and Magnificent Mammals campers may want to splash around in some water! In order to do so, they are required to have closed toed water shoes. Other items on this list may be helpful as well. If you are unsure if we will be going in the water on a specific day, please bring gear to drop-off and check in with mentors to determine if it’s needed.

Swimsuit (and/or clothes to get wet in): If your child will be wearing a swimsuit, please have them already in their swimsuit when they arrive. This can be worn underneath other clothes.

Closed Toed Water Shoes (Old sneakers work great!)

Pack Towel

Plastic/Garbage Bags: Great for storing wet clothing.