Preschool Summer Camp Pack List
Preschool Summer Camp 2025 (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.
❏ Warm layers (jacket and pants): Although it's summer, Marine Park (Beach Buddies) tends to get pretty windy and chilly. Come prepared with a warm jacket/windbreaker and pants!