YMCA Calgary Camp Chief Hector YMCA Summer Camp ...

YMCA CalgaryCamp Chief Hector YMCASummer CampPacking for camp as a Leadership camperIn the Leadership section, the quality of a camper’s clothing for their backpacking trip is very important. Weather can rangefrom hot/dry days to cold rain and heavy snow. Evenings, though usually warm or cool, can be quite cold. The out-triplocations are sufficiently remote that proper clothing – from head to toe, from hats to shoes and boots – will have asignificant impact on the quality of one’s experience.Many of the examples below of clothing and gear are from Mountain Equipment Coop (www.mec.ca). MEC supplies qualityand economical outdoor gear for children. Similar items can be found at other stores as well.CAMPERS MUST BRING:RAIN JACKET AND PANTSo Look for fully waterproof jacket & pant, made of durable materialo Rain pants are just as important as the jacket to help a person stay reasonably warmo Examples of quality and economy: MEC Reflective Rain Jacket (youth) and MEC Rain Pants (youth); for adult sizes,MEC Heavyweight Rain Coat & MEC Heavyweight Rain Pant.WARM SLEEPING BAGo Look for a sleeping bag that could suffice as your child’s bedding during all of their nights at campo The correct sleeping bag is rated to 0˚ Celsius, minimum (-7° recommended, generally)o Synthetic filling (bulkier than down-feathers) stays warmer when wet; synthetic fill dries more easilyo An example of quality and economy: MEC Habanero sleeping bag -7° or MEC Habanero 0°, depending on how“warm” your child sleeps (-7° recommended, generally).SLEEPING BAG COMPRESSION SACo You will find that your sleeping bag fills most of an overnight backpack, leaving little space for personal items, groupfood and group gear. A compression sac provides a solution to this problem. A compression sac is a sleeping bagstuff sac that has straps on the outside to compress the bag so that it takes up much less space. One compressionsac will fit all of your child’s years of sleeping bags.o An example of quality and economy: MEC Outdoor Research Ultralight Compression Sac 25L.FOOTWEARo Sandals – a pair of securely-attached sandalso Runnerso can be an old, worn-in & light pair of runners for “campsite shoes”o should be sturdy enough for light day-hiking in the mountains and/or portaging packs/canoes over portageso Hiking Bootso Look for: comfortable fit, waterproof (with boot-wax or by design), sufficient support for multi-daybackpacking, (wear boots in the store as you shop, in order to rate their comfort)NOTE: Boot fit and boot comfort can be highly variable, personal, and can change over time. Camp Chief Hector YMCA isnot responsible for boot-fit difficulties based on the recommendations below.o Though reviewed very favourably by many customers on the MEC website, the boots described below dohave some critical reviews as wello Examples of quality & economy: MEC Purcell 2 Backpacking Boots (adult), Timberland Pawtuckaway WPMid Shoe (kid/youth), Hi-Tec Altitude IV Jr. Approach Boots (kid/youth).BACKPACKo Look for an internal frame, proper fit (ask for assistance in the store), simple design, appropriate volume:o Leadership volume = 75 litres to 95 litres, though proper fit is the most important considerationo Examples of quality and economy: MEC Alpinelite, MEC Ibex, or MEC Brio – select appropriate volume.

YMCA CalgaryCamp Chief Hector YMCASummer CampSYNTHETIC (or wool) CLOTHING/SOCKSo Synthetic or wool clothing keep their insulating qualities (they stay warmer) even when wet – unlike cotton fabricsand clothing; as well, synthetic or wool fabrics dry faster than cotton fabricso Cotton clothing, great for in-camp and short trips, is NOT recommended as the main clothing layers for a multi-dayovernight camping trip. Wet or damp cotton becomes cold. Cotton is difficult to dry on a camping tripo Examples of quality and economy: similar items are also available in adult sizeso Tops, from inner to outer layers: MEC Presto Short-Sleeved T-Shirt (Youths'), MEC Microcheck Sweater(Youths'), MEC Dynamic Jacket (Youths'), MEC Physique 3 Jacket (Youths')o Bottoms: MEC Sidetrack Shorts (Youths'), MEC Sidetrack Pants (Youths').LONG UNDERWEARo Synthetic or wool long underwear on a cold morning or during a rainy day makes the difference between comfortand distressing cold; synthetic or wool long underwear is light, easy to carry and easy to dryo Examples of quality and economy:o Tops: MEC Midweight Underwear Crewo Bottoms: MEC Expedition Stretch Long JohnsPlease do not bring electronic devices to camp (cell phones, iPods, gaming devices, etc). Campers and staff coming toCamp Chief Hector YMCA Summer Camp are making a choice to be in-the-moment with their group and with theirsurroundings. If your camper is found to have any of these items at camp, we will keep them in a locked office until the endof the camp session. Candy, money and jewellery should also not be brought to camp.Complete list of items to bring:Rain jacket AND pantsDay packSleeping BagSleeping Bag Compression SacHiking BootsBackpack27-day supply of underwear27-day supply of socks6 pairs of long pants6 pairs of shorts8 t-shirts4 long sleeved shirts4 warm sweaters – fleece or wool. Example: MEC Dynamic Hoodie (youth)2 pair pyjamas1 bathing suit1-litre water bottle (x2)Hat that will keep the sun off the head, ears, and faceSunglasses, sunscreen, sun block lip balm, insect repellentPillow and Blanket (extra warmth on chilly nights and for our closing ceremony)2 towels – one for showering and one for swimmingLaundry bagFlashlight or headlampSturdy pair of shoes that can be worn walking (running shoes work well)

YMCA CalgaryCamp Chief Hector YMCASummer CampSandals or water shoesRubber boots or riding boots (we have some rubber boots available to lend to campers in common sizes)Bug net – OPTIONAL – Mosquitoes and other insects live in our environment at camp and are often especially abundantin July. A bug net is hung over the bed to keep insects away during the nightCamera – we recommend disposable – please write your camper’s name in permanent marker on the cameraBooks and word puzzles for bedtime and downtimePaper, addressed envelopes and stampsA labelled zip-lock bag works well for storing toiletries.Toothbrush and toothpasteSoap, shampoo and conditioner (small bottles are best)Comb or brushDeodorantSpecific Outripping Equipment and Clothing□ Backpack – big enough to fit sleeping bag, a change of clothes, the following items, and a small amount of group food orgear. Example: MEC Big Squeeze 2 Backpack□ Long underwear: tops and bottoms. Example: MEC Midweight Underwear Crew Top and Long Johns□ Camping sleeping pad. Example: Therm-a-rest RidgeRest Sleeping Pad□ Camping/plastic plate, cup and spoon. Example: GSI Infinity or Cascadian dishes□ Warm toque□ Warm mitts and over-mitts□ Nylon ankle socks – highly recommended for blister prevention□ 6 extra strong garbage bags to line backpack on outtrip□ Optional: Swiss Army KnifePACKINGA Rubbermaid type bin or a duffle or hockey bag work well for organizing clothes and keeping them dry and secure in thetipi. A Rubbermaid Roughneck Tote (37.9L fits under bunk beds and 53L or 68L work well, too)Lost and FoundPlease consider keeping expensive valuables and other items that would be greatly missed at home. Camp ChiefHector YMCA is not responsible for lost, broken or stolen itemsWe highly recommend labelling all of your child’s itemsConsider sending a list of packed items with your camper that they can double check as they pack to go home.Camp Chief Hector YMCA is happy to keep, for 2 weeks following each session, labelled lost & found items such asbackpacks, water bottles, pairs of shoes, quality clothing, and rain gear. Please contact us at 403-673-3858 ext. 223 with adescription of the lost item. We will contact you if it has been found. Items such as socks and toiletries will not be kept.Visit our website, for more information, including the following topics:Camper Medical Information and Transportation at CampFax Family Zone, Safety and Risk Management, Communicatingwith your CamperPlease contact Doug Saul if you have any questions about Leadership I camp programs or information listed here:dsaul@calgary.ymca.ca or 403-673-3858 ext 301.