Hey, Summer Campers!
So you’re going on your first hiking trip at summer camp and you’re not sure what you should pack and what you should leave behind. This camp hike packing guide should help give you a start in the right direction when filling your backpack for a trek. The first rule of packing for a hike is to make sure that you don’t over pack. Remember that you’ll be carrying your backpack almost the entire time and you don’t want to be weighed down with a bunch of unnecessary items that you probably won’t even use. Leave plenty of room for the necessities and try not to bring too many things that you don’t need.
The Necessities
Begin with a good, solid hiking backpack. You want a pack that is big enough to hold all of your supplies but is still comfortable to wear for several hours throughout the day. Make sure that you test it out before you leave for your hiking trip. You’ll need to have somewhere to sleep, so don’t forget your sleeping bag, tent (if you need it), and maybe a sleeping pad if you have enough room. Bring two bottles of water as well as the food and utensils you’ll need to eat during the trip. Rain gear such as a rain jacket and tarp are necessary in case of unexpected rain. You don’t want to spend your entire trip trying to dry your soaked belongings. You’ll also need a flashlight for getting around at night and sun protection such as sunscreen and sunglasses during the day. Wear proper shoes and consider bringing an extra pair. You should also make sure that the clothes you bring are weather-appropriate. Don’t forget extra socks and underwear! As far as toiletries go, a toothbrush and toothpaste should be plenty. Lots of liquids take up too much room and weigh too much.
Your camp counselors should take care of making sure that they having cooking supplies, such as a stove and fuel, a first aid kit and other group necessities. This means that you shouldn’t have to worry about these things, which is why we’ve left them off of this list.
What to Avoid
Don’t bring any denim and avoid cotton clothes as they are unnecessarily heavy and bulky. You should also leave any other heavy and bulky clothes at home. Finally, avoid bringing pillows or heavy and unnecessary liquids such as shampoo and conditioner.
Have a great time hittin’ those trails and, as always, thanks for reading!
- John