 GEAR LIST FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE NATURALIST
Clothing and Equipment: Suitable outdoor clothing and gear is vital, not only for comfort, but for safety. Most students will already own appropriate items, therefore not all of the listed equipment need be purchased.
Students reporting to Fall Camp must have all of the equipment on the ‘Basic Gear list’, but should not purchase items from the ‘Complete Gear list’ until after Fall Camp. Advice from faculty and special workshops will ensure students spend their money on appropriate equipment.
If a student has absolutely no personal gear and is starting from scratch, expect to spend $1,500 on gear over the duration of the program. Keep in mind this equipment is required for work in the industry, and has a useful life far beyond the Outdoor Adventure Naturalist Program.
Please also refer to the 2011 Handbook for more important information regarding safety.
Safety Equipment package: (listed as the Incidental Fees first term, which becomes the property of the student).
This gear is required to learn and work in the industry, and is included in the students’ tuition.
The package includes:
- Whitewater PFD
- Whitewater helmet
- Throw bag
Note: if equipment becomes damaged to the extent it is considered unsafe, the student will be required to provide an approved replacement.
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Basic Gear list
Recommended gear list for Fall Camp:
- Rain gear hooded jacket and pants, rubberized $30-100
- Sleeping bag summer use (to -10C), ‘mummy’ style $150-500
- Any sleeping bag will do for Fall Camp, however, a warm winter bag must be purchased by November for fall season and into the winter semester
- Sleeping pad (evazote yellow foam)/Therma-rest - self inflating $15-90
- 2 Nalgene water bottles, wide mouth, steel/plastic, unbreakable $15
- Camp cook set: cup/bowl/generic trail eating utensils, plastic $6
- Headlamp and batteries (specialized flashlight) ie Petzl ‘Zoom’ $40
- ‘Day’ backpack 25-45 litre capacity, medium sized $35-75--not to be confused with a ‘book bag’--need sturdy, mid-sized backpack for day hikes
- Personal first aid kit: band aids, swabs, Polysporin, etc. $15
- Nylon ‘quick dry’ shorts (+ one-piece swim suit for women)
- Sports bra for women $40
- Long underwear tops and bottoms, 2 sets $40/set --polyester/polypropylene or wool
- Wool or fleece toque and light gloves
- Warm layers: fleece pants and sweater $50 each -trim fit to be layered under and over other clothes
- Windproof jacket ‘warm up’ or gym style, among others
- Sun hat/ball cap
- Sunscreen and bug repellent
- Sunglasses and retainer/string
- River shoes or sandals, old running shoes or non-velcro sandals
- Casual clothes for evenings
- Towel and basic toiletries
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Complete Gear List
In addition to the above list, students should bring this equipment, but hold off buying new gear until after Fall Camp. This gear does not need to be purchased all at once.
Sleep System
- Down or Synthetic Sleeping Bag - winter use (minimum -20C) 'mummy' style $150-500
- Sleeping pad (evazote yellow foam)/Therma-rest - self inflating $15-90
Next to Skin Clothing
- Polyester or wool blend top/bottom ($20-$100
- Sock liner--polyester
- Glove/mitt liner (slim-fitting for dexterity)
Middle Layers
- Mid-weight fleece top/bottoms, $40+ each
- Mid-weight hiking sock - polyester or wool blend
Outer Layers
- Down or synthetic or heavy fleece jacket/parka $100+
- Waterproof winter jacket and pants (may be able to use combination of other layers)
- Heavy duty winter mitts and toque
Footwear
- Mid-weight hiking boots--leather, mid-stiff sole, for moderate backpacking $100-$350
- Winter boots "Sorel" type (-30C) with removable liner $50+
- Water Sandal - "Teva" type or OLD running shoes
- Compass with base plate, only these makes and models accepted:
- Make: Silva; Model: Voyager series - 9020, 8040, 8010; Model Ranger 515
- Make: Suunto; Model M-3DL NH base plate compass or M-2
- Make: Bruunton; Model 9020G, 8010G; Model: Satalign
Other
- Pocket knife and river knife $10-40 each
- Whistle Fox 40
- Full size backpack (65-80 liter capacity for multi-day hiking trips) $100-$400
- Neoprene booties and gloves $20-40
- ‘Skull’ cap or bathing cap to wear under helmet for warmth $3-15
- Extra foam pad for winter camping
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Small dry bag (optional) $15
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Optional
- Paddling jacket/dry top (optional) $65-200
- Bivy bag or over bag for sleeping bag (increases warmth - optional) $100
- Insulated ‘booties’ (optional) $25+
- Stuff sacks/compression sacks (basic design, can waterproof with plastic bags)
- “Write In The Rain” fieldbook ($5-15), available at campus bookstore
- Camera (optional)
*As a rule, students will not be wearing cotton t-shirts, sweat shirts, jeans etc. during outdoor skills days, since cotton gets wet and cold. Fleece and polyester stay dry and are warmer. These items are available at any outdoor store and at outdoor shops in the Pembroke area. Program instructors and staff will provide advice on requirements and best value for each piece of equipment needed through workshops and training.
Gear Provided by Program:
- Mountain bikes and helmets
- Tent, camp kitchen and stove
- Full wet suit
- Nordic skis and boots
- Snowshoes
- Kayak, canoes, and paddles
Please bring any of the above gear you may already have. Please note: if any of the faculty have safety-related concerns with your gear, you may be asked to use program equipment instead. |
