HVA — THE MOST QUINTESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT LIST

ESSENTIALS: *see below for details

Raingear (this includes rain coat and pants, and should be durable) MUST HAVE!
Wool or fleece sweater/jacket
Polypropolene/synthetic thermal underwear)
Windbreaker overshell
Hat with brim that blocks both sun and rain
Warm hat (wool or fleece)
Mittens (lightweight/polypropolene
Windbreaker overshell

Hiking boots (waterproof!)
Sneakers
Close toed water shoes or another pair of sneakers
to get wet (We will be in water frequently!)

8 pairs of socks (4 wool)
6 t-shirts
3 long sleeved shirts
3 pairs of pants, one of which must be non-jean (i.e. wind-pants, nylon pants that zip up to shorts)
3 pairs of shorts
8 pairs of underwear
Bathing suit
3 large towels

Sleeping bag (No flannel or down; use synthetic alternatives.)
Ensolite sleeping pad
Waterproof "dry bag" pack (about 4,000 cubic inches or 2-3 cubic feet)
Large backpack, internal frame is preferred (No duffle bags; they are difficult to carry over long distances.)
Daypack

Basic toiletries in small containers
Feminine products for girls
Sunscreen
Headlamp (good quality) and batteries
Sunglasses
2 water bottles (total capacity 2 quarts)
Insect/head net
Travel cup

RECOMMENDED / OPTIONAL:

Camera
Reading and writing material
Jacknife
2 bandanas
Fieldglasses
Small musical instruments
Cards/games/CD's to share (no iPods!)

Important

Does your child take medication? If so, make sure it is given to a counselor immediately. All medication - even vitamins - must be stored in the camp's health lodge where it is available before and after meals and at bed-time.

Does your child wear eye-glasses? If this is the case, please pack a second pair just in case.

Does your child wear an orthodontic retainer? Please talk to him/her now about caring for it as part of the camp routine and not losing it.

REMEMBER, when we are in residence at HVC, you will have to carry everything that you pack up the mountain to the log cabin. It is quite a hike if you're not used to it, so please don't bring a trunk, or any bag that you can't carry yourself.

EXTRA EQUIPMENT INFORMATION

Luggage Adventures participants will bring all of their gear and clothing to camp, and will repack for their first adventure on the first night of camp. Dry bags will be used primarily. The campers will pack their dry bags for the first adventure with only the things that they need for that trip, the rest of their belongings will be kept at camp, and carried up to the log cabin for storage, and use on later trips.

Dry Bag is required. There are lots of water activities that the adventurers participate in and it is critical that we be able to keep their clothing and gear dry during these activities (who would want to paddle all day and then sleep in a wet sleeping bag?!). The dry bag should be between 3500 cubic inches (cu. in.) and 4500 cu in. The most convenient are the kind with shoulder straps, similar to the Seal Line Black Canyon Pack. They run around $70.00-$100.00. This is the bag that Adventurers will take out on trips with them.

Backpack As a secondary means to transport and store clothes we recommend that Adventurers bring a pack with them. It is ideal for this to be a backpacking pack (similar to L.L.Bean's "White Mountain pack" Medium in men's), as that will be easy to carry up Tipi hill to the log cabin. The pack should again hold approximately 4500 Cu. In. You may also consider borrowing a back pack from cousin Bob. Just be sure you try it out (with weight in it) well before you come to camp.

In the event that getting a backpack isn't a possibility a small duffle can be substituted, but please remember that this will be carried to the top of Tipi hill at the same time as the dry bag, and duffels are more cumbersome than packs. The L.L.Bean "Adventure Duffle" medium size is a good option.

Day Pack is also a required item. This will be used in a variety of ways, the most important will be as a means to carry water, extra clothing and food on day hikes. The pack should be comfortable and should be able to hold 2 liters of water, snacks for a day of hiking and an extra fleece and rain jacket.

Sleeping Pad: Thermarest is a high-end ($50+/-) ensolite sleeping pad that fills with air (when it's new and hasn't run into anything sharp yet!). A foam pad or a ridge rest is less expensive and more durable if not quite as comfortable.

It's well worth it to invest in a good Rain Jacket (Gortex or similar material, hood with a brim, elastic or Velcro wrist closures and ideally drawstring waist.) and Rain Pants (again Gortex, elastic or Velcro ankle closures).

Layers are the next key. Besides your rain gear, which will serve as your outer layer, you'll want a next-to-your-skin layer:Mid weight top and bottom long underwear. These come in a variety of materials—get something that wicks moisture from your skin and breathes. (Polypro, Capilene, Polartec Power dry, etc.)
The next important layer is your "keep me warm" layer. This is most often a really great wool sweater or a nice windblock fleece. Cotton's nice if you are in perfect conditions but if it's a rainy cold day out on a river or mountain then cotton is the worst thing you can have on your body.

Head and Feet:"If your hands and feet are cold, put a hat on." Don't leave your wool(or wool blend) socks and gloves at home, but be absolutely sure you have a good ski cap (wool or one of the good synthetic blends.) Bring a baseball cap (something with a brim) as well.

You may be thinking, "I don't get cold, I won't need long underwear." Remember, you'll be in Maine! And trust our experience in this regard… When you get out of your tent in the morning and you're on fire crew, you'll be glad you took this message seriously! (Also, keep in mind if you get to camp and you don't have an item of the required equipment, we'll purchase it for you and bill your family.)