What to Pack for Outdoor Camp

By Nicole and April Hughes, co-founders of Sunhouse Camps

Sending your child to an outdoor camp in Vancouver means packing for every kind of West Coast weather, often in the same day. This is the practical guide we send to enrolled Sunhouse families, made public here so any parent preparing for outdoor camp can use it. The principles apply whether your child is enrolled with us or with another outdoor program.

The Core Principle: Layers, Always

Vancouver weather changes in hours. A summer morning that begins at fifteen degrees with light rain can become twenty-six degrees and sunny by noon. The single most important packing principle is layers. Pack as if the day will include all four seasons, and your child will be comfortable in any of them.

The Daily Packing List

Always in the bag

  • Water bottle. Refillable, leak-proof. At least 500 ml. Label with your child’s name.
  • Packed lunch. Filling, nut-free (check the camp’s allergy policy), in a container your child can open independently.
  • Two snacks. One for mid-morning, one for late afternoon. Energy-dense and easy to eat outside.
  • Sun hat. Wide-brimmed is better than a baseball cap for full sun coverage.
  • Sunscreen. Applied before drop-off. Pack a stick or small bottle for re-application. Mineral-based is gentler on skin.
  • A change of clothes. Mud kitchens, water play, and the occasional tumble mean clothes get wet or dirty. Pack a full change in a sealed bag.
  • A small towel. For drying hands, sitting on wet ground, or warming up after water play.

Weather-dependent items

For rainy days (most weeks include at least one):

  • Waterproof rain jacket with hood
  • Waterproof rain pants
  • Rubber boots
  • Two pairs of socks (one in the bag for changing if feet get wet)

For sunny days:

  • Light long-sleeve shirt for sun protection
  • Shorts or breathable pants
  • Closed-toe shoes (sandals are not safe for forest terrain)

For cool mornings (most spring and early summer days):

  • Warm fleece or wool layer
  • Long pants
  • Thin gloves for early March Break weeks

The Backpack Itself

Children at Sunhouse Camps carry their own backpacks. This is not a logistics decision. It is part of The Sunhouse Method™. A child who is allowed to carry their own things learns they are capable of carrying their own things. Choose a backpack that:

  • Fits your child’s body (not too big)
  • Has two padded shoulder straps
  • Is large enough to hold lunch, water, and one layer change
  • Has zippers your child can manage independently

If your child cannot carry the bag for the full walk, that is fine. We scaffold. The educator says, “Let’s carry it to that tree, then you can decide if you need help.” Most children surprise themselves and finish the walk on their own.

What NOT to Pack

  • Anything precious or breakable. Outdoor camp involves dirt, water, and the occasional drop. Leave special toys at home.
  • Phones, watches, or screens. If your child uses a tracker watch for older-age camps, that is a separate conversation. For ages 4 to 7, screens stay home.
  • Snacks high in sugar that will affect regulation. Long days outdoors require steady energy. Sugary snacks crash hard.
  • Open-toed sandals or Crocs. Closed-toe shoes are required for safety on forest terrain.
  • Lunch your child cannot open. Hard-to-open containers create unnecessary stress at lunchtime. Test at home first.

Clothing Tips Specific to Vancouver

If you are new to Vancouver, here are a few notes that long-time locals will recognize:

Even in July, mornings can be cool. Pack a layer even on hot-forecast days.

Rain in Vancouver is not optional. Even mid-summer can include one to two rainy days per week. Real rain gear is an investment that pays off in comfort.

Mud happens. Trout Lake in particular has soft ground after rain. Mud is part of the experience. Choose clothes that can take it and that your laundry routine can handle.

Bug protection matters in July and August. Light long sleeves and pants reduce mosquito exposure on warm evenings near Trout Lake.

The Most-Forgotten Items

From our years of running camps, these are the things that get forgotten most often:

  1. A spare pair of socks
  2. A second snack (one is never enough on full active days)
  3. Sunscreen for re-application (parents apply at drop-off and forget the rest of the day)
  4. A waterproof layer when the forecast says “sun with a chance of showers”

If You Are Enrolling at Sunhouse

Enrolled families receive a detailed packing checklist by email before the first day, along with location-specific notes for Trout Lake and Pacific Spirit Park. We also share what we provide (first-aid kits, sun shelter, water for refills) so you do not double-pack.

Browse Sunhouse Camps →
Read the Full FAQ →
Read The Sunhouse Method™ →

Questions about packing or readiness? Contact us. We respond personally to every inquiry.

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