Year 7 Outdoor Education Program
Monday August 31 – Friday 4 September
2015
Clothing / Equipment List
Beaconhills College Uniform Store
Outdoor Ed clothing and equipment
The College uniform shop is now stocking a range of locally made and good quality outdoor clothing and
equipment. The uniform shop is stocking a range of goods that meet the requirements for the Colleges
Outdoor Education Program. Items stocked included:
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Thermal underwear
Fleece jumpers
Beanies
Socks
Sleeping bags
For a complete list of items please visit the uniform shop or college website
Website:
https://shop.beaconhills.vic.edu.au/default.asp?DeptID=136
Address:
Beaconhills College Uniform Shop
Valley Campus
30-34 Toomuc Valley Road
Pakenham Victoria 3810
Phone:
1300 002 225 (Ext. #2239)
Email:
[email protected]
YOUR CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT LIST
Please read this book carefully!!! It is vitally important, both from a point of view of SAFETY and YOUR
ENJOYMENT, that you take with you everything that is on this list, and of course you don’t take things that
are not on the list.
The equipment and clothing list has been based on many years of experience and development. PLEASE
TAKE HEED OF IT! If there is anything that you do not understand or are having trouble finding, talk to your
friends, your teachers and your family.
In a nutshell, all your clothing and equipment needs to serve 5 basic functions:
1. It must keep you warm
2. It must keep you and keep your gear dry
3. It must be as light as possible
4. It needs to be suitable for a range of weather conditions
5. It must be protect you in a fire situation
When you are packing, keep all of these things in mind. For example, an enormous puff jacket might be
warm, but it will be heavy, and will not work in the wet. The better option would be 3 thin woollen jumpers,
which are lighter and more versatile.
This list assumes you will have three sets of clothes: one set for travelling to and from the camp (you won’t
need to carry these during the camp itself); one is for during the day and during activities; and the final set as
a spare for changing into at campsite if you get wet.
CLOTHING
(Tick as you pack)
To wear - 1 set of travelling clothes
PROGRAM CLOTHING (see notes following)
3 thin woollen jumpers or fleece
(1 for water activity)
1 Thick fleece or woollen jumper **
2 set of thermals (top and bottom)
2 shirts (long sleeves are good)
2 pair long pants (see notes)
1 pair shorts
1 beanie
1 pair warm gloves
1 pair per day (max) of thick socks
e.g. Explorers
1 pair per day (max) of underwear
1 broad brimmed sunhat (cotton)
1 pair walking boots/shoes (see notes)
1 pair shoes for water activities (see notes)
bathers
small towel
CAMPING EQUIPMENT (see notes following)
(Tick as you pack)
1
1
3
8
3
4
1
3L
1
1
Sleeping bag
Small lightweight torch and battery and spare globe
Strong large garden tidy plastic bags (orange ones)
Strong large rubbish bin plastic bags
Supermarket plastic bags
Strong rubber bands or hair elastics (for tying plastic bags up)
Plastic bowl, mug, fork & spoon
Water bottles
Cleaning kit (in plastic bag) - 4 scotchbrite, 1 Jex Pads, tea-towel
Whistle on cord
PERSONAL ITEMS
(Tick as you pack)
Any personal medication e.g. Ventolin, allergy medication (make sure all medications are
listed on your medical form)
Feminine Hygiene: sufficient pads/tampons for duration of the camp (even if you’re not
expecting your period, as the change in environment can alter your cycle). A small packet of
baby wipes can be great too.
Toiletries - comb/brush, toothbrush, toothpaste
Sunscreen and lip balm
Toilet paper in two snaplock plastic bags
High energy munchies - Trail mix - dried fruit, chocolate, jelly beans
No individually wrapped lollies or energy drinks
OEG has no obvious nut product on all programs, can please assist us in keeping the trip a
nut free environment by not bringing any as snacks
Personal First aid kit (e.g. bandaids, strapping tape and personal hygiene needs)
OPTIONAL
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Camera in 2 plastic bags
Book to read
Insect repellent
Diary / journal for writing (include a pen!)
OEG ISSUED EQUIPMENT
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Waterproof Japara jacket and over pants
Backpack
Stove and fuel bottle
Sleeping Mat
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Maps and Compass
Tent (2 person)
Safety Equipment
All activity equipment
DO NOT TAKE THE FOLLOWING:
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Mobile Phones
School iPads
iPods etc
Nuts or foods containing nuts
Wrapped lollies
Electronic Games (eg Nintendo)
Any items that are against normal school rules
Note to parents: Please do not allow your child to bring any of the above items, especially mobile phones. We
have experienced difficulty in the past with phones being lost/damaged etc. The Outdoor Education Group
organises the best possible communication system (eg radio/phone/sat phone), and in the event of any
situations/incidents, to prevent any confusion or double messages it is vitally important that the official
communication methods are the only means used.
Thank you for your support in this matter
NOTES ON CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
CLOTHING
Thin woollen jumpers or fiberpile
A number of thin jumpers are the most effective way to keep comfortable. You can adjust the number of
jumpers you wear with how cold it is, and the air trapped between layers is most effective at keeping you
warm, more so than one thick jumper.
The golden rule of any fabric is that it must be able to keep you warm even if it is wet. Only wool and
fleece will do this. Cotton will actually make you colder if it gets wet. If in doubt check the label.
Be careful to find jumpers with 100% wool. The best and cheapest place to get wool jumpers is from the op
shop. You won’t need to spend more than $5 on a jumper and the range is fantastic!
Long Pants
Light weight and quick drying are the key aspects here. Nylon only, no cotton.
Other Clothing
The principle that you want to go by here is lightweight, compact and quick drying.
Some BAD choices of clothing:
 Tight fitting hipster jeans (or any jeans for that matter)
 Off the shoulder midriff tops (imagine carrying a pack with one)
 Singlet tops
 Short shorts
 Tight fitting synthetic underwear
 Bulky clothing
 Wide leg loose fitting pants
Thermals
These are an absolute must. The idea of thermals is to be a layer of clothing against your skin. They are made
of special materials that wick moisture away from your skin, leaving you warm and dry, even in the wet.
Footwear
It is extremely important to have appropriate footwear. The general rule is that if you wear brand new shoes,
you will get blisters. Walking boots are best, but don’t buy a pair just before the trip. An old pair of runners is
OK but they don’t offer much ankle support. Make sure that your shoes have a substantial sole/tread for grip
on wet or rocky paths.
EQUIPMENT
Sleeping Bag
It is essential that you bring an appropriate sleeping bag. The three key features of a sleeping bag are:
 Warmth
 Filling type
 Size and weight when packed
Warmth: As the program is being held during the cooler time of year, it is important that you
have a sleeping bag to match. Look for a sleeping bag that is rated to 3 seasons, or to a rating
that is close to, or below zero. Please note that ratings are an indication only and will vary from
person to person. Essential features that will make a sleeping bag warmer are:
 Loft (thickness). Look for at least 10cm thickness in the chest area
with the bag fluffed up when lying on the ground
 Zipper
 Hood with a drawstring
Filling
 Natural filling -Down (duck feather). Down sleeping bags are warmer and will compact
smaller but lose their insulating ability when wet.
 Synthetic filling - Dacron (Hollowfill, Quolofill, Polarguard). Synthetic sleeping bags are
cheaper and will retain their insulating properties when wet but are harder to compact.
Either of these fillings are the best for providing adequate insulation. A sleeping bag with cotton
filling is totally inadequate for this program.
Size and weight:
 Down: look for a total weight of around 1-1.5 kg, and no bigger than about a 4L ice cream bucket
 Synthetic: look for a total weight of around 1.5-2 kg, and no bigger than a large garden bucket
Water bottles (3 litre total capacity)
If you do not already own a water bottle, don’t go and buy one especially for the program. A used 1.25 litre
plastic soft drink bottle is excellent for this purpose. It is essential that you bring at least two of these bottles
(i.e. 3L capacity).
At times you will be filling your water bottles up from rivers and water drums. Make sure one of your bottles
has a wide mouth for decanting with.
Strong large garbage bags
These are probably the most important piece of equipment! They are there to keep everything dry. Make sure
you bring good ones. You will need to bring along at least the minimum number of plastic bags of the
recommended style to ensure dry clothing and equipment.
You need the three super large, super strong bags: two to line your pack for initial waterproofing, and one as a
spare. THE BLUE STAND UP BAGS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE AS THEY ARE TOO SHORT TO LINE A PACK WITH.
One great option is to go to a vet and get a dog bag, which are heavy duty plastic.
Make sure you get the large size bag.
The other bags are for waterproofing individual items. Buy thick, heavy duty bags: An excellent brand, and
highly recommended are “Glad super size, super heavy duty orange garbage bags”
HOW TO SOURCE EQUIPMENT
Outdoor equipment can be very expensive, but there are a number of ways to obtain equipment that is far
cheaper and just as effective. Some options include:
Borrowing from friends/family etc.
 Many students/siblings/relatives etc may own a wide range of the gear needed, as most schools run
outdoor education programs of some kind.
Purchasing second hand
 There are a number of second hand sports and outdoor stores in Melbourne.
Opportunity shops
 A fantastic source of woollen clothing, at very, very cheap prices
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