Beavers Packing List

"Vancouver is the Canadian city with the best climate and the worst weather"

- Allan Fotherhingham

During most of the year our can be variable throughout the day. Despite the weather forecast, we recommend that your Cub always brings an extra layer for warmth and to stay dry - these can be the same piece of clothing or separate.

In the winter there are several additional requirements for safety. It is strongly recommended that no cotton (including jeans) is worn - it gets very wet and stays very wet, which is dangerous in the winter. Wool and synthetic materials are preferred. A pair of warm and water resistant gloves and a toque are required. Cubs will typically be carrying a backpack, so bringing these extra pieces of clothing is not difficult.

On a warm and dry day, running shoes are good for hiking and other activities. If it's raining (or rained recently) then rain boots are recommended. Remember that puddles and flooding can linger on a shaded trail for a long time. Hiking shoes/boots are not required for Cubs, although they do perform well in mixed weather conditions.

The backpack is last on the list for a reason - everything else needs to fit in it. Don't buy a new backpack until you can bring all your other gear with you to make sure it fits. A regular school backpack is acceptable if the zippers work and there are no holes or tears. Children-sized "Daypacks" designed for hiking are great, but not required for Cubs (they will grow out of them quickly). MEC carries these bags in the $50-$100 price range from reputable brands like Deuter, The North Face and Osprey. Test your fully loaded backpack for comfort before you hit the trail! Adjust the straps to be snug but not too tight on the shoulders and waist (if your bag has a waist band).

For overnight trips, it is unlikely that Cubs will be able to carry all of their own gear. If your Cub owns proper backpacking equipment, they are encouraged to try it out as often as they like. For now, packing everything in a large duffel bag or any other means of getting all of your gear to camp is acceptable. It's a good idea to pack important items like your clothes and sleep system inside a garbage bag before it goes into the carrying bag to help keep them dry.