Here is a printable PDF version of this packing list. 

We’re heading to the woods! This canoe trip is unlike any trip we’ve taken at Eden Village, and we’re SO excited that you’re going to be a part of it. This is a real backcountry trip. We’ll be together in the wilderness for 11 days, and carrying or paddling all of our belongings on a daily basis. Packing appropriately will make sure that you’re comfortable and safe throughout our adventure. 

We’ve made this list to help make sure you’ll have everything you need, and that you’ll be able to carry it easily in your backpack throughout the trip. In the backcountry, often the difference between a fun time and a really uncomfortable time is having the right gear. In your backpack you’ll need to fit everything you’re bringing, including your sleeping bag, so sticking to this list will be integral in making that possible. 

 

This is not a suggested packing guide, this is a mandatory packing list. 

Packing List

ALL CLOTHING FROM SHIRTS TO SOCKS MUST BE QUICK DRY.  Please make sure the clothing that you pack is made from either wool or synthetic materials or labeled “quick dry/moisture wicking” and NOT cotton. You will be getting wet often and cotton does not dry. 

Weather:  Typically between 50-75 degrees. It will most likely rain at least once. 

Laundry: Camp will be bringing biodegradable soap to wash our clothes every few days or as needed. You don't need to bring anything for this.

 

Camping Gear

  • Hiking Backpack- This should be around a 60 liter hiking backpack with comfortable hip strap support. This will be holding all of your belongings! If you do not have a hiking backpack, camp has a few that are available to borrow. They are on the smaller side (closer to 45 liters) so you’ll have to pack a little lighter. Please be in touch if you would like to reserve a backpack
  • Sleeping bag with compression sackSleeping bag is a personal decision based on warmth, what you’re willing to carry, and price. We recommend a bag that keeps you warm in 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Your bag should not exceed 7x13 when in it’s stuff sack. Here is a sleeping bag we’d recommend.
  • Sleeping pad- Can be foam or inflatable. Inflatable pads will pack up smaller and are often more comfortable. Here is an example. Camp has a few budget foam sleeping pads that are available to borrow. Please be in touch if you would like to reserve a sleeping pad.

**Your sleeping bag OR sleeping pad needs to fit inside your backpack with all of your other belongings.

  • Headlamp- It’s important that you have a headlamp, not a handheld flashlight. Please also pack an extra set of batteries.
  • Two 1-liter water bottles- We recommend you bring nalgenes, but at a minimum these should be durable and with a tight seal so as to not leak in your backpack. No straw-top or glass bottles.  

Clothes

  • 2 Pairs shorts
  • 2 T-shirts
  • 3 pairs underwear
  • 3 pair of socks
  • 2-3 sports bras, if needed
  • 1-2 Long sleeve shirts
  • Long hiking pants-  These should not be jeans, comfortable to move and hike in, quick-dry and breathable.
  • Warm bottom layer- These can be sweatpants, legging, something warm for the evenings at the campsite
  • Sweatshirt- We recommend this be a warm fleece sweatshirt. Fleece will keep you warm even if it gets wet!
  • PJs- These will just be for sleeping, not hanging out in, and should take up minimal space in your backpack.
  • Rain coat/poncho
  • Rain pants (optional)- If you have a pair, these are wonderful if it rains, if you don’t it’s okay- you’ll just get a little more wet. Here is an example.
  • Winter hat- Even in the summer it can be cold in upstate NY! 
  • Baseball/ sun hat
  • 1 Bathing suit
  • Shabbat clothes- Doesn’t need to be a full outfit, but something white to wear on Shabbat. 
  • 3 Masks- Should be reusable & washable

Shoes

  • Waterproof sandals with backstrapWe recommend something like chacos or tevas. They should be comfortable, dry quickly, and stay secure on your feet while wading through water. You should expect that your feet will be in the water every time you get in and out of your canoe! No flip flops or crocs. Must have a back strap.
  • Sneakers- To wear around the campsite and hike in.

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush/toothpaste, travel size
  • Biodegradable soap, travel size
  • Deodorant, travel size
  • Camping towel- This needs to be a quick dry, small and packable towel. Here is an example
  • Sun screen- We strongly advise you pack natural sunscreen like this. There are certain lakes and ponds that are so pristine we’d be required to wash off in the forest before entering the water. 
  • Bug spray, travel size- We strongly advise you pack natural bug spray

Optional/ As Needed

Please note that all optional and additional items must fit easily within your backpack.

  • Small journal & pen
  • Small packable camp pillow- Here is an example.
  • Waterproof watch
  • Glasses / Sunglasses-  If you wear glasses, we highly recommend  you get a croakie to make sure you don’t lose your glasses in the water.
  • Pads/Tampons/Menstrual cup
  • Inhaler/ Epi Pen
  • Siddur

Some Resources for Purchasing or Renting Gear

Purchasing new items for this trip will be a personal and family decision. We highly recommend you borrow anything you don’t already have from friends and family. If you are looking to purchase new gear, we’re hoping to help make that as easy as possible for you. We believe in the power of supporting sustainable businesses. We also know that these purveyors can be quite expensive so we’ve also created an amazon cart where the gear is significantly cheaper.  Please reach out with any questions!

Gear Acquisition: 

New Gear:

  • Amazon: not the highest quality but often inexpensive and will do the job for this two week excursion. We’ve set up a cart with everything we recommend. 
  • Backcountry.com, sierra trading post, and campmor. (high quality at slightly discounted prices)
  • REI, Patagonia, EMS (high quality at market rates)

Used Gear:

  • REI Used Gear
  • Facebook Marketplace
  • REI Gear Rentals: for a 12 day trip, renting a backpack, sleeping bag, or sleeping pad will range from $38-$56 per item

 

Thank you for adhering to these guidelines!

Part of the goal of this trip is for campers to try something new, stretch their boundaries and comfort zones, and get back to the basics while connecting with ourselves and nature. You’ll notice that we’re bringing very minimal clothing. We’re inviting you to lean into living minimally for a couple weeks. 

Teens will be living out of their backpacks! If it’s packed to the brim and hard to re-pack, it’s going to be a challenge on a daily basis. When teens arrive to camp, we’ll go through everyone’s gear to make sure they have everything they need, it fits comfortably in their backpack, and they can carry it all easily on their back for extended and strenuous hiking. Everything they are packing needs to fit inside their backpack. Either their sleeping bag or the sleeping pad can be strapped to the outside of their pack, but NOT BOTH. Ideally they both fit inside the backpack, but if not, they can strap one of them to the outside. 

If there are things on this list that you don’t have and aren’t interested in purchasing for future use, we recommend you reach out to your community to see if anyone has gear you can borrow- especially for things like a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, headlamp, and quick dry towel. You’d be surprised what sort of gear people have lying around waiting for an adventure!